Barton County Electric Cooperative News

91 West Hwy 160 Lamar, MO 64759 | Office: 417.682.5636 or 800.286.5636 | www.bartonelectric.com | facebook.com/BartonCountyElectric

Manager’s MessageCEO/General Manager

Jeff Hull

Spring SafetyRates

Annual Meeting

SPRING SAFETYI think it is safe to say after the winter we experienced, everyone was glad to see spring arrive on March 20th. With spring comes flowers, gardens and lawn care. As you begin your outdoor projects this spring, please don’t forget safety. Look around and up before raising a ladder or other long items. Call 811 before you dig and always treat overhead wires as they are energized. Electrical safety should always be a priority in and around your home, farm and business. Some additional safety tips are; never fly kites near power lines, always wear safety glasses while using power tools, inspect your lawn for debris before mowing, inspect and service your lawn mower before use for faulty parts, just to name a few.

RATES As I have said, we will not raise rates until we absolutely have to. Since last year’s Annual Meeting I have kept you informed about the processes we have been going through to determine when we would need to have a rate increase and how the increase will be structured. We are very close to making that decision and by the Annual Meeting in May, we plan to have all this information ready to release. During this process, we have looked at all financial aspects of Your Cooperative and how we can manage controlled expenses as well as the fixed costs. We have implemented some new controlled cost tools to help utilized resources. Our fixed costs have increased over the past few years which will be the biggest driver for a needed increase. We know an increase will not be popular, but to keep Your Cooperative financially stable, we must increase revenue to offset the increased fixed costs. Please feel free to stop in or call if you have questions regarding rates.

ANNUAL MEETING Mark your calendars for Thursday May 3, as we are just over a month away from Your Annual Meeting. As we have been preparing for this event, we are excited to exercise the Cooperative Business Model by reporting on 2017 business and electing three directors to serve on Your Board. We will also have activities for the children, a great meal provided by Chicken Marys and entertainment by Brightwater Junction. We are looking forward to seeing everyone, but if you are unable to attend, don’t forget, you can still vote for the board by mail. Please check your bill for important Annual Meeting news. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and also our website www.bartonelectric.com.

2018 Annual MeetingElectric Credit Drawings

10 @ $50.005 @ $100.004 @ $250.001 @ $500.00

Must Be Present to Win

Credits will be credited automatically to member’s account

Credits are non-transferrable

2018 Annual Meeting Dates to Remember

March 5th - April 6thPetitions accepted to run for

BCEC Board of Directors

April 9th - May 2ndMail-in ballots will be accepted

May 3rd at 3:00 p.m.BCEC Office will close for Annual Meeting

May 3rd 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.Annual Meeting Registration

Chicken Mary’s MealEntertainment by Brightwater Junction

Bounce Houses

May 3rd at 6:30 p.m.82nd BCEC Annual Meeting

Called to Order

Procedures for Mail-In Ballots

• BCEC members have the option to vote by mail or in person at the Annual Meeting.

• Members may request a mail-in ballot by completing a request form. The request form is available at our office or by calling 417-682-5636 or 800-286-5636.

• Once you have received your ballot, carefully review the procedures to complete and return. If you have any questions please call the office.

• Please note mail-in ballots must be mailed.

• Mail-in ballots must be received by the close of business Wednesday May 2, 2018.

• Ballots cast by business and church organizations must be done by an officer of the organization or provide written authorization for action.

Mark Your CalendarAnnual Meeting Thursday, May 3rd

How Can You Become a Candidate for Board of Directors?

• All Board of Director candidates (incumbents and new) shall run by petition.

• Candidates are required to gather signatures from fifteen (15) current Barton County Electric members.

• Official petition forms and qualification information will be available at the BCEC office or www.bartonelectric.com

• Completed petition forms will be accepted at BCEC headquarters from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. March 5, 2018 through April 6, 2018.

Mail-in Ballots

If you are unable to attend the Barton County Electric Cooperative

Annual Meeting in May, you can still vote in the

2018 BCEC Board of Directors

TO REPORT AN OUTAGECall 417.682.5636 or 800.286.5636

24 hours a dayBefore you call:

• Check breaker(s) in your home and below your meter

• Check with your neighbors to verify they have power

• To better serve you when you do call please have the following information ready:

• Name on the account you are reporting • Your six-digit BCEC location number

Bill Payment Options1. The Office

You are always welcome to stop by the office located

1 mile west of Lamar at 91 West 160 Highway

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.2. Drive-up Drop Box

located at our office available 24 hours a day

3. On-Line Bill Pay available 24 hours a day at www.bartonelectric.com

4. By Mailing ToBarton County Electric Cooperative

91 West Highway 160Lamar, MO 64759

5. Auto Payfrom your checking or savings account

or with your debit/credit card6. By Phone

Using your debit or credit cardMonday thru Friday 8am to 5pm 417-682-5636 / 800-286-5636

