20250114Comment_1.pdf

From: Burton Dickerson
To: secretary
Subject: Comment Letter re: PLW-W-24-01
Date: Tuesday,January 14,2025 4:09:16 PM
Attachments: IPUC Comment Letter 011425 signed copy.odf
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Please see our attached comment letter regarding the application from Priest Lake
Water LLC PLW-W-24-01. We are also mailing a hard copy.
Burton and Debbie Dickerson
137 N Ryan Road
Priest Lake, ID 83856
509-797-3857

January 14, 2025
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
To Whom it May Concern:
We are writing to express our deep concern and shock regarding the new water rates proposed by
Priest Lake Water LLC in Application PLW W 24-01.
First, we want to express that we appreciate the way the current owner,Jared Horlacher, is
working to properly repair, manage, maintain, and improve the system that provides domestic
water for property owners and residents of the subdivision known as Marvin Estates.
Our concern lies with the proposed increases to our water rates from$37/month to $98/month, a
165%increase. If approved, this increase would come as a dramatic financial shock to all
customers. On its face, is appears to be completely unreasonable and would place an undue
financial burden on many,particularly those who may have limited resources or may be on fixed
incomes. In comparing water rates for several similar water systems in our immediate area, we
find that none are paying rates higher than our current rate of$37 per month. In fact, most are
significantly lower which seems to substantiate our concern about the proposal submitted by
Priest Lake Water LLC.
Our objection to the proposed rate increase is also based on the fact that we have no alternative
source for water. Our property owners association's restrictive covenants prevent us from drilling
wells, and there are no other options available to us apart from Priest Lake Water LLC. This
seems like a monopoly, and we need to be able to have a strong voice in opposing unreasonably
high water rates.We need the support of the IPUC to protect us as consumers.
In closing, while we appreciate the good work being done by Priest Lake Water LLC and its
owner, we find the proposal to increase rates by 165%to be unreasonably high.Although we
understand that operation and maintenance costs may increase over time and that incremental
rate increases may be justified,we sincerely ask the Commission to protect our interests by
limiting that amount of any approved rate increase to a more tolerable level.
Sincerely,
Burton and Debbie Dickerson
137 N Ryan Road
Priest Lake, ID 83856