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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20020813Decision Memo.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER COMMISSIONER SMITH COMMISSIONER HANSEN JEAN JEWELL RANDY LOBB DON HOWELL LYNN ANDERSON JOE CUSICK DOUG COOLEY CAROLEE HALL WAYNE HART BEVERLY BARKER RON LAW GENE FADNESS TONYA CLARK WORKING FILE FROM:BIRDELLE BROWN DATE:AUGUST 13,2002 RE:IDAHO UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND -2002 ANNUAL REPORT On July 15,2002,Alyson Anderson,the Administrator of the Idaho Universal Service Fund,filed her Annual Report to the Commission for the period of July 1,2001 through June 30,2002.Staff has reviewed the calculations and recommendations in this report and finds them to be accurate and comprehensive.Once again,Staff commends Ms.Anderson for her continued outstanding performance as Administrator of this fund. Ms.Anderson reports surcharge revenue for the year in the amount of $2,498,097 of which $1,231,353(49%)was contributed by local exchange services and $1,266,744 (51%)was contributed by MTS/WATS services.(This is a decrease in local revenue of nearly $170,000 and an increase in toll revenue of about $90,000.)Disbursements to the eight qualifying independentlocal exchange carriers (ILECs)totaled $1,898.303,which is a decrease of nearly $300,000resulting from the completion of a short-term payment to Fremont Telcom.The ending fund cash balance at June 30,2002 after applying bank charges,administrative expenses, and interest received was $646,286. DECISION MEMORANDUM 1 AUGUST 13,2002 Local Service As of May 1,2001 companies reported 532,279 residential lines and 190,428 business lines,for a total of 722,707 lines.This represents an approximate 2.7%decrease in total lines from the prior year.The newly calculated statewide average rates and threshold rates are: 2001 Current 2002 Statewide 125%Statewide 125%Statewide Weighted Weighted Weighted Average Weighted Average Average Rate Average Rate Rate -2001 Rate -2002 Residential 17.46 $17.61 21.83 $22.01 Business Services 32.82 $32.42 41.03 $40.53 Switched Access Service Toll access minutes reported by the local exchange companies were 609,012,001,which represents a small increase from 574 million minutes in 2001.The new Statewide Average rate has decreased to $0.051828 per minute. Toll Minutes The number of toll minutes reported to the USF decreased by 2.34%from 304 million minutes in the 2001 report to about 297 million minutes in the 2002 report.Toll revenue reported showed a decline of about 60%due to report anomalies. Disbursements Total disbursements for the year were $1,898,303,and are not expected to change for the coming year unless modifications to access rates are required of some companies. Funding The Universal Service Fund is currentlyfunded through assessments of $0.10 per residential line per month,$0.15 per business line per month,and $0.0035 per toll minute. DECISION MEMORANDUM 2 AUGUST 13,2002 ADMINISTRATOR'S OPTIONS The Administrator has presented three funding options for the coming year.These options are as follows: Option 1:Status Quo -Ms.Anderson stated that if current surcharge levels are maintained and no additional fundingis needed,the fund will increase to a balance of $1,220,634,a greater reserve balance than she recommends. Option 2:Adjust Funding to meet Statewide Averages and Maintain Surcharge Rates -In this discussion,Ms.Anderson compares the companies'current local and switched access rates to the statewide threshold rates and applies the eligibilityrule (Idaho Universal Service Fund Rule 106.02)to determinewhat revisions are required by current participants to the fund to continue to qualify.She notes that ATC's,Fremont's,and Inland's switched access rates are above the threshold rate and they should reduce their rates (thus increasing their draw from the Universal Service Fund).If these adjustments are made and the current assessment