20051228notice_of_public_workshop_and_hearing.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 28, 2005
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF FALLS WATER COMPANY, INc. FOR
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
AND CHARGES
CASE NO. FLS-O5-
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
WORKSHOP AND HEARING
NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF
COMMENT DEADLINE
On November 4 2005, Falls Water Company, Inc. (Falls Water; Company) an Idaho
not-for-profit corporation and holder of Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No.
236, filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting
authority to increase its revenue requirement by $258 363 (48.2%). The Company also
submitted proposed changes in base rates and commodity charges for water service. As set forth
in its Application, the proposed increase reflects the increased costs of operations and
maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure. The last general rate case for Falls Water
was authorized by Commission Order No. 29397 in Case No. FLS-03-
If the proposed changes in rates are approved, the average annual rates for metered
residential customers would increase from $179.49 to $295., an increase of$116.06 or 64.7%.
The average annual rates for metered commercial customers would increase from $323.46 to
$569., an increase of $246.29 or 76.1 %. Annual rates for non-metered residential customers
would increase from $210 to $231 , an increase of $21. 00 or 10%. Annual rates for multi-family
residential customers would increase from $181.64 to $344., an increase of$163.18 or 89.8%.
On November 28, 2005 , the Commission issued Notices of Application and
Intervention Deadline in Case No. FLS-05-1. The deadline for filing interventions was
Friday, December 23, 2005. No party requested intervention. The Company requests an
effective date for its revenue increase of April 15, 2006.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of
record in Case No. FLS-05-1. The Commission is informed that Staffhas completed its audit
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP AND HEARING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
of the Company s financial records and an inspection of the Company s physical plant. Based
on Staff procedural recommendations, the Commission has preliminarily determined that the
public interest regarding the Company s Application to increase rates and charges may not
require a technical hearing to consider the issues presented, and that issues raised by the
Application may be processed under Modified Procedure , by written submission rather
than by hearing. Reference Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204.
Additionally, the Commission finds it reasonable to schedule a public workshop and a hearing to
obtain public testimony.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company s Application to increase its
rates is merely a proposal subject to public review and Commission approval.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has jurisdiction over this
matter and Falls Water Company, a water utility, pursuant to the authority and power granted
under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and the Commission s Rules of Procedure IDAPA
31.01.01.000 et seq.
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AND HEARING
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has scheduled the following
public workshop and hearing in this matter:
Commission Staff will conduct a public workshop for customers in Idaho Falls
Idaho on WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 25. 2006 AT THE IDAHO FALLS COUNCIL
CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 140 SOUTH CAPITOL AVENUE.The public workshop
will begin at 7:00 P.M. The public workshop will offer the public and customers of Falls Water
an opportunity to meet with the Commission Staff, ask questions and receive information
regarding Falls Water s Application.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that a public hearing to obtain public testimony
will be held in Idaho Falls, Idaho on WEDNESDAY. MARCH 15. 2006 AT THE IDAHO
FALLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 140 SOUTH CAPITOL AVENUE.
COMMENCNG AT 7:00 P.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the workshop and hearing will be conducted
pursuant to the Rules of Procedure adopted by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, IDAP A
31.01.01.000 et seq.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP AND HEARING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and workshops in this matter
will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other
assistance in order to participate in or to understand testimony and argument at a public hearing
may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing.
The request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by
contacting the Commission Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
Mail: secretary~puc.idaho.gov
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE/COMMENT DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in addition to the public workshop and
hearing, the Commission solicits written comments from customers and the public regarding
the requested increase in rates and charges. Any person desiring to state a position on Falls
Water s proposed rate increase may file a written comment with the Commission no later than
Friday, March 3, 2006. See IDAPA 31.01.01.202.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Falls Water Company may file reply
comments no later than Friday, March 24, 2006.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. FLS-
05-1 should be mailed to the Commission and Falls Water at the addresses reflected below.
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
K. Scott Bruce
Falls Water Company, Inc.
1770 Sabin Drive
Idaho Falls, ID 83406
E-mail: scottifYfallswater.com
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983
All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP AND HEARING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov . Click the "Comments and Questions
icon, and complete the comment form, using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. These comments must also be sent to the Company at the e-mail address listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. FLS-05-1 can
be viewed during regular business hours at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 472 W.
Washington Street, Boise, Idaho and at the office of Falls Water Company, 1770 Sabin Drive
Idaho Falls, Idaho (Telephone [phone]). In addition, the Application may be viewed by
accessing the Commission s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on "File Room" and
Water Cases.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this ;;l. ~ 1-"-day of December 2005.
~LOJe D. Jewell
Commission Secretary
bls/N:FLS-05-01 sw2
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP AND HEARING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE