20250807Comments_2.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: anonymous 3 anonymous 3
Submission Time: Aug 6 2025 9:40PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: anonymous 3
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Valiant
Case ID: VID-W-25-2
Comment: "Before the change of ownership of the water at The Idaho Club, we had good
water, reasonably priced. Now we are being asked to pay a large increase for water of
Lesser quality. I have invested thousands in various filtering systems which are in continual
use in my home. The effect on plumbing, toilets and other appliances that use water such
as water heaters and dish washers are effected or will be in the future. I am opposed to an
unreasonable increase."
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name:TIC Homeowner
Submission Time: Aug 6 2025 4:28PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: The Idaho Club
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Valiant-TIC Utilities
Case ID: VID-W-25-02
Comment: "I am a homeowner in The Idaho Club. I have read the public comments posted
here regarding the increased water rates proposed by TIC Utilities and I wish to express to
the IPUC that I oppose the proposed rates that have been submitted by TIC Utilities for your
approval. I cannot add much to what has already been pointed out by others much more
eloquently and substantially than I could. I would like the IPUC to know that a large
number of Idaho Club residents, perhaps even the majority of residents, are under the
misimpression that TIC Utilities has only asked the IPUC to approve a rate increase from
our current$45/month to $150/month, and they think that is the most anyone would be
required to pay if the IPUC were to approve that request. The reason so many residents are
misinformed is because that is what we were told in a"Public Notice" letter in early March,
2025 from TIC Utilities, which stated "If IPUC approves the request in full, rates would
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adjust by 333%for a finished home and 0%for a developed lot. The average bill for a
finished home would increase by$105 per month, and the average bill for a developed lot
would increase by$0 per month." That is the only notice and information that was sent to
The Idaho Club homeowners, and it is all that many homeowners to this day think has been
requested or is at risk of being charged to them. It wasn't until some of us reviewed other
public comments and slides from the IPUC staff workshop that we were even aware that
TIC Utilities' proposal was for$150/month as a base rate only, and on top of that, an
additional rate for metered water which could potentially raise our rates to ten times our
current rate.
If TIC Utilities was required to give"public notice"of the base rate they proposed, why were
they not obligated or required to give public notice that they were also requesting
additional and even higher rates than what they previously disclosed to the homeowners? I
and many of my neighbors believe this omission of information was intentional and meant
to misinform and confuse residents at best, and was fraudulent at worst. A large number
of Idaho Club residents are very angry at being misled and misinformed in this manner, and
the letters of opposition posted by homeowners on your website is grossly under-reported
compared to the number of people who are angry and oppose the rate increase proposed
by TIC Utilities. The reason you have not had more letters opposing this increase is quite
simple—TIC Utilities is owned by Mr. Bill Haberman, and there is a very large number of
homeowners who are afraid to speak up and openly oppose this proposed rate increase for
fear of retaliation by Mr. Haberman.
My spouse and I, along with very many other homeowners, moved into The Idaho Club in
Large part because it offers a robust, outdoor lifestyle, including golf and social
memberships at The Idaho Club, which is owned by Valiant, another company owned by
Mr. Haberman.We have seen, however, that it is a big risk to voice disagreement or
criticism with the policies or actions taken by Mr. Haberman in relation to this water issue.
It is a well-known fact that Mr. Haberman threatened and implemented retaliatory action
against several homeowners'golf memberships as a result of them opposing TIC Utilities'
effort to force The Idaho Club Homeowners Association to buy the water company last
year. In fact, in a letter to homeowners last year regarding the water issue, Mr. Haberman
described himself as a "benevolent" dictator over The Idaho Club homeowners. This was
not said in jest, but in all seriousness, making clear to the homeowners that he believes we
are nothing more than commoners in his kingdom, and he can do anything he wishes in
and to our community and we have absolutely no recourse because he wears the crown
and regularly informs us that he has a"super majority"of votes over the homeowners on
any issues that must be voted upon. This is the environment that we live in, adults trying to
enjoy peaceful retired lives under the rulership of a"benevolent"dictator who is vindictive
if you cross him.
I have spoken with many of my neighbors, and they have informed me they are afraid to
post a public comment on the IPUC website for fear of retaliation. I also am afraid of
retaliation, and therefore I am making this comment anonymously. I do hope the IPUC will
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understand and will accept this as an anonymous public comment and give as much
weight to my comment as you do to other comments which have been posted by other The
Idaho Club residents. I am hopeful that the IPUC will look very closely at the information
submitted by TIC Utilities, and determine whether a rate increase is appropriate at this
time, what rate would be fair to the residents of The Idaho Club, or if TIC Utilities'
information and/or practices need further investigation and/or correction before a rate
increase should be imposed on the homeowners in The Idaho Club."
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