20070208press release.htm

./020607_SprtLkchange_files/filelist.xml IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
9.35 pt 2 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Case No. SPL-W-06-01 February 6, 2007 Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]

Website:
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov

Spirit Lake workshop, hearing rescheduled to Feb. 28

The workshop and hearing for customers of the Spirit Lake East Water Company has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Feb. 28. The location has also changed to Spirit Lake Elementary School, 32605 North Fifth Avenue (State Highway 41) in Spirit Lake. The workshop will begin at 6 p.m. and the hearing will follow at 7 p.m.

The workshop will provide an opportunity for customers of Spirit Lake East Water Company to ask questions of commission staff. Representatives of the water company may also be available.

The hearing following the workshop is a more formal procedure during which customers of the company will present testimony to the commissioners who will decide the case.

Spirit Lake East Water Company is requesting that rates for its approximate 280 customers be increased from $12 to $24 for the first 9,000 gallons of use and from 10 cents to 20 cents for every 100 gallons more than 9,000 gallons. The company is also seeking an increase in its connection fee from $1,200 to $2,500. The company maintains that $2,500 is the actual cost it incurs connecting a new customer to the water system.

Staff members of the commission have reviewed the company’s application and audited the company. Commission staff is proposing an annual increase of 28.7 percent compared to the company’s request of a nearly 100 percent increase. The staff proposes an increase from $12 to $13 for the first 9,000 gallons of use and an increase from 10 cents to 13 cents for every 100 gallons more than 9,000 gallons. Staff is recommending an increase in the connection fee from $1,200 to $1,600. Staff is proposing a $13,571 increase in annual revenue, compared to the company’s $47,866.

The three members of the commission will consider the proposals from both the company and the commission staff before issuing a final order. The commission’s decision does not have to be the same as that recommended by either the company or the commission staff.

This is the second workshop in this case. Commission staff conducted a workshop on November 8 at Timberlake. The company serves customers in the Spirit Lake East and Treeport subdivisions in Kootenai and Bonner counties.

Those interested can read documents related to the case, including staff comments, on the commission’s Web site at
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the Water icon, then on “Open Water Cases,” and scroll down to Case No. SPL-W-06-01.