19901102.docx

Minutes of Decision Meeting
November 2, 1990 - 11:30 a.m.
In attendance:
Commissioners Joe Miller, Perry Swisher and Ralph Nelson; and staff members Stephanie Miller, Don Howell, Bob Smith, Gary Richardson, Syd Lansing and Myrna Walters.
Topic of discussion of this meeting was revenue sharing case of U. S. West. (possible change in refund amount)
Commissioner Miller said the Commission will get information from staff and put it on agenda for Monday's decision meeting.
Will communicate decision to company on Monday.
Don Howell reported facts - Poole came to talk about upgrade.  One of the three adjustments in revenue sharing plan, on going forward basis, Syd Lansing was doing some audit work.  He had occasion to ask company why they handled a certain account as they did.  Poole reported that U S West misaccounted for removing old switches for 1989.  The Company accounted for $396,000 that should have flowed through the revenue plan.  Multiply it by the ratio, and it is about $148,000, about 50 cents per line.  Company has said staff is correct.  Asked what Commission wanted to do with it?  Does Commission wants to give back the money even if it delays by a couple days the refund?  What that wouldn't allow for is opportunity for staff to audit those numbers.  Syd Lansing believes he can perform the audit by Monday and have some good feeling about the numbers.  Until  staff and Commission makes decision about when to give the money back, they have had to tell billing to standby.  Poole suggested if staff wants to conduct extensive audit, company could carry the $148,000 into 1990 year and pay interest at company's rate of return.  Then Commission wouldn't have to make rash decision on effective date.  Other problem with this is procedurally this information is not in the record.  To get it into the record, Syd Lansing could do audit, staff and company could make a joint motion and ask Commission for their blessing on the new number and don't think we can anticipate opposition by other two parties because number is increasing in favor of ratepayers.  Poole said yesterday there were no removal costs in past year.  There is no mismatch.
Commissioner Miller asked about sending Syd Lansing to the company today?  If by Monday he is satisfied with the audit material, we can make the decision.  Thought if it could be given back now, that would be better.
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Commissioner Swisher said this is kind of stringbedding - if Company is willing to pay interest, you won't get in the posture of rushing to a close in the future.  There may be other categories that may show up and if they do, those will be accumulated against the next recalculation.  Thought there was more value in saying, that there are other consequences we need to look at.
Commissioner Miller asked Syd Lansing about the audit generally?
Syd Lansing said had they recorded all that properly, that amount would have been correct.
Decision was:  Syd Lansing is to look at the numbers at the company this afternoon.
Commissioner Miller asked that Phillips and Fothergill be notified of Monday's decision meeting agenda.
Commissioners asked Syd Lansing to get information to them as soon as possible.
Meeting adjourned.
        DATED at Boise, Idaho this       day of January, 1991.

PRESIDENT

COMMISSIONER

COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Commission Secretary
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