20250113Comments_2.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name:Joel Jordan
Submission Time:Jan 12 2025 7:56AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 80 Cortlen Ct
Priest Lake, ID 83856
Name of Utility Company: Priest Lake Water LLC
Case ID: PLW-W-24-01
Comment: "It is,to my wife and I,that the increase in the water bill is excessive. We are on a fixed
income and retired.The additional water bill increase puts a strain on our finances. It would seem that a
five year planed increase would be better so we can plan on that increase over five years instead of the
shock of such a large increase. We are aware that prices of every thing has gone up. But we feel like we
want to pay for water, not for the cost of replacing old water lines, etc. Mr. Horlacher had to have known
that the system was aging and was going to need updating. We know Mr. Horlacher has been replacing
some of the systems infrastructure. But reading his application, there is still a lot that needs to be
replaced. We feel we should not have to pay for that old infrastructure by such a large increase in our
water bill. So maybe a five year plan to fix older infrastructure is a better solution."
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Monica Barrios-Sanchez
From: DAVID BUTENSCHOEN <[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2025 10:58 AM
To: secretary
Subject: PLW-W-24-02 protest letter PLW-W-24-01
Attachments: Priest Lake Water LLC.docx
CAUTION: This email originated outside the State of Idaho network. Verify links and attachments BEFORE you
click or open, even if you recognize and/or trust the sender. Contact your agency service desk with any
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Please find attached my letter protesting the egregious rate increase for water at Marvin Garden
Estates. Thank you very much for addressing my concerns.
i

Idaho Public Utility Commission
P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0074
11331 W. Chinden Blvd. Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
To whom it may concern,
Dear Sir/Madam,
PLW-W-24-01
I am writing in regard to IPUC Case#PLW-W-24-02 to protest the egregious rate increase by Priest Lake
Water, LLC for domestic water at Marvin Gardens Estates. The owner of the water system, Mr.Jared
Horlacher, is asking to increase the monthly rate from $37 to $98 for residential customers, a 165%
increase.
My wife and I own Lot 12 in Block 1 at Marvin Garden Estates. We agree that a monthly rate increase is
necessary to keep up with the increase cost of labor and materials to maintain the system; however,
besides paying for water, Mr. Horlacher is asking the rate increase to included the cost of additional
infrastructure, land clearing, inventory, and other improvements to his property in addition to a
guaranteed annual income of$50,000.
Marvin Garden Estates,which is Priest Lake Water's only customer base, is limited to 113 building lots.
Presently, only 72 have been developed and are paying for water.The 41 vacant lots do not get charged
until they get hooked-up. Priest Lake Water LLC is basing this rate increase on 113 paying property
owners, but placing the financial burden on the 72 owners who have developed their property.
I find this rate increase unfair on several levels:
1) 64%of the property owners should not be forced to pay for the expense of maintaining a water
system based on 100%occupancy. Neither should they be forced to pay for improvements to Mr.
Horlacher's business.
21 There is no clause that requires Priest Lake Water, LLC to lower the rate when the initial cost of the
improvements have been paid. In essence, Mr. Horlacher is asking IPUC for permission to charge 64%of
the property owners at Marvin Estates to pay for improvements to his water system, pay for landscaping
and new infrastructure on his property, add inventory to his new storage facility and pay for a
guaranteed annual salary. After the property owners pay for all his improvements,the water rates will
remain high and he plans to add the money of new customers to his profits.
3)The average cost for water in Idaho is currently$40 monthly. Outlet Bay, which is the closest system
the Marvin Gardens Estates,just raised their rates from $25 to $30 a month, (paid quarterly.) A$95
monthly fee ($61 monthly raise) for water in this area is egregious.

4) Mr. Horlacher was able to pay off the loan for the purchase of the water system from Mr. Larry Marvin
in 3 years from the profits from the system. Presently,the original infrastructure is still serviceable
except for some items that need upgrading and the storage tank cleaned and coated.The normal
payback period for most business loans is 2 to 5 years. If allowed to charge $98 a month for water, Mr.
Horlacher will receive $84,672 annually (from the present 72 property owners) plus$98 a month more
for each additional hook-up. After paying for the new improvements, much of this will be added to his
guaranteed $50,000 he is asking for his labor.
5)The current CC&Rs for Marvin Estates give Priest Lake Water LLC exclusive rights to furnish water to
the subdivision. This makes it impossible to for the property owners to dig a new well or shop for better
rates from another water system. Unless the CC&Rs can be amended to eliminate this clause, we are
forced to pay the Priest Lake Water's rates.
Please reject this rate increase which is nothing more than "Hail Mary" attempt to improve his business
and provide a lucrative salary from a limited customer base that rely on his water service which he has a
monopoly.
Thank you,
David &Nancy Butenschoen
1166 Lingbloom Road
Bellingham, Washington 98226
360-746-8698
[e-mail]