REGULAR BOARD MEETING
August 28, 2023
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. located in Newberry County, State of South Carolina on Monday, August 28, 2023.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:30 p.m. followed by the invocation with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
Barbara C. Bishop Leon Fulmer, Jr. J. Craig Kesler
M. Blake Brigman Melanie B. Hawkins William Lominick, Sr.
Johnnie L. Dickert Douglas E. Hipp John W. Nichols
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas Pope, III, Regional Vice President of National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation Hampton Oxendine, Chief Financial Officer Arthur Guy, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy. Trustee Brigman attended by WebEx.
Mr. Oxendine reviewed the 2022 Key Ratio Trend Analysis (KRTA). He stated that Newberry Electric has done really well financially with the ratios and had a very good year. The industrial companies in the area have help to keep the power bills down.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the July 31, 2023 Regular Board Meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Monday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are Trustees Johnnie L. Dickert, J. Craig Kesler, William Lominick, Sr., and John W. Nichols. All were present along with President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the cash disbursements for July 2023. All expenditures were in order, and the committee is presenting this report as general information. The consensus of the board was to accept the report.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III stated that he has an Attorney Report and requested an Executive Session. Trustee Hipp made a motion for the meeting to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. Chairman Dickert convened the meeting into Executive Session. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Kesler to return to Regular Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition, and Chairman Dickert reconvened the Regular Session. No actions or voting took place during the Executive Session.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of August. He attended the Central G-20 and Rates Task Force meetings for the month. He attended the CarolinaConnect Strategic Planning Meeting. He also had an interview with Russell Rives from Newberry College.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for July 2023. The amount of write offs for July is $650.49. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President Avery reminded the trustees of the 2023 Regional Meeting to be held in October. Seven trustees expressed they are still wanting to attend.
President and CEO Avery referenced a memo from Rob Hochstetler, President and CEO of Central Electric Cooperative, of a dinner to be held in October 2023. Eight trustees express an interest in attending.
President Avery also referenced a letter from Mike Couick, President and CEO of ECSC, of a gathering for Congressman Jeff Duncan to be held September 11. Four trustees expressed an interest in attending.
President Avery referenced the flyer on the NEC Annual Operation Round Up Golf Tournament to be held on September 11 at The Country Club of Newberry.
President Avery briefed the trustees on the Newberry Ag Expo to be held on September 8-9, 2023 at the PD Johnson Farm. Lisa Sligh, Committee Member, requested a donation to sponsor the Kids Zone. Trustee Lominick made a motion to contribute again this year. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
President Avery reminded trustees of the Shred Day to be held at the Cooperative on September 27. Non-perishables are requested to be donated to the Manna House.
President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees that it is time to start preparing for the 2024 Annual Meeting. A meeting of the Membership and Public Relations Committee needs to take place in September. The Committee members, Trustees Bishop, Brigman, Dickert, and Hawkins, agreed to meet on Wednesday, September 6, at 5:00 pm.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. August 8, 2023 Executive Committee Meeting Summary was accepted as information.
President Avery referenced a request from Hunter Perry at Newberry College to collaborate with the Athletic Department for their fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The partnership will consist of signage, Newberrywolves.com web ad, tickets, and an ad in the game programs for the Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Wrestling. A motion was made by Trustee Nichols to continue to support the partnership. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. August 14, 2023 Special Called Executive Committee Meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative August 15, 2023 G-20 Meeting, and the Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. August 15, 2023 Rates Task Force Meeting Summaries were all accepted as information.
The ECSC Board Meeting Highlights for August 8, 2023 were accepted as information.
President Avery relayed a request from the underground crews to purchase a mini excavator and two small trailers to help complete jobs more quickly. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Hipp to make the purchases. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the August Regular Board Meeting at 8:45 p.m.
___________________________________ ___________________
SECRETARY APPROVED
____________________________________
CHAIRMAN