is maintained,Ms.Anderson projects an ending balance of $1,182,174,which is still a greater reserve balance than she recommends. Option 3:Adjust Funding to meet Statewide Averages and Maintain Surcharge Rates -In this option,Ms.Anderson proposes a decrease in current surcharge rates to $0.08 per residential line,$0.13 per business line and $0.0025 per toll minute and increasing disbursements resulting from adjusted access rates as discussed in Option 2.This plan would produce a projected balance of $711,652. ADMINISTRATOR'S RECOMMENDATION Ms.Anderson recommends Option 3,which would reduce the surcharge rates to $0025 per MTS/WATS billed minute and to $.08 per residential and $.13 per business line.She recommends adjustments to Fremont,ATC and Inland,which will increase disbursements by $38,460 to offset decreases in access rates and keeping surcharges at their current levels.The fund would increase to approximately $711,652. DECISION MEMORANDUM 3 AUGUST 13,2002 STAFF COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION Staff finds Ms.Anderson's report to be complete and comprehensive.Staff would add that it has requested explanations from four companies regarding reported access rates that increase even though there was no authorized rate increase.Two companies have revised their reports and no longer show excess rates from access.ATC and Inland have promised to send the information as soon as they can compile it.Staff did not contact Fremont.Staff also notes that Rural's access rate declined by an amount greater than the allowed 3%to $.048781 as a result of lost billingand collection revenues from its recent EAS implementation.Rural received Universal Service Funds to compensate for this lost revenue. Staff recommends that the Commission adopt the Administrator's Option No.3 to reduce access rates,but to defer any adjustments to access rates for any company.Over time,these rates seem to be stabilizing and most significant variations seem to be a result of reporting anomalies. COMMISSION DECISION Does the Commission approve the Administrator's recommended Option No.3 to reduce surcharge rates to $0.08 for residential lines,$0.13 for business lines and $0.0025 per toll minute? Does the Commission wish to defer revisions of Access Rates? rdelle Brown Attachment Iusf/yearly/2001-2002/reports/annreptdmm DECISION MEMORANDUM 4 AUGUST 13,2002 IDAHO UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND OPTIONS 7/15/2002 OPTION 1 -STATUS QUO FUND RATE CHANGE BANK BALANCE 7/1/02 $646,288 ANNUAL INVENTORY RESIDENTIAL LINES 532,279 0.10 $638,735 32%OF TOTAL SURCHARGE REVENUE BUSINESS LINES 190,428 0.15 342,770 17%OF TOTAL SURCHARGEREVENUE TOLL MINUTES 297,072,069 0.0035 1,039,752 51%OF TOTAL SURCHARGEREVENUE TOTAL lUSF FUNDING FOR YEAR 2.021.257 US TREASURIES REDEEMED 449,493 ESTIMATED INTEREST INCOME 19,000 ESTIMATED lUSF DISBURSEMENTS (1,898,303)REFLECTSANNUALIZEDINCREASE IN ESTIMATED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (17,100)FUNDING FOR RURAL TELEPHONE TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES (1,446,909) PROJECTED INCOME/(DRAWDOWN)574,348 PROJECTED BALANCE 6/30/03 $1,220,634 MORE THAN ADEQUATE RESERVE OPTION 2 -ADJUST FUNDING FOR ACCESS CHARGES & MAINTAIN SURCHARGE RATES PUND RATE CHANGE BANK BALANCE 7/1/02 $646,286 ANNUAL INVENTORY RESIDENTIAL LINES 532,279 0.10 Ñ38,735 32%OF TOTAL SURCHARGEREVENUE BUSINESS LINES 190,428 0.15 342,770 17%OF TOTAL SURCHARGE REVENUE TOLL MINUTES 297,072,069 0.0035 1,039,752 51%OF TOTAL SURCHARGE REVENUE TOTAL lUSF FUNDING FOR YEAR 2,021,267 US TREASURIES REDEEMED 449,493 ESTIMATED INTEREST INCOME 19,000 ESTIMATED IUSF DISBURSEMENTS (1,955,246)INCLUDESADJUSTMENTS TO FUNDING FOR ESTIMATED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (17,100)ATC,FREMONT,INLAND,&ROCKLAND TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES (1,503,852) PROJECTED INCOME/(DRAWDOWN)517,405 PROJECTED BALANCE 6/30/02 $1,163,691 MORE THAN ADEQUATE RESERVE