7. Prepay Call or stop by to learn more about how you can prepay

for your electricity

Your DirectorsKenny Owen, President

Kevin Taffner, Vice-PresidentTom Williams, Secretary/Treasurer

Barbara Barley Karl Morey Karen Nims

Matt Schlichting David StumpCharles Webb

Your CEO/GMJeff Hull

Barton County Electric Cooperative News April 2018

Administrative Professionals’ Day April 25th, 2018

Thank you to all our office employees for their dedication to assist our

Members

UNAPPROVED MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSOF BARTON COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

May 4, 2017

The 81st Annual Meeting of the Members of Barton County Electric Cooperative, Inc., convened at Moore Pavilion in the City of Lamar, Barton County, Missouri at 6:30 p.m., on May 4, 2017, pursuant to the date fixed by the Board of Directors under the provisions of the bylaws and notice of the meeting.

Registration began at 5:00 p.m. with a meal served to members, prepared by Chicken Mary’s. Pre-meeting entertainment was provided by That Dalton Gang.

President Kenny Owen called the meeting to order. That Dalton Gang led in singing the National Anthem. The membership recited Pledge of Allegiance. Lineman Andy Wolf offered a prayer of invocation.

President Owen welcomed members and recognized guests at the meeting. He introduced the Board of Directors.

Attendance prizes were distributed throughout the course of the meeting.

Shawn Battagler, General Counsel and Parliamentarian for the meeting, verified the status of the meeting. He announced that there were 555 members registered and that the quorum requirement was satisfied to conduct the business of the meeting. Mr. Battagler explained the voting method to be used during the meeting. On motion made, seconded and passed, the membership resolved to waive the reading of the Official Notice and proof of mailing of notice.

Secretary/Treasurer Tom Williams presented the minutes of the 2016 Annual Meeting. On motion made, seconded and passed, the membership resolved to approve the 2016 minutes as printed.

President Owen presented the President’s Report. He reviewed Cooperative accomplishments of the past year including capital credit retirements, equity, budget, and right-of-way clearing. He expressed appreciation for the Cooperative staff and employees.

Secretary/Treasurer Tom Williams presented the Treasurer’s Report with a review of the balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations printed in the meeting program. On motion made, seconded and passed, the membership resolved to accept the Treasurer’s Report.

Mr. Battagler introduced director candidates and gave instructions for the marking and collecting ballots. Voting was closed and ballots were collected to be counted with results to be reported before the conclusion of the meeting.

Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hull gave his annual report. He announced that the anticipated June rate increase was going to be “paused” and that rates would be kept as low as possible. He discussed the future of the Cooperative. He also discussed the cooperative non-profit business model, retirement of capital credits, and putting membership first. He thanked the membership for their attendance at the meeting.

CEO Hull introduced guest speaker, Joe Wilkinson, Director of Member Services and Corporate Communications, AECI. He spoke about how electricity is produced and delivered to the members’ homes and businesses.

Mr. Battagler reported the results of the Director election as follows: Tom Williams – 306 votes, Justin McIntyre – 203 votes, Robert Mezel – 101 votes, Karen Nims – 294 votes, Dan Davis – 243 votes, and Charles Webb – 292 votes. It was therefore ordered that Tom Williams, Karen Nims, and Charles Webb were each elected for a term of 3 years and until their successors are elected and qualified.

The President asked for old business and there was none. He then called for new business and there was none. On motion made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned.

What’s up with umbrellas?

Recipe for

Chili

1 pound ground beef1 clove garlic2 green peppers, chopped2 large onions, chopped1 quart canned tomatoes (or 2 to 3 pounds fresh)2 teaspoons salt2 tablespoons chili powder

1/8 teaspoon paprika1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper1/2 teaspoon black pepper2 bay leaves1 large can (28 ounces) kidney beans (or other beans)

Brown the ground beef in a small amount of oil. Add garlic, green peppers and onions, and cook until onions are translucent. Next, add tomatoes (if using fresh tomatoes, remove the skins

fi rst). Then add all remaining ingredients except beans, and let simmer for 2 hours. Add beans and heat through.

Umbrellas were fi rst used in ancient Mesopotamia as sunshades. However, in the fi rst century, Roman women began oiling their paper sunshades to provide rain protection, and the umbrella as we know it

today was born. It was not until the 18th century, however, that umbrellas became acceptable for men. Beginning in 1750, Jonas Hanway always carried an umbrella around London, rain or shine. He initially was publicly ridiculed, but gradually the idea took hold. By the time Hanway died in 1786, all proper British gentlemen carried red umbrellas.

