Tri-County Electric Cooperative Newsletter

TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Tri-County Rural Living

May & June 2015Vol. 18 • No. 5 A

Special inside:

UnclaimedCapital Credits

GET PREPAREDHurricane Season is

June 1-Nov. 30Track outages and

obtain useful safetyinformation online at www.tcec.com.

2 May & June 2015

voluntary and open membership:why this principal still applies to your electric co-op

Message from the Desk of General Manager Julius Hackett

When members of Tri-County Electric look at the seven co-op principles, many may question

if we really live up to the first principle: Voluntary & Open Membership. It is a fair question. There is a two-part answer.

First, it is important to remember that when Tri-County Electric was first being formed back in 1940, every potential member had the option to refuse service. While it may be hard to believe today, there are numerous stories from electric co-ops throughout the country where the farmer said, “No thanks. We are doing fine with kerosene.” Of course over time they changed their minds and eventually became members of the co-op.

Due to the incredible cost of offering electric service, the vast majority of people and businesses only have one choice if they want to connect to “the grid” and receive electricity. While that may change in the future due to rooftop solar or other generation sources, the best option for most people for safe, reliable and affordable power is from your electric co-op.

Today, your electric cooperative focuses on the second part of the principle, “Open Membership.” All residents and businesses in the service territory of TCEC are welcome to receive power. We continually strive to ensure that your membership has value to you not just through the service of electricity but by being an active part of our community.

Tri-County Electric welcomes your participation in the governance of the Cooperative through a democratically elected board of trustees. As a locally owned and controlled utility, your Cooperative is in a better position to understand

the needs of members and can be quicker to react to help ensure you, the member, receive the best service possible.

Members are welcome to suggest improvements to the Co-op’s operations and, unlike large investor-owned utilities often with millions of customers, you can be assured your ideas will actually be read and heard by a real person in real time.

All co-ops, whether it is your credit union, farm co-op, telephone co-op or any other of the 29,000 co-ops that exist in the U.S. today, live by these seven co-op principles:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership 2. Democratic Member Control3. Members’ Economic Participation4. Autonomy and Independence5. Education, Training and Information6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives7. Concern for CommunityTri-County uses all of these principals integrated together

to serve our members’ needs daily. Our mission is simple: Provide Quality - Safe - Affordable

Electric Service - Powered by Members.

Roasted tilapia and VegetablesIngredients

• ½lbfreshasparagusspears,cutinhalf• 2smallzucchini,halvedlengthwise,cutinto½-inchpieces• 1redbellpepper,cutinto½-inchstrips• 1largeonion,cutinto½-inchwedges,separated• 2tablespoonsoliveoil• 2teaspoonsMontrealsteakseasoning• 4tilapiafillets(about1½pounds)• 1tablespoonbutterormargarine,melted• ½teaspoonpaprika

Directions1. Heatovento450°F.Inlargebowl,mixasparagus,zucchini,bell

pepper, onion and oil. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the steak seasoning; toss to coat. Spread vegetables in ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan. Place on lower oven rack in oven; bake 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile,spray13x9-inch(3-quart)glassbakingdishwithcookingspray.Pattilapiafilletsdryingwithpapertowel.Brushwith butter; sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon steak seasoning and paprika. Place in baking dish.

3. Placebakingdishonmiddleoverrackinoven.Bakefishandvegetables17to18minuteslongeroruntilfishflakeseasilywith fork and vegetables are tender.

May & June 2015 3

Keeping you safe during and after spring and summer storms

Spring and summer are wonderful times of the year for people to be outdoors enjoying the

warm weather. They are also times that we need to be alert and pay attention to the changing weather conditions. Severe thunderstorms with lightning, heavy rain, hail, high winds and even tornadoes are possible during this time of the year. Here are some suggestions for staying safe during and after a storm:

• DevelopaFamilyCommunicationPlanincaseyou get separated during severe weather and have a plan for getting back together. Consider having an out-of-state relative or friend serve as the family contact. Make sure everyone knows the name and number of the contact person. Plan a place where your family will meet, both inside and outside of your immediate neighborhood.

