ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORP - Quarter Report: 2011 June (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission file number 000-18516
ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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51-0002090
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
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664 Churchmans Road, Newark, Delaware 19702
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Address of principal executive offices
(302) 453 – 6900
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
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Yes
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o
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
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Yes
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o
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act.:
Large Accelerated Filer o
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Accelerated Filer þ
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Non-Accelerated Filer o
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Smaller Reporting Company o
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
o
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Yes
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þ
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No
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As of August X, 2011, 7,599,405 shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock and 881,452 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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Unaudited
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(In thousands)
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ASSETS
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June 30, 2011
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December 31, 2010
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Utility plant, at original cost less accumulated depreciation
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$ | 348,251 | $ | 345,383 | ||||
Current assets
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Cash and cash equivalents
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188 | 179 | ||||||
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts 2011 - $228; 2010-$230)
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4,409 | 5,094 | ||||||
Unbilled operating revenues
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4,374 | 3,614 | ||||||
Materials and supplies
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1,360 | 1,246 | ||||||
Prepaid property taxes
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3 | 1,260 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other
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1,005 | 2,640 | ||||||
Total current assets
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11,339 | 14,033 | ||||||
Other assets
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Non-utility property (less accumulated depreciation 2011-$357; 2010-$377)
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4,268 | 4,480 | ||||||
Other deferred assets
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5,310 | 5,023 | ||||||
Total other assets
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9,578 | 9,503 | ||||||
Regulatory assets, net
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2,645 | 2,610 | ||||||
$ | 371,813 | $ | 371,529 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
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Stockholders' equity
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Common stock
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$ | 7,675 | $ | 7,637 | ||||
Preferred stock
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--- | --- | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital
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70,651 | 69,989 | ||||||
Retained earnings
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17,379 | 17,520 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity
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95,705 | 95,146 | ||||||
Long-term debt, net of current portion
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106,729 | 105,061 | ||||||
202,434 | 200,207 | |||||||
Current liabilities
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Lines of credit
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25,632 | 29,071 | ||||||
Overdraft payable
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425 | 740 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt
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1,653 | 1,545 | ||||||
Accounts payable
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2,636 | 3,401 | ||||||
Accrued expenses
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2,847 | 2,126 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes
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--- | 459 | ||||||
Accrued interest
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1,215 | 1,189 | ||||||
Customer deposits
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907 | 805 | ||||||
Other
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2,938 | 2,549 | ||||||
Total current liabilities
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38,253 | 41,885 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies
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--- | --- | ||||||
Deferred credits and other liabilities
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Net advances for construction
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15,832 | 16,159 | ||||||
Postretirement benefit obligation
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418 | 525 | ||||||
Deferred investment tax credits
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653 | 664 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes
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39,261 | 37,558 | ||||||
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
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56,164 | 54,906 | ||||||
Net contributions in aid of construction
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74,962 | 74,531 | ||||||
$ | 371,813 | $ | 371,529 | |||||
See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS
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Unaudited
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(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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For the Three Months
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For the Six Months
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Ended June 30,
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Ended June 30,
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2011
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2010
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2011
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2010
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Operating revenues
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Water sales
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$ | 14,683 | $ | 13,909 | $ | 27,598 | $ | 26,804 | ||||||||
Other utility operating revenue
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711 | 714 | 1,458 | 1,333 | ||||||||||||
Non-utility revenue
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1,116 | 1,380 | 2,211 | 2,850 | ||||||||||||
16,510 | 16,003 | 31,267 | 30,987 | |||||||||||||
Operating expenses
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Utility operating expenses
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8,136 | 7,466 | 16,214 | 14,834 | ||||||||||||
Non-utility operating expenses
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775 | 958 | 1,715 | 1,976 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization
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1,823 | 1,723 | 3,633 | 3,454 | ||||||||||||
State and federal income taxes
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1,260 | 1,209 | 1,954 | 2,326 | ||||||||||||
Property and other taxes
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928 | 1,027 | 1,944 | 1,990 | ||||||||||||
12,922 | 12,383 | 25,460 | 24,580 | |||||||||||||
Operating income
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3,588 | 3,620 | 5,807 | 6,407 | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net
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Allowance for funds used during construction
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38 | 24 | 73 | 67 | ||||||||||||
Miscellaneous
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(25 | ) | (44 | ) | 572 | 567 | ||||||||||
Income before interest charges
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3,601 | 3,600 | 6,452 | 7,041 | ||||||||||||
Interest charges
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1,848 | 1,802 | 3,690 | 3,597 | ||||||||||||
Net income
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$ | 1,753 | $ | 1,798 | $ | 2,762 | $ | 3,444 | ||||||||
Retained earnings, beginning of period
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$ | 17,084 | $ | 15,817 | $ | 17,520 | $ | 15,577 | ||||||||
Less dividends
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(1,458 | ) | (1,415 | ) | (2,903 | ) | (2,821 | ) | ||||||||
Retained earnings, end of period
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$ | 17,379 | $ | 16,200 | $ | 17,379 | $ | 16,200 | ||||||||
Income per common share:
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Basic
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$ | 0.23 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.46 | ||||||||
Diluted
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$ | 0.23 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.45 | ||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding
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Basic
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7,672 | 7,539 | 7,662 | 7,526 | ||||||||||||
Diluted
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7,714 | 7,607 | 7,706 | 7,595 | ||||||||||||
Cash dividend per common share
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$ | 0.1902 | $ | 0.1882 | $ | 0.3794 | $ | 0.3755 | ||||||||
See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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Unaudited
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(In thousands)
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For the Six Months
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Ended June 30
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2011
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2010
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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Net income
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$ | 2,762 | $ | 3,444 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
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Depreciation and amortization
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3,633 | 3,454 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes, net
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1,233 | 1,014 | ||||||
Stock compensation
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62 | 48 | ||||||
AFUDC
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(73 | ) | (67 | ) | ||||
Changes in assets and liabilities:
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Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
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685 | 926 | ||||||
Unbilled operating revenues
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(760 | ) | (533 | ) | ||||
Materials and supplies
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(114 | ) | (75 | ) | ||||
Prepaid property taxes
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1,257 | 1,219 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other
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1,635 | 448 | ||||||
Other deferred assets
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(239 | ) | (213 | ) | ||||
Regulatory assets
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(35 | ) | 90 | |||||
Accounts payable
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(765 | ) | (1,267 | ) | ||||
Accrued expenses
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721 | 405 | ||||||
Accrued interest
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26 | (154 | ) | |||||
Customer deposits and other, net
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491 | 1,306 | ||||||
Postretirement benefit obligation
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(107 | ) | (34 | ) | ||||
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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10,412 | 10,011 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
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Capital expenditures (net of AFUDC)
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(6,560 | ) | (6,266 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of assets
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30 | 35 | ||||||
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
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(6,530 | ) | (6,231 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
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Net repayments under lines of credit agreements
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(3,439 | ) | (2,404 | ) | ||||
(Decrease) increase in overdraft payable
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(315 | ) | 189 | |||||
Net advances and contributions in aid of construction
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447 | 1,128 | ||||||
Change in deferred debt issuance costs
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58 | (2 | ) | |||||
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
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638 | 673 | ||||||
Equity issuance costs
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(135 | ) | --- | |||||
Dividends paid
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(2,903 | ) | (2,821 | ) | ||||
Issuance of long-term debt
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2,837 | --- | ||||||
Principal repayments of long-term debt
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(1,061 | ) | (473 | ) | ||||
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
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(3,873 | ) | (3,710 | ) | ||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
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9 | 70 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
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179 | 474 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
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$ | 188 | $ | 544 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
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Utility plant received as construction advances and contributions
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$ | 382 | $ | 281 | ||||
Interest paid
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$ | 3,664 | $ | 3,751 | ||||
Income taxes paid
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$ | --- | $ | --- | ||||
See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 – GENERAL
Artesian Resources Corporation, or Artesian Resources, includes income from the earnings of our eight wholly owned subsidiaries and the income derived from our Service Line Protection Plans described below. The terms “we”, “our”, “Artesian” and the “Company” as used herein refer to Artesian Resources and its subsidiaries. The variable interest entity previously required to be consolidated under guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, is no longer consolidated as of August 6, 2010, as further discussed in Note 2 below.
DELAWARE REGULATED SUBSIDIARIES
Artesian Water Company Inc., or Artesian Water, our principal subsidiary, is the oldest and largest public water utility in the State of Delaware and has been providing water service within the state since 1905. Artesian Water distributes and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal and utility customers throughout the State of Delaware. In addition, Artesian Water provides services to other water utilities, including operations and billing functions, and also has contract operation agreements with private and municipal water providers. We also provide water for public and private fire protection to customers in our service territories.
Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc., or Artesian Wastewater, is a regulated entity that owns wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure and provides wastewater services to customers in Delaware as a regulated public wastewater service company. Artesian Wastewater currently owns and operates five wastewater treatment facilities, which are capable of treating approximately 750,000 gallons per day and can be expanded to treat approximately 1.6 million gallons per day, or mgd.
The preliminary engineering and design work was completed on a regional wastewater treatment and disposal facility located in the northern Sussex County area that has the potential to treat up to approximately 8 mgd. This facility is strategically situated to provide service to the growing population in the Georgetown, Ellendale and Milton areas, as well as to neighboring municipal systems. This facility was granted conditional use approval by Sussex County Council to serve the Elizabethtown subdivision of approximately 4,000 homes and 439,000 square feet of proposed commercial space, as well as seven additional projects comprising approximately 3,000 residential units. The facility will also be capable of offering wastewater services to local municipalities. The agreement signed on June 30, 2008 (and as amended on April 29, 2009) between Artesian Utility Development, Inc., or Artesian Utility, and Northern Sussex Regional Water Recycling Complex, LLC, or NSRWRC, for the design, construction and operation of this facility was cancelled on August 6, 2010. Artesian Wastewater will manage the design and construction of the facility going forward and, once completed, the operation of the facility.
In July 2008, Artesian Wastewater and the Town of Georgetown, or Georgetown, finalized a wastewater service agreement establishing a long term arrangement that will meet the future wastewater treatment and disposal needs in Georgetown’s growth and annexation areas. Artesian Wastewater will provide up to 1 mgd of wastewater capacity for the town.
MARYLAND REGULATED SUBSIDIARIES
Artesian Water Maryland, Inc., or Artesian Water Maryland, began operations in August 2007 with the acquisition of the Carpenters Point Water Company, which includes a 141 home community in Cecil County near the Interstate 95 growth corridor between Philadelphia and Baltimore and which has sufficient groundwater supply and elevated water storage to serve additional customers in the undeveloped portions of its franchise and surrounding area. The Mountain Hill Water Company was acquired in August 2008, which includes service rights to 8,000 acres of undeveloped land in Cecil County’s growth area. Included in this Mountain Hill Service Area is the Principio Business Park, as well as the proposed 660 home residential development of Charlestown Crossing. We currently serve three commercial accounts in the Principio Business Park. On June 4, 2009, the Maryland Public Service Commission, or MDPSC, approved installation of a water main to serve residents of Whitaker Woods, an existing 172 home development located adjacent to the Mountain Hill Service Area. As of June 30, 2011, 38 homes in Whitaker Woods were receiving water service. On September 9, 2009, the MDPSC approved Artesian Water Maryland’s request to construct a water system to serve the first phase, consisting of 71 homes, in the Charlestown Crossing housing development.
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In November 2010, Artesian Water Maryland purchased water assets from the Town of Port Deposit, or Port Deposit, which includes access to the Susquehanna River as a source of water supply and water service rights for the service area that encompasses Port Deposit’s existing 280 customers and several adjacent tracts of land including the Bainbridge property, a 1,200-acre former U.S. Navy facility, which has the potential to be developed for 2,800 residential homes as well as office, commercial, and educational uses. Artesian Water Maryland purchased all of the assets used in providing potable water, water distribution and water meter services, or the Facilities, from Port Deposit. Port Deposit transferred to Artesian Water Maryland all of Port Deposit’s right, title and interest in and to all of the plant and equipment, associated real property, contracts and permits possessed by Port Deposit related to the operation of the Facilities as well as the water distribution, treatment and water meter systems possessed by Port Deposit or used in the operation of the Facilities. Port Deposit also transferred to Artesian Water Maryland all rights to serve the customers within Port Deposit (which shall include Port Deposit as it currently exists as well as certain additional growth areas that may be added to Port Deposit in the future) and all rights to be served by all vendors and suppliers of Port Deposit. Port Deposit shall collect and remit to Artesian Water Maryland its tariff connection charges as approved by the MDPSC for new connections to the water system within Port Deposit. The MDPSC approved this transaction on July 28, 2010, including the exercise of franchise agreements granted by Port Deposit and Cecil County, Maryland. The existing water system consists of a water treatment facility, an existing 700,000 gallon per day Susquehanna River Water Appropriation Permit, a 500,000-gallon ground storage tank and water mains.
