BASTROP — About 450 Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members and guests filled The Silos on 77 event center in Giddings on May 9, for the co-op's Annual Meeting.
Those at the meeting enjoyed live music, received reports highlighting Bluebonnet's successes during 2022 and early 2023, re-elected four incumbent directors and took home 40 door prizes.
Board Chairman Ben Flencher opened the business portion of the meeting by thanking Bluebonnet's members for their support during the cooperative's 83 years. Flencher told the meeting's attendees that the cooperative's directors represent Bluebonnet's members so well because they know them from church, school, work, sports leagues and other civic activities.
"Because we have those relationships, every action that we take, every decision that we make, every vote that we cast is done with your best interests first and foremost," Flencher said.
Three incumbent directors in this year's board election were unopposed and elected by general consent in accordance with Bluebonnet's bylaws: Roderick Emanuel, District 3, Bastrop County; Russell Jurk, District 4, Lee, Milam and Williamson counties; and Byron Balke, District 6, Austin, Colorado and Fayette counties. Incumbent Director Robert Mikeska, District 7, Washington County, defeated challenger Richard Lamensky, 5,095 votes to 658.
Bluebonnet is a member- owned electric cooperative governed by a nine-member board. Bluebonnet's members elect their directors, who serve staggered three-year terms. One third of the board of directors is up for election every year. This year 6,390 members participated in the Annual Meeting by proxy or by casting votes during the meeting.
"Congratulations to the four directors who were re-elected," Flencher said. "Roderick, Russell, Byron and Robert are integral to the strength, success and cohesiveness of our board. The members who cast votes for them clearly recognized their leadership and overwhelmingly chose to retain their representation on Bluebonnet's board." Bluebonnet's nine-member board has more than 120 years of combined experience and service to the cooperative.
General Manager Matt Bentke closed out the business portion of the meeting with a report on the co-op's service to its members and communities, and its financial and operational strengths. Highlights of Bluebonnet's performance in 2022 and early 2023 included a 5.95 percent annual growth rate, surpassing the 125,000 meter mark, completing more maintenance and adding more assets than any time in history, and returning $8.68 million last year to members in capital credits. Bluebonnet plans to return $9.48 million in capital credits in 2023.
Bentke said the record growth the cooperative has enjoyed during the past several years has benefitted all stakeholders members, the electric system and local communities and allows Bluebonnet to achieve its mission to provide safe, reliable power at cost-competitive rates.
"You can see the growth that we are experiencing everywhere you look and drive,” Bentke said. “Several years ago our board of directors knew that growth was coming to our area and put in place a very effective strategy that has enabled us to create prosperity and share it with all our members. I am proud of the hard work everyone in this organization does every day in service to our members.”
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 125,000 meters and owns and maintains 12,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet's service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.
