20211220Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: TAYLOR R. BROOKS
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: DECEMBER 20, 2021

SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF COLUMBINE TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC’S
APPLICATION TO GUARANTY A LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $6,000,000; CASE NO. COL-T-21-02

On December 10, 2021, Columbine Telephone Company, Inc. (“Company”) applied
for authority to guaranty a loan in an amount not to exceed $6,000,000 in favor of the Rural
Telephone Finance Cooperative (“RTFC”) guaranteeing payment to the Company’s parent
company, Horizon Communications, Inc. The Company requested an expeditious action under
IPUC Rule of Procedure 145 and asked that the Commission issue an order approving the
Guaranty on or before December 27, 2021.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff intends to process this case expeditiously, but does not believe an order date of
December 27, 2021, is reasonable. Staff recommends that the Company’s proposed effective
date be suspended under Idaho Code § 61-622. Staff recommends that this matter be processed
through modified procedure within thirty (30) days from the date of the Company’s application
in accordance with Idaho Code § 61-904.
COMMISSION DECISION
1. Does the Commission wish to suspend the Company’s proposed effective date of
December 27, 2021, under Idaho Code § 61-622?
2. Does the Commission wish to process this matter within thirty (30) days from the date of
the Company’s application in accordance with Idaho Code § 61-904?

Taylor R. Brooks
I:\Legal\TELECOM\COL-T-21-02\COLT2102_dec_tb.doc Deputy Attorney General