20230606Comments_8.pdf

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The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Lynn Deitrick
Submission Time: Jun 2 2023 3:20PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3866 Ventura Ave
Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Name of U�lity Company: Falls Water Company, Inc

Case ID: FLS-W-23-01

Comment: "I am apposed to the rate increase at this �me. The increase will strap families/individuals
even more due the the current economic climate. The requested increase would be $1,174,000 or
47.3% annual increase, nearly a 50% annual increase.

If the rate increase were 10% or less for a 5/8" & 3/4" meter, I would be in favor the modest
increase.
Thank you,
Lynn Deitrick"
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The following comments were submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Celena Morales
Submission Time: Jun 2 2023 6:47PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 4428 Booner Street
Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Name of U�lity Company: Falls Water

Case ID: FLS-W-23-01

Comment: "Hi there,

I received a no�ce regarding the proposed new rate increase filed on May 12, 2023 by Falls Water, Inc.
and had a few ques�ons.

While I understand the current economic climate has increased the cost of goods and services across the
country, there appears to be an unclear reasoning across the proposed rate classes. The morning view
lots are receiving a decrease while all other neighborhoods are being increased up to 84%. I live in Falls
water 1” Meter and according to the table I will have a 55% increase in my bill. I live on 1/4 of an acre
and my bill is increasing while other in different neighborhoods have decrease. Based on similar acres
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sizes, our rates should be no more than $35 total if needed. Furthermore, it seems preposterous that
there is no flat rate across the board with the majority of the cost based on water usage.

I would like to know the criteria used to determine these rates and why my area costs more for
presumably less water?

Is a 47% increase in revenue necessary to achieve the necessary infrastructure replacement and
maintain cost of opera�ons? A 47% increase in revenue is extreme, (especially at a �me when everything
else is going up) and if that is what is required I would like to know how the money will be spent. The
increase in revenue should be enough to be consistent with infla�on but no more to the point that
profits are increased. How is the current revenue managed? And what are the jus�fica�ons for raising
increases for half of the area and cu�ng it in more than half for other areas? A simple math averaging
the total old and new rates suggest the proposed plan is more of a distribu�on of costs from one area to
another. Why would those in a new neighborhood pay for infrastructure improvement costs of other
ones? The cost of infrastructure should be covered or subsidized from the city or county that collects
taxes from the homeowners.

I live in a brand new neighborhood and it seems unfair that my rates would go up when the
infrastructure is rela�vely new. Please explain.

Lastly, if an increase is inevitable and we have no other op�ons (because that’s the reality of it, seeing as
we can’t really shop for a more reasonable price from another provider) it’s only fair to provide an
incen�ve or credit for those that use water below a certain level. This can encourage smarter choices
from the owner and decrease the stress and demand on the infrastructure that seems to be in need of
upgrade.

Thank you,

Celena and Noé Morales"
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Name: J Evans
Submission Time: Jun 2 2023 10:01PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 480 S Whea�ield Ln
Idaho Falls, ID 83406

Name of U�lity Company: Falls Water

Case ID: FLS-W-23-01

Comment: "A 40+ percent increase is excessive. This needs to be re-evaluated. "
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The following comments were submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Tim Woodard
3

Submission Time: Jun 3 2023 4:18PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 4416 N Harley Dr
Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Name of U�lity Company: Falls Water

Case ID: FLS-W-23-01

Comment: "I don't think these rate increases should be approved. There is a lot of inconsistency on the
increases depending on the water district/subdivision. 6 of the 14 districts are receiving anywhere from
a 30-50% decrease in their fee usage while the other 8 are ge�ng a 30-80% increase! I understand costs
have increased but to discount some and have a steep increase on others is just not a fair use of the
resource. My solu�on would be to have a lower increase divided among all districts and to also start
enforcing a larger fee to the developers who are developing and building homes in some of these
districts who are seeing a high growth. "
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Name: Robert Jones
Submission Time: Jun 3 2023 4:34PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 4139 Fairview Dr
Ammon, ID 83406

Name of U�lity Company: Falls Water Co. Inc.

Case ID: FLS-W-23-01

Comment: "I am concerned when I observe in the NOTICE TO FALLS WATER CO., INC. CUSTOMERS that
was received at my address on June 2, 2023, that 1" meter rates for my area are being increased an
average of 55%. I live in a double town home that has a very small yard, and the es�mated average
water usage is 20K gallons per month. I see in the no�ce that there are OTHER es�mates for a 1/4 acre
that are only 9 gallons?!? There is no explana�on regarding how or why these es�mates are calculated.
I see that the proposed rate is actually DECREASED with no explana�on.
Will there be a public MEETING to explain these concerns? I note that I have personally called and
requested answers and there is an offer to let me speak to a supervisor, but said supervisor never picks
up to answer my call.
I am a disabled person on a fixed income, and a proposed rate increase of 55% for this u�lity will be an
onerous change that will be difficult to face.
WILL there be an in person public mee�ng to discuss or comment on this rate increase proposal?”
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The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Niklas Kammeraad
4

Submission Time: Jun 3 2023 9:45PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1417 Trappers Rdg
Ammon, ID 83401

Name of U�lity Company: Falls Water

Case ID: FLS-W-23-01

Comment: "IPUC,

My concerns with the Falls Water rate increase are:
-The 55% rate hike for the 1" meters is substan�al and adds to the financial burden felt by residents
during the past years of extreme infla�on -The 1" Falls Water meter proposed bill has a higher fee per
1,000 gal usage than other meter sizes

For your considera�on, I would propose that the rate increase could be spread out over mul�ple years
instead of all at once. Or perhaps there could be a guarantee that there would not be another rate hike
for a minimum number of years. I have lived in Ammon for only 4 years and this would be the second
rate hike I have seen. I understand that it would not be fair for Falls Water to operate at a loss, but I am
hoping there would be some middle ground to accommodate both the consumer and the investors.

I would also propose that the fee per 1,000 gal be standardized across the board based on actual usage.
For example, Falls Water 5/8" and 3/4" meters would pay $1.85 per 1,000 gal under the proposed bill,
but 1" meters would pay $2.25 per 1,000 gal. Right now I don't understand why fees aren't consistent
based on usage, but that may be due to my ignorance of the supply system altogether and why
opera�ng costs need to vary.

Thank you for your �me and considera�on."
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The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Kurt Stocks
Submission Time: Jun 4 2023 8:05AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 4346 STUBBLEFIELD CT
AMMON, ID 83406

Name of U�lity Company: Falls water Company

Case ID: FLS-W-23-01

Comment: "47.3 percent seems like quite a jump in rates. Agreed there more people using the
water,that said also more people paying for water.
5

20 percent increase seems reasonable.
47 percent is to much"
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The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Brandi Love
Submission Time: Jun 5 2023 10:46AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 4165 Aschli Lane
IDAHO FALLS, ID 83406

Name of U�lity Company: Falls Water Co

Case ID: FLS-W-23-01

Comment: "What is the reasoning/explana�on behind Falls Water requested 40% rate increase?! That's
huge! And even higher for many others. Why would they need an extra million in revenue for water
supply, a life sustaining service?"
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