Cherokee Electric Cooperative crews were dispatched to Aiken, S.C. last week to help out following severe ice and snow storms that have plaqued the area in recent days.

During the January meeting of the Cherokee Electric Cooperative Board of Directors, Manager Jimmy Reeves reported that one service crew and one line crew headed out Monday, Jan. 26. CEC sent four trucks, including one derrick truck, two bucket trucks and another truck. Those crew members helping out in South Carolina include Scott Norris, Brandon Betterton, Elbert McCullough, Alan Early, Mike Davis, Lee Anthony and Chris Garner.

CEC does not know for sure at this time when the crews will return, Reeves said.

The board approved the CEC budget for 2004, reflecting total variable expenses at $6,313,800, which includes $1,020,600 for distribution expense-operations, $2,177,600 for distribution expense-maintenance; $1,255,600 for consumer accounts expense, $161,000 for customer service and information, $56,000 for sales expense and $1,643,000 for administrative and general expense.

Total projected fixed expenses, totaling $5,386,300, includes $2,135,500 for depreciation, $1,180,500 for tax expense-property, $370,200 for tax expense-other, $1,593,600 for interest on long-term debt and $107,000 for other expense.

Revenue for the month of December was $2,758,465. Power cost was $1,756,298, Reeves reported.

“The cooperative had a loss for the month,” said Reeves. “Sales were 2,618,903 kWh’s less this December than December 2002.”

Other monthly figures were as follows:

*Total kWh’s Sales-34,955,331

*Residential kWh’s Sales-18,540,450

*Total Residential Accounts-16,772

*Avg. Residential kWh’s-1,105

*Avg. Residential Bill-$92.08

*Total Accounts Billed-21,853

*Total Security Lights-5,768

*Miles of Line-2,301

*Avg. Cost per kWh purchased-$.05

*Avg. Cost per kWh sold-$.079

*YTD TIER-.51

“We had a meeting with Hunt Technology, CMI and Stuart Irby who will be helping us with the installations on the AMR System,” Reeves reported. “We have received a check from Federation Insurance and replacement cost of bucket of $66,164.84 for a total of $99,029.84. We had a $500 deductible and we gave $2,367 for old truck salvage. The check was for $96,172.84 to go on the purchase of the new truck.”

For December, Reeves said, Cherokee Electric Cooperative installed 48 overhead services and 12 underground services. “The consumers installed the pipe for eight of the underground services,” Reeves said. “Total services added for December 2003 was 60. We installed 42 new security lights. We used 38 transformers and 86 poles for the month.”

“We gave three energy right new home rebates and five heat pumps were financed for December 2003,” said Reeves.

The board also entered into an agreement with Cherokee EMS Ambulance Service to provide $44,000 from the Revolving Loan Fund for purchase of a new vehicle. Under the agreement, Cherokee EMS will pay approximately 20 percent of the cost with Revolving Loan Funds paying 80 percent.

On a related matter, the board agreed to provide $30,400 in revolving loan funds to Spring Creek Fire Department for purchase of a new vehicle.

Cherokee Electric Cooperative started the Revolving Loan Fund several years ago from an RUS (Rural Utilities Service) grant. The funds can be loaned to fire departments and other emergency responding agencies in need. And as the loans are paid off and funds replenished, the Revolving Loan funds can be used to assist more agencies.

To date, Sand Rock Fire Department, Spring Garden Fire Department, Leesburg Fire Department and others have benefited from the Revolving Loan Fund.

The board approved the safety report as presented. Reeves noted that CEC, this past year, has enjoyed one of its best years in the area of safety.

He also noted that Cherokee’s average out report for the past year was below five hours.

Reeves reminded board members of the CEC Home and Garden Show scheduled for March 5 and 6 and also Youth Tour Day, for local high school juniors, March 11.

In other business, the board:

*approved the new members’ list as mailed.

*agreed to participate in the upcoming Fourth Annual Lineman Rodeo.

*voted to change the May meeting date from the regular fourth Tuesday to Thursday, May 13, to coincide with the annual meeting