20250313Comments_13.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Sherrie Badertscher
Submission Time: Mar 12 2025 4:37PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 35004 N Hayden Drive
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
Name of Utility Company: GEM State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "Please deny the application for rate increases by Gem State Water(GSW).
Reading through the application, I do not find proper justification for the proposed increases. The
application is very vague and shows an exorbitant amount listed as depreciation (50%).
1. GSW states in their application that they notified their customers on December 27, 2024 or
closely thereafter. This is a False statement. The first notice was received postmarked March 6,
2025. This is well after the date they requested the new rates become effective on Feb 1, 2025.
2. GSW's application states "free gallons:' There are no free gallons as every customer must pay a
minimum regardless of usage. Water usage during the months of October-April are extremely low
in North Idaho and thereby system maintenance is very low as well. I do not believe the rate
increases are justified, nor the reduction of gallons in base usage.
3. GSW states in their application that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC or
Commission) suggested consolidation of the water systems which is simply not true. The
Commission commented on a different water system's case, not GSW.The Commission has never
suggested GSW consolidate their water systems. SLE water system should not be made to
subsidize other under performing systems GSW purchased.
4. Smart Meters were installed in the summer/fall of 2024. Instead of increased staff costs,
shouldn't this improvement have lead to lower staff costs as no one is required to go out into the
field to read meters? I believe the financials should be looked at very closely and GSW should
provide proof of the employees time spent on maintenance/repairs of our water system and not
on an unrelated system.

I would like to also mention that the properties in Spirit Lake East (SLE) are 10+ acres and are a
different type of water use than urban properties. It would be detrimental to the properties in SLE
to have the water allowance reduced or the price for"extra" gallons increased to an amount which
the property owners are not able to afford. Our summer month bills are already in the $150-$200
range.
We are in a natural forest and having no green space around our homes would be very dangerous:'
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Heather DeHay
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 12:44AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3543 W. CJ Ct.
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water
Case ID:
Comment: "Please do not approve this rate increase! Gem State Water just received a rate
increase, and now they are asking for another?Are they submitting the $1000 water bills to you in
their plea for more money, or just the $41 bills from the 7-8 months they don't read the meter in
the winter?The bills on our community were averaging$400 or more, before the first rate increase.
Please do not approve. "
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Greg Thaxton
Submission Time: Mar 12 2025 5:37PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 17258 North Wrangler Rd
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water

Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "There is a proposal by Gem State Water to increase our bills by 79%. This is a
ridiculous rate increase that should be voted down. A more reasonable increase is
understandable. But to suddenly increase any bill by nearly 80% seems absurd. Thankyou"
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Kelly Lundy
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 9:27AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 254 E Chilco Rd
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water Company
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "My husband Jason Lundy and I are NOT in favor of the proposed general rate increase.
A 79% increase is extreme and absurd. "
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From: PUCWeb Notification
Sent:Thursday, March 13, 2025 11:00 AM
To: ConsumerComplaintsWeb
Subject: Notice: A complaint was submitted to PUCWeb - Mike Cutler/208-661-9785/Gem State
Water
The following complaint was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Mike Cutler
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 10:08AM
Email: michaelcutler01 @yahoo.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 7061 E Jensen Ln

Athol, ID 83801
Name of Utility Company: Gem state water
Contacted Utility: Yes
Comment: "Case No. GSW-W-24-01
To whom it may concern,
I find the proposed rate increase to be excessively ridiculous. I've lived in the Athol area all my life
and have never paid this much for water. Even currently the City of Athol only charges $55 for
10,000 gal and they have a way more complex system to maintain. Our little water system cannot
be that bad to maintain. You're wanting to raise rates for less water. Seems like you want more
money up front and then hit everyone on overages when going over the low amount. I get
everything has got more expensive. I'm a business owner too. I would be happy to go up
$10/month. I believe there should be a public meeting on this issue so customers can be heard.
We should get a say in this. "
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Guy Tripp
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 12:11 PM
Email: gtripp@earth link.net
Telephone: [phone]
Address: Lot OL5930040030
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: " I am disturbed to learn of Gem State Water's business practices over the the last few
years. It appears Gem State Water's business model is based upon creating a monopoly and using
that monopoly against their customers for frequent, unreasonable and un-warranted rate
changes. Gem State Water's latest proposed base rate change is a 79% rate increase over the
previous rate, a decrease in the base water usage from 7,500 gallons per month to 5,000 gallons
per month and an increase to $4.50 per 1000 gallons not included in the 5,000 gallon minimum
baseline. The EPA currently estimates a family of 4 to use 9,000- 12,0000 gallons per month. Why

would GEM State Water propose a baseline of anything less than 10,000 gallons per month, if not
to try and disguise their true intention of price gouging their hostage customers. This proposed
rate change is on top of Gem State Water's rate change and baseline usage reduction 2 years ago.
To put this in perspective, the new rates proposed by Gem State Water will represent a 40%
increase over what I use to pay for water at my previous house in Santa Clarita California, which is
in the northern tip of Los Angeles County. That house is supplied water by SCV Water which is also
a privately owned company. How can water in Northern Idaho cost 40% more than Southern
California? I strongly urge the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to reject Gem State Water's
proposal and hold them to the current rate structure approved by this commission approximately
2 years ago. I would further urge the IDPC to investigate Gem State Water for possible violations of
the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts:'
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The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Susan Burke
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 1:13PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 30523 N. Silver Meadows Loop
Athol, ID 83801
Name of Utility Company: Gem State
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "The astronomical rate hike you are proposing would create a serious financial
hardship for me in addition to the danger the water restrictions put us in, in the event of a fire as I
Live on a heavily treed lot in the Silver Meadows subdivision:'
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Name: Karla DeCrescenzo
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 1:33PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 186 Sky Hawk Dr
Spirit lake, ID 83869

Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "I am concerned with the excessive rate increase imposed on residents in my area.
This is unprecedented and creates a real concern with fire danger. The increase paired with
reducing usage base is very unjust and should be looked at as illegal:'
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The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: A Cervantes
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 3:56PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: Lupin Ln
Athol, ID 83801
Name of Utility Company: Gem State
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "I am writing to voice my opposition to the proposed general rate increase.
In March '23 Gem State increased our rates by 66% and decreased our usage by 5,000 gallons.
Here we are again with another increase this time by 79%!
Most of us live on acreage which we bought to use! We understand we wont get water for free but
we also understand where water comes from! A 2nd increase in 2 years is unwarranted!There
have been 2 significant fires in our area with in the past 4 years, we need our water to maintain our
property and with the current proposed increase this will make it unaffordable to keep up. Like
most of my neighbors we are a single income family.
Gem State has a monopoly and they know it that is why my neighbors and I are asking the Utility
Commission to deny this increase:'
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Name: Donna Schwandt
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 3:58PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1440 E Margaret Ave

Coeur d Alene, ID 83815
Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water Co
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "I received notice that Gem State Water is requesting a rate increase of the median bill
from $35.00 to $62.65 a month a 79% increase. That is an outrageous% of increase in one year.
am very interested in the reasons for the need to increase the rate at such a level. Gem state owns
at least 6 water systems and they are requesting increases in all of them. It feels like the company
in taking advantage of the consumers as their is no other source for our water. We are on the Troy
Hoffman System. Our water bill last summer was over$400. Rates did increase dramatically
when Gem State bought the system. Now they are requesting this increase. Please look over their
request carefully. Can they justify their request? I would look forward to a public hearing on this
request. "
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name:William Palmer
Submission Time: Mar 13 2025 7:52PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 20815 N Silent Pines Rd
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: GEM State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "Idaho Public Utility Commission:
I vehemently oppose GEM State Water receiving approval of the 79% rate increase and decrease
of baseline amount for Customers in the service area formerly known as Bar Circle S service area.
This increase is an abhorrent abuse of customer bases! O&M as well as Capital costs are
understandable as infrastructure ages and base grows. Reinvestment into systems is necessary
with typical rate case requests of single digit amounts to assist with reclaiming operating costs
and are not punitive. This request severely punishes customers for apparent failures by the Utility,
Past System Operator/Owners, and Public Utility Commissions.

