Southern Rivers Energy held its Annual Members’ Meeting at the Lamar County Fine Arts Center on Saturday, Aug. 23, with 222 registered members present and 74 represented by proxy.
Members voted to re-elect Millie Alexander of Zebulon and Andy Bush of Barnesville to additional three-year terms, and this year, they also voted in a contested election for Seat 6 between incumbent Harry N. Park of Yatesville and Jessica Jones of Thomaston.
SRE hired the Macon-based accounting firm, McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co., LLC, to oversee the contested election and special voter drawing for a $1,000 bill credit. The firm received 813 valid ballots, and incumbent Harry N. Park of Yatesville retained his seat with 59% of the vote.
President/CEO Michael McMillan reported to the membership that the cooperative remains financially strong with assets totaling more than $195 million. SRE returned $350,000 in capital credits to members and paid more than $1.1 million in property taxes across its nine-county service area in 2024. McMillan also shared details about some of the new smart-grid technologies the cooperative has implemented since completing its fiber network, which will enhance service and increase reliability.
He reported that the revenue from the fiber lease agreement, which provides Conexon with the necessary fiber to provide internet service to more than 9800 SRE members, generated $500,000 last year. This helps cover the cost of the fiber network and offset operating expenses.
One standout statistic that McMillan was particularly proud to share was that, for the fifth consecutive year, employees had earned the "No Lost Time Accident Award" from Georgia EMC.
In addition to the business meeting, attendees enjoyed breakfast from BJ Rinds and LouLou’s food trucks, as well as Chick-fil-A. An extensive health fair, provided by Upson Regional Medical Center and the Lamar County Health Department, was also available, along with informational booths on energy efficiency, Operation Round Up®, and Conexon Connect.
Many SRE members won some fantastic prizes. Mrs. Betty Jo Parson won a $1000 bill credit for participating in the mail-in election for Seat 6. Ten members received a $75 credit on their next electric bill, and dozens of members won door prizes, including weather radios and a Blackstone griddle. Tammie Sullivan of Milner was the lucky grand prize winner of $500 cash, and Jewell Taylor of Milner won a 43-inch Smart TV in a special drawing for Operation Round Up supporters. Every registered member at the meeting received a customized 5-gallon bucket from Southern Rivers Energy and two LED light bulbs.