Jeff Keay

The board meeting agenda covered a wide range of operational and strategic topics. Key discussions included a strategic overview of the IT department and Artificial Intelligence integration, review of financial and statistical reports, and updates on the PNGC project and various cooperative business matters such as 401(k) resolutions, the Fall River Energy Expo, and annual meeting preparations. The agenda also included reports on legal counsel appraisals, public power comments regarding litigation, and various facilities and infrastructure updates, including substation and hydro facility reports. An executive session was scheduled to address personnel, confidential business, and legal updates.

The agenda for this Regular Board Meeting includes preliminary call to order and determination of quorum. Key action items involve the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda, which covers expense vouchers, new memberships, purchase of power agreements, check reports, safety reports, and early retirement of patronage capital. Discussions are scheduled with the PNGC CEO regarding energy projects and PSAs. Financial and statistical reports for December 31, 2025, are pending email completion. Cooperative business discussions focus on COSA and Rate Design options, Annual Meeting preparations (including the nominating committee list, marketing plan, and bylaw changes for the ballot), ICUA Legislative Conference reports, NRTC Voting Delegate matters, PAC contributions, pre-audit conference call review, and facilities reports and next steps. Management discussion items cover 2025 accomplishments, 2025 workplan updates, inspection reports, internal audits (fuel card and clothing allowance), NRECA CEO Conference presentation, NISC conversion update, the 2025 Stuff the Trailer Food Drive, updates on 2026 scholarship applications, and Hydro Facilities updates. Reports will be heard from Board Committees and the Attorney. The meeting concludes with planning for the 2026 calendar.

The meeting commenced with patriotic ceremonies, including the posting of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a national anthem performance and an invocation. The board chair expressed humility in serving and discussed the cooperative's focus on proactive planning and stewardship. Key discussion points included the mission statement, emphasizing safe, economical, and reliable energy provision. Safety achievements, such as over 485,000 hours without lost-time incidents, were highlighted. Economically, the availability of cheap, carbon-free hydropower was noted, although rising demand, electrification trends, and resource cuts caused the first fee increase in 90 years. The value-added services, including the financial performance of the for-profit subsidiary Forer Propane, which contributed to a $1.5 million member rebate, and the support provided by the Helping Hands organization, were reviewed. Procedurally, a quorum was established based on over 150 ballots received for the election. The notice for the meeting was confirmed as mailed on May 9th, 2024, and the reading of the previous year's minutes (June 17th, 2023) was dispensed with by member vote. Information regarding the director nomination process, including the role of the nominating committee and vetting procedures, was provided, along with details of the candidates for contested and uncontested districts.

The Ad Hoc Member Committee meeting of Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. was convened to discuss potential by-law changes suggested by a member nominating committee. The suggestions included processes for pre-election or post-election runoffs and a requirement for board members to be US citizens. The committee discussed the scope, voting history, by-laws, and voting costs. The committee recommended maintaining the current nominating process as outlined in the Cooperative's By-laws.

The meeting addressed various topics, including the Columbia River System Operation (CRSO) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association (ICUA) Youth Rally, and the Teton Valley quarantine. There were discussions on the financial reports for February 2020, cooperative reports, and the economic impact of the pandemic. The board also reviewed the evaluation process for legal counsel, a formal board self-evaluation form, and proposed changes to the bylaws. Updates were provided on COVID-19, the annual meeting, the nominating committee, hydro operations, and the PNGC Board. The board also discussed scholarship and youth rally due dates.