Amicalola EMC
2020 Annual Report
TELEPHONE NUMBERS TO CALL IN CASE OF POWER INTERRUPTIONS:
Cover photo by Amicalola EMC
employee Donna Gaddis. Charles R. Fendley, Chairman
uring 2020, Amicalola EMC celebrated 80 years of lighting the way for rural north Georgia. The rural pio- neers who worked to create Amicalola EMC so many years ago are gone, but their legacy lives on every time you flip a switch. They had a vision—to improve the quality of life for farmers and rural residents—and they worked hard to make that vision a reality.
Eighty years later, the cooperative they worked so hard to build is thriving, and
Amicalola EMC continues to have a strong financial position.
Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic compelled us to make a few changes from our normal business practices. For the first time in the history of our cooperative, our offices were closed to the public. We continued to conduct business, but did so while complying with social distancing guidelines. Our annual meeting format was changed to a drive-thru style meeting. All facilities have since reopened.
In 2020, Amicalola EMC entered into a partnership with Ellijay Telephone Company (ETC) to bring greater access to broadband services to our service area. Our work continues to remove the barrier of limited access in certain areas.
Rates continue to be stable and low. Amicalola EMC members consistently pay less for electricity than the average Georgia resident.
The addition of automated distribution equipment is minimizing service interruptions for our members. This project is ongoing and will continue to improve system reliability as more equipment goes on-line.
The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) was introduced to our members. Created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, RESP was established to help rural families and small businesses lower their energy use and thereby their electric bills.
Capital credit refunds continued for our members and in 2020, our board of directors authorized a $1.9 million general refund of capital credits for members who had service dur- ing the year 2001. In accordance with Georgia’s unclaimed property laws, unclaimed capital credits totaling $390,000 were awarded locally for education, economic development projects and local nonprofits, which included $137,000 in college scholarships for high school students and $50,000 in Bright Ideas teacher grants.
Are you rounding up? Our Operation Round Up program has awarded $2.4 million to qualifying individuals and 501(c)(3) nonprofits for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, health needs and education. If you are not rounding up, please earmark your spare change to the Operation Round Up program by calling 706-253-5200.
Directors Charles R. Fendley (Post #3, Pickens), John H. Bennett, Jr. (Post #6, Cherokee) and Randall Ponder (Post #1, Gilmer/Murray) were reelected at the 79th annual meeting in October 2020.
We are now making plans for the 2021 annual meeting of the membership to be held on Saturday, Oct. 2. Registration for the meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m., entertainment will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and the business meeting will begin shortly thereafter. We hope to see you there.
Executive Report
Todd Payne, President/CEO
Todd Payne
President/CEO Charles R. Fendley Chairman
Amicalola EMC Annual Report
26BGeorgia Magazine September 2021
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Todd Payne, President/CEO Board of Directors
Charles R. Fendley, Chairman. . . .Post #3 John H. Bennett, Jr., Vice Chairman . .Post #6 Randall Ponder, Sec.-Treas. . . . .Post #1 James H. Bryan . . . .Post #4 Kathy Burt . . . .Post #7 Travis D. Cline . . . .Post #5 Edward Tucker . . . .Post #9 David J. Pierce . . . .Post #2 Reggie Stowers . . . .Post #8
Outage Hotlines 706-253-0359 706-276-0359 706-864-0359 Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation 544 Hwy. 515 South Jasper, GA 30143 Telephone: 706-253-5200 www.amicalolaemc.com Eastern District Office 150 Hwy. 52 W.
Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-7979
Northern District Office 150 Tabor Street Ellijay, GA 30540 706-276-2362
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays Beacon Editor:
Stacey Godfrey Fields, CCC Official Publication Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation 544 Highway 515 South Jasper, GA 30143
Amicalola EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
POST 2 – Fannin/Gilmer counties
David J. Pierce has served on Amicalola EMC’s Board of Directors since 1991. He has earned the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Director Certificate, NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate and the Board Leadership Certificate. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) in 2010. He also serves on the Georgia EMC Board of Directors. Pierce is a self-employed farmer and real estate developer. He and his wife, Jessie, live in Ellijay and have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
POST 5 – Cherokee County
Travis D. Cline has served on Amicalola EMC’s Board of Directors since 2003. He earned the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, the Board Leadership Certificate and the Director Gold Credential Certificate. Cline received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering technology and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kennesaw State University. He is employed as a Program Manager with Philips. He and his wife, Kelly, have two children.POST 8 – Dawson/Lumpkin Counties
Reggie Stowers has served on Amicalola EMC’s Board of Directors since 1993, and holds the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate. Stowers received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and a Master of Education degree from the University of Georgia. He is a retired teacher, following a 34-year career with the Dawson County Board of Education. He and his wife, Carolyn, live in Dawsonville and have two grown children.
CALL TO ORDER—Chairman Charles R. Fendley, having determined from the registration clerks that a quorum was present, called the 79th Annual Meeting of Members of Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation to order on October 3, 2020. The meeting was held at the headquarters facility in Jasper, Georgia. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, members remained in their vehicles for registration and for the meeting. Registrants listened to the meeting over an AM radio station.
INVOCATION—Reggie Stowers gave the invocation.
WELCOME—Chairman Fendley welcomed members and visitors on behalf of the Board of Directors.
BUSINESS SESSION—Attorney Phil M. Landrum, III, con- ducted the meeting.
NOTICE OF MEETING—Attorney Landrum, read the meeting notice and proof of mailing of the notice of the 2020 Annual Meeting.
MINUTES AND FINANCIAL REPORT—Attorney Landrum stated that the reading of the minutes of the 2019 Annual Meeting would be dispensed with unless called for since copies of the minutes and the Financial Report of the Cooperative as of the December 31, 2019 Audit had been forwarded to members as part of the official notice of the meeting. As there was no call for reading of the minutes, a motion was made, seconded, and carried that the minutes be approved as submitted. Accordingly, Attorney Landrum announced that the minutes of the 2019 Annual Meeting were approved as mailed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS—There was no new business.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT—Attorney Landrum recognized the Nominating Committee members who were present, and then read the report of the committee placing in nomination the following to serve as directors for
three-year terms ending at the Annual Meeting 2023: Randall Ponder, Post 1, Gilmer County and Murray County; Charles
Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation
Jasper, Georgia
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES October 3, 2020
Continued on page 26F
Board nominees Amicalola EMC Annual Report
26C Amicalola EMC Newsletter
Plant Investment (in dollars)
Balance Sheet Data
For years ended December 31
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Miles of Line
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
75,454,488 105,660,166 177,060,010 195,871,801 235,984,228
142,425,337
2020 2019
Utility Plant Electric Plant in Service–At Cost $ 233,944,830 $ 222,378,549 Construction Work in Progress 2,039,398 5,443,316235,984,228 227,821,865
Accumulated Provision for Depreciation (87,855,608 (85,149,006
148,128,620 142,672,859
Other Property, Investments and Restricted Funds
Investments and Restricted Funds 12,525,627 12,038,254 Current Assets 15,850,340 17,825,385 Deferred Debits 5,257,557 3,443,884
Total Assets $ 181,762,144 $ 175,980,382
Equities
Memberships $ 851,552 $ 827,294 Patronage Capital 70,162,152 68,488,981
Other 12,789,344 12,001,078
83,803,048 81,317,353
Long-term Debt 55,623,715 52,421,622 Post-retirement Benefits
Other Than Pensions - -
Current Liabilities 25,809,705 27,136,522 Deferred Credits 16,525,696 15,104,885 Total Equities and Liabilities $ 181,762,164 $ 175,980,382
) )
Amicalola EMC Annual Report
26D Georgia Magazine September 2021
3,627 4,290 4,996 5,489 5,568 5,769
REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2021 Annual Meeting will be held at the headquarters facility begin- ning at 11:30 a.m. The registration area will be marked.
VOTING
Voting by members will be in accordance with Bylaws of the cooperative.
In the event it is necessary that votes be counted by election tellers, only votes by regis- tered voting members will be counted.
Important information for Annual Meeting
Only members who are present may vote.
