20070216notice_of_modified_procedure_order_no_30250.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 16, 2007
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF STONERIDGE WATER COMPANY FOR
AN INCREASE IN RATES AND CHARGES
AND TO MODIFY RULES AND
REGULATIONS
CASE NO. SWS-06-
NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF
COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30250
On November 20, 2006, Stoneridge Water Company filed an Application with the
Commission seeking "to allow for the closing out of Phase I and Phase II loans for the Happy
Valley Ranchos annexation and surcharge associated thereto, for an increase in the monthly user
fees, an increase in the hook up fees, an increase in the disconnection/reconnection fees and for
clarifications and changes to the Rules and Regulations.
On December 18, 2006, the Commission issued Order No. 30204, Notice of
Application and Notice of Modified Procedure, authorizing the use of Modified Procedure to
process this case. With this Order the Commission establishes a deadline for the submission of
written comments and/or protests with respect to the Application and the Commission s use of
Modified Procedure.
THE APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company filed a fairly comprehensive
Application following the pattern available on the Commission s web page for small water
company Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity. In fact the Company titled its
Application as that for the issuance of a Certificate. However, the Company currently possesses
a Certificate see Order No. 28994, and it is clear from a review of the Application that it is
requesting a general rate case. The Company has not requested a specific effective date for the
proposed new rates.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company had previously taken out a
series of loans from the State Drinking Water Revolving Fund totaling approximately $438 500.
See Case No. SWS-04-, Order No. 29719 (authorizing the loan amounts and describing the
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30250
background surrounding the loans, system expanSIOn, and system improvements). The
Commission, in its previous Orders authorizing the Company to incur the indebtedness
specifically reserved judgment on the appropriate amount of the surcharge for Phase I
interconnection. Order No. 29719 at 5. The Commission also specifically reserved judgment on
how the Company may collect the cost of the backbone system improvements for Phase II. Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that, according to the Customer Notice prepared
by the Company, its request to the Commission consists of six parts: "(1) A monthly fee to
service the Happy Valley Ranchos loan will be imposed on all those current and future
customers that were added as a result of the Happy Valley Ranchos annexation. (2) A monthly
service fee to service the well repair loan will be imposed on all current and future customers
within the StoneRidge Utility service territory. (3) A monthly user fee increase will be imposed
on all current and future customers within the StoneRidge Utility service territory. (4) A
disconnectlreconnect fee increase will be imposed on all customers choosing to have their water
shut off and turned on at a later date. (5) A hook up fee increase will be imposed on all
customers requesting a new service connection. (6) And clarifications and changes to some of
the General Rules and Regulations.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states it currently has 374
customers, and will ultimately have approximately 1 207 customers with the planned
developments within its service territory. It appears that the Company is requesting to increase
rates as follows:
Customer Charge Commodity Charge
Residential from $14/mo. to $38/mo.from $.30/1 000g to $.67/1 000g
Commercial from $20/mo. to $38/mo.from $.30/1 ,000g to $.67/1 ,000g
Irrigation $38/mo.67/1 ,000g
The Company s existing tariff also contains rates for:
Time Share Complex
Golf Course Irrigation
$200/mo.
200/mo.
30/1 ,000g
30/1 ,000g
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company is also proposing to increase its
hook-up fee for new service from $925 to $1 200. The Company also proposes increasing its
reconnection to $278 during office hours, and $328 after office hours. This amount equates to
six months base charge plus $50 and $100, respectively. The Company s currently authorized
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30250
reconnection fees are: (1) disconnected for 30 days or less - during office hours, $14 and after
office hours, $28; and (2) disconnected for more than 30 days - during office hours, $50 and
after office hours, $64.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application, supporting workpapers
testimonies . and exhibits have been filed with the Commission and are available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.The Petition and
testimonies are also available on the Commission s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov under the
File Room
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filing of
record in Case No. SWS-06-01. The Commission has preliminarily determined that the
public interest may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented in this case and that
issues raised by the Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by
written submission rather than by hearing. IDAP A 31.01.01.201-204. In so doing, the
Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective
means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission may not hold a hearing in
this proceeding unless it receives written protests or comments opposing the use of Modified
Procedure and stating why Modified Procedure should not be used. IDAPA 31.01.01.203.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no protests or written comments are
received within the deadline, the Commission will consider the matter and enter its Order
without a hearing. If protests or comments are filed within the deadline, the Commission will
consider them and may, in its discretion, set the matter for hearing or decide the matter and issue
its Order on the basis of the written positions before it. IDAP A 01.01.01.204.
COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments
or protests with respect to the Application and the Commission s use of Modified Procedure in
Case No. SWS-06-01 is April 27, 2007. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request
a hearing in their written protests or comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concernIng this case
should be mailed to the Commission and to the Company at the addresses reflected below.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30250
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Street Address For Express Mail:
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983
For Stoneridge Water Company:
Wayne Benner
PO Box 280
Blanchard, ID 83804
E-mail: wbenner~stoneridgeidaho.com
Joe M. Olmstead
James A. Sewell & Associates
600 4th Street West
Newport, WA 99156
document.
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission s homepage located at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the "Comments and Questions
icon, and complete the comment form, using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. These comments must also be sent to the Applicant at the address listed above.
FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over Stoneridge Water
Company, its Application to increase rates and charges and change rules and regulations, and the
issues involved in this case by virtue of Title 61 , Idaho Code, including Idaho Code ~ ~ 61-124
61-125, 61-129, 61-301 , 61-302, 61-303 , 61-501 , 61-502, 61-503, and 61-622 and the
Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public interest may not
require a hearing to consider the issues presented in this case, and that issues raised by the
Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure , by written submission
rather than by hearing. IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. In so doing, the Commission notes that
Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining
public input and participation.
Because the Company did not request an effective date for its proposed rates
charges, rules, and regulations it is not necessary to suspend the Company s proposal. The
proposed rates, charges, rules, and regulations shall not go into effect pending the hearing or
decision in this case. Idaho Code ~ 61-622.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30250
ORDER
IT IS HERBY ORDERED that the deadline for the submission of written comments
and/or protests with respect to the Company s Application and the Commission s use of
Modified Procedure is April 27, 2007.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this It,
day of February 2007.
d~~J
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
~/~
D. Jewell
mISSIOn Secretary
O:SWS-06-01 dw2
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30250