REGULAR BOARD MEETING
October 28, 2019
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, October 28, 2019.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:30 pm with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
C.J. Bishop Leon Fulmer, Jr. Craig Kesler
Blake Brigman Melanie B. Hawkins William Lominick
Johnnie L. Dickert Douglas Hipp John W. Nichols
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, Chief Financial Officer Arthur Guy, Vice President of Human Resources Leann Hutto, Regional Vice President of CFC Hampton Oxendine, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy.
HAMPTON OXENDINE-KRTA
President Avery introduced Mr. Hampton Oxendine who presented information on the CFC KRTA. He reviewed several ratios in detail. Mr. Oxendine stated that Newberry Electric has healthy ratios, and they should be reviewed at least once a year.
CONSIDER EMPLOYEE SALARY APPROVALS-Leann Hutto
Leann Hutto informed the trustees that she had done a survey to compare salaries with similar companies and cooperatives in the area and NRECA. Some positions were below mid-point and some were right at mid-point. She is asking for a total increase of 3.58% for employees. After some discussion, a motion was made to approve the increase. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
READING AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the September 2019 Board Meeting. A motion was made to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MEMBER, PUBLIC & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MEETING MINUTES
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the Member, Public & Government Relations Meeting that took place on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. A motion was made to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Monday, October 21, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Trustee Nichols stated that all members were present. President and CEO Avery was also present.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for September 2019. All expenditures were found to be in order, and the committee is presenting this report as information. The consensus of the board was to accept the report.
ATTORNEY REPORT
Mr. Pope requested that the meeting adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing legal and personnel matters. A motion was made to adjourn into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. Chairman Dickert adjourned into Executive Session.
After Mr. Pope updated the Trustees, a motion was made 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.
PRESIDENT AND CEO REPORT
President and CEO Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of October. He attended a Power Team Board Meeting and a Samsung reception. President Avery, Mr. Dickert, and several staff members attended a Congressman Jeff Duncan Fundraiser. He along with several board members attended the NRECA Regional Meeting in Louisville, KY. President Avery and Mr. Dickert attended the monthly CarolinaConnect Board Meeting.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for September 2019. The amount of write offs for September is $3,575.48. A motion was made to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
DEPARTMENT 600-Engineering and Operations
- Crews assisted with several projects associated with Mid Carolina Commerce Park and Project Sam.
- Crews worked on miscellaneous service orders.
- Conducted dielectric test on all trucks.
- Tested all grounds, jumpers, hot sticks, and rubber goods.
- Safety Meetings were held on ID Theft and Self Defense.
- There are 1353 consumers/customers connected to fiber.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no Old Business.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDER A DATE FOR THE PROPOSED 2020 NEWBERRY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CAPITAL AND EXPENSE BUDGET
President Avery reminded the trustees that it is time to review the 2020 Capital and Expense Budget. After some discussion, Tuesday, November 19, at 3:00 pm was agreed upon by the trustees as the meeting date.
CONSIDER A NEW DATE FOR NOVEMBER 2019 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
President Avery stated that the November Board Meeting may need to be changed to accommodate members who will be traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. After some discussion, the consensus of the board is to have the November meeting on Wednesday, November 20 at 6:30 pm.
CHRISTMAS PARTIES-CHILDREN AND ADULTS
CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION TO TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AND SUPPORT STAFF EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR FROM NEWBERRY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
President Avery reviewed information from Jim Suber, the Superintendent of the School District of Newberry County, on the Teacher and Support Staff employee of the year. He was asking for a donation to help support the reception for this group. After some discussion, a motion was made to accept this as information. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
ECSC BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FOR OCTOBER 3, 2019
President Avery directed attention to the ECSC Board Meeting Highlights. This was accepted as information.
CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE OCTOBER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT
President Avery directed attention to the Central Electric’s October Executive Committee Meeting Report. This was accepted as information.
ECSC MEMBERSHIP AND MAGAZINE SELECTION
President Avery referenced a memo from Lou Green from ECSC on membership to Statewide and the subscription to the SC Living magazine. A motion was made to remain a member of Statewide and to continue to mail the SC Living magazine to consumers for eleven months of the year at 52¢ per magazine as a Platinum member. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
APPOINT LINE EQUIPMENT AND CEE-US VOTING DELEGATE AND NOMINEES
President Avery reported that voting delegates must be appointed for the membership meetings of Line Equipment Sales Company, Inc. and CEE-US to be held on December 10, 2019. A motion was made to appoint President and CEO Keith Avery as the voting delegate and Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert as the alternate for both companies. The motion also included that these two serve as the as trustees on the Board of these companies. The motion was seconded and passed without any opposition. They will serve for a period of one year or until their successors have been named.
CONSIDER YEARLY AUDIT FOR 2019
President Avery reminded the trustees that it is time for the yearly audit. William Roundtree of McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co., LLC provided a proposal. Since the board has been pleased with the work done by this firm, a motion was made to continue to let them conduct the audit for 2019. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
CONSIDER CAPITAL CREDIT PAYOUTS
President Avery referenced information from Arthur Guy, Chief Financial Officer, on paying out Capital Credit checks for this year. If NEC pays for the 1999 year, the total would be $433,131.14. A motion was made to pay for the 1999 year at $433,131.14. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
CENTRAL ALLIANCE
President and CEO Avery met with representatives from the Central Alliance. Newberry Electric was a founding member of the alliance. They are asking NEC to join the alliance again for $5,000.00 a year. They provide marketing material to new companies that are looking at different regions. After some discussion, a motion was made to accept this as information. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
VETERANS’ MILITARY PICTURE AND MILITARY BIOGRAPHY DUE BY NOVEMBER 15
President and CEO Avery informed the trustees that Debra Shaw has requested that a military picture and military bio be turned in so that this information can be displayed on the kiosk at the Statewide office in Columbia.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chairman Dickert asked if any trustee would like to have an Executive Session. A motion was made to adjourn into Executive Session. President Avery and Deirdre Murphy left the room. When they returned, they were informed that there were no actions and no voting acted upon during the session.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the October 2019 Regular Board Meeting at 9:10 p.m.
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SECRETARY
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CHAIRMAN