The electric services board shall act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Aldermen, the city manager, and the director of electric services. All changes of policy within the operation of the electric utility system shall be referred to the electric services board for its review and recommendation; provided, however, a policy change which is required by virtue of an emergency need not be referred to the electric services board. The decision of the director of electric services and the city manager as to what constitutes an emergency shall be final in this regard.
Keeping customer service policies in mind, the board shall hear customer concerns and grievances on operations of the electric system.
The electric services board may review and make written suggestions concerning sections of the electric utility system budget customarily prepared by the director of electric services for presentation to the city manager. The written suggestions shall be presented to the director of electric services so that they might be included with the budget presented by the director to the manager. The city manager shall take the suggestions under advisement and shall make them known to the Board of Aldermen during the budget process. The city manager may ask for additional information from the director of electric services or the electric services board at any time during the process.
The board may make written suggestions as to the structuring of rates to advise the Board of Aldermen regarding impact on consumers and how to spread that impact among the various classes of customers.
The electric services board shall perform such other duties as the Board of Aldermen may from time to time direct.
Recommendations made by the electric services board shall be consistent with all codes and policies of the city and the city's electric utility system.
The electric services board shall have one regular meeting each month at a time and place to be determined by the board from time to time. Special meetings may be called by the chairman or vice-chairman of the board.
The board shall consist of nine voting members representing customers within the electric territory of the city. Six (6) members shall reside within the city; three (3) members shall reside within the electric service area of the city, but beyond the city limits of the city. All members must be customers of the electric utility system of the city. Initially, three members will serve a one-year term, three members will serve a two-year term, and three members will serve a three-year term. Members of the board may serve more than one term if appointed by the Board of Aldermen. The initial board shall meet within 30 days after its members are appointed and shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from its membership. The terms of the chairman, the vice-chairman, and any other elected officers shall be for one year; each shall be eligible for election to additional terms. The director of electric services shall serve on the board as a nonvoting member. The role of the director of electric services shall be to provide relevant information to the board on issues to be reviewed by it. The director of electric services shall attend each meeting to serve in an advisory capacity to the board. The city manager may attend all board meetings, also to serve in an advisory capacity to the board.
Terms shall expire on December 31 of each year. As the term of each member of the board expires, a successor shall be appointed by the Board of Aldermen of the City, as provided herein, for a term of three years. Any vacancy on the board occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Aldermen for the remainder of the unexpired term. Appointments to the electric services board shall require the concurring vote of four members of the Board of Aldermen. The vote of the mayor shall be counted as if he were a member of the Board of Aldermen.
If a member of the board establishes a residence whereby he no longer meets the residence requirements for which he was appointed, such member shall no longer be a member of the electric services board.
The city-resident members of the electric services board shall be customers of the city electric utility system and shall be persons of recognized ability and good business judgment and standing, who, in the opinion of the Board of Aldermen, can and will perform their official duties in the best interest of the city and the customers of the electric utility system. The Board of Aldermen will endeavor to select individuals who are eminently qualified to represent the best interests of the people of the city and the customers of the electric utility system.
The out-of-city board members shall be appointed by the Board of Aldermen in the following manner:
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The County Board of Commissioners will be requested to nominate three persons for each vacant out-of-city position.
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The Town of Trent Woods will be requested to nominate one person residing in the town for each vacant out-of-city position.
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The Greater New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce will be requested to nominate one person for each vacant out-of-city position.
The Board of Aldermen shall select one of the five nominees for each vacant out-of-city position to be appointed to the electric services board. Should one or more of the three entities fail to provide nominees to the city board within a period of 30 days after the requested nominations, the Board of Aldermen shall make its appointment from the nominations which have been received.
Current Roster
There are currently no members serving on this board.