ACC judge to make recommendation on Johnson Utilities sale on Dec. 2
by Suzanne Adams-Ockrassa | Florence Reminder & Blade Tribune
An Arizona Corporation Commission administrative law judge will issue her recommendation on the sale of Johnson Utilities to EPCOR on Dec. 2.
Representatives from EPCOR, Johnson Utilities, one attorney for a couple of developers and ACC staff are recommending that the sale go through, including a controversial debt deferment agreement that would allow EPCOR to have up to $45 million in debt for the next 15 years at a rate of 6% and recoup the cost through future rate cases.
Johnson Utilities serves a large area of Pinal County including parts of San Tan Valley, Florence, Queen Creek and other areas. The utility has been in financial trouble for several years and allegations of the misuse of funds and mismanagement of the company have been made against the family that has owned and operated the utility for many years. Canada-based EPCOR was named as an interim manager for the business about two years ago.
