• Chairman Tom Crowe called the Jan. 24, 2019, meeting to order at 6:30 p.m, and Jason Barnhorst kept minutes of the meeting.
• All members of the board were present. Also present was DCREMC CEO Brett Abplanalp and DCREMC Accounting Manager Karen Forshee.
• Upon motion by Jason Barnhorst, seconded by Brian Scheidler, and carried, the agenda of the meeting was approved by unanimous vote.
• The financial report was given by Karen Forshee and reviewed on Call to Order. Forshee reported gross margins for 2018 ended well ahead of budget primarily due to increased sales volume in the wholesale classes. However, this gain was significantly offset by an increase in controllable expenses, primarily: right-of-way (ROW), outage restoration, contract labor, and legal consulting. It was decided by consensus that the latest estimate (LE) will no longer be reported to the board monthly. It will however still be used as a management tool by the staff.
• Upon motion by Jeff Lawrence, seconded by Jason Barnhorst, and carried, the 2019 capital credit retirement budget was increased to $545,160 to include the years 1993 and 1994. This will maintain our 30-year payback cycle. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
• Upon motion by Lawrence Young, seconded by Steve AmRhein, and carried, the consent agenda was approved by unanimous vote.
• Tom Crowe reported that at the last Hoosier Energy board meeting CEO Donna Walker introduced Hoosier’s new key employees and outlined strategic planning initiatives and committees were formed. Key areas of focus will include resource planning and generation management.
• Lawrence Young reported that Hometown Energy met Jan. 24, 2019. Young stated there are currently around 700 Hometown customers and LP sales volume for 2018 was well over expectations.
• 2019 projects and strategic initiatives were outlined by Abplanalp. Four focus areas were determined by the strategic planning session held in late August; teams have been formed with 100 percent employee participation; action plans will be made, presented, and cross analyzed by all employees. After these plans have been finalized and approved by the CEO, they will be presented to the board for final approval. Abplanalp also reported that due to the new safety plan adopted by DCREMC, there will no longer be a used pole yard on site and poles will no longer be sold. New rate implementation is on track and further communications will be going out to members of the commercial classes in the near future.
Old Business
• EV and Broadband committee has met with Watch Communications who plans to offer wireless broadband in DCREMC service territory. DCREMC will continue to investigate the potential for a partnership with Watch Communications to offer broadband access to our membership and community.
• Upon motion by Jeff Lawrence, seconded by Michael Brelage, and carried, DCREMC will not be participating in the My Solar program being offered by Hoosier Energy, passed by unanimous vote.
New Business
• Upon motion by Lawrence Young, seconded by Dale Wernke, and carried, Tom Crowe was nominated for Hoosier Energy director.
• Upon motion by Steve AmRhein, seconded by Brian Scheidler, and carried, Jeff Lawrence was nominated for Hoosier Energy director.
• Tom Crowe was elected Hoosier Energy director by ballot vote.
• Upon motion by Steve AmRhein, seconded by Brian Scheidler, and carried, Lawrence Young was elected voting delegate for the 2019 Hoosier Energy annual meeting, passed by unanimous vote.
• Upon motion by Jason Barnhorst, seconded by Michael Brelage, and carried, the amended Medium Commercial flat rate tariff was approved as presented, passed by unanimous vote.
• Upon motion by Lawrence Young, seconded by Dale Wernke, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Executive session followed.
