20051020notice of public workshop.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 20, 2005
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF BITTERROOT WATER COMPANY FOR
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
CASE NO. BIT-O5-
On June 15, 2005 , Bitterroot Water Company, Inc. (Bitterroot; Company) filed an
Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting a change in its
tariff rates from a metered base rate of $20 per month to a metered base rate of $45 per month.
No change is proposed in the commodity charge per 1 000 gallons of water consumed in excess
of 15 000 gallons per month. According to the Application, the proposed increase is to help
offset the increasing costs associated with the operation, maintenance and capital improvements
to the water system.
Bitterroot is a regulated water utility providing water service under Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity No. 319 to approximately 116 customers in Kootenai County,
Idaho. The Company s water rates were last adjusted in 1999. Reference Order No. 28121.
Bitterroot contends that in the last 12 months, the water system has been
systematically reviewed and upgraded to maintain compliance with increasingly tougher
government standards for water quality. The increased operating expenses, the Company
contends, are largely out of its control. Rising power costs play the biggest role in recent
operating expense increases. Bitterroot's Application is accompanied by financial schedules and
engineering information.
On June 30, 2005 , the Commission issued a Notice of Application in Case No. BIT-
05-
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Bitterroot's revenue requirement and every
component of it, both rate base and expense, are at issue. The Commission may grant, deny or
modify the revenue requirement requested and may find that a revenue requirement different
from that proposed is just, fair and reasonable. IDAPA 31.01.01.124.01.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the rates and charges for Bitterroot'
customers are at issue, and every component of every existing and proposed rate and charge is at
issue. The Commission may approve, reject or modify the rates and charges proposed and may
find that rates and charges different from that proposed by any party are just, fair and reasonable.
IDAPA 31.01.01.124.02.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the tariffs, practices, rules and regulations
service, instrumentalities, equipment, facilities, classifications and customer relations of the
utility are at issue and the Commission may address any of them in its Order. IDAP A
31.01.01.124.02.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission Staff will hold a public
workshop for Bitterroot customers on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2005,
COMMENCING AT 7:00 P.M., AT THE ATHOL COMMUNITY CENTER, 30355
THIRD STREET, ATHOL, IDAHO At this meeting customers will have an opportunity to
hear from Commission Staff regarding the Company s Application in Case No. BIT-05-1 and
to ask questions of Staff and representatives of the Company.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. BIT-05-
together with financial schedules and engineering information may be viewed
www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on "File Room" and "Water Cases.It may also be viewed
during regular business hours at the Commission s offices, 472 W. Washington Street, Boise
Idaho and at the business office of Bitterroot Water Company, 24461 Old Highway 95 N., Athol
Idaho.
DA TED at Boise, Idaho this 11f'.day of October 2005.
Je . Jewell
Co mission Secretary
N:BIT-O5-01 sw3
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP