Water utility seeks to raise rates
A water company serving about 150 households southeast of Idaho Falls wants to raise its rates by 32 percent.
Country Club Hills Utilities is seeking the increase to offset yearly operating losses and to establish a capital replacement fund to pay for system deficiencies and water problems, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission announced in a news release Thursday. The Idaho PUC is still considering the application.
The company’s president, Mike Groth of Idaho Falls, claims the company does have a capital replacement fund, which is required by the state Department of Environmental Quality, because “of the negative income range in which it currently operates.” If major components of the water system fail, the utility “has no method to pay for the repairs other than Mr. Groth’s personal credit,” according to documents filed with the commission.
County Club customers currently pay $17 per month for the first 30,000 gallons. Under Country Club’s proposal, flat monthly rates would increase from $17 to $25 for use up to 15,000 gallons per month. More details on current and proposed rates can be found at http://www.puc.idaho.gov/internet/cases/summary/CCHW1201.html.
The company’s last increase was in 2005.
Commission staff will be in Idaho Falls on Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. to conduct a workshop at the Skyline Activity Center, 1575 N. Skyline Road in Idaho Falls.
Comments are accepted via email from the commission’s website, http://www.puc.idaho.gov/. Click on “Comments & Questions About a Case.” Fill in the case number, CCH-W-12-01, and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.
