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Category: Company News

SECO News, February 2016

SECO News, Duncan's Digest, February 2016

 

SECOEnergy.com has a brand-new look. The site has been completely redesigned on a more user-friendly platform that performs well on a variety of mobile devices and browsers. The old site, in its day, was award-winning, but we recognize that this online makeover is long overdue and appreciate your patience as we developed the new platform.

 

You’ll notice home page access to the most frequently visited site features. Members are one click away from reporting an outage, online account (SmartHub) access, bill payment, social media updates and a variety of intuitive Contact Us web forms.

 

Frequently asked questions are updated and categorized. All forms are housed on one page and many are fill-in PDFs. We’ve added a video gallery and a blog in the Newsroom. You’ll find a new section dedicated to solar energy. On the Contact Us page, you can report an area light problem, request an energy audit, inquire about community presentations, let us know you’re moving or ask a general question about your bill or usage.

 

Convenient communication tools that are enhanced for mobile devices are so important in our tech-savvy world today – especially during a power outage. Now that the website itself is redesigned, we will begin enhancing our Storm Center platform to provide members with a more user-friendly outage map and communications suite that supports text and email. Watch for details in the coming months.
Keep in mind that when you have a power outage, reporting it to us is easy using the current Storm Center application from the home page of SECOEnergy.com or by phone via our automated outage management system. To use these systems effectively, please ensure we have an updated primary phone number that corresponds with your account. Update your number today by logging into your SmartHub account, sending a message through “Contact Us” on the new website or calling us during regular business hours.

 

Another way to stay up-to-date on outage information, energy efficiency and company news is through our social media platforms. Just visit SECOEnergy.com and click on any of the seven icons. You’ll find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram. We look forward to connecting with you and building these online social communities.

 

Speaking of community, I hope you’ll join us face-to-face at the SECO Energy Annual Meeting of the membership on March 19. Details are enclosed in your official notice. Lucky winners will claim a 2005 Dodge Dakota 4×4, cash prizes and a variety of door prizes. And the hospitality can’t be beat – hope you can come!

 

SECO News, Lights Out, February 2016

 

SECO offers a variety of ways to report a street or area light issue. The most convenient way is to visit SECOEnergy.com and click on Contact. You’ll find a user-friendly web form that allows you to report the light issue – even if you don’t have the light number handy. Another way to report a light issue is by emailing AreaLightRepair@secoenergy.com. Of course, you can always call us during regular business hours. Once reported, most light issues are addressed within 72 hours.

 

Read the full February 2016 SECO News here.
Check out this months Nature’s Reflections here.

 

City Ignores Citizens’ Petition – Demand Answers

The City of Bushnell has published its agenda for the council meeting on Monday, Feb. 1. The agenda contains a request from City Manager Bruce Hickle asking the City Council to authorize steps to initiate and conduct arbitration – an expensive process required for the City to continue its costly quest to purchase SECO’s electric system within city limits.

 

The City continues to ignore that citizens successfully petitioned for the sale of the City’s electric system to appear on the ballot at the upcoming general election. The citizens’ petition to amend the charter requiring the City to sell its electric system to SECO has already been certified by the Supervisor of Elections and by law must appear on the upcoming general election ballot (if not sooner).

 

Florida Statute Chapter 166.31 allows electors of a municipality to petition to amend the City’s charter. The Statute states, “The governing body of the municipality shall place the proposed amendment contained in the ordinance or petition to a vote of the electors at the next general election held within the municipality or at a special election called for such purpose.”

The City is ignoring your right to petition, is ignoring its responsibility to acknowledge your successful petition to amend the charter, and is ignoring its legal requirement to place the proposed charter amendment on the November ballot (or sooner through a special election).

 

It is critical that citizens attend the Feb. 1 council meeting and demand that City recognize the successful petition and explain why they continue to pursue the acquisition of SECO’s electric system when it is clear that the citizens want to sell the City’s electric system to SECO.

 

Ask your City Council:

  • When will the City acknowledge the citizens’ petition and placement of the charter amendment on the November ballot or special election ballot?
  • Page 25 of the City’s electric feasibility study reveals that the arbitration process alone to purchase SECO’s system would cost $400,000. There is not $400,000 in the City budget for arbitration. Where will the money come from and how will the City meet the legal requirement to balance its budget?
  • Why would the City pursue a $400,000 legal arbitration process to buy SECO’s system when the citizens are against it?
  • If the City votes to pursue arbitration right now, why not expedite the vote for the charter amendment so that the citizens’ votes are counted before entering into a $400,000 arbitration?

As a citizen, registered voter and elector of the City of Bushnell, you have rights based on Florida Statute. Stand up and ask the questions – and demand answers.

 

 

 

Regions Bank is a SECO Angel – giving $10,000 to Fund

Regions Bank has committed $10,000 over a four-year period to support SECO Energy’s Angel Fund – a financial assistance program. Recently, Regions Bank delivered a $2,500 check, demonstrating a strong commitment toward helping SECO Energy’s members and community.

