CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Decatur County REMC board of directors was called to order at 5: 30 p.m. by Chairman Steve AmRhein. Minutes were recorded by Steve Nobbe. All board members were present with Suzanne Parmer attending via Webex. Also present were CEO Brett Abplanalp and employee Matt Raver.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Suzanne Parmer moved to approve the agenda as presented. Brian Scheidler seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

SAFETY MOMENT AND COOL MOMENT

CEO Brett Abplanalp opened the meeting with the Safety Moment, highlighting a recent success enabled by the advanced capabilities of the newly deployed meters. Staff were able to identify a failing, member-owned meter socket at a residence that had the potential to cause a fire. The issue was detected early, and the member was promptly notified, preventing a potential safety incident.

For the Cool Moment, Abplanalp reported that Phase 1 of the fiber build is 100 percent complete. The project was completed under budget, and take rates are exceeding the assumptions outlined in the original business case.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

Dale Wernke moved to approve the minutes of the Oct. 22, 2025, regular board meeting. Carl Riedeman seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT

Brett Abplanalp provided updates on several ongoing initiatives, including the meter replacement project and the fiber project.

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT

Matt Raver presented the financial update for October, noting the following:

• The net utility plant increased by $926,431 compared to the previous month

• Year-to-date revenues were $953,700 above budget

• Power costs are over by $662,813 resulting in a gross margin over budget of $290,887 YTD

• Controllable expenses were under budget by $105,489

• The ending cash balance for the month was $675,307.

Brett Abplanalp presented two resolutions to retire REMC and Hoosier Energy capital credits for 2026. The REMC retirements were proportions of 1998, 1999 and 2000 totaling $703,799. The Hoosier Energy retirements were proportions of 1994 and 1995 totaling $281,153. Dale Wernke moved to approve the two capital credit retirement resolutions. Suzanne Parmer seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Brett Abplanalp presented the tree trimming bids for the 2026 right-of-way program and requested board approval of the associated 2026 budget costs to allow staff to proceed with contract execution. Jason Barnhorst moved to approve the 2026 proposed spend in right-of-way. Suzanne Parmer seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Brett Abplanalp presented a cost-savings initiative related to the fiber project and requested authorization of $310,000 to construct a laydown yard and transition material management for the fiber project in-house. Currently, a tier-two contractor is performing all material management services. Material management costs include yard rental, forklift rental, two full-time personnel, container rental, office and restroom facilities, other related supplies, and a material management fee. Following discussion, the board tabled the request until the December board meeting.

POLICY REVIEW AND APPROVAL

CEO Brett Abplanalp presented proposed redline revisions to the Rules and Regulations and recommended rescinding the following policies due to duplication: Policy 2-1 (Area Coverage and Line Extensions), Policy 11-7 (Residential Underground Secondary Service Drops), and Policy 11-1 (Relocating REMC Facilities and Lines). Dale Wernke moved to approve the redline revisions and the rescission of the identified policies. Jason Barnhorst seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.

RATE TARIFFS

CEO Brett Abplanalp presented revisions to the single-phase electric service rate schedules to separate the class into small and large service categories, including Large Single-Phase Electric Service and Small Single-Phase Electric Service, with no change to the applicable rates.

In addition, time-of-use rate structures were established for both service classifications, including Large Single-Phase Time-of-Use Electric Service and Small Single-Phase Time-of-Use Electric Service, featuring a super off-peak rate to support electric vehicle charging during off-peak hours. Minor clarifying edits were also made to Appendix A. Brian Scheidler moved to approve the recommended tariff changes. Carl Riedeman seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS/BOARD COMMITTEES

Jason Barnhorst updated the board on Hoosier Energy business.

Steve AmRein updated the board on the last IEC board meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

Brian Scheidler moved to adjourn the meeting. Suzanne Parmer seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9: 05 p.m. The board then went into executive session.