REGULAR BOARD MEETING
July 29, 2024
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 29, 2024.
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 Operational Support Tech Tara Chapman. Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy attended by WebEx.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the June 2024 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 22, 2024 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 2024. 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 needed an Executive Session. Trustee Hipp made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition. After some discussion, Trustee Kesler made a motion to reconvene into Regular Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. No voting or actions took place during the Executive Session.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of July. He attended an ECSC G-20 meeting, a Central Electric Board meeting, a LCT Committee meeting, and a Cross Generating Station Plant tour. President Avery also met with students from the Cooperative Youth Summit.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for June 2024. The amount of write offs for June is $4,042.84. 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 installed new surveillance SCADA system on service panels. They are continuing to identify copper lines to be replaced. They met with Komatsu about potential solar panels.
President and CEO Avery reminded the board of the NRECA Region 2 meeting in October in Columbia, SC. All of the trustees are planning on attending.
The ECSC Government Relations Committee Minutes (Unapproved) May 29, 2024 were accepted as information.
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. They also received a pin for their membership for last year.
The Central Electric Cooperative July 2024 Board Meeting Summary was accepted as information.
President Avery reviewed information submitted by the ECSC concerning the problems they face in making and changing hotel reservations for meetings. ESCS is asking trustees to be more considerate when requesting reservations.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative July 9, 2024 G-20 meeting and the Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc. July 2, 2024 Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee meeting summaries were accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery referenced information from the Newberry High School Athletic Department Booster Club requesting sponsorship for the football program. After some discussion, the Trustees agreed to donate to Newberry High, Mid-Carolina High, Whitmire Community School, and Newberry Academy.
President Avery stated that a Strategic Plan needs to be completed. Chairman Dickert suggested that President Avery and Staff complete the plan and present to the board later.
President Avery informed the trustees that the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development is actively recruiting people to run for cooperative board seats. More information will be forthcoming.
A Special Board Meeting is needed to discuss the rate study and succession plan. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
Hires and retirements for the rest of the year were discussed. A new phone system is to be installed within the next few weeks.
President and CEO Avery informed the trustees that he no longer needs the Cooperative to cover his medical insurance, because he has other coverage. The Finance Committee agreed last week to drop his coverage and compensate him. Trustee Brigman made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the July Regular Board Meeting at 8:08 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN