REGULAR BOARD MEETING
March 25, 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, March 25, 2024.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:31 p.m. followed by invocation with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
Barbara 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, Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, CFO Arthur Guy, Vice President of Operational Support Stephanie Sullivan, Engineering Analyst Michael Martin, CPA Jacob Morris, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy.
Mr. Guy introduced Mr. Jacob Morris, CPA for McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks, & CO., and he delivered the results of Newberry Electric’s audit ending December 31, 2023. Mr. Morris expressed how the staff provided all the information needed for the audit. He stated that Newberry Electric has an unmodified opinion (clean opinion) for the year. No deficiencies were noted or reported. He also reviewed 990 forms for 2023.
Mrs. Sullivan gave an update on the Duke Energy joint use of poles for the fiber project. This is scheduled to be completed the end of 2025 to the first of 2026.
An Executive Session was scheduled, but because of time, it is tabled until the April Board Meeting.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the February 2024 Regular 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, March 18, 2024. The committee members are Trustees Johnnie Dickert, Craig Kesler, William Lominick, and John Nichols. All were present including President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for February 2024. 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.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III stated that he did have an Attorney’s Report and requested that the meeting adjourn into Executive Session. Trustee Hipp made a motion to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. Chairman Dickert adjourned into Executive Session.
After updates from Attorney Pope, Trustee Kesler made a motion to reconvene into Regular Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. Chairman Dickert reconvened the meeting into Regular Session. There were no actions and no voting acted upon during the Executive Session.
After the Executive Session, the Executive Committee agreed to meet one day next week.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of March. He, and Vice President of Government and Public Relations Nick Shealy, met with SC House Representative Joe White and SC Senator Danny Verdin. Mr. Avery, along with several employees attended a program at Reuben Elementary School to honor students that won the State Book Challenge. Their book will be printed and distributed to all elementary schools in SC.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for February 2024. The amount of write offs for February is $4292.03. 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. Engineering has completed bids for a power transformer for the MCCP substation. They also completed a high side breaker spec and quote for MCCP. They have continued to work with Monolith Digital to secure contracts for the Kiswire sub location. RESAP will take place this year.
Per Duke Energy, all reconduct has been deferred to the end of 2025 to 2026. In order to support the Carolina Connect project, they will be moving forward with all pole change outs. Carolina Connect billed 6140 accounts for the month.
President Avery reviewed dates for meetings and conferences until the end of the summer.
President Avery referenced the Federated Insurance Safety and Loss Prevention Assessment and the 2024 renewal proposal. After some discussion, Trustee Brigman made a motion to accept the proposal as written. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative March 11, 2024 Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee Meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative March 12, 2024 G-20 Meeting, and the Central Electric Power Cooperative 2024 Annual and March Board Meeting summaries were all accepted as information.
President Avery informed the trustees of the Newberry County Council Meeting on April 17, 2024. He will be presenting a check to the county for Economic Development.
President and CEO Avery referenced information on The Voices for Cooperative Power campaign. This campaign has been formed by the SC Cooperatives to inform consumers of the importance of energy. He asked the trustees to consider a donation to the Harpootlian for State Senate campaign. Trustee Nichols made a motion to donate. The motion was seconded and by a vote of 8 to 1, with Trustee Brigman objecting, the motion passed.
President and CEO Avery also asked the trustees to consider a donation to the Joe White for SC House reelection campaign. Trustee Hipp made a motion to donate. The motion was seconded and passed.
Trustee Hipp reminded the trustees that the Regular Board Meeting date in May falls on May 27, the Memorial Day holiday, in which the office will be closed. The consensus of the board is to move the meeting to Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the March Regular Board Meeting at 9:00 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN