Board Spotlight: Staff Shares Goals for 2022

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of SEMO Electric Cooperative, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “Cooperative”) was held on Monday, December 21, 2021, at the office of the Cooperative in Sikeston, Missouri. The following Directors were present: Richard Faulkner, Butch Dirnberger, Carl Eftink, Dennis Fowler, James Deneke, Carla Moore, Keith Haynes, Dicky Hanor, Tim Coppage, John Bledsoe, Myron Hawes, and Hamil Corse. Directors absent: none. Also present were Sean Vanslyke, CEO/General Manager; Megan Ray, General Counsel; and staff members Loyd Rice, Becky Ivester, Ron Montgomery, Angie Byford, Amanda Burnett, Chris Freed, Dannett Cooper, Brad Milam, Marty Vineyard, and new employee Ethan Hutchison. The meeting was called to order by President Faulkner. 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 approved its consent agenda consisting of: the minutes of the regular meeting of November 19, 2021; new membership applications; membership cancellations; initial review of Policy 417, Point of Service; and initial review of Policy 418, Construction Deposit.

Montgomery presented the monthly safety report. Plus, he shared information on the monthly safety focus of limiting exposure to germs by washing hands before eating, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth. And wash your hands after touching anyone who is sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose. Don't share things like towels, lipstick, toys, or anything else that might be contaminated with respiratory germs. Following his report, Montgomery left the meeting.

Burnett reviewed the financial summary for November 2021 with revenue and expense analysis and budget comparisons. Compared to budget, year-to-date revenue is up 1.94%, expenses are up 7.26% and power costs are up 3.38%. On motion made, seconded, and passed, the Board accepted the Financial Report.

At this time, Eftink reported no meeting had been held since the last board meeting at M&A Electric Power Cooperative. Haynes reported on business from the AMEC (Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives) Board meeting. Items of interest included: retirements; supply chain issues; financial report; reports from Touchstone Energy and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Under old business the Board: reviewed its schedule of meetings; Policy 415, Electric Motor Loads, Policy 416, Privacy and Confidentiality, and Policy 103, Per Diem, were affirmed as presented. Burnett presented the 2022 CapEx and O&M budget and answered Board members’ questions. Vanslyke presented the 2022 rate schedules. The Board approved the budget and rate schedules as presented after seeing drafts in previous meetings. The Board also confirmed meeting dates for 2022. Under new business, Vanslyke presented uncollected accounts in the amount of $18,648, which was down from 2020’s $27,787, with the recommendation they be written off. After discussion, the Board resolved to designate these accounts as written off for accounting purposes and to pursue reasonable collection efforts. The Board reviewed written staff reports as department leaders were present to supplement their reports and to answer questions. The remaining staff members were excused from the meeting. Therefore, the Board entered into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned.

Photos (top to bottom): Team SEMO's Bart, Karen, Marla, Jake, Ben, Charla and Nathan present individual goals to enhance the Cooperative in 2022 to SEMO Electric Cooperative's Board of Directors. Twenty-four staff members, in two-minute segments, each presented three priorities during December's board meeting.