Verendrye Electric Cooperative members elected three board members at their annual meeting June 10 in Minot.

Jon Hansen of Ryder was elected in the Western District to replace outgoing director John Warner, who retired from the board. Hansen defeated Aaron Vibeto of Minot. He works for Reservation Telephone Cooperative and raises cattle.

In the Central District, incumbent director Shawn Kaylor defeated John Hocking of rural Minot for another 3-year term. Kaylor, who farms north of Velva, has served on the board since 2012.

Ken Schild, Harvey, ran unopposed for re-election to his seat on the board in the Eastern District. He farms southwest of Harvey and was first elected in 2003.

Members also approved two bylaw changes. One change allows board candidates to collect 30 signatures to get their name on the ballot but eliminates the option to be nominated from the floor at the annual meeting. The option to be nominated at a caucus meeting remains.

The second change allows the board, by resolution, to allow an alternative form of voting in extraordinary circumstances. Before the change was made, the only method allowed was in-person voting at the annual meeting.

The changes were brought to a vote mainly because of the pandemic.

Revenue totaled $51.3 million in 2020, which was down about 3% from the previous year. Operating expenses totaled $50.3 million, which was a 2.9% decrease from the previous year. Around 70% of operating expenses are power costs.

Other highlights of the meeting included the announcement that the cooperative limited outages to an average of only 48 minutes per meter and it was retiring $1.875 million of capital credits to members. Stanley Vangsness of Berthold won a $820 door prize.

About 500 members registered, which was roughly half the attendance of pre-pandemic meetings.