The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Clay Electric Co-operative, Inc. (CECI) was held at the Clay Electric Co-operative Headquarters, Flora, Ill., beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Trustees present were Bob Pierson, Neil Gould, Bill Croy, Frank Herman, Frank Czyzewski, Richard Rudolphi, Evan Smith, Kevin Logan and Josh Schnepper. Also present were Matt Conklin, CEO, and Attorney for the Board Tyra Cycholl. Auditor Earl Ridlen was present via conference call. The meeting was opened by Bob Pierson, who presided, and Neil Gould acted as secretary thereof.

The invocation was given by Matt Conklin and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following proceedings were had [all action being first duly moved and seconded, and all action taken being upon the unanimous vote of the Board or without dissenting vote of abstention unless otherwise stated]:

APPROVED, the Suggested Agenda.

HEARD, the Manager’s Report on Safety.

HEARD, the Auditor’s Report from Earl Ridlen. Thereafter, at 4:05 p.m., Earl Ridlen left the meeting.

APPROVED, the Auditor’s Report as presented.

REVIEWED, the Quarterly Safety Meeting held March 11, 2025.

REVIEWED, the Monday Morning Safety meeting held March 18, 2025.

APPROVED, the Consent Agenda including the following:

• APPROVED, the prior meeting minutes;
• APPROVED, (a) to admit to membership those applicants connected for service since the last such review by the board, and (b) cancel those former members shown on the Manager’s Report since the last such review by the Board, said members no longer taking service.

REVIEWED, the Consent Agenda including the following:

• REVIEWED, the Work Orders;
• REVIEWED, the Disbursements;
• REVIEWED, the Credit Card Statements;
• REVIEWED, the Attorney Retainer;
• REVIEWED, the Account Summary Report;
• REVIEWED, CFC Report from the Board;
• REVIEWED, CRC Report from the Board.

HEARD, an update on the Cost-of-Service Study.

REVIEWED, the Federated Cybersecurity update and Patronage Capital Check.

REVIEWED, the CRC member newsletter.

REVIEWED, the NRECA update.

HEARD, a report by Bob Pierson regarding SIPC.

HEARD, a report by Kevin Logan regarding the AIEC board meeting and reminder of AIEC Annual Meeting Voting Delegates.

DISCUSSED, upcoming Board Training and Events including:

• CFC Forum Registration;
• NRECA Legislative Conference;
• ACES Conference;
• AIEC Annual Meeting.

HEARD and APPROVED, a financial report by Matt Conklin as to the following:

• Monthly Reconciliation;
• SIPC Power Delivered in February 2025;
• February 2025 Cash Flow;
• Line Loss;
• February 2025 Form 7;
• February 2025 Balance Sheet.

REVIEWED, the Cybersecurity Report.

HEARD and APPROVED, the Manager’s Report by Matt Conklin on the following topics:

• Member Tree Discussion;
• NISC Patronage Capital Credit Check;
• Labor Negotiations;
• Operations Report;
• Communications Report including Youth to Washington;
• Upcoming meetings.

DISCUSSED, an issue with tree removal. 

APPROVED, compensation to the member with the tree removal issue. This was approved 8-1 with Richard Rudolphi voting no.

REVIEWED, the NISC Patronage Capital Credit Check.

WERE UPDATED, on Labor Negotiation. Matt Conklin will commence negotiations and bring specifics to the Labor Committee.

REVIEWED, the Operations Report.

REVIEWED, the Communications Report.

HEARD, five juniors went to Youth to Springfield Day.

APPROVED, sending Haven Cash and Brendan Landreth to Youth to Washington Tour.

WERE REMINDED, of upcoming meetings on April 28, 2025 at 7 p.m., May 27, 2025 at 7 p.m. (moved to Tuesday due to the holiday), June 23, 2025 at 7 p.m. and July 28, 2025 at 7 p.m.

DISCUSSED, retirement of employees and a succession plan to advertise for the position.

There being no further business to come before the Board, said meeting was declared adjourned at 5:25 p.m.