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, March 31, 2025.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert’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
President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, Vice President of Human Resources Leann Hutto, Vice President of Operational Support Stephanie Sullivan, Accounting Supervisor Lisa Wicker, and Executive Secretary Tara Chapman were also in attendance.
The meeting continued with Mrs. Hutto requesting the Board's approval to conduct a review of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s Personnel Policies and Procedures. This review will be carried out by Angus Macauley, an employment attorney affiliated with Maynard Nexsen. The findings from this review will be presented to the Board for their consideration and approval. After a discussion among the Board members, Trustee Nichols made a motion to approve the review, which was unanimously accepted.
Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Wicker presented a proposal for a Fiber Subsidiary, which would allow for the ability to obtain grants for areas outside of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s territory. Trustee Hipp made a motion to approve the proposal, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert asked if anyone wanted to have an Executive Session. Trustee Brigman made a motion for the Board to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. All left the room except for the Trustees and the Attorney. After some discussion, the meeting returned to Regular Session, and everyone returned. No actions or voting took place during the session.
The meeting dispensed with the reading and approval of the February 24, 2025, Regular Board Meeting Minutes. Trustee Hipp made a motion to approve the Board Meeting minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and approved with a unanimous vote.
John Wayne Nichols, Chairman of the Finance Committee, reported that their regular meeting was held on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Trustees Johnnie Dickert, Craig Kesler, William Lominick, and John Nichols are the committee members. All were present, along with the President and CEO, Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for February. 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 as general information.
Attorney Pope requested an Executive Session. Trustee Hipp made the motion. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. After some discussion, Trustee Hipp made a motion to return to Regular Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. No voting or actions were taken during the Executive Session.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during March. He discussed his meetings with Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. members, where they discussed the new solar rate. Additionally, discussed the PowerXchange conference that he and several other Trustees attended. He also provided an update on FEMA to the board.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the operational data for February 2025 in detail. The amount of write offs for February is $2,056.86. Trustee Kesler made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the Engineering and Operations, and Operational Support reports for February. Monthly substation inspections have been completed. Poles and debris from Hurricane Helene have been cleaned up. The work was documented and accounted for to submit to FEMA. Truck boom and rubber goods testing have been completed by VOLT. The annual inspection of all trucks and trailers has been completed. Forty-four projects have been completed. Carolina Connect reported that 6,642 accounts were billed in February.
President and CEO Avery went over the details of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s Annual Meeting.
President and CEO Avery reminded the board of the dates of the upcoming conferences for the summer.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. FAR Committee Meeting Summary for March 18, 2025, and the March 2025 Annual & Board Meeting Summary were reviewed by President Avery and accepted as information.
President Avery reviewed a flyer for The Newberry County Hospital Foundation's 2025 Friends of the Foundation Gala, requesting a sponsorship. After some discussion, Trustee Kesler made a motion to sponsor the event. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that Summer School for Directors is scheduled to take place July 11-15, 2025. No Trustees expressed interest in attending the event.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that the April 2025 Regular Board Meeting and the May 2025 Regular Board Meeting dates conflict with upcoming conferences and holidays. After some discussion, Trustee Nichols made a motion to reschedule the April 2025 Regular Board Meeting date to April 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., which was seconded and passed with a unanimous vote. Trustee Hipp made a motion to reschedule the May 2025 Regular Board Meeting date to May 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., which was seconded and passed by a unanimous vote.
President Avery reviewed the Newberry Water & Soil Conservation District letter requesting a donation for their Business Affiliate Membership Program. Trustee Hipp made a motion to donate, which was seconded and passed by a unanimous vote.
Trustee Nichols informed the board that he would be stepping down from his position on the Trustee Association Committee. Trustee Kesler expressed his interest in taking over Nichols's role on the committee. Trustee Nichols made a motion to appoint Trustee Kesler to the committee. This motion was seconded and passed with a unanimous vote.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the March Regular Board Meeting at 8:28 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN