20240401Comments_4.pdf

From: Rauschenbach <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2024 4:24 PM
To: secretary
Subject: Case ID: SWS-W-24-01
We request you to convene a Public Hearing here, at Stone Ridge. It would be in the best interest to
our community if you were to conduct a forensic audit and investigation of related business
practices which affect all of us.Thank you.
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From:Judy Henderson <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, April 1, 2024 9:08 AM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: Public Hearing at Stoneridge. Case SWS-W-24-01
I strongly recommend a public hearing at Stoneridge to justify the over 200% proposed
increase to our current water bill for Stoneridge and adjoining Blanchard residents.
This increase does not align with surrounding communities and needs to be addressed.
Thankyou,
Judy Henderson
616 Stoneridge Rd
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Stephan Rezac
Submission Time:Apr 12024 1:03PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 28 Sans Souci Drive
Blanchard, ID 83804
Name of Utility Company: CDS StoneRidge
Case ID: SWS-W-24-01
Comment: "In the February 28, 2024 notice to users, CDS StoneRidge claims to have "invested more than
$900,000" since the utility was purchased by Chan Karupiah, et al. It doesn't say what this$900,000+
"investment" has done to improve anything with the utility physical plant or water delivery capability.
This$900,000+ did NOT go for now requested funds for pump motors, generators,vehicles, connections
costs, etc. Rather, I suspect that the owner is seeking to recoup $900,000+already dealt with in SWS-W-
23-03. In that action,the owner sought to incur$980,000 in debt by BORROWING FROM HIMSELF. His
own money.The IPUC, however,found that this must be treated as owner's equity. HIS OWN MONEY.
The utility must not be allowed to "recoup" this$980,000 from the users. It is the owner's money,
transferred between companies he owns.
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Also, in the utility rate increase application dated February 26, 2024,the utility claims to have losses
from golf course irrigation.This is a result of a new well being drilled for the golf course specifically to
avoid water utility fees.The owner of the golf course is the owner of the utility.As such,the owner has a
savings from not having to pay for golf course water. And...they want to remaining utility users to make
up for that loss of income (which is already a savings to the golf course.)This type of"double dipping"
should not be allowed.The utility owner/golf course owner created this business dynamic and the
remaining utility users should not be penalized.
In case number SWS-W-18-01, it states "JD Resort must be able to make and pay for ongoing repairs and
have access to capital for major repairs, including pump or well failures."This clearly prevents the utility
owner from now seeking a rate increase for expenses HE is required to fund.JD Resort, Esprit Enterprises
and CDS StoneRidge all have the same owner(s). In fact, in that case, it states "He should live up to this
agreement without impacting the users of the utility." I believe that in that case, Chan Karupiah claimed
to have enough cash and assets to fund improvements and capitalization.
With these facts being known,the rate increase must be denied in its entirety/.
Thank you."
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Bill and Connie Postmus
Submission Time: Mar 26 2024 3:20PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 243 Stewart Dr.
Blanchard, ID 83804
Name of Utility Company: Stoneridge Utility
Case ID: SWS-W-24-01
Comment: "Dear Commissioners:
We are requesting a public hearing at Stoneridge regarding the proposed rate increase. We also would
like the IPUC to do an audit of the Stoneridge Utilities and make it public.since we get no answers from
out Utilities Company.
Sincerely,
Bill and Connie Postmus"
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