On April 5-6, 1916, Congress listened to arguments in favor of the establishment of the National Park Service. “The parks are the nation’s pleasure grounds and the nation’s restoring places,” said J. Horace

McFarland, president of the American Civic Association. Conservationists and civic leaders were persuasive it seems, for Congress voted in the affi rmative. Today, the National Park Service encompasses more than 370 sites across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The National

Park Service

WEATHERPROVERBS

If fowls roll in the sand, rain is at hand.

If kites fl y high, fair weather is com-ing.

Thunder in April is the end of frost.

Frightful dreams or dreams of hur-rying often foretell a change in the weather.

April snow breeds grass.

If the stars appear large and clear, expect rain and wind.

If there is a rainbow at eve, it will rain and leave.

Bells are heard at greater distances before rain.

For recipes, gardening tips and weather forecasts, visit:

www.almanac.com

Photo Credit: RoJo Images Shutterstock

THE OLD

FARMER’S ALMANACFOUNDED IN 1792

Dear Pat: I keep hearing about home energy audits. How do they work, and will they save me money? – Lorena C.

Dear Lorena: You are smart to be thinking about a home energy audit. Spending a few hundred dollars now can help save you thousands of dollars in the long haul. So what exactly is a home energy audit? It’s a detailed assessment of your home that can give you a roadmap for future energy-related invest-ments. An energy audit can meet different needs: • What effi ciency investments will be most effective in reducing your energy bills? • Are areas of your home sometimes too hot or too cold? An energy audit can identify problem areas and solutions. • Are you considering a new furnace, air conditioner or rooftop solar sys-tem? An energy audit will help you “right-size” these systems and identify complementary measures that will help these large investments work most effi ciently. • Are you considering selling your home? An energy audit can document your home’s effi ciency to help improve its resale value. Online audit tools can give you a basic understanding of how your home compares to similar ones. However, a qualifi ed and professional home ener-gy auditor can use their experience and high-tech tools to provide a thor-ough report of your home’s challenges and opportunities. A professional energy audit can range from a quick, visual walk-through of the home to a more comprehensive, more informative — but more expensive assessment. Energy audits require an examination of the building envelope (attic, fl oor and exterior walls) and the energy systems in the home, such as the water heater, air conditioner and furnace. Follow the auditor during the inspection, and ask questions so you can understand where the problems are, what you can address yourself and where you may need further professional help. The auditor may analyze your recent energy bills to determine what your energy is used for and if use has recently changed. Finally, the auditor will ask about the energy use behaviors for those who live in the home. For example, is someone home all day, or does everyone leave for work and school? Residents’ habits can make a big impact on the energy bill and can also be the hardest to change. If you go from being a household with two working adults to one with a new baby and an adult home most of the day, your energy use is going to go up. An auditor may do some or all of the following tests during the energy audit of your home: • Blower door test: Windows are often the suspected cause for air leaks in the home, but there are usually larger and less obvious sources; a blower door test measures how airtight your home is and identifi es where the air leaks are. • Duct blaster: Ducts move the warm and cool air around your home; duct testing can measure whether your ducts are leaking. • Thermographic imaging: Identifying where more insulation is needed is a key component in energy audits — too little insulation will make a member use more energy than needed. Adding more can provide a quick return on invest-

ment.” Thermographic imaging is one way to identify where more insulation is needed. Infrared images show “cold” spots in a home’s envelope. • Health and safety testing: Energy auditors are also trained to spot safety problems, such as a missing smoke detector or an appliance that could cause carbon monoxide issues. Some auditors can also test your home for radon. Following the assessment of your home, the auditor will analyze the infor-mation and make recommendations on what systems could be upgraded or behavior changes you can make to reduce energy use and improve comfort. If you take action based on your auditor’s recommendations, you could lower your energy bill 5 to 30 percent, and perhaps even more. Your local electric co-op may be able to help you get started with your ener-gy audit, so call and visit with their staff. Some co-ops even offer discounted audits or a list of qualifi ed energy auditors in the area. Be sure whoever you hire is willing to take time to fully answer all of your questions. And plan to be home during the audit — it’s a great opportunity to learn what makes your home tick and how you can make it even better for you now — and in the future.

This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Amy Wheeless of Collabora-tive Effi ciency. For more information on what may be covered during an energy audit of your home, please visit www.collaborativeeffi ciency.com/energyaudit-more-info.

R M | H O M E C O M F O RT

Can an energy audit of my home really

help save money in the long run?

The Benefi ts of a

Home Energy Audit

During the audit, accompany the auditor around your home as they do the audit and ask a lot of questions. Photo courtesy of Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation.