REGULAR BOARD MEETING
February 28, 2023
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at the Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. located in Newberry County, State of South Carolina on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:30 p.m. followed by invocation with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
C.J. Bishop Leon Fulmer Craig Kesler
Blake Brigman Melanie Hawkins William Lominick
Johnnie Dickert Doug Hipp John Nichols
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Chief Financial Officer Arthur Guy, Vice President of Operations Nick Shealy, Accounting Clerk Maghan Steele, Engineering Analyst Michael Martin, CPA Jake Morris, Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy.
Mr. Guy introduced Mr. Jacob Morris, CPA for McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks, & CO. via Web Ex, and he delivered the results of the company audit ending December 31, 2022. Mr. Morris expressed how the staff provided all the information needed for the audit. He stated that Newberry Electric has a clean, unmodified good opinion for the year.
A Board Resolution was needed authorizing the amendment and restatement of the 2020 Deferred Revenue Plan. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept the resolution. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Chairman Dickert presented Trustee Kesler his Director Gold certificate for completing the requirements to renew his certificate. Trustee Lominick presented Chairman Dickert with his Director Gold certificate.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the January 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.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the February 13, 2023 Special Board Meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Kesler 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, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are Trustees C.J. Bishop, Johnnie Dickert, William Lominick, and John Nichols. All were present including President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for January 2023. All expenditures were found to be in order, and the committee is presenting this report as general information. The consensus of the board was to accept the report.
Chairman Dickert requested an Executive Session. Trustee Kesler made the motion to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without objection. After discussing matters, Chairman Dickert requested to come out of Executive Session. Trustee Kesler made the motion to return to Regular Session. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. There was no voting and no action taken during the Executive Session.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of February. He met with Todd Johnson, the Chairman of Newberry County council. He met with Congressman Jeff Duncan, and also with the SC Power Team. He and Trustee Nichols attended the Carolina Connect Monthly Meeting.
Mr. Guy reviewed in detail the operational data for January. The amount of write offs for January is $2,628.00. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Mr. Shealy reviewed the Engineering and Operations and Operational Support reports for the month. Engineering started work with Central Electric Coop on a battery storage project for the Blair Substation. They also began working on substation equipment for the new AMR metering system. They have obtained the right of way for the Broad River Relocation. EZ Block Chain continues to run at constant load and are looking to start up the Kiswire site in Summer 2023. A Safety Meeting was held on ATV/UTV safety for all employees. An employee Safety Goals and Improvement program was initiated.
Newberry Electric is scheduled for an ARPA Grants debriefing and will ask to revisit the Duke and Lakeview areas.
Mr. Shealy informed the trustees that there is some land for sale near the Stoney Hill Substation that could be used in the future. Trustee Hipp made a motion to purchase the land on the contingency to get the right of way and the easement removed. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President and CEO reminded the trustees of the Washington Legislative Rally to be held in April in Washington, DC. Four trustees have expressed an interest to attend.
President Avery thanked the Board for matching the contributions the Newberry Electric employees raised for the SC Cooperative Care Foundation. A total of $4,860.00 was donated to the family of a Co-op employee killed in Georgia during recent storm restoration work.
The ECSC Board Meeting Highlights for February 2, 2023 were accepted as information.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative February 6, 2023 Special Called Power Committee Meeting, February 2023 Executive Committee Meeting, February 8, 2023 Special Called Board Meeting, February 13 FAR Committee Meeting, and the February 13, 2023 Member & Energy Services Committee Meeting Summaries were all accepted as information.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative February 2023 Power Committee Meeting, February 15 Engineering Meeting, February 20, 2023 G-20 Meeting, February 20, 2023 Specially Called Executive Committee Meeting, and the February 20, 2023 Rate Take Force Meeting Summaries were all accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery reviewed information on the ECSC Summer Conference. Eight trustees expressed an interest in attending.
Attorney Pope reviewed Board Policy No. 23 again from the January 2023 Regular Board Meeting to answer any questions the trustees may have.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the February Regular Board Meeting at 8:50 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN