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Nonprofiteer
← PAUL BUNYAN RURAL TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by PAUL BUNYAN RURAL TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE.

Totals

Total revenue
$77,772,539
Total expenses
$76,627,300
Contributions and grants received
$0
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$77,353,574
Investment income
$197,109
Other revenue
$221,856
Total assets, end of year
$196,528,571
Total liabilities, end of year
$44,692,796
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$151,835,775
Program services expenses (Part IX)
not reported
Management and general expenses
not reported
Fundraising expenses
not reported
Program service expenses (Part III)
not reported

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 2a · Program service revenue: TELEPHONE SERVICES

    total $76,182,310 · related or exempt $75,988,498 · unrelated business $193,812

  • 2b · Program service revenue: PARTNERSHIP INCOME

    total $705,507 · related or exempt $705,507

  • 2c · Program service revenue: TELEVISION ADS

    total $399,277 · unrelated business $399,277

  • 2d · Program service revenue: ADVERTISING

    total $65,905 · unrelated business $65,905

  • 2e · Program service revenue: PAYPHONE

    total $575 · unrelated business $575

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $116,783 · unrelated business $2,566 · excluded $114,217

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $240,109

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $18,573

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $221,536

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $221,536 · related or exempt $221,536

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    other assets $80,326

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    other assets $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    other assets $80,326

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $80,326 · excluded $80,326

  • 11a · Other revenue: OTHER INCOME

    total $320 · unrelated business $320

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $320

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 4 · Benefits paid to or for members

    total $9,527,059

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $3,967,659

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $2,830,238

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $26,354

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $1,598,043

  • 20 · Interest

    total $1,599,788

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $13,598,632

  • 24a · Other expenses: TAXES

    total $75,741

  • 24b · Other expenses: VIDEO

    total $14,493,125

  • 24c · Other expenses: INTERNET

    total $9,412,159

  • 24d · Other expenses: PLANT EXPENSE

    total $6,602,411

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $12,896,091

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $469,918 · end of year $457,721

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $979,631 · end of year $3,083,512

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $601,085 · end of year $601,983

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $327,855 · end of year $386,249

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $627,265 · end of year $489,267

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $321,570,737

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $161,550,756

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $156,624,216 · end of year $160,019,981

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $2,548,924 · end of year $2,746,449

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $9,043,096 · end of year $9,537,706

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $18,113,180 · end of year $19,205,703

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $8,317,634 · end of year $8,004,039

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $26,442,037 · end of year $30,512,090

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $4,000,000

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $4,973,449 · end of year $6,176,667

  • 29 · Capital stock, trust principal or current funds

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 30 · Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund

    beginning of year $135,887,804 · end of year $142,023,444

  • 31 · Retained earnings, endowment or other funds

    beginning of year $9,714,246 · end of year $9,812,331

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES TO COOPERATIVE MEMBERS THAT IMPROVES THEIR LIVES.

  • PROVISION OF TELEPHONE, INTERNET, AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICES TO COOPERATIVE MEMBERS LIVING AND WORKING IN RURAL MINNESOTA. PAUL BUNYAN CONTINUES TO EXPAND OUR SERVICES TO RURAL AREAS THAT ARE UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.

As filed on the 2024 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • Gary Johnson

    CEO & GM

    Total calculated
    $817,770
    From this org
    $454,434
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $363,336
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $447,592
    Bonus
    $6,842
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $334,404
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,932
    Filer's total
    $817,770

  • Chad Bullock

    ASST. CEO

    Total calculated
    $349,746
    From this org
    $272,822
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $76,924
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $271,597
    Bonus
    $1,225
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $51,568
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,356
    Filer's total
    $349,746

  • Dave Schultz

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (JAN - NOV)

    Total calculated
    $515,615
    From this org
    $326,787
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $188,828
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $320,248
    Bonus
    $6,539
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $166,817
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,011
    Filer's total
    $515,615

  • Craig Boyer

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (DEC)

    Total calculated
    $83,243
    From this org
    $76,683
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,560
    Hours/week
    40

  • Steve Howard

    INFO, TECH & DEVELOPMENT M

    Total calculated
    $295,752
    From this org
    $226,838
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $68,914
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $220,549
    Bonus
    $6,289
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $43,068
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,846
    Filer's total
    $295,752

  • Robert St Clair

    CHIEF NETWORK OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $286,228
    From this org
    $219,402
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $66,826
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $213,113
    Bonus
    $6,289
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $41,634
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,192
    Filer's total
    $286,228

  • Christie Turn

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $276,245
    From this org
    $211,044
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $65,201
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $204,755
    Bonus
    $6,289
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $40,101
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,100
    Filer's total
    $276,245

  • Leo Anderson

    CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $263,755
    From this org
    $212,835
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $50,920
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $206,546
    Bonus
    $6,289
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $40,290
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,630
    Filer's total
    $263,755

  • Randy Frisk

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $42,575
    From this org
    $42,575
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • James Sutton

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $46,801
    From this org
    $46,801
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Tim Hins

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $48,149
    From this org
    $48,149
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Bruce Campbell

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $39,908
    From this org
    $39,908
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Tracy Mistic-Schaar

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $42,009
    From this org
    $42,009
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Glenda Martin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $24,174
    From this org
    $24,174
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Brian Nicklason

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $34,093
    From this org
    $34,093
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Lisa Geerdes

    NETWORK TECHNOLOGY MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $176,408
    From this org
    $128,056
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $48,352
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $127,556
    Bonus
    $500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $24,429
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,923
    Filer's total
    $176,408

  • Terri Crews

    ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR

    Total calculated
    $162,903
    From this org
    $121,802
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,101
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $116,284
    Bonus
    $5,518
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $23,196
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,905
    Filer's total
    $162,903

  • Ryan Otting

    NETWORK OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $159,281
    From this org
    $118,963
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,318
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $113,445
    Bonus
    $5,518
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $22,630
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,688
    Filer's total
    $159,281

  • Grant Hikok

    DATA SERVICE REP - VIDEO

    Total calculated
    $146,482
    From this org
    $115,226
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,256
    Hours/week
    40

  • Crystal Mattfield

    IT SUPERVISOR

    Total calculated
    $141,665
    From this org
    $116,868
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,797
    Hours/week
    40

  • Gary Ecklund

    PAST BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $14,859
    From this org
    $14,859
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $14,859
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $14,859

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · Travel for companions
  • 1a · Tax indemnification and gross-up payments
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • NORTHERN COMMUNICATIONS LLC

    TELECOMMUNICATIONS · MN · income $100,356 · assets $433,515

    Directly controlled by PAUL BUNYAN RURAL TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE

Related partnerships

Part III: related organizations taxable as a partnership, with the filer's share.

  • PINNACLE PUBLISHING LLC

    INVESTMENT · PUBLISHING · MN · 67.16% owned · share of income $62,747 · share of assets $5,625,566

    Directly controlled by PAUL BUNYAN RURAL TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE

  • COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT LLC

    INVESTMENT · CONTRACTING · MN · 50% owned · share of income $449,049 · share of assets $3,813,091

    Directly controlled by PAUL BUNYAN RURAL TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
27 October 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202533169349306858

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