Rockwell City, IA 50579 • (712) 297-7112 • (800) 821-4879

Current ConneCtionwww.calhounrec.coop Calhoun County REC

April 2017

Calhoun County REC’s Solar ProjectAs part of our mission to provide affordable, reliable, and safe electric power to our members, Calhoun County

REC continues to embrace renewable energy. Over the past two years, staff and directors have been researching the feasibility of a solar demonstration project.

Last July the Board of Directors approved moving ahead with plans to install a 75-kilowatt (kW) solar array at the Cooperative’s headquarters in Rockwell City. The array will be connected to Calhoun County REC’s transmission system to deliver any energy produced directly to the power grid. Installation will begin mid-summer. 04C24JA

The solar project will provide the cooperative with opportunities to gain important knowledge and experience in this fast evolving technology. “We are doing this so we are informed, educated, and know the products our members are interested in,” said Roxanne Carisch, CEO. “We want to help our members make informed decisions in the future.”

The panels will be manufactured by Ten K Solar, a Minneapolis-based company that offers high-efficiency photovoltaic panels. Western Iowa Power Cooperative, headquartered in Denison, IA will install the panels.

Calhoun County REC will maintain and operate the solar project to track productivity. Watch for details on the solar project later this spring. Information will also be online at www.calhounrec.coop.

CEO Roxanne Carisch

REMINDER:The Calhoun County REC

Scholarship applications are due in the office on or before April 7th, 2017 by 4:30 p.m.

CEO ReportSystem Improvements Continue with 2017 Budget: With spring weather on the horizon your

line crew will soon begin construction work. Each year we evaluate what we have done well and what we could improve on to better serve our members. As part of our planning for each new year, we prepare a detailed work plan, capital construction budget and operating budget. Management reviews the proposed budget with the Board of Directors to get their input and approval. We prepare two annual budgets – an Operating Budget and a Capital Construction Budget. The Operating Budget includes detailed projections on revenues, expenses, margin levels and financial ratios. The Capital Budget includes system improvements, new services and the planned expenditures for new transformers and meters.

Rates: Another important part of our planning is ensuring our financial obligations and loan covenants will be met. Wholesale power makes up about 70 percent of Calhoun County REC’s total costs. As reported at our 80th Annual Meeting last Sept., our wholesale power provider Corn Belt Power (CB) experienced more than a 10 percent rate increase imposed by their primary power supplier, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, beginning Aug. 1, 2016. CB passed this increase through to their distribution cooperatives, including Calhoun County REC, beginning Nov. 1, 2016. So far, in 2017, we have been able to keep our current rate structure, which was implemented Jan. 1, 2015, unchanged and absorb this increase through the energy cost adjustment (ECA). We are currently working with a third party consultant on a Cost of Service Study to determine what the recommended rate adjustment should be to keep your Cooperative in sound financial condition.

In an environment of increasing costs, your Cooperative board and staff are committed to keeping rates as low as possible while providing members with safe, reliable electric service. Even though our wholesale electricity expenses continue to grow, we work hard to keep your bill as low as possible and to maintain a system that will provide you with the electricity you need now and into the future. We are here to serve you!

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Congratulations to the Basin $1,000 Scholarship Winner!

Calhoun County REC has chosen Katelyn Decker of Rockwell City as the recipient of the Basin Electric Power Cooperative $1,000 member scholarship. Katelyn is the daughter of Tom and Diane Decker. Katelyn will attend Iowa State University where she will study Agricultural Communications. 06C28IA

Congratulations Katelyn!!

Membership – Single or JointJoint memberships are allowed for Calhoun County REC member-

consumers according to provisions in the Articles of Incorporation. (Article V).Please read the following questions and answers to consider whether or

not you and your spouse should consider a joint membership.

1. What are the advantages of a joint membership?a. With a joint membership, either spouse is eligible to serve on the

Board of Directors or the Nominating Committee.

b. Either one or the other may vote at a Cooperative business meeting.

2. Does a joint membership entitle both the husband and wife a vote at a Cooperative business meeting?a. No. A membership, whether single or joint, has one vote. Either

spouse may cast the vote, but the joint membership has only one vote.

3. What happens to the patronage dividends if either the husband or wife dies with a joint membership?a. If a husband and wife hold a joint membership and one dies, the

membership is considered to be held by the survivor. Ownership assignment of the patronage dividends is transferred to the surviving spouse.

b. In the case of a single membership, if the member dies, the surviving spouse must take out a new membership in his or her name. The patronage dividends are paid out to the deceased spouse’s estate and are not assigned to the surviving spouse’s new membership.

Forms to change your membership are available at the Calhoun County REC office or on-line at www.calhounrec.coop. Please call or write if you would like more information about memberships.

