The 78th annual meeting of Co-Mo Electric Cooperative, Inc. drew 1,500 people from the Co-Mo country for 2017, was held Thursday, June 1, in Tipton.
The children in attendance were able to have temporary tattoos, face painting, enjoy a bounce house, as well as visits with Buddy Bear, the cooperative's mascot. Various booths were setup inside for the adults. The dinner was catered by Lutz's BBQ. The Ben Van Dyke Band provided entertainment during the meal.
Some took part in additional entertainment, as a number of those present went up in Co-Mo Electric cherry pickers to take a higher altitude view of the area and people.
One of the organization's seven founding principles was on full display, as members exercised their democratic member control by taking part in the election of directors. Rick Everhart Sr. (District One, Stover) Rick Purdon (District Two, Laurie) and Craig Allee (District Three, California) were re-elected to the board. At the re-organizational session after the meeting, for the third year in a row, Gene Eulinger was named board president. Gary Harris will continue to serve as vice president. Rick Everhart, Sr. will continue as secretary and treasurer.
Co-Mo Electric Cooperative General Manager and CEO Ken Johnson, covering many topics in his address to the crowd. He noted that the cooperative is in strong financial condition, indicated by last year's retirement of $2 million in capital credits. This money goes back to the members who used Co-Mo's electricity. He also spoke about safety, reliability and power production.
Johnson thanked members for going to the polls in November. He noted that the new presidential administration has said the war on fossil fuels has ended, therefore making it easier to keep electric rates stable.
His presentation also hit on the co-op's fiber project. He shared with the crowd that Co-Mo has reached almost 15,000 subscribers in all. He informed the audience that mainline fiber construction is complete and all of Co-Mo's members have access to fiber.
"The fact that we had so many members come out for the annual meeting makes us happy," Johnson said. "It means that we have an engaged membership, a membership that cares about their electric cooperative."
During the meeting, Pastor Nick Stutesman and Judge Peggy Richardson were honored for their service to the Co-Mo Cares Trust Board, by presentation with a board resolution.
Co-Mo's service area comprises approximately 2,300 square miles in Central Missouri. Co-Mo exists to fulfill its members' needs for superior electric and related services at fair and reasonable prices and support its communities through economic, civic and educational opportunities.