 

Regions Bank Senior Vice President Tim Hamilton said, “Regions Bank is appreciative of its relationship with SECO Energy and happy to support those members who may find themselves challenged during unique, difficult times.”

 

“With this generous contribution, SECO is able to provide financial assistance to worthy causes throughout its service territory. The SECO Angel Fund, the organization’s corporate humanitarian initiative, has helped thousands of members who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. Contributions from the fund have given hope and comfort to members residing in the not-for-profit cooperative’s seven-county service territory,” said SECO Deputy Director of Civic, Charitable & Government Affairs Kathy Judkins.

 

The Angel Fund program was established many years ago to make a difference in our local community. SECO Energy Members enrolled in Pennies from Heaven have their monthly electric bill automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar. As an example, if a member’s bill is $67.72, he/she will pay $68.00. The extra 28 pennies go directly to the SECO Angel Fund. Every penny collected is distributed here in the local communities to benefit SECO members.

 

If you are a SECO member who would like to round up your electric bill to the nearest dollar to support our cooperative’s Pennies from Heaven program, enroll online or email customerservice@secoenergy.com to enroll. The extra pennies are used to provide support to local social service agencies that help SECO members with unique needs.

 

Requests for Angel Fund assistance are administered through several area agencies. These funds can be used to provide bill payment assistance in unusual circumstances or help for those in dire and unusual circumstances. Funds may be used to purchase emergency medical supplies, support charitable organizations, and fill a host of other needs in our local area. Any small administrative costs are absorbed by SECO Energy. Just a few pennies every month can change lives.

$36,000 in Scholarships Up For Grabs!

Central Florida, of course, is known as a haven for snowbirds but it might surprise you to know that 87 percent of SECO Energy members state that their SECO-served premise is their primary residence. It’s important to folks with kids and grandkids in this area that their loved ones have access to a quality education and good job prospects once they’re out of school.

 

SECO Energy is one of the largest employers in Sumter County and is the third largest electric cooperative in the state. CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Our utility is structured as a not-for-profit organization guided by the cooperative principles, so support for education and community needs are high priorities.”

 

The Board of Trustees recently approved the continuation of the SECO Energy Scholarship Program. Board President Ray Vick said, “The Board is proud to renew our commitment to the support of youth and continuing education in our community. These scholarships can be used for community college, a university or a technical/trade school, and we hope that some of these students have a career in their future at SECO Energy once they’re out of school.”

 

Applications for the 2016 program are now available at secoenergy.com, and graduating high school seniors are eligible to apply. Up to 12 hardworking seniors will each be selected to receive a $3,000 scholarship. To qualify, the student must live in a home served by SECO Energy, graduate from high school in 2016, and have proof of acceptance with a plan to be a full-time student in a university, accredited college or vocational/technical institute in 2016.

 

If you don’t have Internet access or a printer at home, application packets have been mailed to high school guidance counselors. Direct your student there or pick up an application from one of our five service center locations. Completed applications must be received by SECO Energy by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25th. If you have questions about the scholarship program, contact us via our website or call (352) 569-9561.

Hot Bucks lowers members’ bills – again!

Over the last two years, SECO Energy has dropped the cost of electricity six times – which means lower bills for our members. The decrease appears in your Power Cost Adjustment or PCA – one of the line item components on your bill representing positive reductions in our cost of power.

 

Reducing the PCA allows for a higher credit on your bill. The latest reduction equates to a 9.5% decrease over the past 24 months. As of Dec. 1, 2015, our residential cost per kilowatt hour dropped to $115.60 based on 1,000 kWh used. This decrease shows that SECO Energy members pay one of the lowest residential rates in Central Florida.

 

This electric bill reduction reinforces the fact that our members gave SECO Energy high marks in the category of “price” during the most recent J.D. Power residential customer satisfaction study. Price is just one measure of satisfaction – reliability, communication, customer service, corporate citizenship and billing/payment are also key factors ranked by J.D. Power.

 

In fact, the company is ranked by J.D. Power as highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the south.

 

Keeping rates affordable is a high priority for SECO Energy and for our power-producing partner, Seminole Electric Cooperative. Together, we work hard to control our expenses and to pass along savings to our member-owners. SECO Energy, your not-for-profit electric cooperative, operates solely for the benefit of our members – and that means you!

 

SECO can help you save money and energy. Contact us today to schedule a free energy audit at energyservices@secoenergy.com.

Citizens for Cooperative Power Successful Petition Certification

At this week’s Bushnell City Council meeting, Alex Patton with Ozean Media and Citizens for Cooperative Power (CFCP) addressed the council during the citizens’ forum. Patton advised that Bushnell citizens had recently organized to advocate for a change to the City’s charter.
CFCP initiated the petition process in October, and quickly gathered the required number of petitions to initiate a charter amendment. Nearly 200 petitions signed by registered Bushnell voters were submitted to the Sumter County Supervisor of Elections for verification. On Nov. 2, the Supervisor of Elections informed Patton that the petition had been certified and the initiative would appear on the ballot in an upcoming election.

