Board Spotlight: Directors Meet Kimbrel and Phillips
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of SEMO Electric Cooperative, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “Cooperative”) was held on Friday, April 14, 2023 at the office of the Cooperative in Sikeston, Missouri. The meeting was called to order at 12:25 p.m. by President Richard Faulkner. The following Directors were present: Faulkner, Carl Eftink, Dennis Fowler, James Deneke, Keith Haynes, Dicky Hanor, Tim Coppage, John Bledsoe, Myron Hawes, Von Priggel, Carla Moore, and Field LaPlant. Directors absent: none. Also present were Sean Vanslyke, CEO/General Manager; Megan McCord, Attorney for the Cooperative; and staff members Angie Byford, Loyd Rice, Becky Ivester, Jared Kelley, Amanda Burnett, Chris Freed, Brad Milam, Dalton Phillips, Neil Kimbrel and Ron Montgomery. A prayer of invocation was offered by Byford.
The chair asked for approval of the agenda. On motion made, seconded and passed, the agenda was approved. The Board considered its consent agenda consisting of: the minutes of the regular meeting of March 20, 2023; new membership applications; membership cancellations; initial review of Policy 226 – Benefit Accruals for Non-Union Disabled Employees, and initial review of Policy 227 – Medical Leave Sharing Plan Policy for Non-Union Employees. Montgomery presented the monthly safety report and shared information on the monthly safety focus of distracted driving. Following his report, Montgomery left the meeting.
Department leaders presented strategic updates and answered questions from the board. Burnett reviewed the financial summary for the month of March 2023 with revenue and expense analysis and budget comparisons. Compared to budget, year-to-date revenue is down 3.89%, expenses are up 7.18% and power costs are down 1.40%. On motion made, seconded, and passed, the Board accepted the financial report.
Eftink reported no meeting has occurred since the last M&A Electric (Transmission) Power Cooperative's board meeting. Haynes reported on business from the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ (AMEC) board meeting. Items of interest included: committee reports; Rural Missouri restructure; Missouri Electric Cooperative Insurance Program (MECIP); and personnel.
Under old business the Board: reviewed its schedule of meetings; Policy 224 – Supplemental Compensation for Exempt Employees for Disaster Situations, Policy 225 – Paid Time Off Policy for Non-Union Employees. Under new business, the Board reviewed and discussed district updates. After discussion, on motion made, seconded and passed, Policy 403 – Line Extension to New Permanent Services was amended as presented. After discussion, on motion made, seconded, and passed, Policy 418 – Construction Deposit was rescinded.
The Board reviewed written staff reports. Then, the Board entered into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. The remaining staff members were excused from the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