Why are the customers being severely punished for poor due diligence of GEM State through their
Parent Company, Northwest Natural Holdings, when purchasing these backyard "Mom &
Pop"water companies that operated on shoestring budgets and questionable field maintenance
and infrastructure improvements practices?
This points back to question Idaho Public Utility Commission oversight of the"Mom & Pop"
owner operations. Were yearly documentation reviews thoroughly conducted as well as"real"
field investigation of the infrastructures being maintained and system improvements, not Good Ol'
boy cherry picked field visits, cursory documentation review and the now"let's go get lunch"field
visits that are known to occur in many states with their Commission and Utility audits.Why
weren't these needed system improvements identified earlier, potentially during sale to GEM State
and system improvements requirements begun earlier thereby reducing the hammer grab punitive
rate case request?
This also points back to the Parent Companyfor real and substantial reinvestment dollars made to
their holdings like GEM State. When reviewing yearly summaries and statements by Northwest
Natural Holdings, much is made to do about their engagements with ESG and DEI and what it
provides but very little about the infrastructure in communities they serve except for"Corporate
buzz words"to gain recognition from Social Engineering Politicians, Utility Commissions and
Asset Fund Managers.
The bottom line is this rate increase must be denied thereby protecting the Customer base from
this abusive grab for dollars. Utility Commission directions must be made to the Utility to take a
DOGE philosophy to cut the corporate waste and political social engineering and redirect those
dollars back into their holdings communities as a good partner and not just an Oregon company's
pocket. Common sense and fairness must prevail and not at the Customers overburdened
expense!"

To: Idaho Public Utilities Commission 3/08/2025
PO Box 837202 �J,C E I VE
Boise, Id 83720-0074 }
k AM9-- t3
Subject:Water bill increase of 79% Spirit Lake East ;� ,:� L 1
Case No. GSW W 24-01 -
Dear Water Commissioners
Received notice today from Gem state Water Company,PO Box 3388, Coeur D'Alene
Id. They are proposing a median increase in our water bills by a whooping 79%,this is in
addition to the past increase from last year where they stated it was needed for maintenance and
upgrades. Not only did they increase our water bill, they lowered the water usage. This 79%
increase will only hurt us, the economy is in a slump, how can they justify a large increase
as 79%. Please consider this is north Idaho, most in SLE are retired and on a fixed income,
with taxes increasing almost 100%who can afford a large increase. They state their revenues
will increase by 78.8%or$602,050.00 Please consider this will be a hardship on many in
our community. This proposal in this amount is unreasonable since they just raised our bill
last year and lowered our usage rate. Do not approve this outrageous increase on a basic utility.
V/R Mike and Belinda Michael
33038 N. Sand Creek Dr.
Spirit Lake, Idaho
83869

March 10,2025
Idaho Public Utilities Commission V MN 13 AN 9-. 13
P. O. Box 83720 'r""`01 PUBLIC
Boise, ID 83720-0074
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
We have just received a letter from Gem State Water, advising that they have applied for permission to raise water
rates,again,for our area. We currently reside in Bonner County,adjacent to Spirit Lake East. Unfortunately,this
area was assigned to Spirit Lake East by the developer;we had no say in the matter.
We are hereby stating that we do not want another increase in water rates. If the owners of Gem State Water would
check out the area,they would see that many owners are retired;some living on fixed incomes; some just wanted a
neat place in which they could retire.
I know we've written about this cost increase at an earlier date. If the increase is approved, residents could,
conceivability,stop watering their properties or leave trees to grow unchecked,thereby bringing concerns of fires.
We already have several residences that do not maintain their property in a desired manner.
Thank you for understanding our position on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Franklin W.James
Shirley R James I `
822 Sky Hawk Drive
Spirit Lake, Idaho 83869
Cc: Gem State Water
P.O. Box 3388
Coeur d'Alene; ID 83816