Developer sells Utility Companies

Rhodes sells water and utility companies


Rhodes Homes Arizona, LLC announced Friday afternoon that Utilities, Inc. of Northbrook, Ill., has purchased Perkins Mountain Water and Utility companies, and at the same time, filed an amendment with the Arizona Corporation Commission to turn over control of the companies to Utilities, Inc.
"We are extremely pleased to have acquired Perkins Mountain Water Company and Perkins Mountain Utility Company and look forward to working with the Arizona Corporation Commission and Rhodes Homes Arizona on these exciting projects in Mohave County," said Larry Schumacher, president and CEO of Utilities, Inc.
"We're extremely pleased with the Utilities, Inc. acquisition," Rhodes Homes owner Jim Rhodes said. "This significant development means our projects in Mohave County have taken a major step forward. We are confident that Mr. Schumacher and the Utilities, Inc. team will conscientiously provide water and wastewater facilities to our future residents."
Rhodes Homes Arizona had been battling with the ACC to get Certificates of Convenience and Necessity for both utilities since July 2005.
Earlier this year, the ACC asked Jim Rhodes to come back before the commission in order to testify about any involvement former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny might have had in the creation of the companies.
In July, Kenny was sentenced to 30 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. She allegedly took money from a Nevada developer in order to smooth the way for a casino and a pharmacy.
Kenny testified in court that after she left her position as a Clark County Commissioner, Rhodes hired her to do some consulting work for his company.
Rhodes Homes has stated in the past that Kenny did not do any consulting work for the Perkins Mountain Water and Utility companies.
In August, Rhodes asked the ACC for an extension of time to consider alternatives. The Administrative Law Judge granted him a 90-day stay. Earlier this month, Rhodes asked for another continuance, and it was approved.
Having Utilities, Inc. take over Perkins Mountain may not let Rhodes off the hook with the ACC. Utilities, Inc. will still have to get approval from the ACC in order to run the two utilities. According to a press release from both Rhodes Homes and Utilities, Inc., Utilities, Inc. operates utility companies in 17 states including Arizona.