20240301Comments_5.pdf

1

The following comments were submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Donna Lebetsamer
Submission Time: Feb 29 2024 5:31PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 129 Berkshire
Blanchard, ID 83804-5050

Name of U�lity Company: CDS Stoneridge U�li�es

Case ID: SWS-W-24-01

Comment: "As a re�red resident of the community on a fixed income, I am concerned that the
applica�on has been created to appear that there is a need for a 261-543% increase through
manipula�on of the numbers by CDS Stoneridge U�li�es. The Golf Course is owned by the same people
as the Water and Sewer Companies and it appears that mismanagement is the root of this request.

We moved into this community because it was affordable. We purchased our lot in 2007 and have never
seen increases to this level un�l this owner took possession of the community.

This increase represents 65 years of a 4% COLA! The average cost of water in the state of Idaho is $38.00
yet, CDS Stoneridge U�li�es is looking to increase ours by considerably than double the average.

I ask that you carefully consider each document. One example of many concerns is that there is a plan to
make 20 lots "meter ready". (Atachment W) Each of these lots is owned or, more likely, these lots are
owned by one of the companies associated with CDS and the responsibility for that cost should be the
owner of the property with fees determined by the IPUC.

I also no�ced that CDS Stoneridge U�li�es has also filed a request SWS-W-23-02 to increase the fees for
new building meter connec�ons mostly due to increased contractors costs for installa�on. It might be
per�nent to note that when our water meter was installed in 2019, it was Stoneridge staff who installed
the meter and not an outside contractor.

Please don't allow this owner to put all of the burden of their mismanagement onto the backs of a
community of mostly fixed income residents.

A 261-543% rate increase is unconscionable!
Thank you for considering my input."
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Name: Bob and Cathryn Rapalli
Submission Time: Feb 29 2024 5:59PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 179 Forest Ridge Rd
Blanchard, ID 83804

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Name of U�lity Company: CDS StoneRidge U�li�es, LLC

Case ID: SWS-W-24-01

Comment: "We received a no�ce from CDS StoneRidge U�li�es advising that they are seeking approval
for 261% - 543% increase in the monthly user charge for water. We find this type of increase to be
exorbitant and preposterous. We are on a very fixed income and the Social Security COLA received for
2024 was a mere 3.2%. We are hopeful that the Idaho PUC would see that CDS is price gouging their
customer base and if any price increases are granted that those price increases would align with the
Federal CPI of 3.1% and no more than that.
Thank you."
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The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Jeffrey Kvaternik
Submission Time: Mar 1 2024 10:02AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 500 Stoneridge RD
Blanchard, ID 83804-9525

Name of U�lity Company: Stoneridge U�li�es, LLC

Case ID: SWS-W-24-01

Comment: "We can not believe that they want to raise our water bill by 261%! We are re�red and on a
fixed income. It appears that the company is mismanaged. They had seven years since the ownership
was transferred to fix any problems. I can see a small increase, but this emormous increase is
unreasonable!

Please don't allow them to make this incredible increase! Thank you."
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The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Jeanete McKendry
Submission Time: Mar 1 2024 12:19PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 55 Bunker Ln
Blanchard, ID 83804

Name of U�lity Company: CDS Stoneridge U�li�es

Case ID: SWS-W-24-01
3

Comment: "We just got a no�ce about a possible huge rate increase! This is totally unacceptable and not
affordable at all. Most of us are on a fixed income and this will bring hardship to several owners in this
community!!!!!"
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The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Joe Thomas
Submission Time: Mar 1 2024 2:18PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 7347 Sweeney Creek Rd
Helena, ID 59601

Name of U�lity Company: Stoneridge u�li�es

Case ID: SWS-W-24-01

Comment: "Hello. I have a home at 270 Stoneridge Rd.
In regards to the purpose rate increase. I hope you will reject it. Past dealings with the owner give me
pause when determining whether his reasons are legi�mate.

It's my understanding that the owner of Stoneridge U�li�es is also the owner of the Stoneridge golf
course. If his reasoning is that he is not ge�ng revenue from the golf course, then it seems he is simply
giving his golf course the water for free and trying to saddle the residents with the cost. It is a self
inflicted wound. Also, If the u�lity has not turned a profit since he bought it, then he may want to look at
management prac�ces.

At the very least, I hope you would audit the company and see where else he may be fudging the
numbers and only approve an increase based on real usage, ( including fair value for golf course
irriga�on) and actual improvements that went to THIS water u�lity and not any of the other u�li�es or
marinas or other businesses he owns in the region.

I hope you will give a resounding "no" on this rate increase, and If you need sugges�ons for where he
can put his rate increase, I would be happy to give you the short list.

Thank you
Joe Thomas"
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