• HaveanEmergencySupplyKitwhichincludesnon-perishablefood,bottledwater,flashlightsand extra batteries, a portable radio, a first-aid kit, prescription medicines, a non-electric can opener, baby-care items, blankets and a fire extinguisher.

• Seekshelterindoors.Avoidtakingcoverunderatree,picnicgazeboorgolfcart.

• Rememberthe30/30LightningSafetyRule:Goindoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

• Donotusewiredtelephones,touchelectricalappliances, or use running water during a thunderstorm.

• Stayawayfromdownedpowerlinesandavoidwalkingthroughfloodedareas.Assumeadownedwire is a live wire and report it to us at 1-800-999-2285.

• Makesurebackupgeneratorsarewellventilated,and never connect a generator to household wiring. Power from generators can back-feed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including co-op line workers making repairs.

• 82363003001We have served our local community since 1940, and safety

for our members is our No. 1 concern. To learn about our safety programs and tips, visit www.tcec.com.

Josh Thomas and Clint Nash, linemen

LocatedsomewhereinthisissueofTri-County Rural Livingisamemberaccountnumber.Lookcarefully; it might be yours! If you do find your account number exactly as it appears on your bill for electric service, your account will be credited in the amount of $150! You have until June 27, 2015, to claimyourcreditbycallingCarolTimmonsat(850)973-2285,Ext.203,from8:00a.m.–5:00p.m.,Monday–Friday.YoumustcontacttheTCECrepresentativebeforethedeadlinetocollecttheprize!

Congratulations to Doris Everett of Pinetta, Fla., who was last issue’s winner.* Total credit on bill will not exceed $150.00. This one-time credit valid only on the current balance. Any balance remaining after the $150.00 applied credit is the member’s responsibility.

Your Account Number=a Credit on Your Light Bill!

4 May & June 2015

longtime cooperative employee retires after

20 years of serviceMichael Downing, System Operator, retired from TCEC on

Feb. 13, 2015. Michael’s career with Tri-County Electric began on Sept. 1,

1994. He was first hired as a mechanic and later served as a system operator for the Cooperative.

OnbehalfoftheBoardofTrusteesandemployeesofTCEC,we offer our congratulations to Michael on his achievements through the years and wish him much success in his retirement. Thank you, Michael, for your service to the Cooperative.

stay connected by updating your contact information

In the utility business, we know rough weather will occur, and sometimes power outages simply can’t be avoided.

Butdidyouknowtherearestepsyoucantaketoensureyourelectricityisrestoredasquicklyandsafelyaspossible?Bykeepingyour contact information up to date, you can take full advantage of the services Tri-County Electric offers.

Rememberwhenyouhadtospeaktoacustomerservicerepresentative in order to report a power outage? Waiting on hold could be frustrating and time consuming. Today, with the press of a button, you can easily report an outage. At TCEC, we use the phone number you provide to link your service address to our outage management system. For example, if you call us to report anoutage,ourautomatedsysteminstantlyrecognizesyourphonenumber and can determine the particular service address from which you are reporting an outage. Once you give our system a response,youroutageisreported.It’sthatsimple!Butremember:This only works if your current phone number is linked to your service address.

Updating your contact information is helpful because it also speeds up the power restoration process. With correct

information, our outage management system can predict the location and the possible cause of an outage, making it easier for our crews to correct the problem.

Visit www.tcec.com or call 1-800-999-2285, and make sure you’re up to date.

We are pleased to announce the March 21, 2015, marriage of Brooke Williams and Trey Barrs, Staking Technician for

Tri-County Electric. TCEC congratulates the happy couple on their wedding and wishes them a lifetime of happiness.

congratulations to mr. and mrs. trey barrs

Amy Straka, Lead System Operator, and Marvin Johnston, System Operator

May & June 2015 5

6 May & June 2015

As a member of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, you are entitled to a portion of any profit made by the company. FollowingapprovalbytheCooperative’sBoardofTrustees,patronage capital refund checks for a percentage of allocation accrued from 1987 and 1988 were mailed in December 2014.

