20041109Comment.pdf

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UTILITIES COt'1t.'1JSSI0N
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
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Sirs:
I am writing to in response to a letter from a Mr Elsea director of Mountain Utility Co of
Schweitzer Mountain Resort out of Sandpoint, Idaho. In it he informs the water
customers of a proposed rate increase in their monthly water billings that is almost double
the current rate. My condominium is only used 3 to 4 months of the year and for the
remainder of the year consumes little or no water. This makes the current rates quite
expensive without any further increase. I appreciate the financial situation the local
utility company is in, but it is not of my making and this particular way of increasing
revenues seems seems both inequitable and punitive. I would much rather pay a rate
based on metered consumption rather than a flat monthly rate as is presently the case.
Without water the condominium is untenable and the local utility owns the only supply.
In short they have a monopoly on a necessity of life and it was just such situations that
led to the concept of utility commissions as a way to protect the public
from monopoly based "price gouging . No one wants to pay less than a fair price for
their utilities but major capital investments should be funded by bond sales or some other
appropriate means, not by a huge increase in retail prices.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please advise.
"-I
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Frank Kimball
8814 No Sandy Cove Rd
Hayden, Id 83835
Phone: [phone].
MOUNTAIN UTILITY C.OMPANY
WATER - WASTEWATER - CABLE TV - ROADS
165 Village Lane, Suite A, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
" Phone: 208~255-3046 Fax:[phone]
Dear Resort Water Customer:
I am writing to inform you that Resort Water Company has filed an application with the
Idaho Public Utilities Commission to receive a certificate of public convenience and
necessity. As you know privately owned water companies are regulated by the IPUC.
As part of the Application we are also asking the Commission to set for water
surface. Currently, the rate for each residcnti~' o""uivalent unit is 33.00 tJer rnon r Vve
are requesting that the rate be increased t $61.96 per mont . This represents and 880
increase over current rates.
We understand that this is a substantial increase. It is necessary for several reasons
however. Under current rates, Resort Water is operating at a loss and the current rates
have not produced any profit during the last five years. The owners of Resort Water
have invested over $500 000 in the system and have not received any return on their
investment. Further, in order to provide safe and reliable service, Resort water will have
to make a substantial investment in a new fire-flow reservoir this year.
Our proposal is subject to review by the I PUC. A complete copy of the proposal is
available at our office and at the commission s office at 472 West Washington, Boise 10.
http://www.puc.state.id.us/FILEROOM/water/water.htm
u can file a comment onour Application via the IPUC website a
h1!P://www .uc.state. id. us/scri ts/orm.dll/i uc
ments to:
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
O. Box 83720
Boise, 1083720-0074
Also, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions you may have.
Sin rely, /
Director
telsea ~ schweitzer .com