Board Spotlight: Board Discusses May's Annual Meeting
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of SEMO Electric Cooperative, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “Cooperative”) was held on Monday, January 16, 2022 at the office of the Cooperative in Bloomfield, Missouri. The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by President Richard Faulkner. The following Directors were present: Faulkner, Carl Eftink, Carla Moore, Dennis Fowler, James Deneke, Keith Haynes, Dicky Hanor, Tim Coppage, John Bledsoe, Myron Hawes, and Von Priggel. Field LaPlant was absent. 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, and Ron Montgomery. A prayer of invocation was offered by Freed.
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 December 19, 2022; new membership applications; membership cancellations; initial review of Policy 219 – Out of Area Storm Pay, and initial review of Policy 220 – Employment and Reemployment Rights of Members of the Uniformed Services. Montgomery presented the monthly safety report. Plus, he shared information on the monthly safety focus of speaking up for safety in the workplace. Following his report, Montgomery left the meeting.
Department leaders presented strategic updates and answered questions from the board. Burnett reviewed the financial summary for December 2022 with revenue and expense analysis and budget comparisons. Compared to budget, year-to-date revenue was up 3.57%, expenses were up 6.24% and power costs were up 7.04%. On motion made, seconded, and passed, the Board accepted the financial report.
Eftink reported on business from the M&A Electric (Transmission) Power Cooperatives’ board meeting. Items of interest included: safety; finances; reliability; and AECI update. Haynes reported on business from the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ (AMEC) board meeting. Items of interest included: committee reports; Rural Missouri report; legislative conference dates; upcoming NRECA international trip; and updates to the employee handbook.
Under old business the Board: reviewed its schedule of meetings; Policy 217 - Personnel Required to Hold a CDL, Policy 218 – Nepotism, and Policy - 215 Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, Insurance for Non-Union Employees. Under new business, the Board reviewed and discussed district updates. Vanslyke reviewed the schedule for the annual meeting to be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on May 18 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds; reviewed the Bylaws with the Board and discussed the nominating committee meeting that will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Cooperative’s office in Sikeston. The Board reviewed and executed their ACRE and AMECPAC contribution forms and authorized the cooperative to contribute $1,500 to AMECPAC.
The Board reviewed written staff reports. 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 the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
