20250124Comment_1.pdf

From: Richard Gumaer
To: secretary
Subject: Objection to rate increase by Priest Lake Water,LLC
Date: Friday,January 24,2025 3:51:14 PM
Attachments: PLFB Itr to IPUC water rate increase 01242025.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 concerns.
Please see attached
I'm resending this again in case you didn't get the first email.
Thanks

January 24, 2025
To: Secretary @puc.id.gov
From: Priest Lake Food Bank, Corp.
To whom it may concern:
I am writing today regarding a rate increase being proposed by Priest Lake Water, LLC( PLW, LLC) (Jared
Horlacker). According to a copy I have in my possession PLW, LLC is requesting an increase from $37
per month to $100 per month for water on commercial lots. On top of that he is asking for a $10,000.00
fee to hook up to this water system.
Priest Lake Food Bank, Corp (PLFB) owns a commercial lot at Marvin Estates with the intent to build a
food bank on it. We are in the process of working with an architect and surveyor to start the first phase
of this project. The food bank was required by county regulations to build on a commercial lot.
Points to consider about this request:
1. If it hadn't been for another owner in Marvin Estates letting us know this was in process we
wouldn't have been able to respond. Is PLW, LLC required to send to all owners of property in
this development notice of rate increases? If so why weren't we notified?
2. This rate increase he is asking for represents a 170% increase over the current rates. He is also
asking for a $10,000.00 hookup fee to his water. On our commercial lot all of the water lines
are at the property line and we would only have to hook up.
3. The Priest Lake Food Bank only source of funds are through donations we receive from our
donors. We receive no Federal or State funds (cash)to run our operation. If this increase were
allowed it would take from the money we buy food for our clients and maintain the equipment
we have.
4. PLFB is open twice a month (usually on the 1s'and 3rd Tuesday of the month) we are open from
12 to 3 pm on those days. We come in on the Monday before those Tuesday's to set up and
get the food ready to distribute. The amount of water we go through during this time is
negligible when we are there. We wouldn't even come close to using the 30,000 per month he
has in his rate schedules.
These are just some of the points we would like the IPUC to consider to turn down the exorbitant
increase that PLW, LLC is requesting.
Sincerely,
Richard Gumaer—President
PLFB