Federated Telephone Annual Meeting
Over 100 more people attended this year’s Annual Meeting of the members of Federated Telephone Cooperative than last year. The meeting took place last night at the Morris Area Elementary School. Three Directors were elected to serve three year terms in their respective districts: Tim Danielson of Ortonville for District 2, Lynn Swenson of Correll for District 3; and Jon Hanson of Milan for District 6.
General Manager Kevin Beyer presented his annual report. In 2024, the cooperative increased its operating revenue by nearly $820,000, and the Board authorized a total allocation of $3.2 million to the members. Beyer also noted that Federated gets $3.8 million per year from the Universal Service Fund, which is used to replace and upgrade equipment, and control costs. In July 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled such funds to be unconstitutional. The case was brought to the U.S. Supreme Court with a decision expected by the end of this month. If the court upholds the lower court’s ruling, Beyer said their rates would likely need to increase.
The Kandiyohi County Border to Border Project will conclude its construction this calendar year. A new law called the Underground Telecommunications Installer Certification will require, in Beyer’s words, “new training for equipment we don’t have.” And if the Broadband Franchise Fee Legislation becomes law, it will raise the cost of service. The cooperative’s webmail software will change and look different at the end of September.
Chokio-Alberta High School junior Colton Gillespie wrapped up the meeting with a presentation of his Foundation for Rural Service trip to Washington, D.C. that concluded last week. Gillespie’s group got to meet with FCC Chair Brendan Carr, U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach, and got to see a few landmarks of the city.
Federated Telephone General Manager Kevin Beyer speaking at the cooperative’s annual meeting. (Photo: Marshall Hoffman)
