Annual Membership Meeting – August 8, 2009

The Cooperative’s Annual Membership Meeting was held Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.  A total of 1,083 members registered in person for the meeting and it was estimated the total attendance was 3,200.  The activities included the election of four directors, a business meeting, entertainment and prize drawings for members who registered.

Director Election

The Cooperative members elected four individuals to three year terms to the Cooperative’s Board of Directors:

1.   Denver Ligons – Ellsinore                      3.  Leon Martin – Naylor

2.  J. T. Moody – Clarkton                            4.  Jeff Holloway – Puxico

The Cooperative has a total of twelve directors and the other eight directors are as follows:

1.   Mark Yarbro – Poplar Bluff                  5.  Speedy Ketcherside – Wappapello 

2.  Ed Crow – Dexter                                  6.  Max Clayton – Campbell

3.  Charlie Bunting – Broseley                   7.  Allen Below – Dexter

4.  Darrell Atchison – Williamsville            8.  Andy Clark – Poplar Bluff

After the business meeting of the Annual Meeting the following directors were elected as officers for the coming year:

1.  Mark Yarbro – President

2.  Leon Martin – Vice President

3.  Speedy Ketcherside – Secretary/Treasurer

Report of the Cooperative President – Mark Yarbro

The Cooperative’s President, Mark Yarbro reported that the Cooperative ended 2008 with an operating margin, but it was smaller than the 2007 operating margin.  He reported that the Cooperative continues to be financially strong and the Cooperative’s financial records were audited by Kraft, Miles & Tatum, Certified Public Accounts.  The Cooperative’s annual operating expense was $273 per consumer in 2008 compared to the average for all Missouri electric cooperatives of $411 per consumer.  The Cooperative has maintained one of the lowest annual operating expenses for years.  In June, 2009 the Cooperative’s Board of Directors approved a capital credit refund for the fourteenth consecutive year.  The president expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve the members and reported the need for continued member support of the Cooperative.

Report of the General Manager – Stanley Estes

The Cooperative’s General Manager reported on the January 27, 2009 ice storm and the damage to the electrical system.  The total cost of damage, repairs and rebuilding some lines is $29 million and a FEMA application was prepared for a reimbursement of 75% of the total cost.  The remaining 25% of the cost will be covered with a RUS loan.  The Cooperative members will see some increase in rates in the future because of the ice storm but at this time that has not been determined.  The Manager reported that purchase power cost had increased in recent years which resulted in rate increases for the Cooperative members.  Purchase power cost represents 65% of the total cost to operate the Cooperative in 2009.  Also, the Manager reported on the grass roots effort “Our Energy Our Future” by electric cooperatives to contact elected officials in Washington concerning the Cap and Trade legislation.  The Manager encouraged everyone to sign a post card which will be sent to Missouri Senators.

Barry Hart, CEO Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives

Barry Hart, CEO of AMEC attended the Annual Meeting and complemented the Cooperative on the response to the January 27, 2009 ice storm and updated the members on “Our Energy Our Future”.  Barry reported the grass roots effort of cooperative members across the country to contact their elected officials in Washington concerning the Cap and Trade legislation has been effective.  Because Missouri uses coal to produce 80% of its power the legislation could impact electric bills for cooperative members.  He encouraged Cooperative members to sign one of the post cards which will be mailed to Missouri Senators.

Ozark Border Electric Cooperative’s 2010 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday,

August 7, 2010 at the Three Rivers Community College. 

     Ozark Border Electric Cooperative is owned by the same members it serves. Therefore, anytime the Cooperative and its members can work together to reduce operating costs, the savings benefit both the Cooperative and its members. Some suggestions on ways to work together are as follows:

1. CURRENT ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS - It is important that the Cooperative is able to contact its members both by mail and by telephone. Your help in providing the Cooperative with a current address and current telephone number results in improved service and reduced operating cost. During outages the telephone numbers are a quick and easy way of identifying your account. If your telephone number is on file all you have to do is give us your number and tell us the power is off. Call any of the Cooperative's five offices or 1-800-392-0567 with your correct address or telephone number.

2. RIGHT-OF-WAY CLEARING - One of the largest expenses of the Cooperative is the cost of cutting or trimming trees near the power lines. One of the major causes of power outages is trees or tree limbs. Tree limbs contacting the electric lines are not only unsafe buy they also cause line loss. The Cooperative has over 5,738 miles of right-of-way to keep cleared and we need your help. First, do not plant trees under or near power lines. Second, when the Cooperative contractor, Townsend Tree Service, comes in your area let them cut any tree under or near the power line. A tree near a power line is a never-ending expense, which has to be trimmed every three to four years. The Cooperative is committed to keeping the right-of-ways clear in order to reduce outages and line loss, but we need your help.

3. REPORT DAMAGE DURING OUTAGES - The Cooperative provides service to over 37,500 consumers located on 5,738 miles of line, and when an outage occurs it is helpful if members report any damage they observe. Never touch or get near a downed power line, always report it to the Cooperative immediately. Your help can reduce outage time and operating cost.