July-August 2026 TCEC Rural Living Newsletter

Rural Living

July & August 2026

Board of Trustees

TCEC Staff

Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer

Jeff Brewer, Vice President of Engineering

Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services

John Tuten, Vice President of Operations

Gabrielle Morgan, Vice President of Finance

Tri-County Electric Cooperative Rural Living, the voice of your member-owned electric cooperative, is published bimonthly — more if necessary — at no subscription cost to the membership. The publication team is comprised of TCEC employees. Postage is paid at Tallahassee, Fla.

Publication Team

Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer

Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services

Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Director

Publisher Joanna Forrester

Printed on Responsibly

Tri-County Electric Cooperative 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340 www.tcec.com 1-800-999-2285

UNDERSTANDING YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

July and August are typically two of the warmest months of the year, and that means air conditioners across our communities are working overtime to keep homes comfortable. During periods of extreme heat, many members may see an increase in their electric bill and wonder what factors contribute to the cost of electricity.

At Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC), we believe understanding your electric bill is an important part of being an informed member. While the total amount due may seem like a single number, it actually reflects several different costs associated with delivering reliable electricity to your home or business.

The largest factor is often the amount of energy you use. Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and the more energy your household consumes, the higher your bill will be. During the summer, air conditioning is typically the largest driver of increased energy use. When temperatures climb into the 90s or higher, our cooling systems run longer and more frequently, consuming significantly more electricity than they do during milder weather.

Another major factor is the cost of generating or purchasing electricity. Like many cooperatives, TCEC purchases power from Seminole Electric Cooperative. The cost of producing electricity fluctuates based on fuel prices, including natural gas, coal and other energy resources used to generate power. Changes in wholesale power costs influence the price of electricity delivered to members.

Closer to home, TCEC maintains the local electric distribution system—utility poles, power lines, transformers, substations and other essential equipment that safely delivers power to members. Maintaining this equipment is covered through the monthly basic facility charge. This is a flat monthly fee all members pay, regardless of how much electricity they use. This fixed fee ensures all members pay a fair share of the basic, operational costs required to keep the power grid reliable and ready to serve your home or business. Whether a member uses a little electricity or a lot, we must maintain infrastructure and have crews, equipment and resources available to provide electricity around the clock.

The good news is that simple steps to lower energy use can make a meaningful difference. Setting your thermostat a few degrees higher when you’re away, replacing dirty HVAC filters, using ceiling fans, sealing air leaks and avoiding the use of major appliances during the hottest parts of the day can help reduce energy consumption, lower your bill and reduce strain on the local grid during peak demand.

TCEC’s mission is to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity while being transparent about the factors that impact energy costs. We understand every dollar matters, and we are committed to making smart investments that keep the lights on and support the communities we serve.

If you ever have questions about your electric bill or co-op programs designed to help you save, please reach out. We’re here to help you make informed decisions that work for your household.

Thank you for allowing TCEC to serve you.

Board Meetings

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West US 90, approximately two miles west of the City of Madison.

UPCOMING

District 8

August 11, 2026

Lake Bird Methodist Church 2960 Lake Bird Church Rd. Perry, FL 32348

Candidate: Incumbent Johnny Edwards

District 7 August 12, 2026

WW Cattle Barn 3165 West Capps Hwy Monticello, FL 32344

Candidate: Incumbent Benjamin White

District 9 August 13, 2026

Steinhatchee Community Center 1013 S Riverside Dr Steinhatchee, FL 32359

Candidate: Incumbent John Cruce Schedule

Check your bill, district trustee information appears in the upper right corner of the bill. Not sure which district you are in?

YOUTH TOUR 2026

Tri-County Electric Cooperative sponsors several juniors from area high schools to attend the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, DC each year.

The Youth Tour is more than an all-expense paid trip to the nation’s capital to sight-see. It is a prestigious event in which thousands of high school juniors from across the nation join together to gain an understanding of our nation’s history and the freedoms we enjoy, as well as the many costs of those freedoms. The experience is rewarding, educational, and fun! More than 1,500 students and over 250 chaperones participate every year.

This year TCEC sponsored five students on the Youth Tour. Jacob Saltares, Ke’Andre Dobson, Macy Fletcher, Maggie Walker, and Riley Young. Throughout the week, along with 35 students from across the state, delegates toured our Nation’s Capital, learned even more about Electric Cooperatives, and made memories that will last a lifetime.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour included:

• A monument tour

• Holocaust Museum

• Arlington National Cemetery

• 9/11 Memorial

• Potomac River Boat Cruise

• NRECA Advocacy in Action

• Meetings with Legislators

• Capitol Tour

• Library of Congress

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• Museum of Natural History

• Mt. Vernon

• Planet Word

• The People’s House Museum and Photos at the White House

• National Cathedral

• Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream

• Museum of American History

We believe by investing in today’s youth, we are investing in our, and your, future. We know that some of the brightest and best students live right here in North Florida, and we want to give them an opportunity to experience the past, present, and future of our country.

$46,000 IN ENERGIZING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN 2026!

This year Tri-County Electric Cooperative awarded 26 students with Energizing Education scholarships to support their future efforts in continuing their education across the United States. TCEC’s Energizing Education Scholarship, established by the Board of Trustees, was created in an effort to provide educational support for qualified members and their families in Jefferson, Madison, & Taylor Counties. High school seniors and nontraditional undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Scholarships are awarded to students planning to continue their education at various accredited Universities, Community Colleges, or Technical Colleges. Scholarship applicants are evaluated not just on GPA or class rank, but on community service and extracurricular activities as well. An essay, letter of intent, and official transcript are among the required documents for the application.

POINT OF GRACE

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Addison English

DIXIE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

AUCILLA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

HOME SCHOOL

Four local students, Garrett Lundell, Addison Webb, Brailynn Omans, and Camryn Bass, were awarded scholarships to North Florida College on behalf of TCEC. Annually TCEC donates to the NFC Foundation as a part of our investment in education and in the communities we serve. The purpose of the NFC Foundation is to provide direct financial support for the students and programs of NFC.

Welcome Michelle Kelley to Tri-County Electric Cooperative

Tri-County Electric Cooperative is pleased to welcome Michelle Kelley as our newest Member Services Representative.

Michelle has been a Florida resident since 2017 and is a proud mom of three boys. She brings a strong background in customer service and communication to her role. After graduating from Brooks County High School in Georgia, Michelle began her career in the service industry before transitioning into public service as a 911 Dispatcher for Brooks County, where she served full-time for six years and part-time for several more, totaling a decade of experience. She later worked as an Administrative Clerk at Arglass in Valdosta before joining the co-op.

Michelle says she was drawn to TCEC because of its reputation and the value it places on its employees. She shared that she has always heard positive things about the cooperative and was excited about the opportunity to join a company known for its strong career paths and community impact.

In her role as a MSR, Michelle enjoys interacting with members and working alongside her coworkers. She appreciates the welcoming environment and the team’s willingness to help one another succeed.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, making memories, and having fun wherever life takes her.

Please join us in welcoming Michelle to the Tri-County Electric Cooperative family!

Important Notice: Upcoming Line and Meter Inspections

TCEC will be conducting visual inspections of service lines at all locations, from the transformer to the meter. These inspections help ensure compliance with safety standards and allow us to identify any potential hazards or maintenance needs.

Field services personnel are currently working in areas served by the Steinhatchee and Highway 6 substations. During this time, they will need access to your meter to complete these important inspections.

If a repair is identified, a follow-up visit to your property may be required in some cases.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain the safety and reliability of your electric service.

Florida’s Electric Co-ops Head to the Hill

Each April, leaders from electric cooperatives across the United States gather in Washington, D.C. to advocate for common co-op issues and improve service to consumer-members.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) organizes the event and leads informational sessions preparing co-op leaders to discuss federal issues the electrical cooperatives are currently battling.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative sent Trustee Benjamin White, VP of Corporate Services Eileen Herndon, and Community Relations Director Kaitlynn Culpepper to join with other co-ops from around the state of Florida to visit with legislative offices, attend informational sessions, and network with other electric cooperatives to understand the issues and successes happening in their states and co-ops.

TCEC representatives met with Congressmen Neal Dunn’s office, as well as Senators Scott and Moody, to emphasize the electric cooperatives’ support of H.R. 4669, The FEMA Act, which is a comprehensive bill revamping many aspects of FEMA while keeping the agency intact. It also includes Florida’s key priority language which reimburses interest expenses incurred while waiting years for FEMA to reimburse after disaster-related power restoration expenses.

What Are the Issues?

• Co-ops support The FEMA Act which includes language to reimburse interest expenses incurred while waiting years for FEMA to reimburse disaster-related power restoration expenses. Florida electric cooperatives have paid millions in interest in recent years while waiting for FEMA reimbursements.

• Permitting Reform is needed, as the overly bureaucratic federal permitting process imposes unreasonable timelines and drives up costs for essential infrastructure projects needed for Florida’s continued growth.

• Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Loans is a program that assists electric co-ops investing in the electric infrastructure needed to meet our community’s future energy needs.

Co-ops discuss our willingness to serve any and all businesses in our communities and continue the principle that their electricity needs and expenses will not be subsidized by the consumer-members.

This year, several of our co-op leaders participated in “Mornings with Moody.” Senator Moody holds open office hours so that she and her staff can engage in conversations with constituents on matters that are important to them. It allowed each co-op to speak with staff and the Senator about the impact FEMA delays have on their consumer-members.

Co-ops encourage congressional leaders to oppose policies that would raise electricity costs for our consumer-members and increase the risk of blackouts.

Co-op leaders continually advocate for our communities on the importance of safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.

Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa

Recipe courtesty of allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped watermelon

• ½ cup chopped green bell pepper

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions

• 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño pepper

• ½ teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

1. Combine watermelon, bell pepper, lime juice, cilantro, green onions, jalapeño, and garlic salt in a large bowl; mix well.

Holiday Schedule Reminder

All Tri-County Electric Cooperative offices will be closed Friday, July 3rd, in observance of Independence Day. Crews will be standing by if needed. Please see “Report & Track Outages” on this page.

Annual Meeting Mee ting

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Annual Meeting Mee ting

Saturday, September 19, 2026 Madison