• Chairman Michael Brelage called the Aug. 26 meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Secretary Brian Scheidler kept minutes of the meeting.
• All members of the board were present. Also present was DCREMC CEO Brett Abplanalp and DCREMC staff members Jennie Meyer, Crystal Greathouse and Jeanne Loechle. Monroe Shine Auditor Joe Boesing was also present as well as several members.
• Upon motion by Dale Wernke, seconded by Steve AmRhein and carried, the agenda of the meeting was approved with Carl Riedeman dissenting.
• Brelage discussed recording the board meetings and posting them on the DCREMC website. This aligns with our strategic initiatives, board accountability and member engagement, and will provide more transparency for the members. Upon motion by Jason Barnhorst, seconded by Wernke and carried, the board approved recording the board meetings and posting them online with Riedeman dissenting.
• Brett Abplanalp presented the Safety Minute and Cool Moment report and shared several positive member comments.
• Upon motion by Barnhorst, seconded by AmRhein and carried, the minutes for the July 23, 2020, board meeting were approved.
• Joe Boesing with Monroe Shine gave the audit report. He stated that there were no material issues found and gave a clear opinion of DCREMC financial records for the period ending May 31, 2020. The board then went into executive session to speak with the auditor and reconvened at 8 p.m.
• Upon motion by Barnhorst, seconded by Wernke and carried, the Audit Report was accepted.
• Abplanalp then gave the CEO Report. He outlined the upcoming process for the vision, mission, and strategic plan, as well as the monthly metrics, projects, and the future of Hoosier’s Energy Demand Side Management Program (DSM).
• Abplanalp then gave the financial report as presented on Call to Order. The new format, which includes charts, was explained. Comments are welcome. For the month of July 2020, total margins were at $268,497 compared to a budget of $120,814. The variance to budget was primarily due to expenses being under budget for the month and revenues being above plan. Overall YTD, margins are at $892,113 compared to a budget of $615,120. 
• Brelage then addressed member complaints and how policies need to be adjusted to help protect the board legally and to ensure that complaints are going through the proper channels. He then presented proposed changes to Rule 16 and also to policy 2-7, Members’ Access to Board Meetings. 
• Upon motion by Wernke, seconded by AmRhein and carried, changes to Rule 16 were approved as presented with Jeff Lawrence, Suzanne Parmer, and Riedeman dissenting.
• Upon Motion by Barnhorst, seconded by Wernke and carried, changes to Policy 2-7 were approved as presented with Lawrence, Parmer, and Riedeman dissenting.
• Rules & Regulations, Rule 12, was reviewed. Changes were proposed. Upon motion by Barnhorst, seconded by Brian Scheidler and carried, changes to Rule 12 were approved unanimously.
• Policy 2-1, Area Coverage Line Extensions and Policy 11-1, Relocating REMC Facilities and Lines with no changes. Brelage asked the board if there was any discussion needed on the educational article attached to Call To Order. Abplanalp discussed any future needs for board governance training.
• The REMC Community Trust report was listed on Call to Order for director review.
• Brelage addressed if there was a need for a union negotiation director committee. The negotiations will start at the end of October or beginning of November and will require a three to four day commitment. Board members were left to consider if they would like to volunteer with a decision needing to be made by the September board meeting.
• The NRECA regional meeting delegate needed to be decided. Upon motion by Barnhorst, seconded by Scheidler and carried, AmRhein was voted as the delegate with Wernke as the alternate with unanimous approval.

Hometown Energy Report – Brian Scheidler

• Scheidler reported that the July 23, 2020, meeting minutes were presented in the board packet for review.

Hoosier Energy Board/Committee Update – Jason Barnhorst

• Barnhorst reported that upon the passing of Eugene Roberts, Jodie Creek was elected as the new treasurer. Hoosier Energy President and CEO Donna Walker reported that Hoosier’s wholesale rates are expected to be $1 per megawatt-hour less for 2021 than the approved business plan from earlier in the year, and up to $2 less for 2022 due to investments in renewables. 

IEC Board/Committee Update – Steve AmRhein

• AmRhein reported that the IEC annual meeting has been canceled. The required business will take place during a virtual meeting. The audit report for IEC was given and the auditor stated it was a clean audit. 
• Wernke acknowledged that our board is not cohesive in a lot of the things we do and that it is his understanding that Lawrence was present at a “Concerned Members” meeting a couple of weeks prior. He then asked a member, whose property that meeting took place at and who was currently present at the board meeting, if all directors were invited to the “Concerned Member Meetings” as he would like to bring the board and their group together to address perceived issues. The member replied that the meetings are by invitation only.
• Upon motion by AmRhein, seconded by Wernke, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m. to executive session.