REGULAR BOARD MEETING
November 29, 2021
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held in the Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board Room located in Newberry County, State of South Carolina, on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 6:33 pm. Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert presided.
After the call to order, invocation, and establishing all members present, Mr. Eric Wells of Southeastern Insurance Consultants, LLC, discussed the different options for insurance with the current market prices. After much discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Doug Hipp to accept United Healthcare as the insurance provider. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The new prices will go into effect on January 1, 2022.
Vice President of Human Resources, Leann Hutto, discussed a third party report that reviews salaries in the United States compared to Newberry Electric Cooperative. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Hipp to approve the recommended changes in employees’ salaries. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.
A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept the Regular Board Meeting minutes from October 2021 as emailed with the needed corrections. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Finance Committee Chairman John Wayne Nichols reported that the Finance Committee met on Tuesday November 23, 2021, and the Cooperative’s September and October finances were reviewed. The committee is submitting this report as information. The consensus of the board was to accept the report.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III stated that he did not have an Attorney Report at this time.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of November. He met with Santee Cooper to discuss certain matters. He also met with a prospective company for the Mid Carolina Commerce Park. President Avery attended the Managers Association Meeting for three days virtually.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed in detail the financial and operational data for October 2021. The amount of write-offs for October is $614.53. Trustee Hipp made a motion 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 inspected all substations and also changed out the batteries at Hollands and Prosperity Substations. They are preparing for the line construction to begin on Long Lane #3 and Jollystreet tie line. Engineering is continuing to review the Mid Carolina Commerce Park II.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed the fiber projections for the upcoming months. NEC through, CarolinaConnect, has 4012 active fiber accounts for billing in October.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed a thank you note from a member thanking Newberry Electric for keeping their power on during storms.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reminded the Trustees of the Annual Christmas party and the PowerXchange meeting March 4-9, 2022.
The following reports were accepted as information: The Central Electric Power Cooperative October Executive Committee Meeting Summary, the Central Electric Power Cooperative October 2021 Power Committee Meeting Summary, and the Central Electric Power Cooperative October Member & Energy Services Committee Meeting Summary.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed a memo from Mike Couick, President and CEO of ECSC, requesting funds to help create a Center for Colonial Arts for South Carolina in Camden, SC. After much discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this as information. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The Trustees reviewed the information on Capital Credit payouts for 2021. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept the amount of $381,960.26 to be paid to the coop members in the form of a capital credit check in December 2021. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
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.
President and CEO Avery reviewed a campaign request from Mike Couick on behalf of Tim Scott for Senate in 2022. The funds must be personal checks from individuals and will be presented to Senator Scott at the Winter Conference. This was accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery reviewed information provided by Burnet R. Maybank III of Nexsen Pruet, LLC, contesting the tax assessment issued to Newberry Electric for downloaded software. The letter was sent to Taylor Ingram at the South Carolina Department of Revenue. This was accepted as information.
The Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. 10-Year Evolution Plan Committee Minutes from Tuesday, November 2, were accepted as information.
Because of the Christmas holiday, the NEC office will be closed on Monday, December 27, the regular board meeting date. After some discussion, the consensus of the board is to meet on Tuesday, December 28 at 6:30 pm.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reminded the Member, Public & Government Relations Committee that the committee needs to meet to discuss the 2022 Annual Meeting details. The consensus of the committee is to meet on Monday, December 13, at 4:30 pm.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative November Board Meeting Summary, The ECSC Loss Control and Training Committee Minutes, and the ECSC Communications Committee Meeting Report were all accepted as information.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery discussed the details of a sponsorship request from the Newberry Opera House. After much discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Hipp to support the Opera House sponsorship of acknowledgement, tickets, and special benefits. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Information detailing the Youth Tour and the Cooperative Youth Summit was distributed to the Trustees. The deadline for applications is Monday, January 31, 2022.
President and CEO Avery reminded the Trustees of the Statewide meeting December 4-6, and the Power Team Open House on December 2.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the November 2021 Regular Board Meeting at 9:05 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN