Refund Coming This Month

An important message from CEO Ronnie Lee

Look closely at your December bill–you'll probably notice a nice credit. It appears as a minus in the amount column.

Our board, fellow customers you elect to run the co-op, has examined the books and voted to return a whopping $3 million for the second year in a row. In all, Walton EMC customer-owners have gotten back $22 million over the last 17 years. Over 92,000 of you will take part in this year's refund.

Most of the refunds will appear as a credit on electric bills, with the average being $27. This saves over $30,000 in check production and mailing costs.

Checks will be issued for large refunds or refunds due to former customers who have since moved off Walton EMC's system. The amount you get is based on the amount of your annual power bills.

Walton EMC is a cooperative-that means we're a customer-owned business. And since you own Walton EMC, any money left over after expense comes back as a refund.

A small portion of every dollar you spend for electric service is credited to your margins account. Margins are the amount left over after Walton EMC pays all the bills.

Some of the margins are held for reserve funds so Walton EMC is prepared for emergencies. Margins are also used to help pay down debt and to make major purchases. But when those margin reserves grow to more than what's needed for a safe financial cushion, we return the extra.

Customer-owners who received electric service from Walton EMC during the years 1981, 1982 and/or 2003 are included. Older margins are retired on a continuing basis; margins up to 1981 have already been distributed.

I hope you enjoy this benefit of receiving electric service from your customer-owned company. It's just one of the many advantages of belonging to our cooperative.

Read other articles in this month's Realite:

• Walton EMC Helps Partner School Prepare for Emergencies
  Walton EMC has given Carver Middle School in Monroe a gift they hope will never be used.
  
  
• Spruce Up Your Holiday Décor
  If you missed Walton EMC's Holiday Programs this year, here's a popular idea Kim McKinney shared with attendees – how to create a candy cane topiary.
  
  
• Current Cooking
  Sugared Nuts, great for a holiday treat.
  
  
• Round Up Funds Help Forty Familes
  Your pocket change is changing lives. Your small Operation Round Up contribution impacts families throughout Walton EMC's service territory each month.
  
• Walton EMC Cookbook Makes Great Gift
  Just right for the cooks on your Christmas list.
  
  
• Holiday Closing
  Walton EMC's business offices and call center will be closed on December 23, 24 and 31 in observance of Christmas and New Year's holidays. Call 24/365 for outages or emergencies.
  
  
• Gift Certificates Available
  

  Walton EMC gift certificates are available at our Monroe, Snellville and Watkinsville business offices.

   

  The certificates can be used to pay on electric accounts or for our surge suppression and weather radio products.

   

  They're the perfect gift for the person who has everything. You can also use a Walton EMC gift certificate to give a little boost to someone who needs help with their electric account this holiday season.