Summary of December’s board meeting

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Posted on Mar 05 2025 in Decatur County REMC

Chairman Steve AmRhein called the regular meeting of the Decatur County REMC Board of Directors to order at 5:30 p.m. Steve Nobbe recorded the minutes. All board members and CEO Brett Abplanalp were present.

Approval of agenda
Jason Barnhorst moved to approve the agenda. Brian Scheidler seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.

Safety minute and cool moment
Abplanalp presented the safety moment, discussing holiday safety hazards. He also recognized Paul Trenkamp for graduating from advanced lineman training and Chris Gallaway for completing the RELITE program.

Approval of previous meeting minutes
Dale Wernke moved to approve the minutes of the Nov. 26, 2024, board meeting and the Dec. 12, 2024, special board meeting. Suzanne Parmer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

CEO update
Abplanalp provided an update on the strategic projects for 2024, stating that all planned projects were completed. He also shared company metrics, including:

  • November’s median temperature was 1.8% above the five-year average
  • Wholesale purchased energy decreased by 1.9%, and demand was down 10% compared to the five-year average
  • Year-to-date energy sales were 1.29% above budget
  • No major storms occurred in November

Financial update
Abplanalp presented the November financial update, noting the following:

  • The net utility plant remained stable from the previous month
  • Year-to-date revenues are above budget
  • Power costs have increased, but gross margin exceeds budget by $143,300
  • Controllable expenses are under budget by $215,066
  • The cash flow statement reported an ending cash balance of $1.5 million

Old business

2025 budget approval
Abplanalp presented the updated 2025 budget, reflecting board feedback from the Jan. 12, 2024, presentation. Wernke moved to approve the amended 2025 budget proposal. Barnhorst seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.

Electric service to former Decatur County landfill site
The board discussed the REMC’s historic practice of covering half of the cost of annual electric service to the former Decatur County Landfill Site and the origins of that practice. The board directed the management team to evaluate the pros and cons of continuing that practice, including a legal review of the practice, and report to the board in a future meeting.

Accord cash call participation
The board considered participating in the Accord cash call as an investment. After discussion, Barnhorst moved to approve an investment of $50,000, with payments of $25,000 in 2025 and $25,000 in 2026. Scheidler seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.

New business

CRC voting delegate
Wernke nominated Scheidler as the CRC voting delegate. The nominations were closed, and Scheidler was elected.

NRTC voting delegate
Parmer nominated Barnhorst as the NRTC voting delegate. The nominations were closed, and Barnhorst was elected.

NRECA voting delegate
Parmer nominated Barnhorst as the NRECA voting delegate. Nominations were closed, and Barnhorst was elected as the NRECA voting delegate.

Affiliated organizations
Barnhorst provided a brief update on Hoosier Energy. Scheidler provided an update on Hometown.

Adjournment
Scheidler moved to adjourn the meeting. Carl Riedeman seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m., and the board entered executive session.