JUNEAU - Beaver Dam based, United Cooperative, held its 73rd annual meeting on April 14, at the Juneau Community Center.

"Our cooperative has grown to more than $429 million in sales," said United Cooperative president and chief executive officer David Cramer in his financial report, "resulting in total profits of almost $15 million."

Cramer mentioned that the cooperative paid $14.59 million in salaries and wages,and returned $919,950 to rural Wisconsin communities in property taxes.

Members were reminded that on April 10, United Cooperative released $2.37 million in cash to United Cooperative patrons, the largest return in United Cooperative history. This year, more than $5.64 million in cash was paid to United Cooperative members in equity retirement, dividends on capital stock and patronage.

John Manske, director of government relations for Cooperative Network, the all-cooperative trade association in Wisconsin and Minnesota, spoke to United Cooperative patron members about the proposed oil company franchise tax in the state budget.

According to Manske, a tax supposedly aimed at "big oil" will destroy patronage dividends paid to cooperative members and siphon money out of the rural Wisconsin economy.

"Governor Doyle's biennial budget provision will put at risk patronage that is paid to local cooperatives and cooperative members," Manske said. "For example, $1.8 million that United Cooperative received from CHS last year could disappear if this new tax is passed into law."

Manske asked all to communicate with their state legislators on this crucial issue that is now before the state legislature.

United Cooperative Board of Directors chairman, Howard Bohl, Beaver Dam, recognized the 2008 board members and reviewed board election results for 2009. Steven Knoebel, Helenville; Thomas Langenfeld, Eldorado; and Anthony Schadt, Watertown, were all re-elected to the board .

United Cooperative board members for 2009 include Howard Bohl, Beaver Dam, chairman; Steve Knoebel, Helenville, vice chairman; Robin Craker, Reedsburg, secretary; Tom Langenfeld, Eldorado; Anthony Schadt, Watertown; Daniel Swan, Beaver Dam; David Bischoff, Juneau; Gary Nolden, Prairie du Sac; and Duane Hinchley, Cambridge.

Employees were recognized by Cramer for their years of service to United Cooperative. Among them were six individuals who retired in the last year: Milo Jackson, Lyndon Station, 39 years; Janet Peper, Rock Springs, 30 years; William Mead, Reedsburg, 25 years; Jerold Westra, Randolph, nine years; Bernard Hirst, Reedsburg, nine years; and Earl Kufahl, Green Bay, three years.

United Cooperative also hosted an informational meeting on April 15 at the Clarion Hotel, West Baraboo.