CHOCTAW COUNTY, OK -- Angry electric customers in southeast Oklahoma take to Facebook to voice their concerns about electric prices and management policies. In an area where electric bills can run $200 per month, some of them are upset about the prices, while two others I talked to tonight say their main frustration is with what they call a lack of transparency. Doug Felker lives near Rattan and started a solar energy business last year. He also started a Facebook group with concerns about Choctaw Electric Co-op. We were the number one highest electric co-op in the state of Oklahoma last year, says Felker. Over the past year, the page has gathered more than 3,000 fans. I saw something, but I just scanned over it and I didnt comment. I didnt even actually read the whole thing, says Gail Dees, who noticed Choctaw Electric Customers For Fair Pricing online. I dont follow Facebook, personally, says Co-op CEO and general manager Terry Matlock. KTEN asked Matlock about a 2012 tax return showing nearly $2 million in other reportable compensation, over and above his $194,000 salary. He says it was something the board decided to get him after 12 years of service. It was the purchase of a life insurance policy and the taxes and fees that are associated with that life insurance policy, and its for some time into the future. It has standard death benefits and it was not my salary, says Matlock. The Facebook group also posted pictures claiming Matlock was using Co-op branded equipment on a piece of property he owns in McCurtain County, which he says is true. Matlock says under the Co-op by-laws, any Co-op employee is allowed to use the Co-ops equipment for anything, and followed that policy. Matlock says the average customers bill is about $150 per month, and has been dropping. Our comparisons show us to be pretty close to the middle, around number 17 or 18 out of the 28 co-ops in Oklahoma, says Matlock. Critics say they want to know why bills from the Co-op and other providers are so different. Even though they purchase from the same Western Farmers Electric Cooperative company, they charge radically different bills. And why they say they cant get into board meetings unless they are put on the agenda, and cant get more than a summary of accounts. One of their customers the other day went in and asked for a copy of their 990 tax return, she actually had to have them sign it when they said, no you dont have access to our tax returns, says Facebook poster Michael Costin. These 18,000 members own the Co-op, says Felker. So they should be able to get any information and they should feel comfortable that their resources are being managed wisely. We have good service, says Matlock. Im sorry we have some customers that are disgruntled, but were trying to address those issues with them personally. KTEN asked for a copy of their annual report but Matlock says thats only for members. I asked Board president Mike Bailey about the life insurance. He says Matlock is doing a great job and they called this golden handcuffs to be able to keep him there. It was a one-time payout policy.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 03:47:34 +0000
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