20241216Comments_2.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Ron Folsom
Submission Time: Dec 13 2024 12:05PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: PO BOX 589
Island Park, ID 83429
Name of Utility Company: Island Park Water
Case ID: ISL-W-24-01
Comment: "I am writing in response to the "requested cancellation of the Island Park Water Company's
certificate of public convenience and necessity.
While I fully support the transfer of assets and ownership to the Caldera Water Company, I question the
decision that the IPUC will no longer perform oversight. I have reviewed both Title 61 of the Idaho
Statutes and the IDAPA rules governing oversight. I did find an on-line document stating that a non-profit
organization with a governing body would be exempt from the IPUC oversight but lacking the authority
of that decision I still question how it can be exempt.
Basically the IPUC document releases the State agency of responsibility to the over 400 customers of the
former IP Water Company and has set no expectations for input beyond the final transfer or cancellation.
Citizens that purchased properties in these subdivisions relied on the fact that the IPUC would help to
regulate a fair and reasonable price for the water they would use.This release eliminates that process
and suggests no guideline for future cost increases.
This process is highly questionable. I have requested the documents as to where the IPUC has been
authorized by the Legislature to remove a non-profit governed by a board from being overseen.
Currently the language in the new by-laws does not even provide notice of increases, a vote on Board
Members or notice of the meetings.This seems like a serious release of obligation by the IPUC.
Thank you.
Ron Folsom
PO Box 589
4070 Colt Road
Island Park, ID 83429
208-313-4180"
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Earl Hensley
Submission Time: Dec 16 2024 9:13AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 618 S.Ammon RD
Ammon, ID 83406
Name of Utility Company: Caldera Water Company
Case ID: ISL-W-24-01
Comment: "RE: Case#ISL-W-24-01
I am writing in response to the "requested cancellation of the Island Park Water Company's certificate of
public convenience and necessity". I am opposed to this cancellation at this time. The IPUC should
remain involved in the operation of the new Caldera Water Company. I have reviewed both Title 61 of
the Idaho Statutes and the IDAPA rules governing oversight.All of the IDAPA rules appear to have not
been followed by Caldera Water Company.
The water users are entitled to receiving a detailed financial audit of what has transpired.The assets
were funded by the water users and therefore should belong to the users. The bylaws do not allow for
the water users to vote on any issues or even elect the board members. The water users are rendered
impotent in the entire process. The water users have no ability to assure that their money is spent
wisely or that it is even being spent on their water subsystem.There are 7 independent subsystems
spread across the Island Park area (many miles apart).
The entire process/management arrangement is totally open ended.The water users have no say in
management, improvements, or rates. In fact the Caldera Water Company is imposing a 287% monthly
rate increase and adding a onetime (could be many times)fee of$500. This is so unfair. The bylaws
must be changed to make the "members", "voting members". As an example, Fall River Electric is run by
an elected board and it works very well and builds trust.
It may be appropriate to provide an analogy to buying a car. Would you ever buy a car without a
purchase agreement? Would you ever buy a car when you do not know the final cost? Would you ever
buy a car when you do not even know the model or the features? Would you ever buy a car from an
unknown dealer? Would you ever buy a car where the price is not fixed and new costs are added yearly?
Would you ever put money down on a car and not know what you are buying? The answers are all no. It
would be foolish. And yet that is what the Caldera Water Company is proposing and that is why the IPUC
must remain involved in rate setting and management and why DEQ MUST be intimately involved in
testing.
As a minimum, I will remain opposed until the bylaws are changed to make the water users voting
members.
Best Regards
Earl Hensley
Shotgun Kickapoo
[e-mail]
618 S. Ammon Road
Ammon, ID 83406"
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