Paulding Putnam's 88th Annual Meeting of Members premiered on Facebook and YouTube at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024. More than 2,500 viewers tuned in to watch the meeting over the weekend for co-op updates and a recap of 2023. This marks the highest viewership the co-op has seen for the annual meeting.
Board election results were announced by Paulding Putnam attorney Brian Gorrell, with each elected to serve a three-year term.
- Incumbent Tim Derck of Antwerp was re-elected to District 3 (represents Carryall, Crane, Benton, and Harrison townships in Paulding County, Ohio). No candidates submitted petitions to run against Derck, so he was re-elected by affirmation.
- Incumbent Ken Niese of Ottawa was re-elected to District 7 (represents Monroe, Palmer, Liberty, and Greensburg townships in Putnam County, Ohio). No candidates submitted petitions to run against Niese, so he was re-elected by affirmation.
- Incumbent Adam Schnipke of Fort Jennings was re-elected to District 8 (represents Perry, Jackson, Monterey, and Jennings townships in Putnam County, Ohio; Marion Township in Allen County, Ohio.) No candidates submitted petitions to run against Schnipke, so he was re-elected by affirmation.
Board Chairman Steve McMichael, Secretary-Treasurer Tim Derck, and President and CEO Randy Price reflected on 2023’s challenges and successes, highlighting how the cooperative provides “unmatched value” to its members.
“In 2023, power was available 99.99% of the time because we invest $3,000,000 to $4,000,000 each year in upgrades to our electric system, delivering unmatched power reliability,” said Board Chairman McMichael. “We also take immense pride in giving back locally and are committed to the communities we serve.”
Price discussed the upcoming rate adjustment, approved by the Paulding Putnam Board of Trustees, effective on the electric bills Paulding Putnam mails in May (due in June). Due to rising costs, the average residential Paulding Putnam member using 1,200 kilowatt-hours a month will see a monthly increase of $26.45. Some members may see more or less, depending on their rate, home, and energy usage. Here is the breakdown:
- The monthly service charge is increasing by $6.50 (from $35 to $41.50 per month). This covers the fixed costs Paulding Putnam has to ensure reliable power is available to you 24/7/365 through wires, poles, transformers, and other equipment, as well as maintenance, taxes, etc.
- The distribution energy charge (kWh charge) is increasing just over a ½¢ (from 1.9 cents to 2.5¢ per kWh). This is the cost to bring electricity from Paulding Putnam’s substations to your home.
- The Generation and Transmission Charge is increasing by 2.3¢ (from about 8.1¢ per kWh to about 10.4¢ per kWh). This covers costs associated with producing electricity and moving it from a generation facility to the distribution substation.
- The Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPCA) – which includes the fuel, transmission, and demand charges from Paulding Putnam’s wholesale power supplier – will be rolled into the generation and transmission charge, setting a new base moving forward.
“Transmission prices have increased significantly in recent years,” said Derck. “In the past, the cost of transmission has been roughly 10% of our purchased power bill. Now, this cost is over 24% and is expected to continue rising.”
Derck elaborated that since 2020, average equipment prices for everyday materials like wire, poles, and transformers are up 40 to 60%. “A 50 KVA padmount transformer alone has seen a 78% price increase during the last four-year construction work plan,” Derck said.
The co-op’s last rate increase was in 2018, meaning the upcoming increase averages out to 1.6% per year over that six-year timeframe. The average residential customer in Ohio pays 13.9¢ per kilowatt-hour, while the average Indiana customer pays 14.6¢. After Paulding Putnam’s rate adjustment, the average residential Paulding Putnam member will pay 12.9¢ per kilowatt-hour – still lower than the average in both Ohio and Indiana.
“We truly do empathize with members and have delayed this rate increase as long as possible to reduce the impact on you,” Price stated. “Our average member’s bill is less than $7 a day. Think of all the ways electricity improves your life… that’s a pretty good value.”
Price reminded members that Paulding Putnam operates at-cost and does not aim to make a profit.
“As a member-owned, not-for-profit co-op, maintaining dependable service at the most affordable price remains the cornerstone of our business model. This will never change,” Price said.
In 2023, McMichael reported that Paulding Putnam paid $2,500,000 back to 23,000+ current and former members via capital credits patronage – a perk of co-op membership.
McMichael shared the various ways members can save, including free home energy audits, rebates, and load management programs from Paulding Putnam. He also shared that the co-op will be introducing a new feature to SmartHub this spring called “Home Energy Analytics,” giving members appliance usage breakdowns and estimated bill projections to better help them control electric bills.
“This new savings feature is only available to SmartHub users, so please make sure to sign up,” he said. “We want to put the power to save in your hands, and empowering members has always been the co-op way.”
McMichael reported that due to member growth in Indiana, the board approved a re-districting initiative to allow for more equitable representation in each of the nine board districts. Scipio, Maumee, Jefferson, and Jackson townships in Allen County, Indiana, are moving from District 5 to District 3. Crane Township in Paulding County, Ohio, is moving from District 3 to District 4. All other districts will stay the same. Members can see their district listed at the top right of their electric bill.
Other 2023 highlights reported on included:
- More than 1,700 members, families and kids enjoyed Paulding Putnam’s 2023 carnival member appreciation day at the Paulding County Fairgrounds. Members were reminded to save the date for this year’s event on Aug. 3, 2024, at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo from 5 to 9 p.m.
- Paulding Putnam installed 202 new services and upgraded nearly 100, mainly due to growth on the west side of the co-op’s system around New Haven, Indiana. The co-op rebuilt 15 miles of old line, replaced over 300 poles, performed upgrades to seven substations, and installed over 2,000 advanced RF meters to give members more accurate energy usage data to track in SmartHub.
- Paulding Putnam was recognized with three national “Spotlight on Excellence” awards through NRECA for Member Appreciation Day (Best Event), their REA employee program, and a SmartHub marketing campaign.
- Last fall, the cooperative gave local legislators a tour of our Mone “peaking” gas plant in Convoy, Ohio, to educate them on how reliable electricity could be at risk due to dwindling baseload generation, increasing demand on the grid, and government energy policy.
- Paulding Putnam members have 2 new donation options for capital credits, meaning they can give their annual retirement to Operation Round Up for local groups who apply for specific charitable funding or to America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC to make their voice heard in the legislative world and help keep electricity reliable and affordable. Learn more or sign up online on our Capital Credits page.
A total of $1,000 in bill credits were drawn at random from those members who watched the meeting and left a comment. Winners were as follows:
$100 bill credit winners:
- Kevin James
- Christina Connors
- Jonathan & Janice Buuck
$25 bill credit winners:
- Beatrice Geise
- Karin Weible
- Carolyn Westrick
- Paul and Melanie Strack
- Audrey Reichert
- Brooke Sinn
- Denny Korney
- Gary Carolyn Oberhaus
- Julie Brown
- Joyce Ron Verhoff
- Steve Hoffman
- Heather Palmer
- Deb Sorg
- Mark Collins
- Lisa Horstman
- Carly Smith
- Kevin Kettels
- Linda Webster
- Richard Coffman
- Sarah Heier
- Martin Warner
- Janice Gfell
- Elizabeth Heimann
- Deanna Rorick
- Nathan and Jill Patrick
- Laine Erhart
- Todd Sinn
- Jim & Julie Martz
Those wanting more information can call the office at (800) 686-2357.
We’re giving away $1,000 in bill credits!*
Comment on any of the broadcast video streams starting at 10 am to be entered to win. It’s that easy!
Plus, hear co-op updates, projects, election results, and more, all from the comfort of your home!
*Paulding Putnam is giving away 3 $100 bill credits and more than 2 dozen $25 bill credits.
Timothy Derck of Antwerp
Ohio District 3: Uncontested
Paulding County (Ohio) Townships of Carryall, Crane, Harrison, and Benton
- Occupation: Grain farmer, insurance agent, and owner at Antwerp Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Years a PP member:37 years
- Spouse: Lisa
- Activities/memberships: Paulding County Farm Bureau, Antwerp Rotary Club, Divine Mercy Catholic Church, PAC member at Presidential Level, Board Gold Level Trustee-NRECA, Bowling Green State University Falcon Club Member (graduate), Upper Maumee Water Basin Board Member
- Hobbies and interests: Hunting, fishing, boating, farming, snowmobiling, and skiing. Father of three, grandfather of five. American dad to former foreign exchange students.
- Qualifications: Current PP Secretary/Treasurer and have served since 2003; completed trustee training up to Board Leadership Gold level. He believes his past 20 years of experience with PPEC is a great foundation to lead the co-op.
- Co-op challenges: Potentially restrictive regulations from the federal and state levels. With less electric generation capacity, the potential for rolling blackouts and brownouts is very real during high electricity consumption periods. Electric Vehicle implementation. Integration of renewable and distributive energies with fair pricing at the industrial and consumer levels.
- Focus: To safely provide members with quality electric service, sustainable energy solutions, and superior customer service at fair and reasonable price. A continued focus on ensuring members benefit from their patronage.
Kenneth Niese of Ottawa, Ohio
District 7: Uncontested
Putnam County (Ohio) Townships of Monroe, Palmer, Liberty, and Greensburg
- Occupation: Retired farmer
- Years a PP Member: 12 years
- Spouse: Marjorie
- Activities/Memberships: St. Nicholas Catholic Church (maintenance committee), Miller City Sportsman Club, Ottawa Knights of Columbus, former member of Miller City Fire Dept. and former director agent of Farmers Mutual Insurance. Graduate of Ohio State University.
- Hobbies and interests: Helping the community in various activities. He and his son farm 300 acres, and he enjoys attending his ten grandkids’ activities.
- Qualifications: 12 years of experience on the PP board, during which he has completed credentials for Cooperative Director classes, Board Leadership certificate training, and additional courses to stay current.
- Co-op challenges: Electric vehicles will have an impact on our system. Renewable energy continues to be a concern for PP and Buckeye Power, our energy supplier.
- Focus: PP has served its members for over 80 years. I want to ensure it is around for many more decades by making sound financial decisions while maintaining a solid infrastructure and focusing on service.
Adam Schnipke of Fort Jennings, Ohio
District 8: Uncontested
Putnam County (Ohio) Townships of Perry, Jackson, Jennings, Monterey; Marion township Allen County, Ohio
- Occupation: Self-employed contractor at Schnipke Contracting, LLC
- Years a PP Member: 19 years
- Spouse: Beth
- Activities/Memberships: Immaculate Conception Church, Ottoville Area Chamber of Commerce, Big Green Athletic Boosters, Kalida Fish and Game, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever.
- Hobbies and interests: Spending time with family, hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, and water and snow skiing.
- Qualifications: Has been a member of the PP board for the last 3 years with several trainings. He also served in many leadership roles on other committees and organizations. Owning and operating his own construction business, he has a strong understanding of how business works.
- Co-op challenges: The premature closing of baseload generation with inadequate replacement options. The continued threat on cyber security. Electric vehicles will affect the grid and load of our local system.
- Focus: Continue to send representatives to the state and federal levels and keep a balanced budget to allow for needed future maintenance and upgrades. Also, maintain and upgrade existing lines, equipment, and technologies.
