By Barb Fowler, Polk County Rural Public Power District general manager

    Do you ever feel that your representatives in Washington—or even in Lincoln—don’t understand your perspective or know how to best protect your interests? One of the core principles of public power is local control and accountability. Public Power District directors are deeply connected to the community, responsive to local needs, and accountable to the voters within their service areas. As customer-owners themselves, these directors are directly impacted by the decisions made by the board.
     But what exactly does the Board of Directors do?
    The Board of Directors for your local public power district is a collaborative team made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The board, as a collective body of elected officials, makes decisions for the district, and no single director acts independently on behalf of the district. Instead, they work together to set the district's vision, mission, and strategic direction.
    Directors are held to a standard of conduct which entails three main duties.
    Duty of Obedience requires Directors to follow all statutory laws and district bylaws, and mandate necessary records and record-keeping, internal procedures, policies, and compliance programs. It also places the ultimate fiduciary responsibility on the Board of Directors to ensure that proper safeguards, guidelines, and practices are in place to protect all district’s interests.
    Duty of Loyalty requires directors to act in good faith, always prioritizing the best interests of the district—not their personal interests or those of any other organization. They must avoid actions driven by expedience, greed, or self-interest. Directors must report any conflict of interests that may arise during their term.
    Duty of Care requires that directors perform their roles with a high degree of diligence, care, and skill, similar to what an ordinary, prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances and in a similar position.
     While the district employs a range of staff, the Board’s management responsibility is limited to overseeing the General Manager, to whom they delegate authority for the day-to-day operations. This includes setting expectations, managing operations, and ensuring safe working conditions for employees.
     A new director brings valuable insights but also faces a steep learning curve in governance responsibilities such as strategic planning, policy development, risk management, and financial oversight. For those unfamiliar with the electric industry, grasping the terminology and concepts can be challenging.
    Effective communication with policymakers and the public is crucial. A director must also embrace and support the values of the Public Power model, understanding its importance to the local community.
    And let’s not forget, serving as a director is a significant commitment—many directors juggle this role alongside full-time jobs and family responsibilities. It is no easy feat, but your local community leaders on your local Public Power District Board remain dedicated to the principle of Nebraska Public Power for Nebraskans.