By Board President Duane Wolbrink & General Manager Ryan Mueller
We invite you to join us for Central Electric Cooperative’s 26th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at the World’s Only Corn Palace in Mitchell. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a three-meat buffet featuring broasted chicken, pork chops and roast beef. The business meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
This year’s theme, “A Legacy of Service,” recognizes the people, commitment and cooperative spirit that helped Central Electric serve our members and communities for generations. This year also marks the 90th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act and the beginning of a movement that transformed rural America and helped make cooperatives like Central Electric possible.
Along with youth prizes and a scholarship drawing, we will give away twenty $25 electric bill credits and two $100 electric bill credits. Watch for the official notice postcard with additional details. We hope you and your family will join us as we come together to enjoy a meal and visit with friends and neighbors.
As we prepare for this year’s meeting, we also want to look back at Central Electric’s accomplishments and challenges during 2025. Below is a brief recap.
2025 Highlights & Accomplishments
Electric Rates
- The average cost of electricity for Central Electric’s farm and residential accounts was approximately 14 cents per kilowatt-hour, well below the 2025 national average of 18.44 cents.
- Rates were adjusted to address the rising costs of purchased power and maintaining the electric system while continuing to provide safe, reliable service.
- Central Electric remains focused on managing expenses responsibly and keeping rates as affordable as possible for our members while enhancing reliability.
Financials & Capital Credits
- The total cost of electric service increased by $2,270,587.
- Central Electric returned $1,280,000 in capital credits to member-owners, plus $174,800 in estate retirements.
- Refer to page 6 for a detailed financial report.
Operations Department
- Completed 52 miles of new underground line to strengthen and improve the electric system.
- Installed 85 new electric services and upgraded 121 existing electric services.
- Continued to manage rising equipment costs, including the cost of vehicles, poles and transformers.
- Installed a new substation and related electrical infrastructure to serve the High Plains Processing plant south of Mitchell.
Load Management
- Continued the multi-year project to replace load management receivers throughout Central Electric’s system, completing upgrades at four additional substations in 2025.
- Continued efforts to increase participation in the load management program, helping reduce peak demand and control power costs for the benefit of all members.
Service Department
- Completed approximately 1,600 service requests for heating and cooling, electrical wiring, security lighting and appliance work.
- Generated more than $2.2 million in gross revenue.
Marketing & Member Services
- Issued $41,800 in rebates to member-owners for 144 qualifying energy-efficiency improvements.
- Assisted key accounts and members considering distributed energy projects, including wind and solar.
- Provided members with information and support related to rates, programs, energy use and available services.
Operation Round-Up
- Awarded $28,800 to projects across all eight counties in Central Electric’s service territory.
- Reached $250,000 in total grants awarded since 2016.
- Continued to demonstrate how small contributions can make a meaningful difference in our local communities.
Central Electric’s mission is to provide reliable energy and services with a commitment to safety and member satisfaction. Earning and maintaining the trust of our membership remains at the heart of everything we do. Our board of directors, team of managers and employees continue to look for ways to operate more efficiently, prepare for changing industry challenges and strengthen the service we provide.
Please make plans to attend your Annual Meeting. We hope you will join us for an enjoyable evening as we celebrate Central Electric’s Legacy of Service. The rest of the 2025 annual report can be found on subsequent pages of this newsletter.