inside your co•op


A monthly newsletter of Choctaw Electric Cooperative.


BOARD OF TRUSTEES


George Burns, President Joe M. Silk, Vice President


James Woods


Mike Brewer, Secretary Treasurer Bill Woolsey


Danny Antwine Norman Ranger Marcia Wright


Becky Franks MANAGEMENT AND STAFF


Jon K. Miles, Chief Executive Officer Susan G. Wall, Executive Assistant Jia Johnson, Director of Public Relations Craig McBrain, Chief Financial Officer Jim Malone, Director of Operations Darrell Ward, District Supervisor


HUGO OFFICE


PO Box 758 Hwy 93 North


Hugo, Oklahoma 74743


Toll Free: (800) 780-6486 Local: (580) 326-6486 FAX (580) 326-2492


Monday-Friday • 8 am - 5 pm IDABEL OFFICE


2114 SE Washington Idabel, Oklahoma 74745


Toll Free: (800) 780-6486 Local: (580) 286-7155


Monday-Friday • 8 am - 5 pm


ANTLERS OFFICE HC 67 Box 62


Antlers, Oklahoma 74523 (One mile east of Antlers)


Toll Free: (800) 780-6486 Local: (580) 298-3201


Monday-Friday • 8 am - 5 pm On the Web:


www.choctawelectric.coop


24 Hour Outage Hotline 800-780-6486


2 | FEBRUARY 2016 | CEC Inside Your Co-op MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE Choctaw Electric Plans For the Future


system runs by itself; nothing could be further from the truth. It takes involvement from the employees, key staff, management and the board of trustees to make certain the system is well taken care of. Like your car or truck, CEC’s electrical grid must be properly maintained along the way, or in time we will find ourselves on the side of the road with the hood up.


A


new year is underway and your cooperative is looking to the future. Some might think Choctaw Electric’s


and duration of outages. If you plan to plant trees in your landscape this year, please respect these distances for your sake and that of your neighbors.


BY JON K. MILES cHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


CEC experienced a good year in 2015. Current rates are providing the necessary revenues, and energy sales coupled with numerous cost


To stay on top of system requirements and ensure the utmost reliability, CEC recently completed its 2016 budget and the 2016-2017 construction work plan. Your co-op board held firmly to its fiduciary responsibility by adopting the new budget and the two-year construction plan. Both will provide CEC with the necessary road map to meet its financial and operational goals.


Dealing with the dollars and details of these matters is not an easy task, but CEC trustees carried out their responsibilities for the good of the cooperative. The board heard reports regarding line maintenance, as well as growing concerns over tree clearing across the system. CEC has fallen behind on line clearance issues and will need to become aggressive in keeping lines clear within the prescribed right of ways.


Membership agreements allow the cooperative to keep lines clear of trees, shrubbery or other debris within the prescribed footage to minimize the number


cutting measures helped produce solid margins to end the year. In January, two auditors representing the accounting firm of Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert, and Moss, L.L.P. began the process of checking physical inventory that are categorized as assets on the cooperative’s balance sheet. The inventory of materials and reconciliation of assets went extremely well. The auditors will return again in a few months to complete the review of CEC financial records.


In December, CEC crews helped two Oklahoma electric cooperatives restore power after devastating ice storms. CEC sent crews to Alfalfa Electric Cooperative to assist in recovery efforts. Later, another crew traveled to Kingfisher to assist Cimarron Electric Cooperative.


This winter has dealt a harsh blow to co-ops in Oklahoma. We are grateful for the mutual aid program here that allows co-ops to make a single phone call and quickly receive the human and material resources needed to restore power safely. I know the systems receiving assistance appreciate our help. In return, they will travel our way if we are ever in need. That’s the “Cooperative Difference.”


■ The electric grid connects us all. Check out the short video on CEC's Facebook page for insight into how the electric grid works, why grid reliability is important, and how homeowners benefit from this complex network.


FIND IT ONLINE


■ Know your bylaws. CEC bylaws are the rules that govern your co-op. Download and/or view your co-op bylaws at www.choctawelectric.coop.


CEC


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