BALANCE Page 42 IDAHO UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND OPTIONS 7/15/2002 OPTION 3 -ADJUST FUNDING LEVELS &REDUCE SURCHARGE RATES FUND RATE CHANGE BANK BALANCE 7/1/01 $646,286 ANNUAL INVENTORY RESIDENTIAL LINES 532,279 0.08 $510,988 33%OF TOTAL SURCHARGE REVENUE BUSINESS LINES 190,428 0.13 297,068 19%OF TOTAL SURCHARGEREVENUE TOLL MINUTES 297,072,069 0.0025 742,680 48%OF TOTAL SURCHARGE REVENUE TOTAL lUSF FUNDING FOR YEAR 1,550,736 US TREASURIES REDEEMED 449,493 ESTIMATED INTEREST INCOME 19,000 ESTIMATED IUSF DISBURSEMENTS (1,955,230)INCLUDESADJUSTMENTS TO FUNDING FOR ESTIMATED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (17,100)ATC,FREMONT,INLAND,&ROCKLAND TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES (1,503,836) PROJECTED INCOME/(DRAWDOWN)46,900 BALANCE 6/30/02 $693,185 ADEQUATE RESERVE BALANCE Page 43 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT IDAHO UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND YEAR ENDED -JUNE 30,2002 SURCHARGE REVENUES Surcharge revenues collected during the year totaled $2,498,097 of which $1,231,353,or 49%,was assessed on local exchangeservicesand $1,266,744,or 51%,was assessed on MTS/WATS services. DISBURSEMENTS COMPANIES RECEIVING DISBURSEMENTS Authorized disbursementsto Local ExchangeCompaniesduring the year endedJune 30,2002 totaled $1,915,371 (page 10).The following table showsthe Local Exchange companiesauthorized by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to receive disbursementsfrom the Idaho Universal Service Fund. Original IPUC Order Current Authorizing Authorized Annual CompanyName Disbursement Disbursement ACT Communications 22718 &22128 $514,238 Cambridge Telephone 2213 1 $167,381 Fremont Telecom 28085 &28166 $110,081 Inland Telephone Co 23838 $43,161 Midvale Telephone 22377 $362,366 Exc. Direct Comm Rockland 22132 $221,847 Rural TelephoneCo 22414 &26598 $316,128 Silver Star Telecom 22237 &22370 $163,101 Total $1,898,303 1 ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AND EXPENSES Administrative fees and expenses for the year ended June 30,2002 were $12,997.Administrative expenses include bank charges of $461. Administrative expenses payable at June 30,2002 is $903. INVESTMENTS AND FUNDS CASH At June 30,2002,the Idaho Universal Service Fund had a cash balance of $646,286.The following is a table showing the beginning,ending,and quarterly fund cash balancesfor the year ended June 30,2002. Beginning Ending Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance 6/30/01 9/30/01 12/31/01 3/31/02 6/30/02 $511,305 $601,648 $883,236 $675,045 $646,286 INTEREST Interest earned on funds for the year ended June 30,2002 was $15,802.All surcharge revenue is held in a Merrill Lynch CMA-Government Securities Fund account,with a current yield of 1.48%. INVESTMENTS The Idaho Universal ServiceFund currently has investmentsin US Treasury Bills.The T-Bill was purchasedMarch 1,2002 and is valued at $451,831 (face value $453,000)with a 1.61%yield.The T-Bill will mature August 29,2002. 2 INVENTORIES Total residential and business lines at May 1,2002 were 532,279and 190,428respectively (pages 36 and 37).This representsa 3%decrease in residential lines and a 2%decrease in businesslines from the prior year. Total MTS/WATS billed minutes of use for the year ended December 31, 2001 were 297,072,069 (page 41),a 2.36%decrease from the prior year. STATEWIDE WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATES A schedule summarizing the total funding eligibilityfor the local exchange companiesis shown on page l 1. ONE-PARTY,SINGLE LINE SERVICE The statewide weighted average rates for one-party single-line residential and business services are shown on pages 24 and 35.The following table shows the statewide weighted averages for one-party,single line service. IUSF THRESHOLD STATEWIDE 125%STATEWIDE WEIGHTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE AVERAGE RATE RESIDENTIAL $17.61 $22.01 SERVICES BUSINESS SERVICES $32.42 $40.53 TOLL SWITCHED ACCESS The statewide weighted average revenue per MTS/WATS access minute is shown on page 13.The statewide weighted average revenue is $.052 per minute. 