REGULAR BOARD MEETING
November 28, 2022
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 Monday, November 28, 2022.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:33 p.m. followed by the invocation with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
Charles J. 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, Engineering Analyst Michael Martin, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy. Attorney Thomas Pope, III, attended by WebEx.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the October 31, 2022 Regular Board Meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Kesler to accept the minutes as emailed with the needed correction that the Cruise In Car Show was in the old Aaron’s parking lot, not Newberry Tractor Supply’s parking lot. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the Special Board Meeting held on November 14, 2022. 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, November 21, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are Trustees Charles J. Bishop, Johnnie L. Dickert, William Lominick, Sr., and John W. Nichols. All were present. In the absence of President and CEO Avery, Vice President of Operations Nick Shealy helped conduct the meeting.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the cash disbursements for the month of October. 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 had discussed the concerns of the Loblolly neighborhood about the data mine company that will be locating nearby. Chairman Dickert read a letter from the group expressing thanks for the way the sound levels will be handled if needed.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of November. He attended a reception and swearing in for Senator Joe White in Newberry. He attended a Clinton High Football game to make presentations to two players who will be participating in the Touchstone Energy Bowl in Myrtle Beach. He attended a Loss Control and Training Committee Meeting to discuss a new training facility for linemen. He and Chairman Dickert attended the monthly CarolinaConnect meeting.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for October 2022. The amount of write offs for October is $1206.62. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
West Fraser is continuing to move forward with the Kiln expansion. The Home to Suites Hotel transformer has been energized. ECSC held a safety meeting with the outside employees on Confined Space Rescue. Debra Shaw and Nick Shealy attended the Legislative Liaison meeting to prepare for the upcoming year. NEC is still waiting to hear from ORS on whether more grant money will be awarded to help with the fiber project.
President and CEO Avery referenced a memo from Recording Secretary Vicki Ross-Bell of CarolinaConnect to appoint a “Trustee” Trustee for the Board of CarolinaConnect Cooperative, Inc. President Avery is automatically a Trustee because he is CEO. A motion was made by Trustee Kesler to nominate Trustee Nichols to the Board. The motion was seconded by Trustee Bishop and passed unanimously. Trustee Nichols’ term will start on December 20, 2022 at the Annual Meeting of CarolinaConnect.
The Central Electric Cooperative November 2022 Board Meeting Summary was accepted as information.
President Avery reviewed a letter from the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff in reference to the 2022 Compliance Examination for 2021. Newberry Electric is in compliance for the 2021 calendar year for disclosure of compensation and benefits and compensation of Trustees related to meeting attendance at a location accessible and visible to the cooperative membership on the Cooperative’s website. This report was accepted as information.
The Central Electric Cooperative November 15, 2022 G-20 Meeting Summary was accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery referenced a memo requesting approval of employees’ bonuses. A motion was made by Trustee Craig Kesler to accept the request. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.
The Trustees reviewed the information on Capital Credit payouts for 2022. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept the amount of $355,457.41 to be paid to the coop members in the form of a capital credit check on December 12, 2022. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President Avery reminded the Trustees of the South Carolina Power Team Annual Holiday Drop-In. He also reminded the Trustees that the December Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, because the office will be closed for the Christmas holiday on the regular meeting day.
After some discussion, the consensus of the Trustees is to have a Special Finance Committee Meeting with the Staff to discuss the 2023 budget on Monday, December 12, a Special Board Meeting on Wednesday, December 14 to finalize the budget, and the Regular Finance Committee meeting on Monday, December 19.
Trustee William B. Lominick, Sr. was presented with his Directors Gold recertification by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert. The NRECA Director Gold Certification recognizes Board members that are committed to continuing their education and demonstrating their ongoing commitment to the cooperative.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the November 2022 Regular Board Meeting at 7:30 pm.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN