HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220705Sorrells Declaration.pdf'':-',IItj=tJ
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Paul B. Rippel, Esq. ISBN 2762
Austin O. Allen, Esq. ISBN 10076
HOPKINS RODEN CROCKETT
HANSEN & HOOPES, PLLC
428Park Avenue
ldaho Falls, lD 83402
Telephone: (208) 5234445
Email: paulriopel@hookinsroden.com
a ustina I len@hopkinsroden.com
Attorneys for Applicant Donald Sorrells
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
DONALD SORRELLS, an individual,
Applicant,
vs.
case No. C:,UC- tx- Lza3
DEC!.ARATION OF DONALD D. SORRELLS
IN SUPPORT OF FORMAL COMPI.AINT
SUNNYSIDE PARK UTILITIES, lNC., an
ldaho Corporation,
Respondent.
!, Donald D. Sorrells, having first been duly sworn under oath, declare and
testify as follows:
7. I am at over eighteen (18) years of age and am competent to testify in
this matter;
2. ! am the named Applicant in this matter, and my testimony is based
upon my personal knowledge unless otheruise specified;
3. I have reviewed the allegations made within the Answer provided by
DECI.ARATION OF DONALD D. SORRELS IN SUPPORT OF FORMAL COMPI.AINT- 1
Respondent, Sunnyside Park Utilities, lnc. ("SPU"), and the Reply Comments of the
Commission Staff in this matter. I make this affidavit to provide information and
documents to support the positions made within my Formal Complaint; to refute the
allegations made within SPU's answer;and to clarify matters addressed within the
Reply Comments.
4. The water meter at issue in this matter was purchased by me. I
purchased the water meter and paid for its installation from DDR Contractor, lnc., on
July 29,2021,. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the invoice
from DDR Contractor, lnc., reflecting the sale and installation of the subject water
meter.
5. For as long as I have been a customer of SPU, I have never received an
invoice for water or sewer services that shows a water rate against a base unit of
measurement. Specifically, all invoices I have received from SPU indicate a water rate
of $22.00, but do not indicate a base unit of measurement for quantity. I am without
notice of what SPU alleges my water usage was for any given month, and I do not know
the base rate for a set monthly use quantity. I have attached hereto as Exhibit B a true
and correct copy of a standard water and sewer service invoice from SPU.
6. For as long as I have been a customer of SPU, I recall having been
charged an "excess water charge" only four times.
7 . The first time I was charged for alleged "excess water" was on October
3!,2O2!.1 was charged $2.48 for an alleged excess water usage at an unspecified
rate of 0.67. The invoice did not indicate what the regular water rate was, nor what the
DEC!.ARATION OF DONALD D. SORRELS lN SUPPORT OF FORMAL COMPI.AINT _ 2
unit of measurement for quantity was. The invoice merely identified two individual
meter readings - !O/O1,/21at an unspecified 13500, and t!/O7/21-alan
unspecified 292OO. A true and correct copy of the November 30, 2021, invoice is
attached hereto as Exhibit C.
8. The second time I was charged for alleged "excess water" was on
November 30,202L.1 was charged $0.44 for an alleged excess water usage at an
unspecified rate of 0.66. The invoice did not indicate what the regular water rate was,
nor what the unit of measurement for quantity was. A true and correct copy of the
November 30,2021, invoice is attached hereto as Exhibit D.
9. The third time I was charged for alleged "excess water" was on March
31,,2022. ! was charged $8.29 for an alleged excess water usage at an unspecified
rate of 0.67. Once again, the invoice did not indicate what the regular water rate was,
nor what the unit of measurement for quantity was. A true and correct copy of the
March 31-,2022 invoice is attached hereto as Exhibit E, with privileged attorney-client
communications redacted.
10. The fourth time I was charged for alleged "excess water" was on April
30,2022.1 was charged $9.44 for an alleged excess water usage at an unspecified
rate of 0.67. Once again, the invoice did not indicate what the regular water rate was,
nor what the unit of measurement for quantity was. A true and correct copy of the April
30,2022 invoice is attached hereto as Exhibit F, with privileged attorney-client
commu nications redacted.
11,. All invoices received from SPU for water and sewer services have been
DEC1ARATION OF DONALD D. SORRELS IN SUPPORT OF FORMAL COMPI.AINT_ 3
paid.
L2. An invoice of $653.49 was delivered to me on October 29,2O2!,
seeking payment for inspections and attorneys fees. Such charges were not pursuant
to any agreement for water or sewer services. A true and correct copy of the October
29,2O2t lnvoice is attached at Exhibit G.
13. On or about May 31, 2022,1 received an invoice seeking $7,024.24.
This exorbitant amount included $5,417.50 for an alleged one hundred and ninety-
seven "water meter checks" without any explanation of when the alleged meter checks
occurred, what the meter readings were, and the basis for charging meter checks.
Additionally, the lnvoice sought $850.00 for 10 instances of non-descript "Account
management" by Doyle Beck. There is not explanation for these charges and no water
use agreement has been signed which allows for the assessment of such charges. A
true and correct copy of the May 31",2022lnvoice is included as Exhibit H.
L4. SPU does not normally provide me written meter readings on my
monthly invoices, nor have they provided me a description of total water use, the unit
of measurement for such use for any given month, or a description of my monthly
usage allotment. The only time I recall having received a written meter reading was the
readings listed on the October 37,2O2t invoice in Exhibit C.
15. SPU's allegation that I have restricted its access to my water meter is
without basis. The water meter is accessible, readable, and capable of receiving
maintenance and being shut off/turned on. Further, the alleged lock described in
SPU's Answer has been removed.
DECI.ARATION OF DONALD D. SORRELS IN SUPPORT OF FORMAL COMPLAINT - 4
16. SPU's allegation that there is a leaking frost-free hydrant is without
basis. The frost-free hydrant alleged in this matter was capped in or around March of
2022, and was subsequently repaired by DDR Contractor, lnc the same month.
t7. All alleged toilet leaks have been fixed. To my knowledge, no additional
leaks exist. Attached hereto as Exhibit I is a true and correct copy of the October 27,
2021, invoice from Finish Line Plumbing, lnc., for the repairs to the alleged leaking
toilets.
l, Donald D. Sorrells, hereby declare in accordance with ldaho Code section 9-
1406 that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Dated July 5, 2022.
/s/ Donald Sorrells
Donald D. Sorrells
DECI.ARATION OF DONALD D. SORRELS IN SUPPORT OF FORMAL COMPI.AINT_ 5
Sunnlrsidc Utilities Inc
P.O. Box 1768
Idaho Fallsr ID 83403-1768
208-529-9891
BilTo
Doorld Soildlt
3:!tt N EmpcmrArc.
FltcoGCA 9t737
lnvoice
Dab lnvolet
ztxt&z {26
P.O.1{o.Teim Plqccl
Arantty O*cApm tub Arpuil
WlEScrvicc
SguaScrvie
Bloc& { I.tl &mytidcln&rutel md htrsdod Prt
r{l
22,@
2t,m
,obv
t0f
TLfi
21.0
Total i{6.00
P.O. Box 1768
Idaho Fatls, ID 83403-1768
Utilities Inc
208-529-9891
grrd\ -/DGddSudk
33ll NF'lfcrcrArr.
Frcoo,CA 91717
TM lnvobl
ltBot:I}zt 335{
lnvoice
$Q7t
rT'u/6a
ItD flt t
P.O. ilo.Tsrm PrqFcr
Rab fupmlAuiltyOccrtton
Z2.Nu.w
os7
TLfi
24.00
0.+l0.66
WGScYicc
SGtrGr ScrvbcE(rcWlEOtrlp
Blockrl Lot4 &myddo lndusuhl ad Proftsdmel Prrt
Total ${6.+l
StatementSunnl'side LJtilities lnc
P.O. Box 1768
ldaho Falls. ID 83403- I 768
208-529-989 I
To:
I)onaltl Sorrclls
3.341 N l:nrpcror Are
Frcsno. ('A <)37.17
Dale
5t3U2022
Amounl Due Amount Enc.
$7.024.2.1
Dale Transaclion Amount Balance
09t29t2021
()9/.10/202 I
to!t4t202t
aw3ta02t
n/t9/2021
I I /30/202 I
l2tltt202t
ot'07t2022
0 t/26/:022(llill/2021
02'l.l'2021
Ilalancc forrvard
lNV H1324. l)uc 09/30/2021
--- I t2() $22.00
--- s\\,lt $24.00
--- lllock 4 l.ot 4 Sunnl'sidc lndustriul and l'xrll'ssional l'ark
PMI'#605t6.
INV 133{2. Duc l0B 12021.
--- il2() $22.00
--- su/R $24.00
--- ll2O l:xccss. 3.7 qri $0.67 = 2.,lll
-- lllock 4 Lot 4 Sunnysitlc lnrlustriul and l'rulbssiurral l'ark
-- Scrvioe Crll $653.19
PMt'#60533.
lNV f 136t. l)uc I l/30'202 L
--- It20 $22.00
--- s\\'tt $24.00
-- I 12() lixcess. 0.66'g $0.67 " (1.44
-- Illocl ,l l.ot J Sulrrlsitlc lnduslrial iucl l'roli'ssional l'ark
INV #1384. l)uc l2l.ll1202l
--- il20 $22.00
--- s\\'ll $24.00
--- llkrck { l.ot 4 Sunrtl'sitlc lnrlustlial antl l'ruli'ssiottirl l'ark
l,l\,1 l #(10556.
t,l\,t I f 60571.
lN\,' #3{05 l)uc ()liJ I t3()12.
--- lt20 $22.(x)
--- s\\ R $2{.(X)
--- lllock d l.ot J SurrrrlsitL'lntluslriitl antl l'rol'cssirrnal l'ark
l'l\'l I #(r()592.
4(r.(Xl
-46.00
701.97
1(t-61
{6.4-l
4(r.(X)
-.16.11
-4(r.(Xl
.l (). (r( |
-J6.(X)
0.00
46 00
0.(x)
71 t.97
655.30
701.14
747.71
7(t t.l0
(r-S5.10
70 I .10
655.-1t)
CURRENT 1.30 DAYS PAST
DUE
31.60 DAYS PAST
DUE
61.90 DAYS PAST
DUE
OVER 90 DAYS
PAST DUE Amounl Due
o.(x)6.1 1.3.5()55.44 0.(,()6J5.30 $7.021 2.r
Page I
StatementSunnyside Utilities lnc
P.O. Box 1768
Idaho Falls, ID E3403-l 768
208-s29-989r
to:
Donald Sorrclls
3!41 N Empcmr Avc.
Itrcsno, CA 93?37
Dde
5au2022
Amount Duo AmuntEnc.
11,024.24
Date Transaction Arnount Bahnce
70r.30
6J5.30
709.59
-- lllock 4 Ld 4 Sunnl,sidc lndusriel ad ltofcssioul l'art
I'MT f606t0.
tNV #34a4. Dueo3Rln022.
-- ll2O J22:fi)
- swR9{.00.- ll2O Excc$s, 12.3t @ $t167 - E.29
- Illock 4 Lot 4 Sunnysidc lndusrial and l'ruftxsioml Pu*
nnd ltolbsoional l,nrk
.- Misc., l0 @ 185.00 = 850.fr)
INV #3426. Dtlc02nW022.
--- !r20 322.00
-- swR 32{.00
-- swR $24.00-- l{2O Exccss, 14.09 @ $0.67 - 9,44
-- swR $24.00
- H2O lixr:css S0.fi)
46.00
-5429
46.00
31.29
wn$nn2
03t25t&22
03BtDO22
MD6DOT2fl
CURRENT Amount Due1-30 DAYS PAST
DI..lE
31.60 DAYS PAST
DUE
61-90 DAYS PAST
DUE
OVER 90 DAYS
PAST IX..IE
0.00 fl I 0.00 s7,024.24
PagB 2
Sunnyside tJtilities Inc
P.O. Box 1768
Idaho Falls, lD 83403-1768
208-529-9891
BillTo
Donald Sonclls
3341 N Empcror Avc.
Frcsno, CA 93737
lnvoice
Date lnvoice #
5BtD022 35t7
P.O. No.Terms Proiect
Quantity Descriplion Rate Amount
t97
t0
WATER METER CHECK $55.00 HR @50
ACCOTJNT MAI.IAGEMENT- DOYLE BECK
27.50
85.00
5,417.r0
850.00
Total s6,267.50
Sunnyside Utilities Inc
P.O. Box 1768
Idaho Falls, ID 83403-1768
208-529-989t
BillTo
Donald Sorells
3341 N Emperor Avc.
Frcsno, CA 93737
lnvoice
Date lnvoice #
513tD022 3500
P.O. No.Terms Project
Quantity Description Rate Amount
0
Water Scrvice
Sener Scrvice
Exccss Watcr Charge
Block 4 Lot 4 Sunnyside Industrial and Profcssional Pnrk
22.00
24.00
0.6?
