CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Decatur County REMC board of directors was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Chairman Steve AmRhein. Minutes were recorded by Steve Nobbe. All board members were present. Also present were Chief Executive Officer Brett Abplanalp and Accounting and Finance Manager Matt Raver.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Suzanne Parmer moved to approve the agenda as presented. Dale Wernke seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
SAFETY MOMENT AND COOL MOMENT
A safety moment was presented by Brett Abplanalp, who shared a personal example emphasizing situational awareness and safe practices during winter activities and equipment use. The discussion reinforced the importance of maintaining safety both at work and at home.
For the Cool Moment, Abplanalp highlighted the strong member participation in the recent member event.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
Dale Wernke moved to approve the minutes of the Nov. 25, 2025, regular board meeting and the Dec. 17, 2025, special board meeting. Carl Riedeman seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
OPERATIONAL ANDSTRATEGIC OVERSIGHT
Brett Abplanalp provided updates on several ongoing initiatives, including the meter replacement project and the fiber project. The board entered executive session at 5:42 p.m. to discuss fiber marketing strategy. The board returned to general session at 6:10 p.m.
FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT
Matt Raver presented the financial update for November.
Brett Abplanalp reported that he has received inquiries regarding misinformation being circulated to the membership concerning an alleged $75,000 per month cost for renting a laydown yard for fiber materials. He stated that this claim is inaccurate and inconsistent with information previously presented to the board. Abplanalp clarified that the November board discussion addressed a cost-savings initiative associated with the fiber project, including a request for authorization to construct a laydown yard and transition fiber material management services in-house. He further explained that material management services are currently performed by a tier-two contractor and include expenses related to yard rental, forklift rental, two full-time personnel, container rental, office and restroom facilities, supplies, and a material management fee. Following discussion, Jason Barnhorst made a motion to proceed with grading and fencing the back lot and implementing the related functions necessary to transition fiber material management in-house in order to realize the identified cost savings. Dale Wernke seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
The board entered executive session to discuss the proposed 2026 budget. Upon returning to general session, Suzanne Parmer moved to approve the 2026 budget with an amendment to remove the purchase of one vehicle and one side-by-side. Jason Barnhorst seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
GOVERNANCE
Suzanne Parmer nominated Jason Barnhorst to serve as the voting delegate for NRECA, NRTC, and NISC. There being no additional nominations, nominations were closed, and Barnhorst was elected as the voting delegate for NRECA, NRTC, and NISC.
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS/BOARD COMMITTEES
Jason Barnhorst updated the board on Hoosier Energy business.
Steve AmRein gave an update on IEC annual meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Brian Scheidler moved to adjourn the meeting. Jason Barnhorst seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. The board then entered executive session.
