20130415Comments (4 Total).pdf

PL - W-130/
April 12, 2013
Spirit Lake East Water Co
Public Utilities Commission
AR 15 Ui 8:55
1DAHO uiaffES COMM1S&0H
Wouldn't it be nice if we all could just double our incomes so it wouldn't be a problem
with our creditors suddenly doubling our bills?? Not fair. We had the same issue with
the HOA in SLEIIA. The homeowners group did not raise the rates slowly and we
suddenly realized we should have been doing it. We started slowly increasing the rates
again at the allowed percentage yearly, as it is not fair to the public to suddenly throw an
increase like that at them just because those in charge let things getout of hand. I will be
sure to let the PUC know my feelings. I am sure most of the people on this system have
not gotten in raises at their jobs in the last several years .... those that still have their jobs.
Sincerely,
Ron and Jana Anello
35415 N. Saint Joe Drive
Spirit Lake, Idaho 83869
208-623-5859
Jean Jewell
From: [e-mail]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 7:47 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Ralph E. Shrigley follows:
Case Number: SPL-W-13-01
Name: Ralph E. Shrigley
Address: 32734 N. Hayden Dr.
City: Spirit Lake
State: ID
Zip: 83869
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: rshrigley(@earthlink.net
Name of Utility Company: Spirit Lake East Water Co.
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
I strongly support the referenced case for rate increase. A few years ago I was among a
small number of Spirit Lake East residents who, on an ad hoc basis, formed a non-profit
corporation with the goal of acquiring and operating the Spirit Lake East Water Company from
its previous owner. Our motivation was the consistent poor management and service compounded
by years of underinvestment. The previous owner was harvesting the depreciation from their
investment in the water company in order to offset profits of the parent corporation. The
previous owner ran afoul of the IPUC and IDEQ and was forced by the courts to correct much of
its historical underinvestment in order to be able to divest itself of the company.
With transfer of ownership to the current owner/operator we felt highly satisfied with the
solution and disbanded our efforts. Since that time I have been impressed with the company's
operation and believe the requested rate increase is more than justified. Only with adequate
investment, which will only be possible with increased rates, can we expect continuance of
their fine service.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipucl/jpuc.htmj .
IP address is 50.37.136.70
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Jean Jewell
From: rvspirit©hughes.net
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 7:03 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from RICHARD C. HERNANDEZ follows:
Case Number: SPL-W-13-01
Name: RICHARD C. HERNANDEZ
Address: 5525 W. COEUR D'ALENE DR.
City: SPIRIT LAKE
State: IDAHO
Zip: 83869
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: rvspirit (@hughes.net
Name of Utility Company: SPIRIT LAKE EAST WATER CO.
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
Gentlemen:
Working and living in Idaho has not been easy. I found this location to be be less expensive
to live than other locations yet close enough to head into town to buy some groceries and
what ever other items I may need to live on. The cost of electrical power is some what
reasonable and so is the water rates. Since my retirement in 2002 I've found the price of
living keeps going up while my Social security gives me a COLA only ever so often. I also
noticed I'm getting further behind. So, I've started a victory garden to help supplement my
food. The soils are not the best for growing but I can make due. These last few years have
been drastic for living with the government not willing to give COLA's and now, Spirit Lake
East Water Co. wants to increase our rates 106%. Holy Cow! There goes my garden. I beg of
you, please consider the many people who have moved to this location because they too have
found it reasonable to live here, and many of them now are strugling. With all do respect, I
suggest if IPUC allows a rate increase for the water company, please space it out for at
least 10-15 years like 10% increments based on the $12.50 we pay now per month. No body or
business should be allowed to increase their rates that much on the public. There's lot of
retired people here. Please here us! I would like to request a hearing here in Spirit Lake
for the purpose to allow some who may be unfurtunate to have not heard about this increase
and to be able to makes a statement at the hearing who otherwise feel more comfortable to
talk rather than write.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipuci/ipuc.html
IP address is 72.171.192.119
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Jean Jewell
From: garrettgirls©yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 1:01 PM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Julie Garrett follows:
Case Number: SPL-W-13-01
Name: Julie Garrett
Address: 32389 N Tahoe Dr
City: Spirit Lake
State: ID
Zip: 83869
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: garrettgirls(@yahoo.com
Name of Utility Company: Spirit Lake East Water Company
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
I wish to provide a comment, or remark, in response to the Spirit Lake East Water Company's
request for a rate increase of more than 100%. I do not believe that the support provided by
the SLE Water Company within the Customer Notice is sufficient nor reasonable grounds for
such a significant increase.
First, the length of combined' experience of the new operators is irrelevant, and does not
justify a rate increase at all. Second, meeting Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
rules, should be considered a minimum threshold, not justification for higher revenues.
Third, there has been NO increase in water pressure at our service address, as suggested.
And, in fact, our water pressure is VERY low on a regular basis. And, fourth, any repairs to
correct main line leaks should again be considered a minimum threshold, not justification for
a rate increase.
With regard to the request for monthly billing, I believe this is a reasonable request.
However, if this change in billing frequency is approved, I also think it is reasonable to
provide methods other than USPS first class mail as a means to provide payment against our
account. For example, I recommend that we be able to sign-up for an automatic charge to our
credit card or bank account. And, I should be able to access our account information online.
Otherwise, mailing a check every month will become somewhat administratively burdensome for
customers.
Finally, as a customer for more than ten years, I believe I have sufficient experience to
conclude that there has been no noticeable improvement to our water service and water
pressure continues to be sub-par (low and often erratic). I DO, however, support a more
modest increase to our rate structure; perhaps one to two dollars per month ($1 to $2
increase, or up to a monthly service rate of $14.50).
Thank You - Julie Garrett
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/juc1/ipuc.hrnl
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