Board Spotlight: Board Plans Annual Meeting and the Event will be Drive-Thru on May 12, 2022 at Sikeston
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of SEMO Electric Cooperative, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “Cooperative”) was held on Monday, January 17, 2022, 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, Angie Byford, Britney Mulcahy, Amanda Burnett, Chris Freed, Dannett Cooper, and Brad Milam. The meeting was called to order by President Faulkner. A prayer of invocation was offered by Bledsoe.
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 20, 2021; new membership applications; membership cancellations; initial review of Policy 419, Subdivisions; and initial review of Policy 420, Information Access. Vanslyke presented the monthly safety report. Plus, he shared information on the monthly safety focus of preparing for winter weather. Before a winter storm hits, you can prepare by storing emergency supplies in your car and home. An emergency kit for cars should include a cell phone charger, jumper cables, blankets, sand or kitty litter, flares, a tow rope, a snow shovel and brush, a flashlight and water.
Burnett reviewed the financial summary for December 2021 with revenue and expense analysis and budget comparisons. Compared to budget, year-to-date revenue is up 1.70%, expenses are up 8.14% and power costs are up 2.06%. On motion made, seconded, and passed, the Board accepted the Financial Report.
Eftink reported on business from the M&A Electric Power Cooperative meeting. Items of interest included: AECI (Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.); finances; and reliability. Haynes reported there had been no business from the AMEC (Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives) since the last board meeting.
Under old business the Board: reviewed its schedule of meetings; Policy 417, Point of Interest; and Policy 418, Construction Deposit, were affirmed as presented. Vanslyke reviewed the Bylaws.
Under new business, Vanslyke reviewed the 2022 annual meeting timeline with the Board. The meeting will be held as a drive-thru event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Thursday, May 12 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds. Members who attend will receive a $15 bill credit and a participation gift.
Staff members Angela McLean and Karen Barnhart presented their three priorities to enhance the Cooperative in 2022. 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. Following executive session, Director Dirnberger announced that he will not be seeking re-election in 2022. There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned.
