20250116Comment_1.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name:JP Carbon
Submission Time:Jan 16 2025 10:49AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 108 S ryan rd
priest lake, ID 83856
Name of Utility Company: PLW LLC
Case ID: PLW-W-24-02
Comment: "To IPUD review committee, in regards to the case PLW-W-24-01 and PLW-W-24-02 The 2nd
case PLW-W-24-02 Hi,this is second part of me trying to come up with a short comment for these
proposals to seriously increase the monthely rates and other rates for connect/disconnect of service...
Again, I want to say, I think highly of Jared and he easy to work with and does good work. I agree with
some words Katie a longtime friend of Robin and Jared—"that their intention isn't to screw us all over
while getting rich off of the water system.That just simply is not who they are". that said I think the
attorneys responsible for this preparing these documents are seem a bit much for what needs is and are
one of the reasons people dislike attorneys.
My thoughts are that this is a relatively new system and may be one of the best water systems in North
Idaho. I think that NOT everything is 30 years old and broken. Several items listed have already been
addresses/corrected on many of the lots.The whole "Marvin Estates" Community(including Commercial
lots, Single family Lots, RV lots, and the Well water System) was done is 7 phases (Plan/plat submitted in
1997). It probably been about 23 years since they crossed HWY 57 with the water line and build the
pump house. But back then there were only a handful of houses that were hooked-up and for the next
10 years maybe another 20 homes were added and the last 10 year it has probably doubled and
currently has several lots in clearing/constructions stage. FYI. Larry Marvin (the original
developer/owner) ran the water system for more than 25 years at the rate of$90/qtr. I believe that Jared
worked with the original developer/owner to install meters and services for the past 10-15 years. So
Jared had good reputation and an inside path/relationship with Larry who sold the system to him a few
years ago and Jared was fully aware of what the past/current state of the system how/what equipment
was installed and how thing were run and approximately how much time it took to run the business (I
believe it is not a fulltime 2,080 hrs/year job and yearly profit/income numbers reflect that and should
be understood).
So,that said there are many items listed in section 9 that Jared (The new Company operator) was aware
of and he knew he was inheriting. Most of them will last for decades to come and some will need to be
serviced (just not all at once).The other Items are good for long term growth and management and will
comply with modern-day standards/regulations and protections of our system. And a few of the items
have nothing of very little to do with the business of operation the "Marvin Estates" Community water
system, it's relatively small and limited customer base of approximately 113 service hook-ups... Not sure
if it is a requirement or just something he wanted to clear and/or develop the half-acre lot where the
pump house sits-seem like that is probably for more personal reasons or for needed space in which he
can use for his other estivation business that has sounds like he has sole right too do all the new
installation at an increased rate-which seem like another area to look at more closely. Lastly the need
for modern technology might be a bit of a reach to ask the rate increase for given the size and the
operating seasonal demands of the system.

Bottom line some of these line items and costs are not short-term needs or required for day-to-day
operations of the water business and some are wish I had and don't necessarily apply to just the Water
business and changes to monthely rates. Maybe there is a grant from the state or federal for him to
apply for. But given the size of the system and the actual hourly income produced me be reasonable (a
fulltime wage of$75/hr for 2,080hrs=$156,000/yr.) Please consider what the actual working hourly
wage is or should be-taking into account the flexibility in the profit and losses to work with (to help save
on Tax's) and the actual cost of running just the PLW LLC water business. "