FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 |
DURING THE YEAR THE COOPERATIVE'S BYLAWS WERE AMENDED TO INCLUDE A "FULL NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT" WHICH STATES: "IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAW AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) CIVIL RIGHTS REGULATIONS AND POLICIES, THE USDA, ITS AGENCIES, OFFICES, AND EMPLOYEES, AND INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATING IN OR ADMINISTERING USDA PROGRAMS ARE PROHIBITED FROM DISCRIMINATING BASED ON RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, SEX, GENDER IDENTITY (INCLUDING GENDER EXPRESSION), SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, FAMILY/PARENTAL STATUS, INCOME DERIVED FROM A PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, POLITICAL BELIEFS, OR REPRISAL OR RETALIATION FOR PRIOR CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVITY, IN ANY PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY CONDUCTED OR FUNDED BY USDA (NOT ALL BASES APPLY TO ALL PROGRAMS). REMEDIES AND COMPLAINT FILING DEADLINES VARY BY PROGRAM OR INCIDENT. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WHO REQUIRE ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION FOR PROGRAM INFORMATION (E.G., BRAILLE, LARGE PRINT, AUDIOTAPE, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, ETC.) SHOULD CONTACT THE RESPONSIBLE AGENCY OR USDA'S TARGET CENTER AT (202) 720-2600 (VOICE AND TTY) OR CONTACT USDA THROUGH THE FEDERAL RELAY SERVICE AT (800) 877-8339. ADDITIONALLY, PROGRAM INFORMATION MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH. TO FILE A PROGRAM DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT, COMPLETE THE USDA PROGRAM DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT FORM, AD-3027, FOUND ONLINE AT HOW TO FILE A PROGRAM DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT AND AT ANY USDA OFFICE OR WRITE A LETTER ADDRESSED TO USDA AND PROVIDE IN THE LETTER ALL OF THE INFORMATION REQUESTED IN THE FORM. TO REQUEST A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT FORM, CALL (866) 632-9992. SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED FORM OR LETTER TO USDA BY: (1) MAIL: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANCE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, 1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) FAX: (202) 690-7442; OR (3) EMAIL: PROGRAM.INTAKE@USDA.GOV." A COMPLETE COPY OF THE BYLAWS CAN BE FOUND ON THE COOPERATIVE'S WEBSITE: HTTPS://WWW.HIGHWEST.COOP. |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 |
THE COOPERATIVE WAS FORMED BY THE MEMBERS TO PROVIDE ELECTRIC SERVICE AT COST ON A COOPERATIVE BASIS. |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A |
THE MEMBERS OF THE COOPERATIVE VOTE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. ELECTIONS ARE DONE ON A ONE MEMBER ONE VOTE BASIS PER DISTRICT. |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B |
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 |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 8B |
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". |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B |
MANAGEMENT PRESENTED A COPY OF THE FORM 990 TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION AND REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING. |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C |
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW AND BE FAMILIAR WITH THE POLICIES OUTLINED IN THE COOPERATIVE'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANY ACTION OR SITUATION THAT MIGHT VIOLATE THE POLICY TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS GENERALLY REVIEWED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS USE COMPARATIVE INDUSTRY DATA FROM EACH STATE IN THE COOPERATIVE'S NRECA REGION AND SUPPLEMENTAL NATIONAL DATA PROVIDED BY NRECA WHEN DETERMINING THE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO/GENERAL MANAGER. THIS DATA SHOWS COMPARATIVE SALARIES FOR CEO/GENERAL MANAGERS FROM SIMILARLY SITUATED COOPERATIVES LOCATED IN WYOMING, NEBRASKA, COLORADO, AND THE NATION. THE BOARD AND THE CEO/GENERAL MANAGER USE COMPARATIVE INDUSTRY DATA FROM EACH STATE IN THE COOPERATIVE'S NRECA REGION AND SUPPLEMENTAL NATIONAL DATA PROVIDED BY NRECA WHEN DETERMINING THE COMPENSATION OF THE COOPERATIVE'S OTHER EMPLOYEES MEETING THE DEFINITION OF OFFICER AND KEY EMPLOYEES, IF ANY. THIS DATA SHOWS COMPARATIVE SALARIES FROM SIMILARLY SITUATED COOPERATIVES LOCATED IN WYOMING, NEBRASKA, COLORADO, AND THE NATION. |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 |
