The Annual Meeting is not only a chance to visit with other members of our co-op community – it’s also a great opportunity to learn about co-op news and events, get to know your co-op staff, and vote in-person for the Director Elections. Our annual meeting makes it possible for us to gather feedback from you by providing a forum where you can let us know how we can better serve you, our member-owners.
The Annual Meeting for Oakdale Electric Cooperative (OEC) was held on Saturday, April 27, at Tomah Recreation Park. By 9 a.m., 119 members were registered with 213 total attendees.
General Manager & CEO Chris Tackmann reported on the two solar gardens constructed in 2023 that have a combined total output of 4.5 megawatts (MW) and can provide energy to approximately 1,000 homes each year. Plans are in place to add another 4.5 MW of solar in 2025 or early 2026. To improve power reliability, Tackmann explained the 2024 capital budget to include the construction of three new substations in the Castle Rock, Oakdale, and Armenia areas.
Operation Round Up raised more than $80,000 in 2023, with 16,688 participating member accounts. It is projected that more than $100,000 will be raised in 2024 and donated back to community groups and organizations.
Although OEC does everything in its power to keep cost and electric rates down, Tackmann explained there is a possibility of a rate change later in the year. Members will be notified prior to any changes to the rate structure.
Tackmann added that $1.2 million will be going back to the membership in the October timeframe this year. The floor was opened up for member comments and questions. Tackmann outlined unanswered questions in his column in the June Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News.
Cooperative members had three voting options to vote by mail-in, electronic, or in-person for a little over 1,300 ballots cast in the uncontested director election. District #2 James Van Wychen, District #4 Richard Barrett, and District #5 Martin Potter were all reelected to the board of directors.
Two bylaw changes were passed. The first amendment changed the number of members required to sign a nomination petition for a candidate for a director position from fifteen (15) to ten (10) members.
The second amendment will create a quicker/expedited voting procedure when one of the elections for a director position is uncontested (i.e. only one person has been nominated at the time of voting).
Special guests in attendance were OEC’s attorney John Behling; Wisconsin State Representative Nancy Vandermeer; and Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association representative Dana Kelroy.
At the reorganizational meeting, all officer positions remained unchanged. They are as follows: board chairman, Richard Barrett; vice chairman, Gregory Eirschele; secretary, Jonathan Williams; treasurer, James Van Wychen; assistant secretary, Deana Protz; DPC director, Robert Hess; and alternate DPC director – Richard Barrett.
Co-op Cash cards were drawn in place of bill credits and those winners are: ($250) Kris F., ($100) Les H., Sue P., Arden E., Duane W., and Sandra B.
Two bird houses made by OEC member and retiree Dan Hoag, and those winners were Nana G. and Joan H.
Two maple trees were drawn, and those winners were Steven S. and Sandra J.
An additional game was incorporated prior to the business meeting called the EV & Ice Cream to go for a drive in one of OEC’s electric vehicles and have ice cream on the co-op. The winners were Karen A., Tim J., and Don S.
Refreshments and donuts were served prior to the meeting. Following the business meeting, members were given a $10 Kwik Trip grocery card and homemade cookie from Cranberry Country Market.