REGULAR BOARD MEETING
November 25, 2024
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, November 25, 2024.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by Trustee William Lominick, Sr.’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
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, Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy, and Operational Support Technician Tara Chapman.
The Board continued with the reading of the minutes of the October 2024 Regular Board Meeting. Trustee Kesler made a motion 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 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The Committee members are Trustees Johnnie L. Dickert, J. Craig Kesler, William Lominick, Sr., and John W. Nichols. All were present, along with President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the cash disbursements for October 2024. 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, did not request an Executive Session.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended in November, which included meetings with representatives from Central Electric Cooperative and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
President and CEO Avery reviewed the operational data for October 2024 in detail. The amount of write offs for October 2024 is $1,361.18. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the Engineering/ Operations and Operational Support reports for October 2024. He noted that three power transformers are expected to be delivered in April 2025. The substation's high-side electronic relays were tested on eight substations.
Restoration efforts are currently underway following Hurricane Helene. Outside contractors have been hired to help clean up poles and equipment. Additionally, a comprehensive assessment of the entire fiber and electric systems is being conducted to evaluate its condition.
A new 2,500 KVA transformer has been installed to support the expansion of Trane Technologies. RESAP closing conference has been completed. Carolina Connect billed 6,446 fiber accounts for the month.
President and CEO Avery discussed the upcoming ESCS Winter Conference, scheduled for December 8-11, 2024. President Avery also inquired if anyone was interested in playing golf during the ECSC Winter Conference in December 2023, but no one expressed any interest.
President and CEO Avery reminded the Trustees of the upcoming NRECA Directors Conference, which will be held in person on January 25-28, 2025, and online on January 26-28, 2025.
President and CEO Avery informed the Trustees that the NRECA PowerXchange will be held from March 7-12, 2025. Eight Board members have expressed interest in attending the conference.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. FAR Committee Meeting, MES Committee Meeting, Engineering Committee Meeting, Power Committee Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, G20 Meeting, and the Board Meeting summaries were accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board of ECHO’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2024.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board about a memo from CarolinaConnect Cooperative, Inc., which stated that a Trustee needed to be appointed to its Board. As the CEO, President Avery is automatically a Trustee. Trustee Hipp made a motion to nominate Trustee Nichols to the Board for the year 2025. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO Avery discussed the Legislative Luncheon and Co-op Day that will be held at the South Carolina State House on February 13, 2025. Seven Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
President and CEO Avery informed the Trustees of the South Carolina Power Team Holiday Drop-In to be held on December 5, 2024. Three Trustees expressed interest in attending.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that Wilson’s Tractor will host an appreciation lunch on December 6, 2024.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that the Newberry Electric Cooperative Christmas Party will be held on December 6, 2024.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that the Kid’s Christmas Party will be held on December 12, 2024.
President and CEO Avery presented a contribution request for the Newberry County Literacy Council to the Board. Trustee Kesler made a motion to make a two-year commitment of $2,500.00. The motion was seconded and approved.
President and CEO Avery presented the 2024 Bonus Request to the Board. Trustee Nichols made a motion from the Finance Committee to provide a bonus this year for the employees' efforts during the Hurricane Helene storm and restoration efforts. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the 2025 sponsorship request from Newberry College. After some discussion, Trustee Kesler made a motion to sponsor Newberry College. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that dates will need to be selected for the Special Finance Committee Meeting and the Special Board Meeting that will need to be held in December to discuss the Newberry Electric Cooperatives 2025 Budget. After some discussion, the Board scheduled the Special Finance Committee Meeting for December 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. and the Special Board Meeting for December 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the November Regular Board Meeting at 8:10 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN