The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc., located in Newberry County, South Carolina, on Monday, July 27, 2026.

    The meeting was called to order at 6:36 p.m. by Chairman Johnnie Dickert, followed by Trustee James Craig Kesler’s invocation, with the determination of a quorum present.

    The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:

 

Barbara C. Bishop

J. Craig Kesler

Melanie B. Hawkins

William Lominick, Sr.

Johnnie L. Dickert

Douglas E. Hipp

John W. Nichols

Leon Fulmer attended the meeting via Microsoft Teams.

         Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas Pope, Arthur Guy, CFO, Leann Hutto, Vice President of Human Resources, Stephanie Sullivan, Vice President of Operational Support, Drew Davidson, Vice President of Engineering and Operations, Lisa Wicker, Accounting Supervisor, Jocelyn Dussault, Communications, Government & Public Relations Coordinator, and Executive Assistant Tara Chapman.

         President and CEO Avery began the meeting by introducing Ms. Dussault, who provided the mid-year communications update. Mrs. Hutto followed with the 2026–2027 Workforce Impact Summary. Mr. Davidson and Mrs. Sullivan then provided mid-year updates for their respective departments. Mrs. Sullivan also reviewed planned IT infrastructure and cybersecurity updates and provided a broadband business update.

         Mr. Guy and Mrs. Wicker presented an update on the financial reports, noting that rising wholesale power costs and inflationary pressures will need to be addressed and discuss options to offset the impact of these increased costs.  Following discussion, a motion was made to increase Newberry Electric Cooperative’s rates effective October 1, 2026. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous consent.

         Mr. Guy and Mrs. Wicker presented an update on the financial reports, noting the impact of rising wholesale power costs and inflationary pressures and discussing options to offset these increased costs. It was noted that a rate adjustment is necessary to maintain the Cooperative’s financial stability, preserve system reliability, and support continued investment in the infrastructure required to serve members safely and dependably. Following discussion, a motion was made to increase Newberry Electric Cooperative’s rates effective October 1, 2026. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous consent.

         The meeting continued with the reading and approval of the June 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes. Trustee Kesler made a motion to accept the meeting minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and passed with no objection.      

         Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee convened for its regular meeting held on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The members of the committee are Trustee Johnnie L. Dickert, J. Craig Kesler, William Lominick, and John W. Nichols. All committee members were present, along with President and CEO Avery.

         Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the cash disbursements for June. All expenditures were found to be in order, and the committee presents this report for information. The board’s consensus was to accept the report.

         Attorney Thomas H. Pope III stated that there was nothing to report at this time and no need for an executive session.

         President and CEO Avery reviewed the meeting and events that he participated in during the month, including meetings with Central Electric Power Cooperative.

         Mr. Guy reviewed the June 2026 operational data in detail. The amount of write-offs for June 2026 is $5,777.88. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

         Mr. Davidson reviewed the Engineering and Operations departmental report for June 2026. Fairview substation regulators have been replaced due to recent failure. Monthly inspections have been carried out for substation equipment. Pole replacements have been carried out throughout the system as part of regular maintenance due to age-related deterioration.

         Mrs. Sullivan reviewed the Operational Support departmental report for June 2026. Updating the Board on right-of-way maintenance as well as providing a fiber update.

         President and CEO Avery, before proceeding with old business, dismissed staff from the meeting.

         President and CEO Avery verified the details of the Trustee Association Meeting to be held in August 2026. Six Trustees confirmed that they will be attending the event.

         President and CEO Avery reviewed the details of the NRECA Regions Meeting that will be held in October 2026. Seven Trustees expressed interest in attending this event.

         President and CEO Avery reviewed a donation request from NRECA International. After some discussion, Trustee Nichols made a motion to contribute $500.00 to the organization. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous consent.

         President and CEO Avery reviewed the memo from Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina regarding South Carolina Living Magazine's request for approval of the frequency of magazine issues for 2027. Trustee Hipp made a motion to keep the frequency of 11 issues of the SC Living Magazine the same as 2026. The motion was seconded and approved with unanimous consent.

         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. The consensus was to continue with their current membership level.

         The Central Electric Power Cooperative’s July 14, 2026 G20 Meeting, and the July 15, 2026 Special Called Member Meeting & Board Meeting summaries were all accepted as information.

         President and CEO Avery informed the Board of Trustees that a voting delegate and a voting alternate would need to be selected for the NRECA Regions 2 meeting, which will be held in October 2026. After some discussion, Trustee Hipp moved to designate Trustee Nichols as the voting delegate and Trustee Lominick as the voting alternate. The motion was seconded and passed with unanimous consent.

         President and CEO Avery announced that Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc’s will be holding a luncheon to celebrate Michael Harp’s retirement. The luncheon will be held on August 14, 2026.

         President and CEO Avery informed the Board that the Annual Operation Round Up Golf Tournament will be held in September 2026.

         President and CEO Avery discussed the Central Electric Power Cooperatives Strategic Planning event, to be held in September 2026. President Avery requested permission to attend the event at no expense to the Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. A motion was made by Trustee Nichols for President and CEO Avery to attend this event. The motion was seconded and passed with no objections.    

         Chairman Dickert called for the meeting to go into executive session. President and CEO Avery and Mrs. Chapman left the meeting at this time. After some discussion, the meeting returned to regular session, and CEO and President Avery and Mrs. Chapman returned to the meeting. No voting or actions took place during the executive session.

         The next scheduled Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

         There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the July 2026 Regular Board Meeting at 9:03 p.m.

 

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SECRETARY                                                                                    APPROVED

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CHAIRMAN