current lines September 2015
A monthly publication for Tri-County EMC members
In this issue:
PSC Rate Survey Results page 1
Bylaw Changes, Scholarship page 3
Cooperative Election, page 2
Couples Conference, Recipe Box, page 4
Tri-County EMC Rates Among Lowest in State ri-County EMC’s rates are among the lowest in the state according to the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) Summer 2015 Survey. Among the 94 electric providers in the state, Tri-County EMC has the 6th lowest residential rate at 2,000 kWhs. At that level, the average EMC charges $232.84, while Tri-County only charges $200.58. The co-op’s rates are also among the lowest at other usage levels. Tri-County is the 9th lowest at 1,500 kWh and 13th lowest at 1,000 kWhs. The co-op ranked 48th at 500 kWhs with a total of $67.09, still costing less than the EMC Average and only 51 cents more than Georgia Power. According to our latest data, the average residential Tri-County EMC member uses 1,226 kWhs per month. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the
Georgia PSC Rate Sur vey Sumer 2015 Results
50
1,000 kWhs Tri-County EMC
$176.76
$155.23
$136.76
$121.35
100
#6
lowest $ in GA for 2,000 kWh
lowest $ in GA for 1,500 kWh
200 150
For the complete survey results, visit the site below. http://www.psc.state.ga.us/electric/surveys/residentialrs.asp
1,500 kWhs State EMC Average
$232.84
lowest $ in GA for 1,000 kWh
The PSC survey ranks electric service providers by total electric bill amounts for 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 kWhs. The PSC residential rate surveys are done twice each year, once during the summer and once during the winter. For this survey, rates in effect for the month of July were utilized. All electric providers in Georgia participate, including all Electric Membership Corporations, all Municipal Electric Systems and Georgia Power. (71042001)
$200.58
#13
#9
$215.69
250
$109.89
TOTAL COST IN DOLLARS
300
unit electric utilities use to measure the power you purchase. One kWh will power a 25-watt compact fluorescent bulb for 40 hours.
$294.60
T
2,000 kWhs Georgia Power
At 2,000 kilowatt hours, Tri-County members pay $32.26 less than the EMC average.
On The Ballot Your Cooperative’s 2015 Election Each year, Tr-County EMC holds a meeting of all members along with an election. This year, the election will include 36 proposed bylaw changes in addition to the board or directors election for Post 2 of Districts 1, 2, and 3. Because cooperatives are owned by the members they serve, it is crucial for members to take part in the election each year to ensure the cooperative is run in a way that best serves its members.
DISTRICT 3
DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 1
P O S T 2 D I R E C TO R CA N D I DAT E S Chester Mercer graduated from Mary Persons High School. Chester is a retired electrical inspector for Macon and was previously an operations manager for Tri-County EMC for 20 years. Chester has served on the Tri-County EMC board since 1994 and has been an adjunct instructor at Central Georgia Technical College since 1998. Chester and his wife, Sarah, are members of Haddock Baptist Church and have been married for 50 years. They have one child, Sarah Ann. George “Buck” Comer graduated from Jones County High School. He served in the US Air Force as a Sentry Dog Handler and completed a tour of duty in Vietnam. Following his service, he worked with Atlanta Gas Light for 37 years. George is a supporter of the Animal Rescue Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Milledgeville and the Ronald McDonald House and is a member of Clinton United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Cheryl, have one child, Tracy, and one grandson. Cary Walton graduated from Putnam County High School. Cary recently retired from working 38 years in the Postal Service and also owns a used car dealership. Cary is an active member at First Baptist Church of Eatonton where he volunteers with the “Do Little Gang,” a group that takes on projects for the elderly in the community. In his spare time, Cary enjoys volunteering and traveling. The Walton’s have 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Tommy Noles graduated from Georgia Military College and the University of Georgia with a degree in Pharmacy and is currently a pharmacist in Milledgeville. Mr. Noles is also Tri-County’s Secretary and Treasurer. He stays busy on Sundays as a Deacon and substitute Sunday School Teacher for Haddock Baptist Church. Tommy and Shirley Noles have four grown children.