22.W
24,00
0.00
Total $46.00
Sunnyside Utilities lnc
P.O. Box 1768
Idaho Falls, ID 83403-l 768
208-529-9891
BillTo
Donald Sorrells
3341 N Emperor Ave.
Fresno, CA 93737
Invoice
Date lnvoice #
u30n022 3463
P.O. No.Terms Project
Quantity Description Rate Amount
r4.09
Watct'Servicc
Sewer Servicr
Excess WaterCharge
Block 4 Lot 4 Sunnysidc lndustrial and Professional Part
22.00
24.00
0.67
22.00
24.00
9.44
Total $55.44
Sunnyside Utilities Inc
P.O. Box 1768
Idaho Falls, ID 83403-l 768
208-529-989t
BillTo
Donald Sorrclls
3341 N Emperor Ave.
Fresno, CA 93737
lnvoice
Date lnvoice #
rcRV202t 3342
P,O. No.Terms Projed
Quantity Description Rate Amount
3.7
Watcr Scrvice
Scwcr Servioe
Exccss Water Charge: Rcading lU0lnl 13500 I l/01/2 I 29200
Block 4 Lot 4 Sunnyside lndustrial and Professional Park
Doyle Beck lnvoice l0l-21
22.00
24.00
0.67
653.49
22.W
24.N
2.48
653.19
Total $70r.97
.t f$
DDRCOMRACTORINC
4583 S Ammon Rd
Idaho Falls, ID 83406
Ell To
Descripton
liobilizationIEtcewbr lrbor and Eormrn
I 1.5 rnctcr flt and liltingl
Flangoretcr
0um2 rntrc( fu*crlte + /Alsrotl
36d7 4n€elnrf Ouny
zoA4d Fty'Lt-' -7A *glOu
lnvoice
Quantty
Date
TtDln2t
?00.00
1,7r0.00
22lt.ca
746.32
700.00
lJ70.oo
227E.81
746.32
lnvoice #
781
Don Sorrclls
P.O. No.
Duo on reccipt
Terme Prolect
Rab Amount
Total $5,435.r5
Sunnyside Utilities Inc
P.O. Box 1758
Idaho Falls, ID 83403-1768
208-529-9891
BillTo
Donald Sorrclls
33{l NEmpcrorAvc.
Frcsnq C,A 93737
!nvoice
Date lnvolce#
LOBtnml 3342
P.O. No.Terms Pmiod
Quanti$Doscripflon Rate Amount
3.7
Wdor Sorvlcc
Swcr Scrvlcc
Ercess WaEr Chrge: Rcading rcnlnl l350A 1 lnlnl 2y2N
Block 4 Lot 4 Sunnpidc lndusbial and Proftsslonal Pa*
Doylo Bec.k Invoicc 101-21
n.w
24.00
0.67
6s3.19
22.W
24.00
2.48
653.49
Total $701.97
031
Sunnyside Utilities tnc
P.O. Box 1768
Idalro Falls, ID 83,()3-t 768
208-529-989r
BillTo
DonaldSorclls
3341 N BopcmrAvc.
Frc$o, CA 93737
lnvoice
Dab hrcloaf
3BU2W2 3414
P.O. No.Temr PrqFd
Ouantity Dsscrlption Rale Amomt
Lt2.3t
Wrlcr Scrvica
ScurcrScrvicc
Bxocss f,iocr Ctargp
Block.l l"ot 4 Srmyidc IndusEid od Plofcssiood Prt
t2.u
@
t2.N
@
Total j5129
c)oeoo
TEuol-ood
EoF
9
e
oo
=c6-o
:ir"
:oo
o
c
oz
,J
2!
=a
Z
,a
:Z
= z-
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= =/,
I
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DATE: October29.2021
llilvolcE# 101-21
INVOIGE
Doylc Bcck
P.O. Box 1768
ldeho Fallc, l&ho &1103
BILL TO:
Sunnyeide Park utilidee lnc.
3655 Profeaslonal Way
PO Box 1768
ldaho Falls, lD 83402
2.00 '
2.00
0.50
3.00
1.00
101261121: lnsped sswor / ffibuued manholos to fror canrce I
d6tsrmin6d to be Don Sondls Properly / rctdavad sttutofi key/
shut offwatsr vdve at m*r.
1Ml6D1: lnspotilcd eauer / bllolod menhslee to fiorv cource /
determined to be Don Sondls Property / determinod shn off vahe
had been rcopend / aarer fov wae wklent / rsffiqrsd ehutof key
ehut ofrwater vatue at mder / lnEtalled padod(
IMTEI: Weril to open ard unlock wder uahre par Don Sonats
Attomefs hiler / foud lod( thet had boon instdlod mlacing /
Nsw locktrom otherg had boen lmtalled / Lock waa
lnslallsd to keep watsr mster vaho opcn.
10l',29121: Consultwith attomeyto obtain ooop€ratbn ftom Donnald
Sondls.
ilhster lock
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
15.98
i,'. . i l
SUBTOTAL
TN( RATE
SALEST$(
OTHER
TOTAL
Total due ln 15 daya. Overduo acounts su$ecd to a saMce cfiarge d 1.5% per monh.
TTIANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESSI
HJ$tlrPfffitg [ro
'liml MIfrmy Atrpnuolffi Falb,lD @406 lrg
ft ffiifineBlun*trtg1,GMmail"om
[,mbe
Don Eorlults
@ 1$lfiilP@'r s488,16 11rutffial Not30
Guib h0,( hpy; euild ulaBr Glost
flappqE
a Mar! leber,,for rcplacemamof
Flapporrs" arrd fuming on w#r and
tssffng
1.5% - Appll€d on tlw ?€.-2@1
1.% - Applled on Dec 2€,,M1
1
I
111.90
180"00
IOrPTlg0gI Prrla
L$ol
Ltfr.
lrhr.
t
7.18
BAI.AT'ICE trUE 0.[&"f6