This is the question on many of our member’s mind. Here's what we know: 

• Wholesale power prices are up across the country. 
• Extreme weather has increased energy use for many households. 
• Major infrastructure investments—including broadband—have short-term costs, even when they offer long-term value. 

We are now working to break down exactly where your money goes, in clear language. That’s part of our commitment to Principle 5: Education, Training, and Information. 

If you see a spike in your bill that doesn’t add up, contact us directly. You deserve answers. 

Petit Jean is guided by Principle 2: Democratic Member Control. Members elect a board of directors to represent them. That board is then legally authorized to make decisions—including financial ones—on behalf of the membership. 

That said, we hear the concern: voting for leaders should come with transparency and accountability. We’re actively working to make board decisions more visible, and to ensure that member feedback happens before key votes—not after. 

Every member has one vote—and every vote matters. 

If you’re a current member of Petit Jean Electric Cooperative, you should receive your Annual Report and ballot in the mail soon (if you haven’t already). Here’s what you need to know: 

Step 1: 
Mark your ballot to vote for the board candidates of your choice. This year, two director positions in District 5 are up for election. 

Step 2: 
Place your completed ballot in the small, unmarked envelope provided. This ensures your vote remains secret. 

Step 3: 
Put that small envelope into the larger envelope—the one with your name and address label—and return it to Petit Jean. That outer envelope helps confirm that you're a voting member. 

To protect the integrity of the process, a ballot-counting committee will separate the two envelopes before opening any ballots. Your vote is private and secure. 

Bonus: 
Returning your ballot automatically enters you into a prize drawing—one winner from District 5, and one systemwide. 

Candidates for 2025 include: 

District 5, Position 1: 

• Jerel Brown 
• David Cook 
• Kevin Johnson 

District 5, Position 2: 

• Fred Herman 
• Wade Lucas 

Our cooperative model is built on Principle 2: Democratic Member Control—which means the future of the board is in the hands of the members. We encourage everyone to vote and be part of shaping our direction.  

Election results will be announced at the Annual Meeting scheduled  

Our decision to expand into broadband wasn’t just about infrastructure—it was about meeting a real and growing need for our members. As your cooperative, we are committed to delivering essential services that improve quality of life across our community. The investment reflects that commitment and aligns directly with Principle 7: Concern for Community. 

Here’s what drove the decision: 

1. Public Funding Made It Possible 
Over the past several years, federal and state programs have made funding available to expand broadband in underserved areas around the country. These programs were created to help close the digital divide—especially in rural communities like ours. 

By participating in these programs, we’ve been able to bring in outside dollars to invest locally, without passing the full cost onto our members. 

2. We Were Uniquely Positioned to Deliver 
We already own the infrastructure—the poles, rights-of-way, and service lines—that made an expansion into broadband possible. That put us in a strong position to build out fiber efficiently and affordably.  

3. Broadband Access Is a Modern Utility 
High-speed internet is now a basic necessity—for school, work, healthcare, and public safety. Rural communities like ours should have the same access to broadband as more urban areas. Providing reliable access to broadband is a natural extension of the cooperative mission we were founded on. 

4. Fiber Strengthens Our Electric System Too 
Fiber doesn’t just bring internet—it also enables smart grid technology. It helps us detect outages faster, improve system reliability, and prepare for the future of energy—including solar integration and real-time usage data. 

Bottom line: 
We made this investment to better serve our members—now and in the years ahead. We know we could have communicated that more clearly, and we’re working hard to do better moving forward. But this decision was rooted in long-term service, local equity, and the same cooperative values we were founded on. Visit Fiber-To-Home Project for more detailed information.   

No. The fiber subsidiary is member-owned. So are the investments in the state-wide broadband partnership. Revenue generated from these efforts supports co-op operations and reduces long-term financial pressure on members. 

This structure is designed to support Principle 3: Member Economic Participation. All capital serves the membership—not outside shareholders. 

No, and if it happened to you, we want to make it right. 

Call us directly if you think your energy bill is incorrect. This is your cooperative. Principle 2 means you help shape how it operates—and that includes how errors are addressed. 

We know they may be. And we know this isn’t just a local issue. 

Across the country, families are stretched thin—by rising costs, limited resources, and economic uncertainty. That hardship is being felt right here in our community. Many of our members are living on fixed incomes, working multiple jobs, or making hard choices between essential expenses. 

We see it. And we’re not ignoring it. 

That’s why we’re starting a full review of our member policies - deposits, disconnect practices, and payment plans—to ask one central question:

Are these policies helping our members, or making things harder when times are already tough? 

We want to make sure we’re treating people fairly, offering flexibility when it’s needed, and showing up with the kind of support this community deserves. 

This work is grounded in Principle 7: Concern for Community. If our policies don’t reflect care and common sense, then they’re not aligned with who we are—and that means it’s time to change them. 

We’ll share updates as this review moves forward. And we invite you to share your experience with us.  

No, we are not blocking solar access. We’ve followed all state guidelines, but we understand that how we’ve communicated our position has caused confusion. 

We support member-driven solar. But we also want to ensure the system is safe, equitable, and financially sound for all members—not just those who can afford panels. Principle 6: Cooperation Among Cooperatives guides how we navigate these complex transitions. 

Yes, complaints and petitions submitted by members prompted the Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC) to open an investigation into several electric cooperatives across the state—including Petit Jean—to ensure that rates are just and reasonable. 

That investigation has since been closed, and the PSC found that our rates meet the required standards. You can view the official findings by visiting the PSC website and reviewing the public dockets related to this matter. 

In addition to that review, Petit Jean has undergone several audits this year: 

• An independent financial audit 
• A review by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
• An audit by the State Workers’ Compensation Commission 

All audits resulted in clean opinions, with no findings or issues. We’re happy to provide copies of these reports upon request. 

We don’t fear oversight—we welcome it. That’s part of being accountable in a democratic, member-led system. (Principle 2: Democratic Member Control) 

This page is part of a broader shift in how we show up. Starting now, you’ll see: 

• Regular updates from leadership 
• Plain-language explanations of board decisions and financials 
• Clearer voting and member participation procedures 

This isn’t just about communication. It’s about culture. And we’re building a cooperative culture worthy of the trust we’re asking you to give us.