Committee of the Whole sends National League of Cities service-line warranty program to council agenda

The Homestead Committee of the Whole on June 10 voted to place a resolution on the council agenda to allow the city to make available a voluntary, vendor‑administered service‑line warranty program endorsed by the National League of Cities and administered by HomeServe.

Ashley Shaworski, the vendor representative, described a suite of optional protections covering external water lines, external sewer/septic lines (covers the line to the septic tank but not the tank itself), in‑home plumbing, interior electric, heating, cooling and water‑heater repair or replacement. Coverage highlights Shaworski cited: up to $8,500 per incident for external water or sewer service-line repairs (including street or sidewalk repair when the resident is responsible) and up to $3,000 per incident for in‑home plumbing repairs. The vendor said there is no service fee or deductible, local contractors are used for repairs following vetting, and the city’s involvement would be limited to a marketing/authorization agreement; the vendor handles marketing, billing, claims and customer service. The vendor stated the city would receive 10% of premiums collected and that making the program available is at no cost to the city.

Committee members asked clarifying questions: the program covers sewer/septic lines to the tank but not the tank itself; there is no material exclusion (e.g., cast iron, clay) so a line composed of an older material would be replaced when required by code; a pricing schedule in the agreement lists typical monthly premiums (e.g., external water $5.99, external sewer $7.99, in‑home plumbing $9.99, interior electric $5.99, heating $12.99, cooling $14.99, water heater $12.99). Shaworski said customers can cancel at any time and receive refunds for unused premiums; the agreement also allows price adjustments (vendor said historically increases are rare; the draft wording allows up to $1 per plan per year).

Councilman Roth moved to place the resolution on the council agenda; Councilman Davis seconded. The motion passed (voice vote) and will appear on the next council agenda for formal consideration.

Why it matters: the program would create an optional, vendor‑administered protection for homeowners to address costly private service‑line failures and could generate a small revenue stream to the city (10% of premiums). The committee’s action was procedural (placement on the council agenda), not final adoption of a marketing agreement.