NOTE: Board meeting minutes are available on our website, dcremc.com, once approved.
The meeting was opened by Chairman Steve AmRhein and Brian Scheidler kept the minutes of the meeting.
All board members were present. Also present were CEO Brett Abplanalp and employees Crystal Greathouse and Matt Raver.
Suzanne Parmer moved to approve the agenda. Dale Wernke seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Safety Min and Cool Moment
The cool moment was presented by Brett Abplanalp and included the retirement of Becky Metz and the co-op career day program with the Greensburg High School construction class.
The safety moment was presented by Brett Abplanalp about the dangers of an overloaded outlet.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Jeff Lawrence moved to approve the minutes from the Jan. 5, 2023, board meeting. Clay Nuhring seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Jason Barnhorst moved to approve the minutes from the Dec. 21, 2022, board meeting. Suzanne Parmer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
CEO Updates
Brett Abplanalp updated the board on open strategic projects and then reviewed overall company metrics for December as presented on CTO.
Financial Updates
Matt Raver reported on December financials as prepared on CTO.
Tariff Reviews and Changes Post Cost of Service Study
Brett Abplanalp went over the recommended large coincidental peak tariff (LCP) change that the board requested. This rate increase is a three (3) year transition to get these members moved to the large commercial tariff (LC). The board discussed the three-year transition option over a one-year transition and this change is consistent with fairness and equitable rate classes.
Dale Wernke moved to approve the redline changes to the LCP tariff effected April 1, 2023. Jason Barnhorst seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-1.
The board discussed the solar distributed generation 1 tariff and the solar distributed generation 2 tariff. It was discussed why the board would continue to have two different payback schedules for solar.
Carl Riedeman made a motion to put all solar members on distributed generation 1 (DG 1) tariff. The board decided to have management calculate the impact to the three members on DG 1 and tabled the motion.
Steve AmRhein asked the board if there were any other rate tariff changes warranted from the cost-of-service study review and no other actions were taken.
Nominating Committee Candidates
Carl Riedeman nominated Anna Rayner and Tim Nobbe as the candidates for District 2.
Jeff Lawrence moved to approve the candidates. Suzanne Parmer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
NRECA National Meeting Voting Delegate
Suzanne Parmer nominated Jason Barnhorst; no other nominations were made.
Suzanne Parmer moved to approve the candidates. Dale Wernke seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Candidate Bio Process
The board discussed the process to create and approve any deviations from the bio formula.
The discussion of the process was, if staff and the candidate can’t come to agreement on the final bio, then it goes to the CEC for final approval.
Clay Nuhring moved to approve the bio approval process as described in discussion. Suzanne Parmer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Policy/Bylaws Review and Report Out
Crystal Greathouse reviewed the following policies with recommended changes:
Rules & Regulations, change to prepay account disconnect fees.
Appendix A, change to disconnect/reconnect fees.
Jeff Lawrence moved to approve the recommended redline changes with item 2 and item 4 at $40. Clay Nuhring seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve CEO Evaluation Consultant
Steve AmRhein recommended IEC’s Lena Morris to facilitate the board with the CEO evaluation.
Jeff Lawrence moved to approve the recommended consultant. Carl Riedeman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Hoosier Energy Board
Jason Barnhorst gave the Hoosier board update.
IEC Board/Committee Update
Steve AmRhein gave the IEC board update.
Jeff Lawrence moved to adjourn the meeting. Suzanne Parmer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
