20080425Comment.pdf

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JAMES A. SEWELL & ASSOCIAT~EWl1
600-4th Street West
Newport, Washington 99156
[phone]
[phone]
[phone] Fax
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*Civi1 Engineerig *E1ectrca1 Engineerig *Land Sureyig *Bui1ding Inspection * Land Use Plang
April 22, 2008
Commission Secretar
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Subj: In The Matter of Algoma Water Company's Application for Approval to Sell the
Water Company and for an Order Authorizing Increases in the Company's Rates
and Charges For Water Service. Case No. AWS-W-07-01
Dear Commssion Secretar:
The following comments on the subject matter are presented on behalf of the Sagle Valley Water
& Sewer Distrct:
1. The Algoma Water System is totally withn the Sagle Valley Water & Sewer Distrct (Distrct)
boundares.
2. The Distrct is curently in the process of designng/constrcting a comprehensive community
water system, which would serve the greater Sagle Valley area. As par of this process, the
Distrct has created a Local Improvement Distrct through which to fud the water system
improvement project-related costs. The Algoma Water System is curently within the LID
boundares as well. At the time of creation of the LID, a minority of Algoma residents
objected to being withn the LID, therefore Algoma was included in the LID.
3. The Distrct is interested in acquiring the Algoma Water System, so that it can be made a par
of the Sagle Valley Community Water System. The Distrct has attempted to contact the
curent owner of the Algoma Water System several times to discuss the possibility of
acquisition of the Algoma Water System. Their attempts have been unsuccessfuL.
4. At this point, the Distrct is concerned about the sale of the Algoma Water System, due to the
fact that they have obviously not been considered as an entity to acquire the Algoma Water
System.
James A. Sewell & Associates, LLC
Newport Offce - 600-4th Street West, Newport, WA 99156 [phone] [phone] Fax
Sandpoint Offce - 1205 Highway 2, Suite 101, Sandpoint, il [phone] [phone] Fax
Spokae Offce - 9 South Washigton, Suite 708, Spokae, WA 99201 [phone] [phone] Fax
Commssion Secreta, Idao Public Utilities Commssion
Proposal to Sell the Algoma Water Company
Page 2
As it curently stands, all propert owners being served by the Algoma Water System wil
receive an assessment from the Distrct equaling an estimated $31/month after the Distrct
water system improvements are complete, which is expected to be next year. This amount
wil be in addition to the increased monthly fees to be charged by the Algoma Water
Company.
To conclude ths letter, the Distrct objects to the sale of the Algoma Water System to any entity
other than the Distrct, with the obvious reasonig that the Distrct would prefer that this system
be a par of the Sagle Valley Community Water System. Additionally, the Distrct is of the
opinion that if the Algoma Water System were to be a par of the Sagle Valley Communty Water
System, the Algoma Water System users would receive an improved water serice for an overall
lower cost.
Contact information regarding ths letter is as follows:
Mark Cherr, Distrct Chairman
P.O. Box 901
Sagle, ID 83860
[phone] Work
Bev Eilerman, Distrct Secretar/Treasurer
P.O. Box 901
Sagle, ID 83860
[phone]
Eric J. Eldenburg, P.E.
Newport Offce
[phone] Cell
Please contact any of the above with questions or the need for additional information.
Sincerely,
JAMES A. SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, LLC
pc: John Tindall, Coeur d'Alene Regional DEQ Offce, 2110 Ironwood Parkway, CDA 83814
Sagle Valley Water & Sewer Distrct, 83 Meadowlark Drive, Sagle, ID 83860
Tim Blanenship
File
James A. Sewell & Associates, LLC
Newport Offce - 600-4th Street West, Newprt, WA 99156 [phone] [phone] Fax
Sandpoint Offce - 1205 Highway 2, Suite 101, Sandpoint, il [phone] [phone] Fax
Spokae Offce - 9 South Washigton, Suite 708, Spokae, WA 99201 [phone] [phone] Fax