Bluebonnet celebrates service to its members at its Annual Meeting
About 500 Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members and guests gathered at The Silos on 77 event center in Giddings on Tuesday, May 14, for the co-op’s Annual Meeting. Attendees enjoyed live music, heard reports highlighting Bluebonnet’s successes during 2023 and early 2024, re-elected two directors, and won door prizes.
Two incumbent directors in this year’s Board election were re-elected. Shana Whiteley, director from District 2, Travis County, has served on Bluebonnet’s Board since 2017. Bryan Bracewell, one of three directors from District 3, Bastrop County, has served on Bluebonnet’s Board since 2018.
“Congratulations to Directors Whiteley and Bracewell,” Board Chairman Ben Flencher said. “I am very proud to serve with them and our fellow directors representing Bluebonnet’s members.”
Bluebonnet is a member-owned electric cooperative governed by a nine-member Board. Bluebonnet’s members elect their directors, who serve staggered three-year terms. One third of the Board of directors is up for election every year.
The business portion of the Annual Meeting began with Board Chairman Ben Flencher thanking members for supporting Bluebonnet and recognizing the tremendous growth occurring in the co-op’s area.
“Bluebonnet has a wonderful history and a bright future,” Flencher said. “The area Bluebonnet serves is where people want to live. Our exceptional staff is committed to providing the power that our members need.”
General Manager Matt Bentke closed out the business portion of the meeting with highlights of Bluebonnet’s performance. Bluebonnet continues to benefit from historic growth in meters and commercial and industrial growth, providing the foundation for financial and operational success. Bluebonnet’s electric rate is one of the lowest in the state and the co-op plans to return $10.37 million in capital credits to members in 2024.
“Bluebonnet’s outstanding financial and operational success supports our goal of benefitting all stakeholders – our electric system, members and communities we serve,” Bentke said. “During the past year we have added more assets, made more improvements and completed more maintenance on our electric system than at any other time during our 85-year history.”
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Annual Meeting FAQs
Bluebonnet’s Annual Meeting is one of the many benefits of being a member of an electric cooperative. The meeting, held each year in May, offers members the opportunity to meet the Board of Directors, the general manager and the co-op’s executive staff. Members who attend the Annual Meeting also elect directors and attend to any Bluebonnet business before the meeting.
In 2024, two director seats, District 2 and District 3, were up for election. The incumbent directors — Shana Whiteley, District 2, representing Travis County; and Bryan Bracewell, District 3, representing Bastrop County — filed their nominations by filing fees before the deadline, qualified and were not opposed. They were elected by general consent in accordance with Article II, Section 6 of the cooperative’s Bylaws. Other business that may come before the meeting is also addressed.
All active Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members are eligible to submit a proxy form. Members could vote in person at the Annual Meeting on May 14, 2024, or designate another member to vote in their place by submitting a proxy form. Proxy forms were due May 7, either postmarked by this date or delivered to a member service center.
During Board elections, co-op members can vote for directors in all districts. The districts in the co-op’s service area were drawn along Bluebonnet’s service area boundary and county lines. The seven districts are represented by one to three directors based on, among other things, the number of meters in each district. There were no contested elections in 2024.
Members could vote for Board candidates by attending the Annual Meeting in person on May 14. There were no additional ballot items to be voted on this year.
Election Services Corp., which is a third-party, independent vendor that specializes in administering corporate elections nationwide. It has the experience to efficiently and accurately tally proxies and votes while protecting members’ confidential account information.
When you register at the meeting, you may revoke your proxy and then vote in person.
Visit bluebonnet.coop/annualmeeting, call a member service representative at 800-842-7708 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email memberservices@bluebonnet.coop.
J.E. Dunn of Manor was the winner of the truck giveaway following the 2024 Annual Meeting.
Members who attended the Annual Meeting on May 14 or who submitted their proxy by May 7 were entered to win a 2011 Ford F-150 extended cab 4X4 being retired from Bluebonnet's fleet. The truck had 143,900 miles.
The drawing was held May 15.
Bluebonnet's 2024 Annual Meeting recap