REGULAR BOARD MEETING
July 31, 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, July 31, 2023.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert called the meeting to order 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, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the June 26, 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, July 24, 2023 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 June 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 did not have an Attorney Report.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of July. He met with the Advisory Board of Newberry College to discuss offering classes for a Leadership certificate. The eight-week course will be on line with one virtual meeting a week. After completing the courses, the credit can be transferred to help complete a Master’s degree. A decision will follow after more discussion takes place.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for June 2023. The amount of write offs for June is $3,917.74. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed the Engineering and Operations and Operational Support reports for the month. He stated that Engineering has completed substation and downline recloser settings per Sectionalizing study. They have also programed and installed substation AMR gateways. Lee Electric’s underground crew is working at the West Fraser expansion. Their overhead crew has completed the Broad River Rd. line relocate and began on the Brown Chapel Rd. upgrade. Line construction is continuing to identify and replace aging primary underground cable system wide, and to add isolation devices such as cutouts and air break switches.
. EZ Block Chain data mining continues to run at constant load and plan to have its newest container operational as soon as possible. Artic Chill is moving forward with expansion in the rear of the plant and looking to expand in the front also.
President and CEO Avery stated that the fiber construction at Blair Ckt 2 Fairfield County should be complete by October.
President Avery referenced information on the NRECA Regional Meeting in October. Seven trustees have expressed an interest in attending.
President Avery reviewed a letter from Jim Matheson, CEO of NRECA, stating that the NRECA Board approved an overall dues increase of 4.5% for all of its members. This is due to experiencing inflationary pressures and NRECA responding to new demands for general membership programs.
President Avery reviewed a memo from Newberry Electric’s PAC/ECHO representative, Leann Hutto, asking the trustees and Attorney Pope to consider continuing their membership in PAC and/or ECHO. A motion was made by Trustee Kesler to continue with their current membership levels. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President Avery reviewed the Central Electric Power Cooperative July 11, 2023 G-20 meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative July 11, 2023 Rates Task Force meeting , the Central Electric Power Cooperative July 12, 2023 Board meeting, and the Central Electric Power Cooperative July 2023 Power Committee meeting summaries. All were accepted as information.
President Avery asked to trustees to consider attending the Central Electric Dinner Forum on Monday, October 2, in Columbia, SC.
President and CEO Avery referenced information from the ECSC concerning the distribution rate and cost of the South Carolina Living magazine in 2024. After some discussion, Trustee Kesler made a motion to continue sending the SC Living magazine to members for 11 months.
Several trustees expressed that the Law Enforcement luncheon held on July 20 was a success with a great turnout.
President Avery informed the trustees that a luncheon will take place for U.S House Representative Jeff Duncan on Monday, September 11. Two trustees expressed an interest in attending.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the July 2023 Regular Board Meeting at 7:50 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN