Co-op year in review, fiber internet updates, and trustee election results announced
Paulding Putnam’s 90thAnnual Meeting of Members premiered on Facebook and YouTube at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026. More than 3,600 viewers tuned in to watch the meeting for co-op updates and a recap of 2025.
Board election results were announced, with each serving a three-year term. All three trustees were re-elected by affirmation, as no other candidates submitted petitions.
- District 1 (Marion, Madison, Monroe, Preble, and Union townships in Allen and Adams Counties, Indiana): Incumbent Joseph Kohnen was re-elected.
- District 6 (Auglaize, Brown, Latty, and Washington townships in Paulding County, Ohio; Defiance and Highland townships in Defiance County, Ohio): Incumbent Dr. John Saxton was re-elected.
- District 9 (Sugarcreek, Pleasant, Union, Ottawa, and Riley townships in Putnam County, Ohio): Incumbent Dr. Ronald Black was re-elected.
Board Chairman Adam Schnipke highlighted $4 million in electric system improvements completed in 2025, including rebuilding 20 miles of aging line, replacing poles, and strengthening infrastructure to enhance reliability. He also noted the co-op’s ongoing efforts to manage costs and protect members from market volatility.
Much of his report focused on the cooperative’s expanding fiber internet service, which is already making a meaningful impact across the service territory. He shared several testimonials from members, including remote worker Tammy Clark of Paulding, who called Paulding Putnam’s fiber internet a “gamechanger.” Tim and Robin Worline in Continental said their new internet plan gives them “10 times the speed for free compared to their old provider.”
“These connections are opening doors for remote work, education, and daily life,” Schnipke said. “For many of our members who were previously unserved or underserved, this is a transformation similar to when electricity first came to rural communities.”
He encouraged members to attend the 2026 Member Appreciation Day on July 25 at the Fort Wayne Zoo and for members of Paulding Putnam’s Political Action Committee to attend a legislative dinner with speakers on August 24 at the Wassenberg Art Center in Van Wert.
Secretary-Treasurer Tim Derck reported that the co-op remains financially strong despite ongoing industry challenges. Paulding Putnam recorded more than $50 million in electric sales in 2025, a 5% increase and the highest in the co-op’s history. Power supply costs totaled approximately $33 million, continuing to represent the largest expense for the organization.
Derck noted that material costs for essential equipment such as poles, wire, and transformers have risen significantly between 25% and 50%, requiring careful financial management and modest rate adjustments.
Key financial highlights included:
- A $6.50 per kWh increase in the large power demand charge
- A $3.50 increase to the monthly residential and general service charge
- Core residential rates remaining steady at 12.9 cents per kilowatt-hour
Despite these pressures, Paulding Putnam’s rates remain below the state average in both Ohio and Indiana.
“The typical member pays about $7 per day for electricity,” Derck said. “That’s a strong value for power your home and daily life.”
President and CEO Randy Price emphasized the cooperative’s forward-looking investments to support reliability, growth, and new opportunities across the region.
For 2026, Paulding Putnam is doubling its investments in the electric system, with $8.4 million budgeted for reliability upgrades. These improvements include enhanced system inspections, expanded vegetation management, and infrastructure upgrades like substation expansion to reduce outages and support future demand and capacity needs. Several large economic development projects were cited in both Paulding and Putnam counties, supporting the need for reliable electricity and fiber internet.
Price cited more than 500 miles of mainline fiber have already been constructed, with plans to exceed 1,500 miles. Service is now available in multiple communities, with continued expansion planned throughout 2026.
“The impact we’re seeing from remote work opportunities to improved access to healthcare and education is exactly why we’re making this investment,” Price said.
To check availability, members of the community are encouraged to visit www.fiber.PPEC.coop.
Marketing and Communications Manager Samantha Kuhn joined Price to draw the 2026 General Scholarship Winners, recognizing the exceptional students in our local communities. A total of $2,500 in general scholarships were awarded during the meeting.
The $250 general scholarship winners drawn were as follows:
- Owen Whitaker (Hoagland)
- Elizabeth Verhoff (Ottawa)
- Lane Rellinger (Cloverdale)
- Alana Branigan (New Haven)
- Beau Reyna (Ottawa)
- Emma Fuelling (Decatur)
- Landon Verhoff (Ottawa)
- David Westrick (Ottawa)
- Abigail Bullinger (Paulding)
- Landen Danberry (Paulding)
A total of $1,000 in bill credits were drawn at random from those members who watched the meeting and left a comment. The winners were as follows:
- Joyce Verhoff
- Sue Wagner
- Chad and Courtney Smith
$25 bill credit winners:
- Dallis Gibson
- Amy Miller Eickholt
- Myrna Hubbard
- Jill Patrick
- Brian Pertel
- Emma Recker
- Angie Fenton Gibson
- Tamera J. Bartz
- Krista Pierce
- Alan Tonya Gerschutz
- Kris Lantow
- Ruth Ann Ellerbrock
- Jan Bockrath Schroeder
- Alan Tonya Gerschutz
- Paula Meek
- Jeanne Wenzinger
- Sally Baumle
- Timothy Worline
- Dustin Jenna Miller
- Cierrah Glisson
- Andrew Allen
- Douglas & Michelle Lynne Kemerer
- Cheryl Troyer Mansfield
- Nikki Miller
- Donald H Schroeder
- Deb and Rick Carder
- Malinda Schmidt
- Gloria Gerig