20060522Decision memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM:DONOVAN E. WALKER
DATE:MA Y 22, 2006
SUBJECT:UNITED WATER'GENERAL RATE CASE
REGARDING STIPULATION -CASE NO. UWI-06-
PROCEDURE
On February 10, 2006, United Water Idaho Inc. filed an Application with the
Commission for authority to increase its rates and charges for water service in the State of Idaho.
The Application requests a 17.91 % average increase in overall rates. If approved, Company
revenues would increase by approximately $6 million annually. The Company requested that
new rates become effective on March 13 2006.
On March 3 , 2006, the Commission issued Order No. 29988 establishing the deadline
for parties to intervene in the case and suspending the proposed effective date. The only party to
Petition to Intervene was BRACE (Boise Residents Against Commercial Exploitation). After
being granted intervention, BRACE subsequently withdrew its Petition. On March 29 2006, the
Commission issued a Notice setting forth the technical hearing date of July 12-, as well as a
Staff prefile deadline of June 2, and a rebuttal deadline of June 27, 2006.
On May 15 , 2006, the parties met for settlement discussions. As a result of those
settlement discussions the parties were able to reach agreement on the issues in this case and
entered into a Stipulation. The Stipulation as well as a Motion requesting that the Commission
approve the Settlement Stipulation in its entirety was filed with the Commission on May 22
2006.
DECISION MEMORANDUM
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
In light of the Stipulation executed by the parties, and the Motion to adopt that
Stipulation filed by Staff, Staff recommends that a procedural schedule be established by which
the Commission can consider whether to adopt the Stipulation. Staff recommends the following
procedure: The deadline to prefile direct testimony currently set for June 2, 2006, as well as the
deadline for filing rebuttal testimony currently set for June 27, 2006, be vacated; the deadline for
parties to file testimony in support of the Stipulation be set at June 16, 2006; the date of July 12
2006, currently set for the technical hearing, be retained and used for testimony regarding the
Stipulation, and that the July 13 and July 14, 2006 dates be vacated; a public comment period be
established, and a public hearing be scheduled for the evening of July 12. Staffs
recommendations would result in the following procedural schedule:
Date
June 16, 2006
Action
Deadline for parties to prefile testimony in support of
the Stipulation
July 12, 2006 Deadline to submit written public comments
July 12 2006 Technical hearing regarding the Stipulation
July 12 2006 Public hearing
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission approve of the schedule set forth above?
Does the Commission wish to employ any other procedure for considering the
Stipulation or processing this case?
M:UWI-O6-02 dw2
DECISION MEMORANDUM