We make every effort to ensure you receive the patronage capital that is rightfully yours. To accomplish this, it is very

important for us to have your current mailing address. Many patronage capital checks have been returned to us

marked as undeliverable. To help you determine if you are entitled to one of these

unclaimed checks, a listing is included below. If you see your name, please call us at 1-800-999-2285, Ext. 203 to claim your check.

UNCLAIMED CAPITAL CREDIT PAYMENTSAcree, Russell Adams, Chris Adams, Samuel Adamson, Frazier Adderley, James Adleburg, Jack c/o Linda Smith Albritton, Gary Albritton, Michael Alexander, Leroy Alexander, Jr., NathanielAnderson, C. F. Anderson, Edward Anderson Group Contract Angelmyer, Darlene Arthur, George (Kaub Boat HSE

Pkg & Lou) Arundel, Sherry Bailey, AltonBailey, James Bailey, Morgan Bajalia, Mike I. Baker, Billy Baker, LindaBancalari, GeneBarfield, Toni K. Barnett, Tommy J. Bass, Sally T. Basse, LutherBeach, AngelaBeagent, RussellBell, Bradford W. Bell, ScottBenedict, Daniel Bentley, Charles Big Bend Outreach, Inc.Binkley, Jerry K. & Jean M. Bishop, Burton Bishop, Rex CBlack, W. E. Blackman, Mavis Blackshear, Janet Blair, Rex Bone, Omer

Boozer, Wilson Boule, David Bragg, Genie Brannen, Jody Bridges, LoreneBrooks, Frances Broom, Lawrence Brown, Linda Bryan, Reina Bryant, Johnny Bryant, Larry Bucher, Francois Buckhalter, Bumgarner, Tammy Brunham, Larry Bush, Evelyn Cabbage Grove Mining Co. Cagles Farms, Inc. Cannon, Dianne Cannone, Mary c/o John Alford Carden, Millard Carlton, Donna Carroll, Deborah Carruth, R. W. Carter, Brad Carter, James Cassidy, Joanne Cawood, Dale Cherry, Katherine Chewning, Jamie Clark, Regina Clark, W. C. Claverie, J. Lincoln Coblentz, Ben & Rose Cochran, John L. & Audrey Collins, Brian Collins, Chris Collins, Henry Collins, Leslie Colston & Stewart Combee, Wayne Congdon, Lavonne Connell, Mary Ellen L.

Corbin, Teresa Courtney, Tom Cox, Chester Crain, LindaCramer, J. J. Crawford, R. S. Crowder, Timothy Cullen, Frances Curtis, Betty Cuyler, Semore & Willie Davis, Alan L.Davis, Bill Davis, Dick Davis, Harvey Davis, William Day, Francis Deer Run Pub & Restaurant c/o

Armand & B. McKinney Dennis, Joel c/o Dave’s Truck

Stop Di Beradino, Louis Donaldson, Stan Dowdy, James Drake, Don Driggers, Windal Duke, Edwin Durbin, Donald C. Eades, Royce Eckdahl, Jack Eckert, Frank Edens, Keith Edmonston, Danny El Destino Plantation /

O’Conner Development Ellenburg, Paul Elsberry, Beth Ann Elsberry, Marvin Ennis Jr., Bob H. Erle, John T. Erley, Juanita Everett, CharlesFaircloth, James Faller, Elizabeth

Feacher, Ellen Fedrick, Leroy Fee, E. L. Feid, Don Fernandez, Demetrio A.Fiffie, Pamela FL Investors Mortg Flythe, Dale Forte, Charles R. Fountain, Luther Fowler, Hilton Freeman, Thomas Garner, Willie Gaston, Yeager c/o Cheryl

Gaston Gentle, Lillie Gentry, Frances Gerner, H. William Gerry E. H. – River Venture c/o

Pinckney Hill Pltn. Ghentt, Runett Gibbs, Juanita Gibson, Dave Ginger Pond Development Glass, William Gleason, Gary Glenn, Freddie Goodman, Bernice Gore, William Gray, Ralph Grossnickle, Aubrey Guenthner, Donald Haak, Dollie Hamby, Susan Hamilton, L. & D. Bo Hampton, Pauline Hancock, Daisy Handy, Philip Harden, Beverly Harden, Colon Harrington, Jerry Harris, Daniel Harris, Martha

$76,941.78 in unclaimed dollars.

