Annual Meeting

WVEC 69th Annual Membership Meeting

Saturday March 20, 2010 was the date for the 69th Annual Membership meeting of the Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative (WVEC). 420 members and guests were served lunch prior to the meeting and were entertained with classical country music by the Pure Country Band. The meeting was called to order at 1 p.m. by the Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative’s President, Gene Boerger, with 221 voting members present.

Reports were presented by Gene Boerger, Dave Behrns, Secretary, Bill Tostenson, Treasurer. Steve Ahles, General Manager, gave the members a financial overview of the past year and reported on the Cooperative’s future goals. Bob Gale, East River Electric Power Cooperative, presented the members a video highlighting Basin Electric Power Cooperative and East River Electric Cooperative projects.

Ahles reported 25 miles of line were replaced including 15 lines of overhead that were replaced with underground wire. Ahles reported the installation of the Automated Meter Reading technology is nearly complete. During the storm, the capabilities of the system were extremely valuable. WVEC was able to collect data on outage locations and determine the presence of power in others. The system can also generate more precise reports determining usage, record peak demand and voltage levels.

Ahles thanked several cooperatives for their generosity in providing time, equipment and manpower to aid the WVEC lineman in repairing approximately 250 broken poles and downed power line during the ice storms in early 2010.

Ahles reported that in 2009, WVEC sold 84 million kilowatts with December setting a record for being the biggest month for both demand and energy sales in WVEC history.

WVEC increased rates in 2010 as a result of the rising cost of power to the cooperative. According to the rate study conducted by Power Systems Engineering Co., over the next 5 years, WVEC will need to raise rates approximately 4% each year to continue to meet the minimum requirements of the cost of operations.

Other discussion topics included the proposed Energy Bill, and the effects it will have on the future of energy costs. Ahles urged members to visit the Our Energy Our Future website at www.ourenergy.coop to learn more and take action.

The Washington, D.C. Youth Tour, scheduled for June 10-17, was awarded to Aspen Hopkins, daughter of Trina and Frank Remington.

The ND Bismarck Youth Excursion, scheduled for July 20-22, was awarded to Eric Hansen, Milbank, son of Stephanie and Roger Hansen, and Marissa Ebben, Wilmot, daughter of Tammy and Dave Ebben.

The $1000 Basin Scholarship was awarded to Jeffrey Trapp, Milbank, son of Janet and Larry Trapp.

In the Director Election, Don Devoe and Arnie Hunt ran unopposed and were approved by a general consensus of the members. Harlan Loeschke and Jim Mertens were competing to represent District 7. Harlan Loeschke was re-elected to the board.

Steve Ahles recognized all of the cooperatives 20 employees for their dedicated service and teamwork. Years of Service Awards were presented to Jody Berg, 10 years; Mark Weber, 20 years; and Mark DeFea, 25 years.

Members were selected by a drawing to attend the Cooperative’s Annual Bus Tour to the Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s energy facilities near Beulah, ND. The free tour is planned for June 3-4, 2010. Tour winners are: Roger Christofferson, Wilmot, Harvey Wellnitz, Revillo, Kent Smith, Montevideo, MN, Mark Mueller, Big Stone City, Alan Schneck, Milbank, Bonnie Henderson, Minneapolis, MN, Joe Weinacht, Dell Rapids, Delton Hanson, Big Stone City, Ethan Fish, Milbank, Floyd Hermans, Milbank, Darwin Dockter, Twin Brooks, Wallace Hamman, Milbank, Arlo Christians, Twin Brooks, Eric Anderson, Milbank, Bill Dinter, Milbank, Lowell Christensen, Milbank, Mike Krakow, Labolt, Danny Mikkelson, Milbank, James Hicks, Wilmot, Mary Ruhr, Strandburg, and Kevin Ammann, Corona.

Many other door prizes were also given.