Public Comment & Hearing - W-20446A-25-0022 - Global Water - Santa Cruz Water Company, Inc. SW-20445A-25-0023 - Global Water-Palo Verde Utilities Company - Aug 03, 2026

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Arizona Corporation Commission 2h 4m 1 speaker 8 agenda items transcribed 5 hours ago official recording ↗

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What procedural issues are being addressed at the start of the hearing?

Chris Nichols 0:01

Good morning everyone. This is the time set for a public comment and hearing in the matter of the application of Global Water, Santa Cruz Water Company Inc. for the establishment of just and reasonable rates and charges for utility service designed to realize a reasonable rate of return on the fair value of its property and for certain related approvals. Docket number W two zero four four six A twenty five zero zero two two. This matter was previously consolidated with the application of Global Water Palo Verde Utilities Company, Inc. for the establishment of just and reasonable rates and charges for utility service designed to realize a reasonable rate of return on the fair value of its property.

Chris Nichols 0:44

And for certain related approvals, docket number SW20445A 250023. However, Global Water Palo Verde. has requested to withdraw its application and that request has been granted. So uh today we will be receiving evidence solely uh for purposes of considering the application of global water Santa Cruz. I'm administrative law judge Chris Nichols and I have been assigned to preside over this matter. Uh let's go ahead and get started by taking appearances of the parties beginning with uh Global Water.

Robert Metley 1:19

Good morning, Your Honor. Uh Robert Metley, uh with Global Water Resources Inc. on behalf of Global Water Santa Cruz Water Company Inc. And Global Water Palo Verde Utilities Company, Inc., and with me today is Mr. Michael Patton with the law firm of Osborne and Malada.

Chris Nichols 1:35

Good morning to you both.

Daniel Pazewski 1:38

For Ruco. Good morning, Your Honor, Daniel Pazewski and Sarah Barrias Kuhl with Ruco. Good morning.

Chris Nichols 1:46

And for staff.

Bridget Humphrey 1:47

Good morning, Your Honor. Bridget Humphrey and Ben Calleras on behalf of staff. And with us today is Britt Baxter, um, who will be staff's witness today.

Chris Nichols 1:56

Good morning all. All right. Are there any procedural issues that we need to address before we move on to the public comment portion? Mr. Metley.

Robert Metley 2:08

Uh, Your Honor, the only thing that I'm thinking of is that the parties have stipulated to all the exhibits uh being entered into evidence. I would I would request that Your Honor acknowledge that.

Chris Nichols 2:20

Uh that's my understanding as well, um, Mr. Pazzewski.

Daniel Pazewski 2:23

That's correct.

Chris Nichols 2:24

Ms. Humphrey.

Daniel Pazewski 2:25

Will you agree?

Chris Nichols 2:28

Uh any other procedural issues, Mr. Metley?

Robert Metley 2:31

I know you're on it at this time.

Chris Nichols 2:34

Ms. Barrios Cool.

Sarah Barrias Kuhl 2:35

Uh yes, Your Honor, just as a reminder that uh Ruco's witness, Chris Walters, who is our cost of capital witness, um, he has also a proceeding before, I believe, the Illinois Public Utility Commission uh today. So if your Honor would like to hear from him Um, after we've covered some of the company's witnesses, if you could kindly let me know so I can reach to Mr. Walters and coordinate his appearance.

Chris Nichols 2:57

Thank you. Um do you have uh an idea of w when he might be available versus not?

Sarah Barrias Kuhl 3:05

I I don't. I uh I understand things are a little um Um a little different in Illinois and so he's not really able to tell us what time he may appear there or if they're going to need him. Um but I do think that I can cover um the questions that that your Honor may have regarding capital structure and that I have with Mr. Barassa. So it's possible we won't need Mr Walters whatsoever. But that's really gonna depend on whether your honor wants to hear from him.

Chris Nichols 3:33

All right, great, thank you. Um And no other procedural issues?

Sarah Barrias Kuhl 3:38

No, Your

Bridget Humphrey 3:39

Honor, thank you.

Chris Nichols 3:40

Thank you. Ms. Humphrey, anything you can think of that we oughta take care of?

Bridget Humphrey 3:43

Nothing, Your Honor. Thank you.

Chris Nichols 3:44

All right, great. Okay, before we move on to opening statements, uh let's take a moment to take a public comment. So um this is the the opportunity of any member of the public who wishes to do so to come forward either in person in the hearing room today or telephonically to provide their comments on the on the application that's being considered in this matter. Um each member of the public present uh today or on the phone today who desires to pub provide public comment will be permitted to do so. Each speaker is requested to limit their comments to three minutes. This time may be extended if necessary to clarify the speaker's comments.