REGULAR BOARD MEETING
May 30, 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, May 30, 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 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, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy. Mr. Brigman attended by Web Ex.
Chairman Dickert stated that the board needed an Executive Session and asked President Avery and Ms. Murphy to leave the room. When they returned, Chairman Dickert stated that President Avery had a favorable annual evaluation, and he would discuss the terms later with him to go into effect on June 1, 2023.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the April 2023 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 Wednesday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are Trustees Johnnie Dickert, Craig Kesler, William Lominick, and John Nichols. All were present along with President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for April 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 he needed an Executive Session. Trustee Hipp made a motion to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. After some discussion, Trustee Hipp made a motion to return to Regular Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. 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 May. He conducted a meeting with employees who are eligible to retire in the next 5 years to get an idea of how to go forward with making a strategic plan. He also had a meeting with Jimmy Staton, the President and CEO of Santee Cooper.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for April 2023. The amount of write offs for April is $571.31. 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 continued to work on updating substations and downline reclosers per the sectionalizing study. They are also continuing to identify and replace aging primary underground cable system wide. Kevin Shull attended the ECSC Engineering Conference and Tara Chapman completed module 1 of System Operator Certification. Right of way clearing has stopped until the crews can clean up what has been cut.
President Avery referenced the 2023-2024 Board Committee Appointments. No one objected to the committees as assigned by Chairman Dickert. (See Attached)
President Avery reviewed a letter from Jill Jeffords, Director of SC Ag in the Classroom, requesting a sponsorship to the Ag in the Classroom Summer Workshop series. After some discussion, Trustee Kesler made a motion to be a Meal Sponsor. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative May 9, 2023 G-20 Meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative May 9, 2023 Rates Task Force Meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative May 10, 2023 Special Called Power Committee Meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative May 10, 2023 Board and Member Meeting, and the Central Electric Power Cooperative May 10, 2023 Special Called Executive Committee Meeting Summaries were all accepted as information.
President Avery referenced two letters. The first one was requesting a sponsorship for the Keep Newberry Beautiful Summer Fair. The second one was requesting a sponsorship for the Cooperative Family Fund. Both letters were accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery also referenced information from the Salkehatchie Summer Service-Newberry Camp, a youth mission project for the purpose of restoring and repairing homes for those who cannot afford and are not physically able to do so. After some discussion, Trustee Kesler made a motion to sponsor a student. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the May 2023 Regular Board Meeting at 8:30 p.m.
___________________________________ ___________________
SECRETARY APPROVED
____________________________________
CHAIRMAN
NEWBERRY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
2023-2024 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman Johnnie Dickert
Vice Chairman William Lominick
Secretary-Treasurer John Wayne Nichols
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chairman John Wayne Nichols
Johnnie Dickert
Craig Kesler
William Lominick
MEMBERSHIP & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Chairman Blake Brigman
Barbara Bishop
Johnnie Dickert
Melanie Hawkins
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Chairman Craig Kesler
Johnnie Dickert
Leon Fulmer
Doug Hipp
POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Chairman Johnnie Dickert
Barbara Bishop
Blake Brigman
Doug Hipp
John Wayne Nichols