Cimarron Electric Cooperative Inc

“The cooperative was formed by the members to provide electric service at cost on a cooperative basis.”

“The members of the cooperative vote on the board of trustees. Elections are done on a one member one vote basis.”

“The following acts require approval of the members of the cooperative: 1. Dissolution/liquidation of the cooperative 2. Merger or consolidation of the cooperative with another organization 3. Disposal of a substantial portion of the cooperative's assets 4. Amendment to the articles of incorporation 5. Amendment to the bylaws”

“The cooperative has no committees with authority to act on behalf of the governing body. Therefore, and pursuant to form 990 instructions, the question has been answered "no".”

“Management presented a copy of the form 990 to the board for discussion and review prior to filing. The discussion and review was performed at the board meeting immediately before filing the form 990.”

“On an annual basis, the the board of trustees and employees review the conflict of interest policy. Trustees and employee officers are required to disclose any action or situation that might violate the policy to the full board of trustees as soon as possible.”

“The board of trustees review a compensation survey when determining and setting the compensation of the ceo. The survey includes salaries from similarly situated cooperatives throughout oklahoma and the nation. The ceo reviews a compensation survey when determining the compensation of the cooperative's other employees meeting the definition of officer and key employees, if any. The survey includes salaries from similarly situated cooperatives throughout oklahoma and the nation.”

“The cooperative will provide a complete copy of its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and audited financial statements to any member who requests a copy of any such document. Annually, the cooperative provides a summarized copy of the financial statements to the members of the cooperative with the annual report. The bylaws can also be found on the cooperative's website.”

“In order to provide retirement benefits to its employees, the cooperative has established a defined contribution plan under section 401(k) of the internal revenue code. Employer contributions to the plan are made pursuant to the plan document. Employer contributions for the plan are available to participating employees, including officers, key employees, and highly compensated employees, meeting the eligibility requirements of such plans. The cooperative also provides health, dental, vision and life insurance to all eligible employees through a qualified plan. The amounts reported on part vii, column (f) for the officers, key employees, and highly compensated employees is comprised of the total amount contributed by the cooperative to the defined contribution plan and insurance paid on behalf of and for their benefit.”

“Patronage dividends result from the purchase of wholesale power from a generation & transmission cooperative. Patronage dividends also result from the payment of interest from cooperative banks and the purchase of supplies and services from other cooperative organizations. The expense associated with purchases from and payments to such cooperative organizations are a direct component of cost of the electric service provided by the cooperative to its members.”

“Although the cooperative is no longer a rural utilities services (rus) borrower, its accounting records are maintained in accordance with the rus uniform system of accounts (usoa) prescribed for rus electric borrowers. The usoa does not record expenses in the general expense categories provided on part ix lines 1-23. The cooperative separately reports salaries and wages, employee benefits and payroll taxes that are allocated in accordance with their accounting system, but other expenses that are described in lines 1-23 are reported on line 24 under the expense categories required by the usoa.”

“All grants, sponsorships, and/or donations are made to non-profit and civic organizations that are located in the cooperative's service area, and are intended to improve the communities in which our members reside. Each grant, sponsorship, and/or donation made during the year was below the reporting threshold of schedule i, part ii.”

“Pursuant to the form 990 instructions, the amount of patronage dividends paid to the members (hereinafter referred to as "patrons") should be reported on part ix, line 4. The phrase "patronage dividends paid" refers to the process, subsequent to year-end, by which the cooperative allocates patronage capital to and, therefore, operates at cost with its patrons. The cooperative's tax exempt purpose is to provide electricity to its patrons and to do so on a cooperative basis. Tax law defines "operating on a cooperative basis" as subordination of capital, democratic control, and operation at cost. The cooperative operates at cost through the allocation of true patronage dividends (also referred to as allocations of patronage capital) to its patrons. Patronage dividends are considered paid if the allocation is made (1) pursuant to a pre- existing obligation, (2) from the margin produced from the transactions done with or for patrons, and (3) in a fair and equitable manner on the basis of patronage (i.e. Purchases). Additionally, the allocation of patronage dividends should be made within a reasonable time period after the close of the cooperative's calendar tax year-end of december 31. Each one of these requirements for a true patronage dividend is provided for in the non-profit operation article of the bylaws. The amount reported on part ix, line 4 represents the amount of patronage capital that is either allocated or to be allocated to the patrons resulting from their purchase of electricity from the cooperative for the 2024 calendar year. Because patronage dividends are the process by which the cooperative operates at cost with its patrons and thereby a key component to accomplishing its exempt purpose, the cooperative has reported such amounts as an expense for form 990 reporting. Patronage dividends are not an expense for financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, however.”

“Salaries and wages are allocated to asset, liability, and expense accounts based on the accounting system described above. The following schedule reconciles amounts reported on lines 5-7 to total wages accrued and/or paid: total per lines 5-7 $ 4,724,602 less: trustee fees reported on forms 1099-nec (170,050) less: employee officer benefits included in line 5 (137,219) less: key employee benefits included in line 5 (186,598) plus: salaries and wages capitalized directly to plant 1,717,881 plus: salaries and wages capitalized/expensed indirectly through clearing and other accounts 172,580 total wages accrued and/or paid $ 6,121,196”

“Administrative & general expense is comprised of the following: administrative & general salaries, benefits, & other $ 1,384,229 office supplies 376,153 outside services 121,483 injuries & damages 75,542 employee benefits 165,908 trustees 228,787 dues to associated orgs. 120,785 meetings 92,005 miscellaneous general 1,091,113 maintenance of general plant 44,544 total admin & general expenses per financial statements $ 3,700,549 less: reclass of trustee fees to part ix, line 5 (170,050) less: reclass of labor to part ix, lines 5 & 7 (1,395,936) less: reclass of benefits to part ix, lines 8-10 (544,545) total admin & general expense per form 990, part ix $ 1,590,018”

“Other expenses is comprised of the following: consumer accounts $ 204,258 employee retention 856,324 other deductions 3,986 sales 363,403 total other expenses per form 990, part ix $ 1,427,971”

“Patronage capital allocated or to be allocated 6,580,915. Patronage capital retired - total -1,523,813. Patronage capital retired - unclaimed 163,749. Net change in memberships 39,568.”

“The board of trustees have assigned members to an audit committee to provide additional governance over auditor and financial related matters. Procedural changes did not occur during the year.”