20160826Application Addendum 3.pdf

August 22, 2016
Jean Jewel
Secretary to the Commission
P.O. 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Morning View Water Company
P.O. Box598
Rigby, ID 83442
RE Amendment to Morning View Water Co. Rate Case
Dear Ms. Jean Jewel
RECEIVED
201& AUG 26 AM 9: 30
ir1.(\: i J PUBLiC
111L1't°lf~J COMMISSION
Morning View Water Company requests that the rate increase case# MNV-W-16-01 be reviewed and
changed to include costs of application, preparation for and response during the case.
You know from the long forms and intense questions asked of us, that there has been no financial
compensation for the hundreds of hours put into this rate case, including three and one half days of audit,
extensive verbal and written required response two public hearings etc. To leave out these hours and
expenses is to not fully comprehend what it takes to run a small water company. Surely you have statistics
that would allow your commission to prepare a standard formula and allowance calculating costs.
We know that other water companies are reimbursed to pay expensive consultants and lawyers to do this
work. In fact in your instructions for small water companies, you recommend hiring a lawyer. We have
been unable to do this given the dire straights of our company economically. The current audit has failed to
address this . Our bookkeeper has not been reimbursed for his herculean efforts.
Your auditors have recommended that we begin preparing another rate case soon after this current one is
concluded saying it is "hard to get it right the first time." This indicates that we will need funds to pay for
the costs anticipated so we can always be on top of the requirements of your requests year after year. It
appears that this is an ongoing reality for all small water companies. Yet the audit is suggesting that
Morning View Water Company actually needs to cut the bookkeeper's contribution.
Your initial rate case instructions state that it is almost impossible for small water companies to have the
funds or ability to do this work. We have done an adequate job but as a hardship. We are asking the
commission to address this with the current case and not tie our hands to failure and mediocrity when we
have come so far in compliance and service to our customers. We ask a decent return after having lost
thousands of dollars over the years.
This problem is not only Morning View Water Company's, but is endemic to all small water companies
throughout the state. It seems that approving this amendment to us and providing a solution for all small
water companies throughout the state, who are floundering under these cases, will address and solve a real
ongoing problem.
Please take action and come up with a financial formula for all ofus. We know you have the data and
resources to make things right for small water companies.
µf
Nolan Gneiting. President
208 745-0029