20130701Comment.pdf

LOT 111
R CE V F 0
3358$North Kelso Drive
21H3 JUL —I MI 9:19 Spirit Lake,Idaho 83869
tD1!C u
JTILI June 26,2013
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O.Box $3720
Boise,Idaho $3 720-0074
RE:CASE NO.SPL-W-13-O1
After attending yesterday evenings presentation at the Spirit Lake Community Center,and thanks to
Gerry Galinato I have a much clearer evaluation of the SLEH2O Company’s position.
The Company wants to increase its financial position and smooth out its income stream.Based on the
figures presented,it would appear that after some twenty years the increase from the present $12.50 to $24.75
per month is justified.There was some confusion in the Pie Chart as to whether the costs represented were
clearly attributable to the present ownership or whether there may have been some inclusion of costs to the
previous owner.This question was elicited by a lady sitting behind me at the meeting and I don’t feel that it was
adequately addressed and left for future consideration.However in the intervening twenty years,the Clients’
demand for a supply of potable water has increased as well.I believe it would be in the better interest of both
parties if those mutual interests are well served by the Commission in its decision.
The Company wishes to proceed to a Monthly Billing Cycle,stabilizing their Income Stream,a desirable
process for any capital venture.The Company is presently incapable of taking Meter Readings on a Monthly
Basis,an established process for most service Agencies,as a result of weather and an antiquated process
requiring manual observation of the Meters.This process is not irretrievable.With the accumulated usage
information on hand,statistical inference should be more than capable of providing a reference format for a
Monthly Billing.
Once the framework to accommodate Monthly Billing is established,it would be a desirable feature on
the Company’s part to provide an easier method of payment.At present the only system available is through the
U.S.Postal Service
I would like to point out,for the Commission’s consideration,that while the Idaho Department of Water
Resources Report of February 4,2009 on Water Right No.95-9949 based its findings on a total of 366 homes,
the Enforced Spirit Lake East Plat in Kootenai County and the Public Plat of Treeport in Bonner County
will have a combined total of 37$homes;313 and 65 respectively when built out.A process which I believe is
nearly complete.
LOT 111
Those described rights in the Report,when combined,shall not exceed a total annual maximum
diversion volume of 148.5 Acre Feet for irrigation of a total of 49.5 Acres and 219.6 Acre Feet for in-house use
for a total of 366 homes.From the reference,it is readily apparent that the availability of water under these
Rights is not a point for consideration.The issue is whether or not the Company in return for a reasonable and
justified request to increase the Monthly Billing,to $24.75 is also willing to provide an additional
accommodation of 300 CF per month to Residents of the two Conmmnities which they serve at no additional
cost.
Increasing the Monthly Allotment from 1203 cubic feet to 1500 cubic feet,is a more than justifiable
offset,in WE the Clients favor,based on the foregoing allocation by the Idaho Department of Water Resources
and the Company’s proven capability for provision.Just as the costs of providing water by the Company have
risen so has the need for increased accommodation risen,justifying revising the allotment of water.
Additionally,I would like to recommend for consideration that in the future,Company Billing references
be based on Cubic Feet and not Gallons.The appropriation is in Acre Feet,most units involved are in Cubic
feet and as an Engineer,I have it found it difficult in working with the General Public to accommodate the
concept of the Gallon as a Unit of Measurement.On the other hand,most seem comfortable with the concept
of a Cubic Foot.
I am looking forward to a Public Meeting in August.
Spirit Lake East Homeowrs’Association Incorporated
P.O.Box217
Spirit Lake,Idaho $3869
Spirit Lake East Water Company
P.O.Box 3388
Coeur d’Alene,Idaho 83816
Respectfully,