20250327Comments_3.pdf

The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: David Petersen
Submission Time: Mar 26 2025 5:22PM
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone:[phone]
Address:32156 N Hayden Dr
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
Name of Utility Company:Gem State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "I am strongly OPPOSED to Gem State Water 79%proposed rate increase. That increase is
outrageous.
As a retiree on a fixed income,the proposed rate increase would cause a financial hardship:'
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Name:Judy Petersen
Submission Time: Mar 26 2025 5:24PM
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone:[phone]
Address:32156 N Hayden Dr
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
Name of Utility Company:Gem State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "I am OPPOSED to the proposed rate increase by Gem State Water. 79%increase is ridiculous
and poses a hardship on retirees like myself:'
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Name: Kevin McFarland
Submission Time: Mar 26 2025 5:56PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone:[phone]
Address:4845 N. Ezy Street
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
Name of Utility Company:Gem State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: " On March 8,2025 we received a letter stating that Gem State Water is wanting to raise our
neighborhood's water fee again. This time by 79%! My wife and I feel that this is a ridiculous amount to raise
the rate.
I hope that you can understand what a financial burden this will put on the customers of this public utility.
We would ask that you consider either a veto of this motion,or offer a more reasonable price. Possibly a plan
to increase fees stretched out over years with caps.

We believe that as newer owners of the water system that Gem State Water shouldn't be passing off all of
their upgrade fees on to the customers. We have seen no upgrades with the exception of digital meters,
which also means reduced labor cost for the Water Company. The percentage of increase purposed is 79%,
and regular inflation percentages currently stand at approximately 2.3%. This seems a little lobsided. As
new owners of the water system, Gem State Water should be aware that it takes time to make money at a new
business. I feel like there may be some price gouging going on.
Many people(especially those on fixed incomes)will not be able to keep their landscape,flowers,and
gardens watered with this outrageous increase.
Please consider stopping this ridiculous proposal of a 79%increase to our water fee. We appreciate your
time.
Kevin&Jennifer McFarland
4845 N. Ezy Street
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
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