3 FUNDING OPTIONS GENERAL INFORMATION OPTION 1:STATUS QUO During the past year,the Commission ordered a $4,833 per month increase in the IUSF draw by Rural TelephoneCompany.If current surcharge levels are maintained and no additional IUSF funding is authorized,the fund will increase by approximately $574,348 (page 42).The fund would have a balance of approximately $1,220,634at June 30,2003.Additionally,with current surcharge rates,MTS/WATS serviceswould contribute approximately 49%of the surcharge revenue and local exchangeservices would contribute 51%of the surcharge revenue. OPTION 2:ADJUST FUNDING TO MEET STATEWIDE AVERAGES & MAINTAIN SURCHARGE RATES Idaho Universal Service Fund rule 106.02 indicates that to continue receiving IUSF funding after the first year of eligibility,the company may need to revise rates to meet the statewidethreshold rates.If the rate is below the statewide threshold rate,and difference between the rates are greater than 3%and $6,000,the company must revise it's rates to equal or exceed 100%of the statewide average for MTS/WATS access service and 125%of the statewide average for local exchangeservice.The following applies rule 106 to each company currently drawing from the IUSF.All of the companiesdrawing IUSF funds have had rate proceedingsduring the past few years,and the Commission has reviewed and approvedthe rates for local access service.Therefore,at this time it is unnecessary to adjust the local rates to meet the statewide averages. +ATC Communications showsa need to reduce access rates,thereby increasing the draw from the IUSF by $17,753. +Cambridge TelephoneCompany does not need to adjust access rates or the IUSF draw at this time. +Fremont Telecom shows a need to reduce access rates,thereby increasing the draw from the IUSF by $14,221. +Inland TelephoneCompany shows a need to reduce access rates,thereby increasing the draw from the IUSF by $6,488. 4 +Midvale TelephoneCompany does not need to adjust access rates or the IUSF draw at this time. *Direct Communications Rockland does not need to adjust access rates or the IUSF draw at this time. *Rural Telephone Company does not need to adjust access rates or the IUSF draw at this time. *Silver Star Telecom does not need to adjust access rates or the IUSF draw at this time. The 2001-2002 IUSF disbursements,including the adjustmentsto funding for ATC Communications,Fremont Telecom,Inland Telephone Company, and Direct Communications Rockland,will be $1,936,763. The current surcharge rates were maintained,and therefore the contribution from local exchangeservicesand MTS/WATS services would continue at 49%and 51%respectively.The fund will increase by approximately $535,888,and have a balance of approximately $1,182,174 at June 30,2003 (page 42). OPTION 3:ADJUST FUNDING TO MEET STATEWIDE AVERAGES & REDUCE SURCHARGE RATES Reducing the MTS/WATS surcharge rate to $.0025 per minute,the local exchangeresidential surcharge rate to $.08 per line and per the local exchangebusinesssurcharge rate to $.13,will maintain approximately $646,286.At these rates,MTS/WATS services would contribute 48%of the total surcharge revenue and local exchangeservices would contribute 52%of the total surchargerevenue.Additionally,disbursementsare increased by $68,460 to reflect the reduction in access rates by companies currently drawing from the Idaho Universal Service Fund.The fund balance at June 30,2003 would be approximately $711,652.Thus, maintaining an adequatereserve balance (page 43). ADMINISTRATOR'S RECOMMENDATION I recommend that the Commission adopt Option 3,reducing the surcharge rates to $.0025per MTS/WATS billed minute,to $.08 per residential line, and $.13 per business line.Additionally,the access rates and funding for ATC Communications,Fremont Telecom,and Inland TelephoneCompany 5 should be adjusted.This option will continue to provide a reasonable reserve,as well as mitigate the need to increase surcharge rates if additional funding is authorized during the year.The fund will continue investing unused balances in US Treasuries.This option approximatesa 50-50 contribution of surcharge revenues from local exchangeservices and MTS/WATS services.The fund balanceat June 30,2002 would be approximately $711,652. 