Board directs staff to pursue residential water-leak protection program with $1,000 coverage and $2 monthly fee

Madison County staff briefed commissioners Nov. 3 on a proposed water-leak protection program for utility customers. Staff (Ms. Wilson and Christina) recommended a residential-only protection plan with a $1,000 coverage limit and a recommended pricing structure of $1.55 plus a $0.45 administration fee, which staff described as a $2 monthly charge to customers.

Discussion among commissioners and staff focused on whether to include commercial accounts and sewer coverage. Staff advised that commercial coverage is more complex because commercial classification depends on meter size and usage; multiple commercial customers are on small residential meters and would require separate rate definitions. Commissioners said the program should start with residential coverage to build a loss-history and return later to consider commercial options.

Board direction: Commissioners indicated support to proceed with the residential water-leak protection plan (coverage limit $1,000; proposed charge $1.55 plus $0.45 admin fee to be billed as a $2 monthly line item) and to defer commercial and sewer coverage decisions until staff builds program data and a loss history.

Why it matters: The county’s decision to offer a utility protection program affects customers’ monthly bills and covers customer-side leak repair costs up to the coverage limit; starting with a residential-only program reduces initial actuarial/administrative complexity.

Staff note (meeting): Staff will prepare the necessary ordinance/resolution and pricing for formal adoption at a future meeting (November agenda anticipated).