Thank you Linemen!Linemen serve on the frontlines of our nation’s energy needs, and on April 10, 2017, Calhoun County REC will

honor the men who work in challenging and often dangerous conditions to keep the lights on. We are proud to recognize all electric linemen for the services they perform around the clock in difficult

conditions to keep power flowing and protect the public’s safety.

“Linemen are the first responders of our electric cooperative, and they’re always ready to get the job done, day or night,” said Roxanne Carisch, CEO. “Whether they’re restoring power after a major storm or maintaining critical infrastructure to our electric system, our linemen are at the heart of everything we do.”

Calhoun County REC is proud to honor the seven linemen that maintain 758 miles of power lines in our service territory.

Calhoun County REC invites all co-op members to take a moment and thank a lineman for the work they do. On April 10, use #ThankALineman on social media to show your support for the men who light our lives.

Shown above are Calhoun County REC First Class Linemen.

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Spot Your number

* Location numbers are located on billing statements. *

Darwin Lake and Paul Wolf called in and received a $10 credit for spotting their location numbers in last month’s newsletter. Scott Dougherty missed his opportunity to receive a $10 electric bill credit.

Don’t forget to read the newsletter and check for your location number. If your location number is spotted, call Calhoun County REC by the 15th of the month and receive a $10 credit on your next electric bill.

Recipe of the MonthSweet, StiCkY and SpiCY

ChiCken

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:Mix Together brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and hot sauce in small bowl. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken strips. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat add chicken strips and brown on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Pour sauce over the chicken and simmer uncovered until the sauce thickens about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with vegetables or rice.

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves-cut into ½ inch strips

1 Tbl brown sugar2 Tbls honey¼ C soy sauce

Questions or ComplaintsThere may come a time when you have a question regarding your

electric service or billing. Maybe you have a complaint. If so, we would like to know. Please call or write us at your cooperative.

Calhoun County REC1015 TonawandaPO Box 312Rockwell City, IA 50579

If your complaint is related to the Calhoun County REC service rather than its rates, and Calhoun County REC does not resolve your complaint, you may request assistance from the Iowa Utilities Board by calling (515) 725-7321, or toll-free 1-877-565-4450, by writing to: 1375 E. Court Avenue, Room 69, Des Moines, IA 50319-0069, or by email to customer@iub.iowa.gov

Help us findCalhoun County REC is

holding unclaimed property resulting from a patronage dividend due to the persons listed below. The following people had electric service in 1999 and may claim this property by contacting us at 712-297-7112 or 800-821-4879. If deceased, we need the name and address of executor or nearest relative. 10C27JAGreif, Randy, Martelle, IALeGrand, Kevin, Peru, ILMcCreery, Aaron, Omaha, NEPeterson, Gregg, Callender, IASlotten, Mrs. Virgil, Callender, IASmith, Brian, Garnavillo, IAStokes, Neil or Patricia, Colorado

Springs, COStruska, Philip, Newell, IAWellman, John, Gowrie, IAWiggins, David, Sac City, IA

2 tsps chopped ginger root2 tsps chopped garlic2 Tbls hot saucesalt and pepper to taste

Touchstone Energy Co-op Values Integrity | Accountability | Innovation | Commitment to Community

Electric Heat RateThe electric heat rate ends

with energy used through April 30th and will reflect on your May bill. The electric heat rate will go from .053/kWh to .095/kWh.

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Calhoun County REC

-- Directors --Jim Miller, President FondaTerry Finley, V. President AuburnJason McKenney, Secretary SomersJohn Wahl, Treasurer Rockwell CityLaVerne Arndt Sac CityBeryl Birkland GowrieRon Hanson Pomeroy

-- Office Hours --Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Telephone: 712-297-7112 or

Toll Free: 800-821-4879Fax: 712-297-7211

e-mail:info@calhounrec.coopwww.calhounrec.coop

After 4:30 p.m. call 800-821-4879 or 712-297-7112

for outages and emergencies only.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

According to the Iowa Electric Safety Code found in Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 199 -- 25.2(3) b. An electric utility may refuse to provide electric service to any grain bin built near an existing electric line which does not provide the clearances required by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)C2-2012 “National Electrical Safety Code,” Rule 234F. This paragraph “b” shall apply only to grain bins loaded by portable augers, conveyors or elevators and built after September 9, 1992, or to grain bins loaded by permanently installed augers, conveyors, or elevator systems installed after December 24, 1997. (As adopted by the Iowa Utilities Board) Calhoun County REC and Corn Belt Power are required by the Iowa Utilities Board to provide this annual notice to farmers, farm lenders, grain bin merchants, and city and county zoning officials. If you have any questions concerning clearance regulations, please call Calhoun County REC.