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West Union to explore water-leak insurance after resident reports $4,000 bill
Summary
A West Union resident told council a rental received an $8,000 bill that, after removing sewer charges, left $4,000 in water charges. Council agreed to invite insurers to present optional leak-insurance programs and to report back to council.
The West Union Village Council on April 14 agreed to investigate optional water-leak insurance after resident David Osborne Jr. said a rental property was billed about $8,000 and the sewer portion was removed, leaving roughly $4,000 in water charges.
"If the gentleman living at the property was on a fixed income, he would not be living there today, he would be homeless," Osborne said, arguing the village should help protect low-income residents from catastrophic bills.
Council members and staff described the village’s existing practice: water service is billed to the property owner, sewer charges can be adjusted when leaks do not flow through the sewer system, and payment plans are available. Village Administrator Kenny Ferguson said the office lacks an automated leak-alert system and typically adjusts sewer charges once per year when a leak is documented. Solicitor Tom Mayes said some jurisdictions offer an opt-in insurance product that covers a single qualifying leak per year if the insured completes the required paperwork and provides repair invoices.
"Several villages have been approached to incorporate an insurance and there are companies that do that," Mayes said, explaining such plans are typically voluntary and require documentation for a claim.
Council members agreed to invite providers of opt-in leak-insurance programs to present options at a future meeting. Mayor Jason Buda said he would contact the Municipal League for recommendations, and Councilmember Donna Young said she would notify Osborne when a presentation is scheduled.
No vendor was selected; council’s action was to explore options and schedule presentations so members can consider whether to offer an opt-in product to property owners.
