20030210_382.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:CO MMISSI 0 NER KJELLAND ER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
CO MMISSI 0 NER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:KEITH HESSING
DATE:FEBRUARY 3, 2003
RE:APPROVAL OF AVISTA UTILITIES TARIFF ADVICE NO. 03-01G;
MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE FEES FOR THE CITIES OF POST FALLS
AND SANDPOINT
On January 27 2003 , Avista Utilities filed Tariff Advice No. 03-01 G requesting approval
of revised Schedule 158 of its gas tariff. Schedule 158 lists municipal franchise fees that Avista
pays municipalities so that it can use city street rights-of-way and easements to locate its
facilities for the purpose of providing service to customers. Revised Schedule 158 includes two
new 1 % franchise fees for the cities of Post Falls and Sandpoint that recently approved such fees
by city ordinance. In both cases the fees are collectible beginning March 1 , 2003. Approval of
Revised Schedule 158 allows Avista to recover the cost of the franchise fees from Avista gas
customers who live within the municipality that assesses the fee. This method of cost recovery
has long been the policy of the Public Utilities Commission.
I have reviewed Avista s Application and recommend approval of Revised Schedule 158
with an effective date of March 1 2003.
IdWKeith D. Hessing
i:dmemos/avutaO3-01G/decision memorandum
DECISION MEMORANDUM FEBRUARY 3, 2003