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Medina EC News

79th Annual Membership Meeting

A look at what happened during the September 30 meeting in Uvalde

The 79th annual membership meeting was held in Uvalde on Saturday, September 30. If you weren’t able to make it, here is some of what you missed. If you were there, thanks for taking the time to spend some of your morning with us! Staff is already starting to plan the 80th Annual Membership Meeting in Laredo, so be on the lookout next year for information on that event.

By the Numbers

Memberships in attendance: 178

People attending the meeting: 286

Eligible voters: 18,217

Participating voters: 1,944

Election participation rate: 10%

Directors elected:
District 1: Larry Huesser, 1,293 votes; Kenneth Weynand, 499 votes
District 2: Jimmie Raines, 1,488 votes (unopposed)
District 3: RH Rodriguez, 1,516 votes (unopposed)

Business Meeting Highlights

Members enjoyed pre-meeting sessions on safety, and distributed generation and energy efficiency. They were able to ask one-on-one questions during those smaller sessions.

The 2016 financials showed stability, and all financial goals set by the board were met. Mark Rollans, CEO, spoke about those financials and the cost of service study that was performed last year. Data from that study resulted in an increase in the availability charge for seasonal and general service rates classes in April of 2017.

This year’s active hurricane system, and its impact on the Texas coastline and inland communities, was a topic of conversation. Rollans discussed Medina EC’s mutual aid with other cooperatives and other ways the cooperative works to give back to the local communities.

Members were entertained by, and laughed with, Lyndy Phillips. A few members became part of the act—somewhat unwillingly

Booths and Prizes

Before the meeting began, members had a chance to visit with employees at booths with helpful information on energy efficiency, Rural Friends Acre, programs the cooperative offers, rights-of-way program, and more.

Uvalde Memorial Hospital was there to provide blood pressure screenings, glucose draws and helpful health fair information for members. Employees from USDA-NRCS also had a booth and visited with members.

There were also two pre-meeting sessions held. One dealt with safety, and was led by Derly Carrizales. It gave members of all ages a chance to get safety advice and gain a better understanding of the dangers of electricity. The other session was led by Michael Harkins and addressed energy efficiency and distributed generation, or producing your own electricity at your home using a solar PV system or something similar.

Congratulations to J. A. Rios of Yancey, who won the grand prize at the meeting. He made the drive to Uvalde for the meeting, and ended up $1,000 richer because of it. The lucky winning ticket was number 55. Mr. Rios is saving up for a trip to Israel, and plans to use the money for that. It must be something in the family, because despite driving in different vehicles, not sitting together, and not even seeing each other until the end of the meeting, after door prizes were awarded, Mr. Rios’ sister also won one of the door prizes!

Even outside of the Rios family, lots of lucky members walked away from the meeting with gift cards, energy credits, camping chairs and collapsible coolers.

Questions and Answers

Here are a few of the general questions submitted during this year’s meeting on the “Ask the Co-op” cards. Members who asked account specific questions were contacted directly by a Medina EC staff member.

Why are there no term limits for board members? In 2014, the board voted to change the bylaws. One change included was removing term limits for board members, since it has historically proven difficult to get people to run and fill board seats. Every year, three seats on the board are open for election. Members are encouraged to run for a seat on the board and to vote in the annual election.

What is the monthly flat rate charged by MEC? Your bill is made up of different charges and adjustments. The flat rate, or “customer charge,” covers the cost to bring power to your home or business. The customer charge varies by rate class, but for the general service rate class, it is $29. Learn more about rates at MedinaEC.org/Rates or learn more about the charges on your bill at MedinaEC.org/Bill.

Do you have a question for the co-op not answered here? Email [email protected] or call us at 1-866-MEC-ELEC.