The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc., located in Newberry County, State of South Carolina, on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by Trustee William Lominick's invocation, with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
Barbara C. Bishop Leon Fulmer, Jr. J. Craig Kesler
Douglas E. Hipp Melanie B. Hawkins William Lominick, Sr.
Johnnie L. Dickert John W. Nichols M. Blake Brigman
President and CEO G. Keith Avery was present at the meeting, along with Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, Nick Shealy, Vice President of Public and Government Relations; Leann Hutto, Vice President of Human Resources; Phillip Padgett, Safety Coordinator; and Tara Chapman, Executive Assistant.
The meeting proceeded with an employee recognition presented by Chairman Dickert. Mr. Padgett was recognized for completing the NRECA Supervisor and Management Development Program, and Mrs. Bishop earned the NRECA Board Leadership Certificate.
Mrs. Hutto presented the revised Employee Handbook to the Board, providing a detailed overview of the modifications and improvements made. Trustee Brigman made a motion to approve the changes to the employee handbook. The motion was seconded and passed without any objections.
A motion was made by Trustee Hipp for the meeting to go into executive session. The motion was seconded and passed without objection. Trustee Kelser made a motion to return to the regular session. The motion was seconded and passed without objection. No voting took place during the executive session.
Attorney Pope presented and reviewed the documents necessary for establishing Newberry Electric Fiber, LLC. These documents included the Operating Agreement, the Management Services Agreement, the Lease Agreement, and the Resolution from Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. Following a thorough review, each document was adopted by the Organizer and recommended for execution by the Company Members.
The Organizer of Newberry Electric Fiber, LLC, G. Keith Avery, signed the required documents and then announced his resignation as Organizer, pending approval by the Member (Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc., the owner of the LLC).
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the July 2025 Regular Board Meeting. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept the minutes as emailed, with the understanding that corrections would be made. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The committee members are Trustees Johnnie Dickert, Craig Kesler, William Lominick, and John Nichols. All were present, including President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for July 2025. All expenditures were found to be in order, and the committee is presenting this report as general information. The board's consensus was to accept the report.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, did not request an Executive Session.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended in August, including his participation in the SCEDA Institute Session and meetings with Central Electric Cooperative, Inc.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the operational data for July 2025 in detail. The amount of write offs for July 2025 is $1,836.85. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the Engineering & Operations, as well as the Operational Support, reports for August 2025. He noted that work is being performed at the West Fraser substation to clean and inspect the equipment. DOT audits have been completed.
President and CEO Avery reminded the board of the upcoming NRECA Regions 2 & 3 Meeting, scheduled for October 2025.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the appointments to the Advisory Committee.
President and CEO Avery reminded the Board of the basic facilities charge increase that will take effect on September 1, 2025.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that the 12th Annual Operation Round Up Golf Tournament will be held on September 8, 2025.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the memo from ECSC, which discussed the new Cooperative Training Center and the proposed payment share options. A motion was made to make two equal payments, one in 2026 and the other in 2027, by Trustee Hipp. The motion was seconded and passed without objection.
The Board Meeting Highlights from CEEUS on August 7, 2025, and the Line Equipment Board meeting highlights were acknowledged as information.
The following Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. meeting summaries were presented and accepted as information: the August 11, 2025, FAR Committee Meeting, the August 11, 2025, MES Meeting, the August 13, 2025, Executive Committee Meeting, the August 14, 2025, Engineering Committee Meeting, and the August 19, 2025, G20 Meeting.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. will have flu vaccines available on September 10, 2025.
President and CEO Avery reviewed a request from Newberry Opera House for sponsorship for 2026. After some discussion, Trustee Lominick made a motion to sponsor the opera house in 2026. The motion was seconded and passed without objection.
President and CEO Avery reviewed a sponsorship request to contribute to the Newberry College Hispanic Heritage Month Festival. Trustee Hipp made a motion to consider this request as information at this time. The motion was seconded and approved without objections.
President and CEO Avery provided the Board with an update on the status of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s FEMA project.
President and CEO Avery reviewed a request to sponsor the Legislative Inshore Fishing Tournament. Trustee Brigman made a motion to sponsor the event. The motion was seconded and approved with no objections.
A motion was made by Trustee Nichols for the meeting to go into executive session. The motion was seconded and passed without objection. Trustee Brigman made a motion to return to regular session. The motion was seconded and passed without objection. No voting or action took place during the executive session.
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025.
There being no further business and with no objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the August 2025 Regular Board Meeting at 8:38 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN