This year’s annual meeting of the members of the Cullman Electric Cooperative (CEC) was more than just a chance to select representatives to its Board of Trustees. 

This year, it also was an opportunity to look back at the co-op’s 80-year history of bringing electric power to rural Cullman County.

An estimated 3,000 people attended Saturday’s annual meeting, held at Northbrook Baptist Church in Cullman — only a stone’s throw from CEC headquarters.

“Cullman Electric was the second co-op in Alabama to be formed,” CEC President and CEO Grady Smith told the crowd, “and it was the first co-op to deliver electricity to its members.

“There are so many people — both co-op members like you, and hundreds of employees over the years — who have worked hard to build this co-op, and and in the process, they’ve improved the quality of life for everyone the co-op serves.”

A total of 6,797 members cast ballots to select representatives for the three positions on the nine-member Board of Trustees up for election this year. 

In each of the three races, the incumbent trustee handily won the vote. Lynda Carter will continue to represent District 2, James Fields will serve District 4, and Daryl W. Calvert will serve District 6.

While the overall tone was one of reflection and celebration, Smith also addressed the forthcoming electricity rate increase set to take effect next month.

“TVA has approved a rate increase of just over one percent that goes into effect on Oct. 1,” he said in his member address. “This change will increase the cost of the power we purchase from TVA and deliver to you, the members.”

The increase, said Smith, “will be a straight pass-through for your local co-op to TVA. Cullman Electric will not retain any of this revenue.”

As a result of the increase, the residential power bill for an CEC customer will see a dollar increase of approximately $1.50 per month, Smith said. 

 

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.