Board Spotlight: Board Discusses Annual Meeting, Rates
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of SEMO Electric Cooperative, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “Cooperative”) was held on Monday, August 15, 2022, at the offices of the Cooperative in Sikeston, Missouri. The meeting was called to order by President Richard Faulkner. The following Directors were present: Richard Faulkner, Carl Eftink, Dennis Fowler, Myron Hawes, James Deneke, Carla Moore, Keith Haynes, Dicky Hanor, Tim Coppage, John Bledsoe, Von Priggel and Field LaPlant. Directors absent: none. Also present were Sean Vanslyke, CEO/General Manager; Megan McCord, Attorney for the Cooperative; new employee Brandon Barnes; and staff members Loyd Rice, Angie Byford, Gina Beggs, Marty Vineyard, Amanda Burnett, Chris Freed, Brad Milam, and Ron Montgomery. A prayer of invocation was offered by Hawes.
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 July 18, 2022; new membership applications; membership cancellations; initial review of Policy 207 – Family and Medical Leave Act; and initial review of Policy 208 – Funeral Leave. On motion made, seconded and passed, the actions required for each were approved by consent.
Montgomery presented the monthly safety report and reviewed the monthly safety topic of “Call 811 before you dig.” When planning any form of excavation, it is required by law to place a locate request with the Missouri One Call System at least three but not more than 10 working days prior to beginning excavation, except in the case of an emergency. Weekends, State and Federal Holidays do not count toward the three working days. If excavation is being done by a contractor, the contractor is responsible for placing the locate request. The Board resolved to accept the monthly safety report.
Department leaders presented strategic updates and answered questions from the Board. Vanslyke presented his manager’s report regarding risk mitigation for 2023. Burnett reviewed the financial summary for the month of July 2022 with revenue and expense analysis and budget comparisons. Compared to budget, year-to-date electric revenues are up 4.94%, operating expenses are up 4.70% and power costs are up 8.48%. On motion made, seconded, and passed, the financial report was accepted.
Eftink reported on business from the M&A Electric Power (electric transmission) Cooperative's board meeting. Items of interest included: safety; finances; and reliability. On motion made, seconded, and passed, Haynes reported on business from the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives' state board meeting. Items of interest included: visit from Governor Mike Parson; committee reports; finances; and AECI update. The Board resolved to accept the reports.
Under old business the Board: reviewed its schedule of meetings and confirmed registrations for attendance; and Policy 206 – Equal Employment Opportunity was affirmed as presented. Under new business the Board: reviewed and discussed district updates; Vanslyke led the Board in a discussion regarding 2023 electric rates; and discussed ideas to commemorate the Cooperative’s upcoming 85th anniversary in 2023.
New employee Barnes (linemen) was formally introduced. Team SEMO’s Vickie Kemp and Meghan Smith entered to present attendance data regarding drive-thru annual meetings in 2021 and 2022. The three most popular drive thru times, in order, are 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Following their presentation, staff members were excused from the meeting. Thereafter, the Board entered into Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel matters. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