6 May & June 2015

May & June 2015 7

Hartley, Theresa Hassell, Marvin Haston, Gerald Hatcher, Hershel J. Hawkins, Karen Haynes, Alvin Hendrix, Harvey Hendry, Alton N. Hester, Rossell A. Hickox, Daniel Hickox, Richard Hill, Donald Hill, Gerald Hill, John Hilson, Rhonda Hilson, Sheila Holmes, Elizabeth c/o Robbie

Tootle Hooppell, Steven Hughes, Ricky c/o Lad Dairy

Farms Hull, Chuck Humphrey, Mike S. Hunter, Martha Hurst, Don & Melissa Huston, Michael Jackson, Wanda Jenkins, William Jennings, Tom Jernigan, Harold Jewell, Laura Johns, Ray Don Johnson, Barney Johnson, C. J. Johnson, Deborah Johnson, Joseph H. Johnson, Paul Joiner, Bobby Jones, Carmen Jones, Drew Jones Jr., J. D. Jones, Kathleen Jones, Thomas Joseph, Nancy c/o Rosa Brown Joyce, James Karsmizki, Pamela Kaub, George Kaub, LaniKeeling, Robert Charles Keller, Frank Kelly, David L. Kelly, Doris A. Kemuel, Allen Kerns, Merlin

Kinard, Dale King, Catherine Kleber, Leon Kling, Wayne Knight, Patsy Koon, Cleason Koon, Sheila Krystofik, Dawn Lancaster, L. F. Lane, Thomas Laplante, Richard Larry, Debra Latch, Mark H. & Birkitt, Bev Latner, LynnLawrence, Hilbert Lawson, Carmen Ledford Jr., Tommy L. Ledger, Robert Lee, Ronnie Lewis, Linda Littlefield, Russell Littlepage, Scott Livolsi, Mark Loper, William B. Lott, Jo Ann Lott, Juland Lough, Myron Lucas, Robert Lynn, Debbie Maddox Auto Sales c/o Wayne

Maddox Maddox, Christine Mallick, John Mangum, Gary H. Marshall, Donald Martin, Kenneth Martinez, Tranquilino Marushia, Teresa c/o Doris Davis Maryland Assemblies, Inc. Masingale, TomMassey, Jan Mather, Denise McAdams, Martin McCann, Nessan McCarley, Blanche McClamma, Austin McClendon, Ruth McCray, Gloria McCoy, Teresa c/o Phillip MannMcDonald, Tracy E. McDaniel, Melanie McIntyre, Lois McKenna, Lawrence McLeod, James

McPherson, Barbara McRae, David Meeks, Elizabeth & Donald Melear, Mark Merrill, Carolyn Merry, Joann Miller, David Miller, Jeanett Miller, Ray Mitchell, Pearl Mock, Jim Mock, Wayne Modert, Clyde Moore, Donald Morgan, Curtis Morgan, Joyce Morris, Doshie c/o Raymond R.

Morris, Sr. Morrison, Tammy Moses, James & Bettye Murray, Curtis Murray, Flavius Nelson, Irene Nichols, Danny Nichols, Virginia Oates, Kathryn O’Connor, Gary Oeth, Norman Omans, Bobby Ooley, Randall O’Steen, Nathaniel Padgett, Billie Padgett, Thelma Parker, Donna B. Parker, G. W. Parrish, Kay L. or Ella Mae Patterson, Emma or Calvin Patterson, Ray Pauley, Don Payne, Mark Payne, Raymond Penley, Tommy Penny, Julian Pike, John c/o Kathleen Pike Pionessa, Thomas Powell, Donald Pritchard, John A. Pumphrey, Sidney Quail Valley c/o Van Collins Quinn, Johnny Ray Ramsay, Edwin Reams, Robert Register, Herbert Rhodes, Jack

Richardson, Frank Richardson, Patricia Richbourg, Jeffrey Brian Riggins, David Roberson, Earnest c/o Herman

English Roberts, Estella Roberts, Kathleen Roberts, Mark Robidoux, Ann Robinson, F. L. c/o Pauline

Williams Roderick, Ron Rogers, Dale or Tracy Ross, Wesley Roth, Ronald Rowe, Sylvia Rowell, Mike & ReneeSadler, Betty Sadler, William C. Sammons, William Sagonia, John Scherwinski, Harry Schmitt, Chris Seabolt, Verner Seese, Raymond Shaffer, James & Tammy Sharpe, Louise Shelnutt, Daniel Sherman, Gary & Sue Conte Sherrill, Carole Shiver, BruceShiver, Robin C. Simmons, Wavery Simon, John Simpson, Bobby Skinner, Oneta Slater, Iva M. Smen, Gregory Smith, Edward Smith Sr., J. B. Smith, Miles Smith, Neal Smith, Ronald Smyrnios, Karen Sneed, David Snyder, Gale Sojack, B. R. Solomon, Kelvin Southeast Bank of Perry Snell, William Sprenger, Bryan

could some of this be yours?

Continued onNext Page

May & June 2015 7

8 May & June 2015

CALLDIGBEFORE YOU

ALWAYS

One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked

AND helps protect you from injury and expense.

Know what’s below. Always call 811 before you dig.

Visit call811.com for more information.

INSERT CALL CENTERLOGO HERE

Spy Town Farms Steinmeyer, Red Stephens, Loretta Stevens, Paul A. c/o A & A

Salvage St. Luke Church c/o Mary A.

Jackson Straughter, Billy Sturdivant, Sharlen Sutton, Stephen Swan, Abe Swan, Lyn Swilley, John Tadlock, Ronald Talley, Virginia Tanner, William Tatum, Jean Taylor, Ronald K.

Taylor, Wyatt Thacker, Thomas Triple S. Kennels, Inc. c/o S. J.

Edwards, III Thomas, Allen Thomas, Grace Thome, Theodore Thominson, Sonny Thompson, Oscar Thompson, Tami Tomlin, BenTrudgeon, Michael Truelove, Hoyt Tucker, Mary C. Tuten, Amy Turlington, Oscar Tyson, Jay Usry, James T. Vann, Wesley Villar, Andres Wade, Ralph Wagner, Beverly

Wainwright, Ralph Walker, Herman c/o Alex D.

O’Quinn Walker, Linzy Wallen, Edward Wambolt, Michael Warf, Angela Warren, Tommy Watkins, Dana Watson, Beverly Watson, Collis Watson, Jerry Watson, Martha Weatherly, Lisa Weathers, Charles Welch, Cordie / Welch, L. B. Whitfield, Howard Whitehurst, Don Williams, Frank Williams, Jim Williams, Julius Williams, Lee

Williams, Marie Williams, Timothy Williamson, Kevin Willingham, Sammy Willoughby, J. R. Wilson, Albert Wilson, Annie Wilson, Davis Wilson, Eugene Wilson, Joe Wimberly, Sadie c/o C.

Thompson Wingler, Johnny Wingo, Louis Wood, Lucinda Wooley, Walter Woop-FM c/o Ed Winton Wryals, Charlie Yeatman, William R. Young, Gloria Zerbst, Bonnie

Unclaimed Capital Credit Payments Continued fromPrevious Page

CALLDIGBEFORE YOU

ALWAYS






CALLDIGBEFORE YOU

ALWAYS






CALLDIGBEFORE YOU

ALWAYS






Whether it’s a dreamed up deck addition or a landscaping masterpiece, summer weather is a great time for outdoor improvement plans to actually play out.

But if your planned projects include digging, like planting a tree or bringing in a backhoe for trench work, you’ll have to wait a few more days so the job can be done safely. Underground utilities, such as buried gas, water, and electric lines, can be a shovel thrust away from turning a summer project into a disaster.

To find out where utility lines run on your property, dial 811 from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging. Your call will be routed to a local “one call” center. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig and what type of work you will be doing, and affected local utilities will be notified.

In a few days, a locator will arrive to designate the

approximate location of any underground lines, pipes, and cables with flags or marking paint so you’ll know what’s below. Then the safe digging can begin.

Although light gardening typically doesn’t call for deep digging, other seemingly simple tasks like planting shrubs or installing a new mailbox post can damage utility lines. A severed line can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers, and potentially result in fines and repair costs.

Never assume the location or depth of underground utility lines. There’s no need; the 811 service is free, prevents the inconvenience of having utilities interrupted, and can help you avoid serious injury.

For more information about local services, visit www.call811.com.

May & June 2015 9

SummaryoftheBylawsofTri-CountyElectricCooperative,Inc.PertainingtoMembership,AnnualMeetings,BoardRepresentation,andQualification,Nomination,andElectiontotheBoardofTrusteesMEMBERSHIP 1. Any person, firm, association, corporation, or body politic or

subdivision thereof may become a member of the Cooperative by: a. filing a written application for membership; b. agreeing to purchase electrical energy from the Cooperative; c. agreeing to comply with and be bound by the Articles of

IncorporationandBylawsoftheCooperative,andanyrulesandregulationsadoptedbytheBoardofTrustees;and

d.payingthemembershipfeeprovidedbytheBylawsoftheCooperative,andbeingacceptedformembershipbytheBoardofTrustees or the members.

2.Nomembermayholdmorethanone(1)membershipintheCooperative, and no membership shall be transferrable.

3. A husband and wife may, if they desire, apply for a joint membership.

ANNUAL MEETINGS The Annual Meeting of the members of the Cooperative is held

on the third Saturday in September of each year, in either Madison, Jefferson or Taylor counties, Fla. The place at which an Annual Meeting is to be held is designated in the notice of such Annual Meeting given to the members of the Cooperative prior to each Annual Meeting.

BOARD REPRESENTATION1. The territory served by the Cooperative is divided into nine

(9)districts.Eachdistrictisrepresentedbyone(1)Trustee.TheTrusteesfromthenine(9)districtsconstitutetheBoardofTrusteesof the Cooperative.

2.TheBoardofTrusteesmanagesthebusinessandaffairsoftheCooperative.TheBoardofTrusteesexercisesallthepowersoftheCooperative except such powers as are conferred upon or reserved to the members by law, or the Articles of Incorporation or the BylawsoftheCooperative.

QUALIFICATIONS OR ELIGIBILITY TO SERVE AS A TRUSTEE

1. To serve as a Trustee of the Cooperative, a person must: a. be a natural person; b. not be a current employee;c. have been an employee in good standing at time

employment ended if a former employee with a minimum of three years since employment ended;

d. have been subjected to a criminal background check and credit check;

e. be a member in good standing of the Cooperative without any disconnections for non-payment of utility services within last five years;

f. be a bona fide full-time resident of the district the member plans to represent for at least 12 months preceding nomination;

g. have the capacity to enter into legally binding contracts; h. not have a financial interest in or relationship with an

outsideorganizationorindividualhavingbusinessdealingswiththe Cooperative if it would likely impair the ability of the trustee to serve the best interests of the Cooperative, and annually complete andsignaconflict-of-interestcertificationanddisclosureform;

i.notberelatedtoacurrentTrusteeasdefinedintheConflict

ofInterestBoardPolicy;j. not have been previously removed as a Trustee and must

not have resigned while a proceeding to remove the Trustee was pending;

k. not have been convicted of or have pleaded guilty to a felony or first degree misdemeanor;

l.attendatleasttwo-thirdsofallBoardmeetingseachyearwhile a Trustee.

NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCEDURES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

1. A person may be nominated as a candidate for Trustee at a District Meeting of the members of a district or at the Annual Meeting of the members of the Cooperative.

2.Notlessthanthirty(30)daysnormorethansixty(60)daysbefore any meeting of the members of the Cooperative at which Trustees are to be elected, a separate meeting of the members of each district comprising a part of the territory served by the Cooperative shall be called at a suitable place in each district for thepurposeofselectingtwo(2)personsascandidatesforTrusteeto represent the members located within such district. If more than one candidate is nominated, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared the official candidates of the district. The names of the candidates selected at the District Meeting as the official candidates for each district shall be placed in nomination for the office of Trustee of such district by the Secretary of the Cooperative at the next meeting of the members of the Cooperative at which Trustees are to be elected. At such meeting of the members, additional nominations for Trustee for aparticulardistrictmaybemadefromthefloor,providedthatthe person making such additional nomination must reside in the same voting district as the person whom the member desires to nominate as a candidate for Trustee; and provided further, that any member desiring to make an additional nomination for trustee fromthefloormust,atleastfifteen(15)dayspriortoanAnnualor Special Meeting of the members at which trustees are to be elected, file at the main headquarters building of the Cooperative in Madison County, Fla., with the Secretary of the Cooperative or a person designated in writing by the Secretary of the Cooperative, a written statement of the intention of such member to make such additionalnominationfromthefloorandlistinsuchwrittenstatementthenameofthememberhe/sheintendstonominatefromthefloor.

3. After all nominations are made, an election is held by printed or photocopied ballots, with the names of the candidates arranged by districts. Each member of the Cooperative present at the meetingisentitledtovoteforone(1)candidatefromthedistrictinwhich the member receives service.

a. No voting by mail or proxy is permitted.b.Eachmemberisentitledtoonlyone(1)vote.c.Forajointmembership(allowedonlyforahusbandand

wife),thevoteofeitherseparatelyorbothjointlyshallconstituteone(1)jointvote.

d. The candidate from each district receiving the highest number of votes is elected Trustee from such district.

10 May & June 2015

tri-county electric cooperative, inc.

board meeting notes -

march 9, 2015

With all trustees, key Cooperative personnel, guests, auditor and the attorney present, the regular

monthlymeetingoftheBoardofTrusteesofTri-CountyElectricCooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, March 9, 2015, in the Tri-County Electric headquarters office building located in Madison, Fla.ReportstotheBoardincludedthoseoftheSeminoleElectricCooperativeAssociationBoardMeeting,AuditCommittee,FinanceCommittee,PolicyCommittee,BuildingandLandCommittee,GeneralManagerandattorney.ActiontakenbytheBoardincludedthefollowing:approvaloftheMarch9,2015,BoardAgenda;theFeb.9,2015,BoardMeetingMinutes;andConsentAgendaitemsaswrittenandrecommendedbytheGeneralManagerwhichincludedtheWPCAforMarch2015asestablishedbyresolution;RUSForm7forJanuary2015;thelistofnewmembersforJan.26–Feb.15,2015;WorkandAccidentReportforJanuary2015alongwiththeSystemOutageReport.OtheractiontakenbytheBoardincludedthe following: acceptance of the 2014 audit and approval to engage theservicesofNichols,Cauley&Associates,LLCtoperformtheCooperative’sauditforanadditionalyear;authorizedtheBoardPresidentandSecretarytosignRUSCertificateofAuthoritytoGrantAccesstoDataandSecretary’sCertificate;authorizationfor the electric receivable accounts for the fourth quarter 2014, which appears to be uncollectible, for the appropriate accounting designation.OtheritemsreportedincludedNRECAAnnualMeetingheldFeb.22–25,2015;completionofinitialterritorialboundarydiscussions with Duke Energy; and discussion of Policy 528, “Social Media,”andPolicy503,“PersonalLeave.”TheattorneybriefedtheBoardontheSteinhatcheeAncientOakshearingandothermatters.

Malcolm V. Page Albert Thomas, Jr. President Secretary-Treasurer

tri-county electric

cooperative, inc.board meeting

notes - feb. 9, 2015

With eight trustees, key Cooperative personnel, guests and the attorney present, the regular

monthlymeetingoftheBoardofTrusteesofTri-CountyElectric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, in the Tri-County Electric headquarters office building locatedinMadison,Fla.ReportstotheBoardincludedthose of the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association BoardMeeting,FinanceCommittee,PolicyCommittee,BuildingandLandCommittee,GeneralManagerandattorney. The Policy Committee recommended and the BoardapprovedrevisedPolicy516,“EducationAssistanceProgram,”andrevisedPolicy527,“EmployeeBenefits,”andrevised Policy 602, “Medically Essential Accounts.” Action takenbytheBoardincludedthefollowing:approvaloftheFeb.9,2015,BoardAgenda;approvaloftheJan.12,2015,BoardMeetingminutes;ConsentAgendaitemsaswrittenandrecommendedbytheGeneralManagerwhichincludedthe WPCA for February 2015 as established by resolution; RUSForm7forDecember2014;thelistofnewmembersforDec.29,2014–Jan.25,2015;SafetyandAccidentReportforDecember2014alongwiththeSystemOutageReport.Otheritemsreportedincludedinspectionreporton the Madison communications tower; local economic developmentevents;theNRECAAnnualMeetinginOrlando, Fla., and a discussion of Policy 528, “Social Media.”TheattorneyupdatedtheBoardontheSteinhatcheeAncientOakscaseandpotentialDepartmentofRevenuerefund claims.

Malcolm V. Page Albert Thomas, Jr. President Secretary-Treasurer

BOARD MEETINGSThe regular monthly meeting of

theBoardofTrusteesofTri-CountyElectric Cooperative will be held the second Monday in each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West U.S. 90, approximately two (2)mileswestofthecityofMadison.

this publication’sInspirational Moment

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”

John 8:12 (NKJV)

May & June 2015 11

to report electrical problems or outages

please call:

850-973-2285 or

1-800-999-228524-HOUR SERVICE

THANK YOU

tri-county rural livingVol. XVIII No. V

May & June 2015TRI-COUNTY RURAL LIVING, the voice of your member-owned, taxpaying electric utility, is published bimonthly—more if necessary—through the auspices of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. as a service to its member-owners. Postage is paid at Blountstown, FL.

BOARD OF TRUSTEESJunior Smith

D-1Bobby Dodd

D-2Neal Brown

D-3George Webb

D-4Catherine Bethea

D-5Gary Fulford

Vice President, D-6Albert Thomas, Jr.

Secretary-Treasurer, D-7Malcolm V. Page

President, D-8Elmer Coker

D-9

EDITORIAL OFFICES2862 West US Hwy. 90

Madison,FL•(850)973-2285PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

Julius HackettGeneral ManagerEileen Herndon

Executive AssistantKaitlynn Passmore

Community Relations SpecialistMichael Curtis,

Madison Media GroupWriterSTAFF

Jeff BrewerManager – Engineering

Darrell TutenManager – OperationsWendell M. Williams

Manager – FinanceStephanie Carroll

Manager – Corporate Services

Send CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICES to:Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

2862 West US Hwy. 90Madison, FL 32340

Keep cool this summer! ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators are about 9–10 percent more energy efficient than models that meet the federal minimum energy efficiency standard.

Source: EnergyStar.gov

local.trusted.

serving you. As a co-op, Tri-County Electric has a special responsibility to support the areas in which our members live and work. From sponsoring local youth athletic teams to supporting new jobs and industry through our economic development efforts, we stand as a driving force in our community.

Halie Wetherington, granddaughter of Sharon Boothe, TCEC Fiscal Assistant.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc.2862 West US Hwy. 90Madison, FL 32340

Documents

Tri-County Electric Cooperative Newsletter