 

The petition reads: Shall the Charter for the City of Bushnell be amended to require the city to sell the city’s electric distribution system to SECO Energy on or before December 31, 2017 in order to provide electric service to all city customers, except as extended by court order?

 

The petition explains that approval amends the charter by adding a provision requiring the City to dispose of the City’s electric distribution system by selling it to Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SECO Energy). Patton said the initiative gives Bushnell citizens a voice in who will provide their electric service.

 

Patton had discussed the petition for referendum timing with the Supervisor of Elections, who indicated that adding it to the Presidential Primary scheduled for March 2016 would be an easy process. Patton emphasized the City must take action quickly so that dispute would not drag out for another year. He also stated the political committee was offering to offset any additional costs incurred by the City per their intra-local agreement with the Supervisor of Elections to administer the election.

 

Rather than consider this request, Mayor Spaude moved that the referendum appear on the ballot in November 2016 with the Presidential Election. Councilor Dale Swain attempted to amend the motion to change the election date to the March 2016 Presidential Primary ballot. The amendment did not receive a second. Discussion ensued between the Mayor and Councilors Durham, Davis and McCoy, but because they were not speaking into the microphones, several citizens were vocal about not hearing the conversations subsequent to the motions.

 

After Bushnell citizen Dale Barnes voiced his concern about the poor communication of the council and inability to hear the public business, the City Attorney clarified that the Mayor’s motion had received a second and an affirmative vote that the initiative would appear on the November 2016 ballot.

 

Vice Mayor Bill Durham, a SECO Energy employee with an apparent conflict of interest, did not recuse himself from the vote. Councilor McCoy complained that the citizens had not “come to the City first” before petitioning to the Supervisor of Elections. McCoy seemed oblivious to the fact that citizens have been attending City Council meetings in droves since February asking the City to abandon their costly quest to acquire SECO’s territory. Councilor Davis asked if this was “City of SECO” or “City of Bushnell” as she shook her head in disdain. Neither Councilor acknowledged that it is the statutory right of the citizens to petition. Past council meeting notes indicate that citizens repeatedly asked if the City could sell its electric service to SECO and were advised that it was not possible. That, per Section 7.05 of the charter, is not the case. The citizens’ petition for referendum validates that fact.

 

SECO Energy supports the citizens’ desire to have a voice in determining their electric service provider. The company stands ready to support the will of the people and will respect the election results. Read SECO Energy’s assessment of the City’s electric feasibility study and review the corresponding presentation.

SECO Energy Earns J.D. Power Ranking; Showcases New Logo

SECO Energy, a not-for-profit cooperative delivering power through nearly 200,000 meters across seven Central Florida counties, ranks highest in among midsize utilities in the South region according to the J.D. Power 2015 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. To commemorate the honor and strengthen the company’s brand identity, a new logo was developed.

 

The J. D. Power study ranks midsize and large utilities in four geographic regions: East, Midwest, South and West. Companies in the midsize utility segment serve between 100,000 and 499,999 residential customers, while companies in the large segment serve 500,000 or more. The study measures customer satisfaction with utilities by examining six factors: power quality and reliability; price; billing and payment; corporate citizenship; communications; and customer service.

 

SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan humbly stated, “This J.D. Power award is the culmination of a decade of hard work and steady improvement in the service we provide to our customers, who we call members. I credit our Board’s governance, our management team’s leadership and, most important, our employees’ dedication and hard work. Our highest priority is serving our members with reliable, low-cost service while supporting our local communities. We’re honored that SECO Energy members have recognized our company with this award.”

 

Board President Ray Vick commented, “The J.D. Power award marks a significant milestone and frames a positive future for our company, which has a deeply rooted history as Sumter Electric Cooperative, founded in 1938 with a mission of rural electrification.” The mission has changed over time, and in an effort to enhance the company’s image as a utility serving across seven Central Florida counties, the cooperative has slowly adopted the name “SECO Energy.” A notice was recently published in the Sumter County Times of intention to officially do business as (d/b/a) SECO Energy, and the name was registered with the Florida Department of State.

 

The company developed the new logo to strengthen its brand identity. Colors remain the same for familiarity, and the plug was preserved as a tribute to the previous logo. Duncan added, “The partial circle or arc over the top speaks to SECO Energy’s presence in The Sunshine State – its beautiful sunrises, sunsets, solar power, continuous energy flow, Florida oranges and, truly, anything under the sun. The logo commemorates the significance of the company’s identify today and in the future as SECO Energy.”

 

Enhancing member communication is one of SECO’s current priorities. The company is currently evaluating its website and storm center platforms and researching technology that promotes two-way communication with members. Visit the company on Facebook and Twitter today for the latest company news, energy-efficiency resources and community outreach events.