20050412Comment.pdf

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April 9, 2005 t ED L",
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Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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O. Box 83720 ..
B~ise, ID '37~0:-0074
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SUBJECT:' Case No. CCH-O5-
Greetings:
I am writing this to express my opinion that the proposed rate increase NOT be approved
by the IPUC. I have lived in this community since 1986 and have experienced first-hand
the relationship between Mike Groth and the residents and customers of Country Club
Hills Utilities. Although I have heard many cornplaints from othercustomers in the
community, I would like to relate my personal experience in dealing with Mike Groth.
About two years ago the water meter to my house began leaking more severely. (It has
leaked for years, but relatively slowly. This is apparently a common enough experience
in the neighborhood since the meter-reader carries an old coffee can tied to a stick so he
can bail-out the meter wells of the older meters so as to read the meter.Anyway, the
meter to my house began leaking severely enough that my front lawn had pockets of
standing water. I called a plumber and excavator to have the water supply line between
the meter and my house replaced. My front lawn was dug-up, and the plumber replaced
the water line. However, it was discovered that the real problem was a leaking water
meter. I called Mike Groth (and left a message on his answering machine, since he only
works about 4-hours per week leaving a message is the only way to contact him).
sent his meter-man (who is NOT a licensed plumber) out the next day to replace a washer
in the meter. As soon as the meter-man started to disassemble the meter, the supply pipe
to the meter started leaked severely. At that point, the meter-man called Mike Groth
who then told me I would have to pay to replace the meter and the supply line. He told
me that this has happened before, and it was the customer that paid for it in the past.
told him that this was obviously his responsibility, and he replied that he had no money
for it and had nothing else to say. There was no urgency in his actions or discussion
while of course I was in a very difficult situation with a flooded front lawn that was
getting worse by the minute.
My first thought was to call a lawyer. Then it occurred to me to call the IPUC, which I
did. The agent was very helpful, and in only a few days Mike Groth was back telling me
I had "won this one.
In short, I believe Mike Groth sees the Country Club Hills Utilities as a lucrative "cash
cow" that allows him to support a comfortable life style (when he eventually showed-up
at my home, he was driving a brand-new Suburban), while only working a few hours
every week. I believe my experience with a leaking water meter is not uncommon; the
only unique feature is that I called the IPUC, which forced him to fulfill his
responsibilities.
WJG-IPUC 2
If the rate increase is eventually approved I hope that it is only done after a thorough
investigation into the way the Country Club Hills Utilities is operated, its accounts, and
its dealings with its customers.
Sincerely,
William J. Galyean
2245 E Olympic Ave
Idaho Falls, ill 83404
208-523-0294 (home)
208-526-0627 (work)
NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS
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Country Club Hills Utilities filed an application with the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission on March 16, 2005 to raise the rates
we charge our customers. This application is a proposal subj ect
to public review and a Commission decision. The company
requesting an increase of $6.00 per month to their residential
water flat rate, and an increase of .1 O~ per 1,000 gallons for
all consumption in excess of 15,000 gallons per month to their
residential metered rate. This request is for an increase of
approximately 30% or an annual dollar income of $42,063.00.
Country Club Hills Water System has not had a rate increase
since the IPUC established our first rate base in 1990. Over
these 15 years, our costs to operate Country Club Hills Water
Service has increased to the extent that our financial abilities
to maintain and upgrade the water system is at the maximum
financial level possible without a rate increase.
A copy of the application is on file and available for inspection
at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 472 W. Washington
st., Boise, Idaho and at the Company s office located' at 570
S. Yellowstone Ave., Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Questions concerning the application can be addressed to Mike
Groth, Country Club Hills utilities, 570 S. Yellowstone Ave.,
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402, Phone No. 529-5000.
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Wri tten questions and comments directed to the IPUC should be
addressed to Idaho Public utilities Commission, P. O. Box 83720,
Boise, ID 83720-0074. Correspondence should identify the
application by its case No. CCH-OS-The Commission can
be contacted at [phone] or [phone].