The Board of Directors held meetings on August 29 to conduct its regular monthly Board Meeting to discuss and review several agenda items. During the meetings, they approved the Minutes of the last Board meeting and accepted the reports of the Attorney, President and Vice Presidents. In addition, Southwest Arkansas Telecommunication & Technology also held a regular Board Meeting.

SWAECC

A representative from FORVIS, the accounting firm who prepares the Cooperative’s annual audit, attended the meeting to discuss the approaching audit of the accounting records for the year ending September 30, 2022.

The Cooperative was authorized to employ a wage and salary consultant to update the its nonunion wage and salary schedule.

The Board authorized the renewal of the 2023 NRECA group employee benefits.

Payment for the Cooperative’s NRECA dues membership was authorized.

The President reported that the Cooperative’s Retirement Security (RS) Plan contribution billing rate for 2023 shows no increase for groups 001 and 002.

The Board authorized the Cooperative to use a third-party group to pursue receiving a credit through the Employee Retention Credit, an extension of the CARES Act.

The Board authorized the Cooperative to proceed with a Cost of Service Study performed by Toth and Associates.

The Board ratified the Cooperative’s membership with NRECA’s broadband program and authorized the Cooperative to pay the annual costs associated with participation.

Director Tommy Isbell and Director Jim Alford were selected to serve as Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate, respectively, at the NRECA Region 8 meeting.

The Board approved 109 new member applications making the total number of members to date 18,826.

SWATT

The President presented updates including future fiber installation, current pre-registrations for service and on general funding and grants.

The General Manager presented a report on future fiber installation and an update on the number of current connected customers.

The Board of Directors authorized the renewal of the 2023 NRECA group employee benefits.