The Benton Rural Electric Association is your not-for-profit consumer-owned electric cooperative. Our members elect eight boa ... rd members who represent their interest in terms of policies, the direction of the utility, and actions taken by the Association. Any profits above cost belong to our members. These net margins that remain, after all expenses, are returned to our members who paid their electric bills. These funds are called ownership credits. When sufficient cash reserves are on hand the trustees can authorize a refund of ownership credits accrued to the people who were members of the co-op during the year authorized for refund. To date, we've returned more than $15.5 million to our members. read more