I would like to address the story, “City: Too many problems with warranty program plan” (Auburn Reporter, April 26) as many uninformed statements were included.

I appreciate the opportunity to provide clarification about the partnerships Utility Service Partners (USP) has with many communities in Washington and across the country.

Homeowners are often unaware that they are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the sewer and water lines between their homes and the street.

USP helps communities educate homeowners about their responsibilities and provides residents with optional service plans to ease the financial burden and inconvenience associated with these repairs.

In order to show that an approved partnership is in place, like those already in Sunnyside, Dayton, Kelso and Kenmore, USP will use the city’s logo in mailings to residents. This is done to assure residents that the program is valid, for the residents’ benefit, and implemented with the approval of the city.

The article never notes that this important detail, about the use of the logo, is always fully discussed and agreed to with our partners on the front-end

USP uses city-supplied mailing lists whenever possible to ensure that correct geographic boundaries are identified and accurate homeowner information is used. In cases where this is not available, USP will utilize publicly sourced name and address information.

However, resident confusion can result from outdated addresses or addresses in the same zip code but outside of city boundaries.

We are 100 percent committed to transparency in everything that we do. That is why all mailers sent to residents have been approved by the cities with which we partner. We also provide our partners with training and tool kits to ensure they fully understand the program, the benefits to residents, and the process we use for communicating to residents about the program.

USP is part of a nationally respected company with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and more than 500 partnerships with cities, municipalities and utilities across the country.

We take pride in our partnerships, the transparent way in which our company operates, and the plans we offer to ease the burden of home repairs for Washingtonians.

– Myles Meehan, SVP, public relations, HomeServe USA, parent company of Utility Service Partners