20080915Comment.pdf

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Jean Jewell
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Sent:
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w.d.jenson~gmail.com
Thursday, September 11,20083:10 PM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Will Jenson follows:
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Case Number: ROC-W-08-01
Name: Will Jenson
Address: 6 N. Currant Ln.
City: Rigby
State: Idaho
Zip: 83442
Daytime Telephone: [phone]Contact E-Mail: w.d.jenson~mail.com ~
Name of Utility Company: Rocky Mountain Utility Company, inc, Add to Mailing List ~
Please describe your comment briefly:
To whom it may concern,
I submit these comments with respect to Case No. ROC-W-08-01.
In the letter dated March 14, 2008, Rocky Mountain Utility, Inc. (RMUI) informed some
Pepperwood Crossing residents that they would begin charging a fee of $40 per month as a
sewer fee. It is understood that IPUC does not regulate sewer fees and considers sewer a
"non-utility". RMUI stated in the March 14 letter that if residents failed to pay the $40
sewer fee that "If no payment is made for 60 days, your water services will be shut off. A
fee of $50 will be charged to turn your water services back on for the first time upon
balance paid in full. A fee of $100 will be charged to turn your water services back on for
the second time in a one year period. If a third time occurs, you will need to pay in advance
for your water services." Under the Utility Customer Relations Rules section 310-91c it is
unlawful for a utility provider to terminate or deny services due to an unpaid bill for the
purchase of non-utility goods or services. Punishable under Idaho Statues Title 61-706 up to
$2000, for each and every offense.
In the letter dated June 17, 2008 to Pepperwood Crossing residents, RMUI misrepresented their
actual rate request that was submitted to IPUC. The letter told residents "Based upon
current operating costs to supply water to existing residents, we are requesting an interim
rate of $28.50." The July 29, 2008 IPUC press release as well as RMUI's application shows
their real intent to charge the flat rate of $42 per month. Residents were not informed of
RMUI's actual fee intents until the IPUC press release.
As stated in the Declaration of Protective and Restrictive Covenants for Pepperwood Crossing
subdivision, it was stated in Article 4 section 4.6 that "All lots shall have a central water
and sewer system provided by the Developer and included as part of the lot." RMUI's
application for a certificate of public convenience includes a prepared spreadsheet that
shows their intent to collect funds from residents for services above and beyond water
services including "Park Maintenance", and redundant fees like "Refurbish cost" and "General
repair services". The $3,900 "Park Maintenance" which could only include lawn mowing, has
only been done twice in the last 6 months, even with continued phone calls from residents.
In the past RMUI has been unwilling to disclose information about operating costs or
explanations about where service fees are going. Residents are concerned that funds will not
be used for their appropriated purpose. I propose that residents of Pepperwood Crossing
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subdi vision be given the right to seek al ternati ve sources for utility services and a public
hearing regarding the matter.
Sincerely,
Will Jenson
6 N. Currant Lane
Rigby, ID 83442
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov /forms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 75.167.160.187
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