Sheridan Electric Conducts Annual Meeting

On Saturday, Oct. 4, Sheridan Electric conducted its 78th annual meeting of the membership, with great success.

One topic of note is the unexpected change the coop must raise rates in early 2026. This is in response to the rate increase the power supplier has issued for their construction of new generation and other factors which have been described in the October Rural Montana magazine.

Pinning this down is not easy as changes come almost weekly on the approach the power supplier will be taking. More to come on this.

The next big topic was the proposed new facility. No, it is not a complete “Go” yet, as many more hurdles must be cleared before we move forward. The board has a concept drawing completed, but they are looking heavily into other financing opportunities (lower interest rates) and have just now started to have the building construction documents drawn up to go out to bid. If the costs/bids come in well above what the board deems is comfortable. The project will stop. If they come in at an acceptable level, they will proceed.

The rumor on the street is that a new facility is coming, and it is a done deal. This is not the case at all, and much more work needs to be completed before it may be ready. The proposed location is just outside of Medicine Lake to the north, and next to our substation.

The annual meeting was a measurement of the membership on the facility topic, and most was very positive. In fact, I heard more about why we were waiting so long and it should have been done 10 years ago.

“With growth, and payoff of the 42 million transmission line loan, we are in great position for this type of consideration”, the board reported to the membership. We will keep everyone abreast of the developments as they become reality.