Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting - Sept. 28, 2026

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 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.

Trustees present were Bob Pierson, Neil Gould, Bill Croy, Frank Czyzewski, Richard Rudolphi, Evan Smith, Josh Schnepper and Frank Herman. Also present were Matt Conklin, CEO, and Attorney for the Board Tyra Cycholl. Kevin Logan joined the meeting via conference call at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was opened by Bob Pierson, who presided, and Neil Gould acted as secretary thereof.

The invocation was given by Richard Rudolph, 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]:

Motion by B. Croy seconded by E. Smith to approve the suggested Agenda as presented.

APPROVED, the Suggested Agenda.

HEARD, the Manager’s Report on Safety including:

  • The Quarterly Safety meeting held Sept. 9, 2026;
  • The Monthly Safety Report;
  • Monday Morning Safety meeting held Sept. 21, 2026.

Motion by N. Gould seconded by F. Herman to approve the consent Agenda as presented.

APPROVED, the Consent Agenda, including the following:

  • APPROVED, the organizational minutes, annual meeting minutes and 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, Federated Report from the Board.

HEARD and APPROVED, the retirement of member capital credits.

Motion by F. Czyzewski seconded by E. Smith to approve the IRS mileage rate as presented.

At 7:18 p.m., approved entering into Executive Session; motion by B. Croy seconded by J. Schnepper.

At 7:30 p.m., approved exiting Executive Session and returning to Regular Session; motion by B. Croy seconded by F. Herman.

DISCUSSED, the CEO employment.

On motion by N. Gould seconded by F. Herman,

APPROVED, the CEO salary per the resolution.

WERE UPDATED, on the UUS patronage capital credit.

WERE UPDATED, on the CRC patronage capital credit.

REVIEWED, the Federated update.

WERE UPDATED, on NRECA news from Jim Matheson.

HEARD, a report by Bob Pierson regarding SIPC.

There was no AIEC Board Meeting this month.

Motion by B. Croy seconded by F. Czyzewski to approve the financial report by Matt Conklin.

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

  • Monthly Reconciliation;
  • SIPC Power Delivered in August 2026;
  • August 2026 Cash Flow;
  • Line Loss;
  • August 2026 Form 7;
  • August 2026 Balance Sheet;

REVIEWED, the Cybersecurity Report by Matt Conklin, CEO.

Motion by E. Smith seconded by R. Rudolphi to approve the Manager’s Report by Matt Conklin.

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

  • Annual meeting update;
  • PCA projections;
  • CECI rate discussion;
  • Internet backup discussion;
  • Disbursement of Capital Credits;
  • Territory Discussion;
  • Operations Report;
  • Communications Report;
  • Upcoming meetings.

DISCUSSED, the Annual Meeting attendance and comments.

DISCUSSED, the PCA projections.

DISCUSSED, CECI rate increases.

WERE UPDATED, on possible internet backup suppliers.

DISCUSSED, updating the capital credit policy.

DISCUSSED, a territory issue with the City of Flora.

REVIEWED, the Operations Report.

REVIEWED, the Communications Report.

WERE REMINDED, of upcoming meetings on Oct. 26, 2026, at 7 p.m., Nov. 23, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., Dec. 21, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. with Christmas party to follow, and Jan. 25, 2027, at 3:30 p.m.

REVIEWED, a thank-you card from the Clay County CEO.

There being no further business to come before the Board, said meeting was declared adjourned at 8:35 p.m.