For my column this month, I wanted to provide a brief recap of the report I gave at our 2025 Annual Business Meeting, which includes some important information as it relates to the REMC and you, our members.

In 2024, we made substantial upgrades to our Marshfield and Dunnington substations. We also inspected almost 2,500 poles in the past two years and are in the process of replacing over 450 of those deemed deficient.

Warren County REMC is finishing up a GIS inventory, which will give us detailed data on all our poles, transformers, fuses, meters, and other equipment in the field. This will help us make better decisions on future upgrades and maintenance.

Earlier this year, we hired a national rate consultant to conduct a Cost of Service Study (COSS). The COSS helps the board set rates to ensure fairness across the different rate classes, ensure we have the revenue needed to pay our bills, perform the necessary maintenance, and meet the financial metrics required by our lenders.

The study determined an approximately 10% revenue increase would be required to meet these objectives. The average residential member will see an increase of approximately $15 on their June bill.

Please visit wcremc.com for more information on our rate schedules. As a not-for-profit cooperative, we strive to spend wisely, while also recognizing that we have a duty to provide safe and reliable electric service. While we have seen dramatic increases in our operating costs, Warren County REMC had the eighth lowest residential rates out of the 38 REMCs in Indiana in 2024.

Later this year, with the help of an engineering firm, we will develop a construction work plan which will guide our maintenance upgrades and new construction for the next four to six years. This plan will help us focus on reliability and plan for growth on our system.

The board has also approved starting an Operation Round Up program. Members bills will be rounded up to the nearest dollar only on the main account for those with multiple accounts and these funds will be used to make grants to charitable and nonprofit organizations in our communities.

Anyone not wishing to participate can let us know and you will be opted out of the program. It is a great program and a majority of the electric cooperatives participate.

All of the money collected through Operation Round Up stays right here in our communities and Warren County REMC does not keep any portion of these funds. Its a way to provide much needed funding for worthy local organizations, schools, and other community focused entities. Look for more details in future magazine issues.