THE COOPERATIVE PROVIDES A SUMMARIZED COPY OF THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COOPERATIVE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. THE COOPERATIVE WILL PROVIDE A COMPLETE COPY OF THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS TO ANY MEMBER WHO REQUESTS A COPY. ADDITIONALLY, A COPY OF THE COOPERATIVE BYLAWS AS WELL AS THE ANNUAL REPORT CAN BE FOUND ON THE COOPERATIVE'S WEBSITE. |
FORM 990, PART VII, COLUMN F: |
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 THIS PLAN ARE AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPATING EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING OFFICERS AND HIGLY 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 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. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE RETIREMENT PLAN, THE COOPERATIVE ALSO PROVIDES POST-RETIREMENT HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS THROUGH AN UNFUNDED WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN. THE VALUE OF THESE BENEFITS HAS NOT BEEN ESTIMATED. |
FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 2: |
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 EXPENSES 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. |
FORM 990, PART IX: |
THE ACCOUNTING RECORDS OF THE COOPERATIVE 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 ITS 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. |
FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 24: |
ADMINISTRATIVE & GENERAL EXPENSE IS COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING: ADMINISTRATIVE & GENERAL SALARIES, BENEFITS, & OTHER $ 2,695,508 OUTSIDE SERVICES 122,426 OFFICE SUPPLIES 704,854 INSURANCES & DAMAGES 152,546 REGULATORY COMMISSION 91,899 DUES 72,312 DIRECTORS 193,984 MAINTENANCE OF GENERAL PLANT 324,776 MISCELLANEOUS GENERAL 145,994 TOTAL ADMIN & GENERAL EXP PER FINANCIAL STATEMENTS $ 4,504,299 LESS: RECLASS OF DONATIONS TO PART IX, LINE 1 (13,621) LESS: RECLASS OF DIRECTOR FEES TO PART IX, LINE 5 (168,996) LESS: RECLASS OF LABOR TO PART IX, LINES 5 & 7 (1,874,458) LESS: RECLASS OF BENEFITS TO PART IX, LINES 8-10 (529,205) TOTAL ADMIN & GENERAL EXPENSE PER FORM 990, PART IX $ 1,918,019 |
FORM 990, PART IX, LINES 5-7: |
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 $ 5,696,619 LESS: DIRECTOR FEES REPORTED ON FORMS 1099-NEC (168,996) LESS: EMPLOYEE OFFICER BENEFITS INCLUDED IN LINE 5 (101,611) PLUS: SALARIES AND WAGES ALLOCATED TO NONOPERATING MARGINS 385,730 PLUS: SALARIES AND WAGES CAPITALIZED DIRECTLY TO PLANT 1,519,384 PLUS: SALARIES AND WAGES CAPITALIZED/EXPENSED INDIRECTLY THROUGH CLEARING AND OTHER ACCOUNTS 228,100 TOTAL WAGES ACCRUED AND/OR PAID $ 7,559,226 |
FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 4: |
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 MARGINS 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 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 COOPERATIVE'S 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 2023 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. |
FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 1: |
ALL GRANTS, SPONSORSHIPS, AND/OR DONATIONS ARE MADE TO NON-PROFIT AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE COOPERATIVE'S SERVICE AREA, AND ALL ARE INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH MEMBERS RESIDE. EACH GRANT, SPONSORSHIP, AND/OR DONATION MADE DURING THE YEAR WAS BELOW THE REPORTING THRESHOLD OF SCHEDULE I, PART II. |
FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 24E: |
OTHER EXPENSES IS COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING: CONSUMER EXPENSE $ 231,447 IT SERVICE EXPENSE 276,730 TAXES 575,287 TRANSMISSION EXPENSE 37,492 OTHER DEDUCTIONS 84,863 TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES PER FORM 990, PART IX $ 1,205,819 |
FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: |
PATRONAGE CAPITAL ASSIGNABLE 5,437,207. PATRONAGE CAPITAL RETIRED - TOTAL -1,603,029. PATRONAGE CAPITAL RETIRED - DISCOUNT 696,646. POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT ADJUSTMENT -1,937. |
FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: |
THE BOARD AS A WHOLE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT AND SELECTING THE INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDITOR. PROCEDURAL CHANGES DID NOT OCCUR DURING THE YEAR. |