A qualified member is one who has paid a membership fee and signed an application for service. Only one vote for each member will be allowed. To vote for a church, club or other organization, bring the completed Letter of Authorization with you when registering.
SPECIAL SERVICES
Amicalola will provide special seating arrangements for the hearing impaired and the disabled. Members needing assistance
are asked to contact the headquarters office prior to the annual meeting.
PRIZES
At the time of registration, each voting member will be given a voting member identification sticker and prize stub.
Eligibility for ballot and prize stubs will be established from Board acceptance through Aug. 26, 2021. Winning prize stubs must be held by the person to whom it is issued.
Consumer Growth
General Service 8%
Large Commercial 7%
Other Income 4%
2020 2019
Interest on Debt 3%
Depreciation 8%
Operating Expenses 23%
Purchased Power 65%
Where It Goes Where It Comes From
Residential 79%
Operating Statistics
For years ended December 31
Notice of 2020 Capital Credit Assignments
2020 capital credit allocation based on patronage revenue of $86,768,198
Allocation Percentage
AEMC $ 5,804,317 0.066895 G&T 166,882 0.001923 Total $ 5,971,199 0.068818
To compute your capital credits, multiply the above percentage by the amount paid on energy and security lights during 2019. For assistance, call 706-253-5200.
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
kWh Sales (in hours)
26,037 34,272 42,239 45,682 47,249 51,432
The Co-op Dollar
Amount Percent Amount Percent Operating Revenues $ 90,007,128 100.00 $ 89,672,294 100.00%
Operating Expenses
Cost of Power $ 58,648,245 65.16 $ 58,677,125 65.44 Distribution Expenses 20,671,048 22.97 20,915,534 23.32 Depreciation 6,912,180 7.68 6,651,952 7.42 Interest Expense 2,515,360 2.79 3,279,249 3.66
88,746,833 98.60 89,523,860 99.83
Operating Margins 1,260,295 1.40 148,434 0.17
Other Revenue 3,360,899 3.73 3,127,613 3.49
Net Margins $ 4,621,194 5.13% $ 3,276,047 3.65%
%
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Amicalola EMC Annual Report
26E Amicalola EMC Newsletter
313,260,300 426,922,005 609,970,380 757,409,584 728,342,909 750,747,109
Margins 1%
Farm 2%
Fendley, Post 3, Pickens County; John H. Bennett, Post 6, Cherokee County and Bartow County. There were no nomi- nations by petition, and these directors were re-elected by acclamation.
ELECTION/CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE—Attorney Landrum then introduced the following who had been appointed to serve as the 2020 Election/Credentials Committee: Doug Caldwell, Carl Hill, Jr., Billy Edmondson, Grady Evans, and Clayton Vaughters.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT—Chairman Fendley announced that Amicalola EMC continues to refund capital credits to members. On September 1, 2020, capital credits were refunded to members with accounts in 2001. The refund totaled over $1.9 million. Amicalola EMC continues to sup- port the youth in our community. Last fall, 78 Bright Ideas grants were awarded to teachers for use in their classrooms.
Earlier this year, college scholarships totaling $137,000 were awarded to graduating seniors. He closed by thanking all in attendance.
CEO’S REPORT—CEO Payne welcomed everyone to the 79th Annual Meeting of Members of Amicalola EMC.
Although the pandemic brought many changes to our daily routine, Amicalola EMC continues to work hard to provide reliable electricity to its members. Rates have remained stable for over 12 years now, and this is a great accomplish- ment. Recently, Amicalola EMC announced the RESP Loan Program, which is a loan program that provides low interest money to qualifying members for energy efficiency invest- ments. The cooperative is working toward improving sys- tem reliability and reducing outage time for the members.
New devices focusing on the automation of the distribution system are currently being installed. Amicalola EMC con- tinues to work with GTC on two new substations in Gilmer County. One substation will be located on Highway 282 and another will be located in northern Gilmer County. Following concerns from the community, GTC is examining various routes for the transmission lines that will lead
to the substation in northern Gilmer County. CEO Payne con- cluded by thanking everyone for attending the meeting and for their patience during this difficult time.
