28284.phg.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF CAMBRIDGE TELEPHONE COMPANY’S, INC. AND COUNCIL TELEPHONE COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE RATES AND DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE IDAHO USF. )
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CASE NOS. CAM-T-99-2
COU-T-99-2

NOTICE OF PREHEARING CONFERENCE

ORDER NO.  28284

On October 20, 1999, Cambridge Telephone and Council Telephone Companies filed a joint Application requesting that the Commission authorize a general rate increase. The Companies proposed to implement several toll-free extended area service (EAS) routes, increase the rates for local service, and decrease their long-distance access charges to the statewide average. In addition, they initially requested that Cambridge’s disbursement from the state Universal Service Fund (USF) be increased. According to the Companies’ Application, they sought an increase in their combined annual revenue requirement of approximately $603,000 ($242,000 in telecommunications revenue and $361,000 in additional disbursements from the state USF).
On December 8, 1999, the Companies filed revised prefiled testimony. In his revised prefiled testimony, Company witness Ray Hendershot abandoned the Companies request for $360,000 in additional disbursements from the state USF. His revised prefiled testimony states that “Cambridge can decrease its existing draw from the Idaho USF by $13,979 per year.” Hendershot Revised Testimony at 3, lines 22-23. The combined Company still proposes to increase monthly residential rates to $24.10 to maintain USF eligibility, recover EAS costs, and offset the recommended reduction in access charges.

NOTICE OF PREHEARING CONFERENCE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined to convene a prehearing conference in this matter on FEBRUARY 17, 2000 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE COMMISSION’S HEARING ROOM LOCATED AT 472 W. WASHINGTON, BOISE, IDAHO. The purpose of the prehearing conference is to discuss the scheduling of this case and to address any preliminary matter coming before the Commission.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that parties participating in the prehearing conference may offer to settle some or all of the issues in the general rate application and that persons desiring to participate in this matter must be granted intervention status. All issues in the Application, including but not limited to revenue requirement, rate design and EAS routes may be discussed in settlement offered at the prehearing conference.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and prehearing conferences in this matter will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance of the kind that the Commission is obligated to provide under the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in or to understand the testimony and argument at a public hearing may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing. The request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by contacting the Commission Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (TELEPHONE)
[phone] (TEXT TELEPHONE)
[phone] (FAX)

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and that the Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission finds that there is good cause to schedule this prehearing conference on less than 21 days’ notice.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that a prehearing conference be convened in this matter on February 17, 2000, as set out in greater detail in the body of this Order.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this
day of February 2000.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

bls/O:camt992_cout992_dh2
In a separate proceeding, the Commission approved merging the two companies with Cambridge as the surviving corporation. See Order No. 28239 in Case Nos. CAM-T-99-1 and COU-T-99-1.

NOTICE OF PREHEARING CONFERENCE
ORDER NO. 28284 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 10, 2000