6 ID A H O UN I V E R S A L SE R V I C E FU N D BA L A N C E SH E E T JU N E 30 , 20 0 1 AS S E T S LI A B I L I T I E S & EQ U I T Y CA S H IN BA N K $6 4 6 , 2 8 6 Ac c o u N T S PA Y A B L E JU N E AD M I N I S T R A T I V E EX P E N S E $9 0 3 IN V E S T M E N T IN US TR E A S U R I E s 45 3 , 0 0 0 UN A M O R T I Z E D DI S C O U N T (1 , 1 6 9 ) IN T E R E S T RE C E I V A B L E 2, 3 3 8 FU N D BA L A N C E AT YE A R EN D 1, 0 9 9 , 5 5 1 TO T A L AS S E T S $1 , 1 0 0 , 4 5 5 TO T A L LI A B I L I T I E S & EQ U l T Y $1 , 1 0 0 , 4 5 5 Pa g e 7 IbaHO UNIVERSAL SERVICE FuND STATEMENT OF FUND BALANCE JUNE 30,2002 REVENUES SURCHARGE REVENUE $2,498,097 INTEREST REVENUE 18,140 TOTAL REVENUE $2,516,237 EXPENSES DISBURSEMENTS TO COMPANIEs $1,915,371 DISBURSEMENTS To others 1,057 AMORTIZATION EXPENSE (2,338) BANK/BROKERAGE CHARGES 461 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE 12,434 TOTAL EXPENSES 1,926,986 CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE $589,251 FUND BALANCE JULY 1,2001 $510,300 FUND BALANCE JUNE 30,2002 1,099,550 Page 8 IDAHO UNIVERSAL SERVICE FuND BANK ACCOUNT ACTIVITY FOR YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,2002 BEGINNING BALANCE JULY 1,2001 $511,305 RECElPTS LOCAL SURCHARGE $1,231,353 TOLL SURCHARGE 1,266,744 TOTAL SURCHARGE COLLECTED $2,498,097 INTEREST 15,802 TOTAL RECEIPTS $2,513,899 DISBURSEMENTS BANK/BROKERAGE CHARGES 461 PURCHASE US TREASURY BILL 449,493 COMPANY DISBURSEMENTs $1,915,371 REIMBURSEMENT FOR ITSAP PAYMENTs $1,057 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSEs 12,536 TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS $2,378,918 ENDING BALANCE JUNE 30,2002 $646,286 Page 9 20 0 0 - 2 0 0 1 AU T H O R I Z E D DI S B U R S E M E N T S 7/ 1 5 / 2 0 0 2 AL B I O N CA M B R I D G E FR E M O N T IN L A N D MI D V A L E DI R E C T CO M l v RU R A L SI L V E R Sf A R TE L E P H O N E TE L E P H O N E TE L C O M TE L E P H O N E TE L E P H O N E RO C K L A N D TE L E P H O N E TE L E C O M TO T A L Ju n e - 0 1 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 Ju l y 4 M 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 Au g u s t - 0 1 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 Se p t e m b e r - 0 1 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 Oc t o b e r - 0 1 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 No v e m b e r - 0 1 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 De c e m b e r - 0 1 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 Ja n u a r y - 0 2 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 Fe b r u a r y - 0 2 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 20 , 6 5 4 . 5 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 2 , 5 0 2 . 3 8 Ma r c h - 0 2 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 94 , 6 1 8 . 0 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 22 6 , 4 6 5 . 8 8 Ap r i l - 0 2 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 26 , 3 4 4 . 0 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 8 , 1 9 1 . 8 8 Ma y - 0 2 42 , 8 5 3 . 1 7 13 , 9 4 8 . 3 4 9, 1 7 3 . 4 2 3, 5 9 6 . 7 6 30 , 1 9 7 . 1 7 18 , 4 8 7 . 2 5 26 , 3 4 4 . 0 0 13 , 5 9 1 . 7 7 15 8 , 1 9 1 . 8 8 TO T A L 51 4 , 2 3 8 . 0 4 16 7 , 3 8 0 . 0 8 11 0 , 0 8 1 . 0 4 43 , 1 6 1 . 1 2 36 2 , 3 6 6 . 0 4 22 1 , 8 4 7 . 0 0 33 3 , 1 9 6 . 5 0 16 3 , 1 0 1 . 2 4 1, 9 1 5 , 3 7 1 . 0 6 Di s b u r s e m e n t s to lo c a l ex c h a n g e co m p a n i e s ar e ex p e n s e d wh e n pa i d . Pa g e 10