RECOGNITION OF GUESTS—Chairman Fendley recognized all veterans who were present. Operation Round Up Trustees, retired employees and retired board members were also rec- ognized.
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS—Chairman Fendley announced the names of service award recipients for five, 10, 15, and 20 years of service. Edward Casey was recognized for 40 years of service. Mark Chadwick was recognized for 45 years of service. Arnold Payne was recognized for 50 years of service. Directors James Bryan, Kathy Burt and Randall Ponder were each recognized for 30 years of service.
DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES—Travis Cline drew the tickets for prizes provided by Amicalola EMC.
Being no further business, Chairman Fendley adjourned the meeting.
Randall Ponder, Secretary Charles R. Fendley, Chairman
Annual Meeting minutes,
Continued from page 26C
Amicalola EMC Annual Report
26F Georgia Magazine September 2021
LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION
For Churches, Clubs or Organizations at Annual Meeting
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Secretary of organization or other designated official) has been appointed to represent
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of church, club or other organization)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Address of church, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Account No.
as its voting delegate at Amicalola EMC’s Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Signature of Secretary of organization or other designated official)
Witnesses:
_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
(If you are to be the representative of your church, club, or other organization at the Annual Meeting, please have this form completed and bring it with you to the meeting.)
Amicalola EMC Annual Report
26G Amicalola EMC Newsletter
Glorybound to entertain at Annual Meeting
lorybound is a southern gos- pel group made up of Robert Reece—Bass, Gary Courington—
Baritone, Michael Cross—Lead, Stephen Evans—Tenor, Rick Sullins—Keyboard/Piano player and Bobby Roberts—Sound Engineer.
Glorybound sings in local churches almost every weekend and is involved in many other Christian philanthropic efforts including Glorybound Ministries Inc., a non- profit 501(c)(3) Georgia corporation, which provides funding for under- privileged children in Cherokee and Pickens counties through its White Christmas program.
G
Glorybound
The 2021 Annual Meeting of Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation will be held at the Amicalola EMC Headquarters Facility located at 544 Highway 515 South, Jasper, Pickens County, Georgia, on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, beginning at 1:30 p.m. to take action on matters listed below. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.
1. Reports and recommendations of officers and others.
2. Election of three Directors for three-year terms.
3. Handling such other items of business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Directors previously elected, but whose respective terms do not expire until the dates indicated are:
James H. Bryan (Post 4 – Pickens/Gordon counties) ...Term expires October 2022 Kathy Burt (Post 7 – Dawson/Forsyth counties) ...Term expires October 2022 Edward Tucker (Post 9 – Lumpkin County)...Term expires October 2022 John H. Bennett Jr. (Post 6 – Cherokee/Bartow counties) ...Term expires October 2023 Charles R. Fendley (Post 3 – Pickens County) ...Term expires October 2023 Randall Ponder (Post 1 – Gilmer/Murray counties) ...Term expires October 2023 In connection with the election of three Directors, terms to expire October 2024, scheduled to be held at this meeting, the following members have accepted nominations for Directors made by the Committee on Nominations appointed by the Board of Directors of the cooperative pursuant to the Bylaws:
David J. Pierce (Post 2 – Gilmer/Fannin counties) Travis D. Cline (Post 5 – Cherokee County)
Reggie Stowers (Post 8 – Dawson/Lumpkin counties)
RANDALL PONDER, SECRETARY
In the event the format of the Annual Meeting of the Amicalola EMC membership must change to comply with social distancing guidelines, the date and time of the meeting will remain the same. All decisions will be based upon the best interest of the health and safety of Amicalola EMC members and employees.
Official Notice of Annual Meeting of
Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation
Amicalola EMC Annual Report
26H Georgia Magazine September 2021
Program for Meeting October 2, 2021
• Registration begins 11:30 a.m.
• Entertainment 12:30–1:30 p.m.—Glorybound
• Call to Order 1:30 p.m.
• Invocation
• Welcome
• Determination of Quorum
• Reading of Notice of Meeting
• Minutes of Previous Meeting
• Unfinished Business
• New Business
• Reports of Officers, Directors, Committees
• Adjourn
