More than 600 Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members and guests filled The Silos on 77 event center in Giddings on Tuesday, May 13, for the co-op’s Annual Meeting. Attendees enjoyed live music, received updates on the cooperative’s performance in 2024 and early 2025, re-elected three incumbent directors, and took home door prizes donated by Bluebonnet’s vendors.

Board Chairman Ben Flencher opened the business session by thanking Bluebonnet’s members and guests for their continued trust and support. He emphasized that the cooperative’s strength is rooted in the ties it shares with the communities it serves, where directors live and work alongside the members they represent.

“Our Annual Meeting is always a great day because we get to visit with our friends and neighbors,” Flencher said. “On behalf of Bluebonnet’s directors, thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the incredible progress we’ve made. We deeply appreciate the support our members show year after year.”

Flencher was one of three incumbent directors unopposed and re-elected by general consent in accordance with Bluebonnet’s bylaws. He represents District 5, Burleson County. Also re-elected were Milton Shaw of District 1, Caldwell, Hays, Guadalupe and Gonzales counties, and Debbi Goertz of District 3, Bastrop County.

Bluebonnet is governed by a nine-member board elected by the membership to serve staggered three-year terms. Together, Bluebonnet’s directors bring nearly 130 years of combined service to the cooperative.

In 2025, 6,133 members participated in the election by proxy or in person. No new business was on the meeting’s agenda.

General Manager Matt Bentke shared a report highlighting the co-op’s service to members, historic growth and investment in its communities and electric grid. Bluebonnet has more than doubled its number of meters during the past 25 years, with an increase of 74,465 meters since 2000. The co-op now serves more than 139,000 meters across 14 Central Texas counties.

“Steady growth and strong performance has enabled us to keep our rates among the lowest in the state while building a more resilient, reliable electric system,” Bentke said. “Our commitment to serving members includes maintaining affordable rates and providing excellent service, day and night.”

In addition to benefiting from one of the lowest electric rates in Texas, Bluebonnet’s members will receive more than $11 million in capital credits in 2025, an increase of $747,000 over the previous year. Current members will see a credit on their May electric bill for their share, while former members still owed capital credits will receive a check by mail. During the past 10 years, Bluebonnet has returned $76 million to members in capital credits.

“The continued growth in Bluebonnet’s service area, coupled with our conservative financial management, has allowed us to return record amounts in capital credits to our members,” Bentke said. “Our members benefit from and share in the successes we’ve achieved.”