Harper Woods Council Approves MML Insurance Renewal; Premiums Rise About $19,600
December 29, 2025 | Harper Woods, Wayne County, Michigan
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Harper Woods City Council approved a resolution to renew the city’s participation in the Michigan Municipal League (MML) liability and property pool for 2026 after the city manager outlined reasons for a premium increase and answered council questions about the breakdown.
City Manager Schimanski told the council the renewal premium for 2026 is $286,302, up from the expiring premium of $266,683 — a change of $19,619. He cited higher property valuations (+$1,900,000), a $142,276 increase in total payroll, five additional vehicles and one additional police officer as drivers of the increase, and said the renewal includes increased cyber-liability coverage.
Schimanski also said the MML board had authorized a dividend for renewing members and that Harper Woods is scheduled to receive about $8,500, which the manager said reduces the effective premium to roughly $277,802. Council members pressed staff for clarification about an unexplained line-item labeled "extra expense" on the premium breakdown; Schimanski said he did not have that specific reference available and would follow up.
Council passed the resolution to renew insurance and to waive competitive bidding in accordance with the pool policy. No change to liability limits was adopted at the meeting; one council member asked whether higher limits had been considered, and the manager responded council staff reviews exposures and inventory when setting limits.
Why this matters: The near-$20,000 increase affects the city’s operating costs for 2026 and reflects higher assessed values, payroll and expanded cyber coverage. The city expects a modest dividend that will slightly offset the increase.
Next steps: City staff will follow up on the unspecified "extra expense" line in the premium breakdown and report back to council.
City Manager Schimanski told the council the renewal premium for 2026 is $286,302, up from the expiring premium of $266,683 — a change of $19,619. He cited higher property valuations (+$1,900,000), a $142,276 increase in total payroll, five additional vehicles and one additional police officer as drivers of the increase, and said the renewal includes increased cyber-liability coverage.
Schimanski also said the MML board had authorized a dividend for renewing members and that Harper Woods is scheduled to receive about $8,500, which the manager said reduces the effective premium to roughly $277,802. Council members pressed staff for clarification about an unexplained line-item labeled "extra expense" on the premium breakdown; Schimanski said he did not have that specific reference available and would follow up.
Council passed the resolution to renew insurance and to waive competitive bidding in accordance with the pool policy. No change to liability limits was adopted at the meeting; one council member asked whether higher limits had been considered, and the manager responded council staff reviews exposures and inventory when setting limits.
Why this matters: The near-$20,000 increase affects the city’s operating costs for 2026 and reflects higher assessed values, payroll and expanded cyber coverage. The city expects a modest dividend that will slightly offset the increase.
Next steps: City staff will follow up on the unspecified "extra expense" line in the premium breakdown and report back to council.
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