“Barron Electric Cooperative is a member-owned business that provides

energy, products, and services to improve the quality of life in the area we serve.”

January 2016 Barron Electric CooperativeFOR YOU...

2015

Highlights

Congressman Duffy, left, visits with Barron Electric Cooperative and business members to discuss rail concerns. This meeting led to a visit with Congressman Shuster, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Barron Electric’s Community Rays sold out in 2015. More than 80 members bought solar panels and now share in the energy production of the system.Barron Electric line crews were busy

in 2015. They worked on overhead and underground line projects, upgrading substations, installing new services, and upgrading equipment.

Pictured right: Barron Electric donated $1,000 to the Cameron Fire Department. The cooperative

gave over $27,000 in donations and scholarships from the Federated Youth Foundation, a trust

consisting of unclaimed capital credits.

2 News for You __________________________________________________________________________ January 2016

Your Pet’s Home Away from Home

Bonnie Helstern is the owner of Happy Tales Pet Boarding & Daycare. She has 14 years experience as a veterinary assistant.

Bonnie Helstern, owner of Happy Tales Pet Boarding & Daycare, remarked, “We built this kennel to be the pet’s home away from home. We want the pets to look forward to coming back.” A living room allows the pets to be

comfortable and feel as though they are at home. This is a family business, and her boys also help with the pets when they are available. Dogs that are accustomed to having children around really appreciate their company. Bonnie added, “My veterinary background has been an asset, especially if the pets have any medical issues.” Happy Tales also has a separate building for stray dogs. Strays are usually claimed within 48 hours of being lost. Facebook has really helped to get the message out there. “A picture of the lost pet really helps,” commented Bonnie. Bonnie has housed over 2,600 dogs since she opened in November 2014, as well as 25 cats. Happy Tales Pet Boarding & Daycare is located at 2693 7th Street, Cumberland on Barron Electric lines. For more information, call 715-822-3414 or find them on Facebook.

Cook’s CornerBeef Burgundy Casserole

Joan Gosciniak-Person

3 lbs. round steak, cubed1 can tomatoes5 carrots halved2 onions quartered1-8 oz. can mushrooms drained2 ribs celery chopped1 can beef consomméSalt and pepper½ cup burgundyNoodlesParsley to garnish

Brown meat in skillet without fat. Place in large casserole and add vegetables, consommé, burgundy and seasonings. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for two hours. Serve with noodles and garnish top with parsley. Serves 8.

Go Green in 2016

Click on the SmartHub icon at barronelectric.com to create an account, and click yes to turn off paper bills. Members who already have an account can choose My Profile and Update My Printed Bill Settings to turn off printed bills.

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“I enjoy meeting new people and helping answer member’s questions regarding new services and upgrades,” commented Julie Anderson, Customer Service Representative for the Operations Department. She worked at Dunn Energy as a receptionist prior to starting at Barron Electric in 2013. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. When asked about the biggest changes at Barron Electric, Julie remarked, “The mapping systems have really improved. We eliminated paper maps and upgraded to digital. We also have the ability to predict outage times with better accuracy, and members can now view outages on the website.”

News for You _________________________________________________________________________ January 2016

Students Needed for Co-ops Yes! Youth Leadership Conference

Barron Electric Cooperative will sponsor students to the Co-ops Yes! Youth Leadership Conference, March 7–8, 2016, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This

event brings together high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from across Minnesota and Wisconsin to collaborate and connect while learning about the cooperative business model. From the local electric cooperative to Fortune 100 companies, students will discover what makes the cooperative business model successful and different. Renowned youth motivational speaker Craig Hillier will entertain and inspire while challenging students to work together for the greater good. Participants will also have the opportunity to work with cooperative leaders and business professionals to explore career opportunities. Those interested will have the chance to run for the Co-ops Yes! Youth Board. Interested students should contact the Member Services Department at Barron Electric Cooperative at 800-322-1008 or memberservices@barronelectric.com. The deadline for applying is January 15, 2016.

Employee Spotlight Members Share in Electric Bill Credit One of the seven cooperative principles is members’ economic participation. Members contribute equitably to and democratically control the capital of their cooperative. Barron Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors approved a credit on the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA), which was reflected on the December and January bill statements. For members using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, this equates to a credit of $10 per month, which was reflected on the December and January bills. General Manager Dallas Sloan said, “Barron Electric’s 2015 expenses were less than budgeted. This credit is a benefit of being a cooperative member.”

Participants at the Co-ops Yes! Youth Leadership Conference created a cooperative using the cooperative business model.

Julie Anderson, Customer Service Representative for the Operations Department, works with new services, upgrades, and member inquiries.

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Congratulations to Steve Tangwall, this month’s winner of the Megawatt Community Service Award. Steve is a member of the Rice Lake Rotary Club, where he served as

Executive Treasurer for 12 years. He is the Finance Minister for First Lutheran Church. He was treasurer of the 1st Annual Rice Lake Celebrity Charity Classic, which raised funds for the Boys and Girls Club, Rice Lake Booster Club, Kinship, Benjamin House, and Rice Lake youth activities. He served as President and Treasurer of the Rice Lake Area Scholarship Foundation. He was Treasurer for the Rice Lake Main Street Association, where he helped with the Petunia Banquet and watering petunia baskets on Rice Lake’s Main Street. He has helped take tickets at athletic events and helped at the Rice Lake Rod and Gun Club,

as well as Boy Scouts. Steve is Vice President of Commercial Lending at Johnson Bank.

Nominate a Member Nominate a member for the Megawatt Community Service Award. Application forms are available at barronelectric.com in the community area or by contacting the Member Services Department at 800-322-1008. Each winner will receive a $50 electric bill credit.

Barron Electric CooperativeDallas Sloan-General Manager

Carrie Baribeau—Editor cbaribeau@barronelectric.com

Office Hours7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Monday - Friday1434 State Highway 25 North

PO Box 40 • Barron, WI 54812(715) 537-3171

Toll Free: 1-800-322-1008For Outages Only:

866-258-8722www.barronelectric.com

Published for the members of Barron Electric. If you have any comments regarding the newsletter, please e-mail cbaribeau@barronelectric.com

News for You ___________________________________________________________________________ January 2016

FOR YOU...

Director Notes

Condensed Board MinutesOctober 28 , 2015

Steve Tangwall Wins Megawatt Community Service Award

Jennifer Beaudette, Director of Member Services at Barron Electric Cooperative presents the Megawatt Community Service Award to Steve Tangwall.

• Director Helm gave the treasurer’s report, with comments by Manager Sloan. A report of vouchers for the month was printed as part of the board packet as follows: #88923 thru #89069 of Central Bank was in the amount of $333,370 and capital credit estate checks of $6,371. Director Helm reported on activity of total receipts in the office - $2,741,553; total receipts by wire and ACH- $963,193; disbursements by ACH, EFT, wire - $3,277,912; transfer of funds was made for payroll – $175,399; power bill paid 09/30/15 - $2,223,960. A membership list of 69 was presented and approved by the board.

• Form 219 summarizing construction activity for the past month in the amount of $199,360.60 was presented for approval, and included new services - $28,848.37; change jobs - $12,544.32; miscellaneous - $157,967.91 and 5 retirements. The Form 219 stood approved as presented.

• Outages year-to-date stand at 31,211 consumer hours off, which is 73.3% below 2014 hours of 116,881. Overtime year-to-date is 3,232 hours, which is 16.7% below 2014 hours of 2,691.75.

Installing a Renewable Energy System Contact Barron Electric Cooperative before purchasing a renewable energy system. We can provide you with the information needed to determine your responsibilities and requirements when connecting a generation system to the cooperative’s distribution system. Members are eligible for a 50% rebate, up to $200, for a site assessment performed by a MREA certified assessor for a small-scale renewable energy project. For more information, contact the Member Services Department at 800-322-1008 or e-mail memberservices@barronelectric.com.

Randy Cook represents District 7 on Barron Electric’s Board of Directors, which includes the following townships: Stanley, Sumner, Strickland, Stubbs,

Rusk, and Big Bend.

Congratulations

Steve!