CA S T YO U R VOT E Tri-County EMC’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15 at 7:00 PM. You do not have to attend the annual meeting in order to vote. If you enrolled in online voting before August 27, you will receive your logon information to vote via email on September 21. If you did not enroll to vote online, you will receive a ballot in the mail by the first week of October that can be returned via mail or to either office by 5:00 PM on October 15. If you would like to vote online but did not enroll in online voting, you will still be able to vote online using the instructions printed on the paper ballot. All members that cast a vote will be entered to win a $500 cash prize. (6031002)
CA N D I DAT E I N T E RV I E W S To learn more about the board of director candidates, visit www.tri-countyemc.com/election.cms to view video interviews. These videos will allow you to get to know your candidates before voting.
r u o y Caset for a vot nce to cha $500! win
Board Supports Bylaw Changes Included on this year’s annual meeting ballot are 36 proposed bylaw changes. Tri-County EMC’s Board of Directors support these changes and ask for you to approve them in the upcoming election. Over the past nine months, Tri-County EMC’s board of directors, senior staff, and legal counsel reviewed the bylaws, examining each section for consistency with current business practices, cooperative policy and Georgia law. The results of this review are 36 proposed changes, most of which make minor modifications while eliminating unnecessary language. “Tri-County EMC’s bylaws were originally written between 1939 and 1940,” comments CEO C. Hill Bentley. “They are a living document that has been modified many times over the years. These proposed changes, most of them very minor, help to align bylaw language with current policies and practices. The proposed changes in no way affect a change in fees, rates, or the rights of the membership or the board of directors.”
e t o v
! s e y
All Tri-County EMC members are encouraged to review the proposed bylaw changes and to complete and return a ballot, either by mail or electronically, in the election. (78868001) “As an electric cooperative, the right to vote and to determine the course of your business is an important right unique to our business model,” said Bentley. “I and the board of directors encourage everyone to approve these changes.” To see a full list of the proposed bylaw changes, visit www.tri-countyemc.com/election.cms.
Scholarship Applications Due October 15
Win Funds for College Through Operation Roundup! In addition to funding community grants, the Tri-County EMC Foundation offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students—with preference given to non-traditional students—to help pay their college costs. Through Operation Roundup, a total of $4,000 ($1,000 per winner) is awarded annually to students residing in the homes of Tri-County EMC members. Applicants must be enrolled in any U.S. accredited college, university or technical school and have maintained at least a 2.0 average. Applications can be mailed by request or completed online at www.tri-countyemc.com/roundupscholarship.cms. Applications are due October 15. To learn more about the Operation Roundup scholarship and other opportunities for students, visit www.tri-countyemc.com and click on the “Community” tab. For more information, contact Kim Bonner at 478.986.8126 or kimb@tri-countyemc.com.
Did you find your account number?
Find your complete account number in this issue of Current Lines and win a $50 bill credit. Call 478.986.8126 to claim your bill credit.
Local Couple Attends Co-op Couples Conference In August, Joey and Tabitha Brown of Jones County represented Tri-County EMC at the Cooperative Couples Conference in Hiawassee, Georgia. During the conference, the Browns networked with cooperative leaders from Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. They learned about the economic and service benefits of cooperatives and how coops differ from other corporations. They were also able to exchange ideas with other couples from around the state. “Working at Tri-County, I knew about electric co-ops, but it was interesting to get a different perspective by talking to people in other co-op businesses. We enjoyed hearing speakers from many different cooperatives.” The Cooperative Couples Conference is held each July. To learn more about the Cooperative Couples Conference, visit www.tri-countyemc.com/ couplesconference.cms Joey and Tabitha Brown and their children Makayla and Drake represented Tri-County at the Cooperative Couples Conference in August.
Recipe Box Creamy Spicy Cucumbers Thanks to Osie Burgamy of Milledgeville for sharing this delicious recipe! Did you know that your recipe is worth $20 if chosen? Send your best recipes to kimb@tri-countyemc.com or mail to P.O. Box 487, Gray, GA 31032. Ingredients: • 4 large cucumbers • 1 cup mayonnaise • 1/4 cup white vinegar • 1/4 cup evaporated milk • 3 Tbsps. sugar • 1 tsps. dried parsley flakes
• • • • •
2 tsps. hot sauce 1/2 tsp. table salt 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp pepper 1 bunch of green onions, sliced
Directions: Peel, seed and slice the cucumbers. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Chill 8 to 24 hours and serve. Makes 6 cups.
C. Hill Bentley, CEO
Owned by Those We Serve
P.O. Box 487 Gray, GA 31032 478.986.8100 FAX 478.986.4733 www.tri-countyemc.com
Board of Directors Tom Thompson Jr., Chairman Brenda P. Green, Vice Chairman Thomas Noles, Secretary/Treasurer Dan Greene, Sammy Hall, Chester Mercer, Marion Nelson, Cecil Patterson, Mike S. Rainey III
current lines Monthly Publication for Tri-County EMC Members Kim Bonner, Editor Communications Specialist