In addition, Artesian Water Maryland has entered into the following agreement to further expand our service capabilities: In October 2008, Artesian Water Maryland signed an agreement, or the Cecil County Purchase Agreement, to purchase from Cecil County all of Cecil County’s rights, title and interest in and to the Meadowview, Pine Hills, Harbourview and Route 7 water facilities and the associated parcels of real property, easement rights and water transmission and distribution systems at a price equal to the net asset value of the purchased assets, which was approximately $2.2 million as of June 30, 2008, and assume certain liabilities at closing. This sum may be paid in cash at closing or, upon mutual agreement, by a note payable to Cecil County. In response to the Cecil County Purchase Agreement, the Appleton Regional Community Alliance, or Appleton Alliance, filed a petition with The Circuit Court of Cecil County, Maryland, or Circuit Court, in opposition to the transactions on the grounds that Cecil County has no right to sell the assets involved in the transaction, which has delayed the closing. The Circuit Court decided in favor of Cecil County on July 24, 2009. On August 19, 2009, the Appleton Alliance filed an appeal of the Circuit Court’s decision with the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Upon the request of Cecil County, which was not opposed by the Appleton Alliance, the matter was moved to the state’s highest Court of Appeals, where it was heard on June 2, 2010. The Court of Appeals issued a decision on June 21, 2011, holding that Maryland law does not prohibit Cecil County from entering into the Cecil County Purchase Agreement with Artesian Water Maryland. The decision enables Artesian Water Maryland to proceed with consummating the transaction contemplated by the Cecil County Purchase Agreement. The closing remains subject to receipt of approval of the transaction by the MDPSC. The Cecil County Purchase Agreement may be terminated by either party, subject to certain exceptions, in the event of uncured breach by the other party. Upon the mutual agreement of the parties, the closing date has been extended to the final day of the sixth month following the final judicial determination by the Maryland Court of Appeals on the Appleton Alliance petition. The closing is expected to occur on or before December 31, 2011.
Artesian Wastewater Maryland, Inc., or Artesian Wastewater Maryland, was incorporated on June 3, 2008 specifically for the purpose of executing the purchase agreements described below in order to provide regulated wastewater services in the State of Maryland.
In October 2008, Artesian Wastewater Maryland signed an agreement, or the Meadowview Agreement, to purchase the Meadowview Wastewater Facility and the Highlands Wastewater Facility and the associated parcels of real property, easement rights and wastewater collection systems with respect to each facility from Cecil County at a price equal to the net asset value of the purchased assets, which was approximately $7.8 million as of June 30, 2008, and assume certain liabilities at closing. The majority of the purchase price shall be paid by Artesian Wastewater Maryland’s assumption of $7.2 million due by Cecil County under a tax-exempt Cecil County Sanitary District Bond, Series 2004B, or the Bond. In the event that the net asset value of the purchased assets as of the closing exceeds the amount due under the Bond, then the positive difference (if any) shall be paid by Artesian Wastewater Maryland to Cecil County in cash at closing or, upon mutual agreement, by a note payable to Cecil County.
7
In October 2008, Artesian Wastewater Maryland signed an agreement, or the Cherry Hill Agreement, to purchase the Cherry Hill Wastewater Facility and the Harbourview Wastewater Facility and the associated parcels of real property, easement rights and wastewater collection systems with respect to each facility from Cecil County at a price equal to the net asset value of the purchased assets, which was approximately $3.8 million as of June 30, 2008, and assume certain liabilities at closing. Cecil County shall immediately upon receipt of such payment, pay to its creditors an amount sufficient to pay all indebtedness of Cecil County in respect of the Cherry Hill and Harbourview Wastewater facilities, or the Indebtedness. If the amount of the purchase price under the Cherry Hill Agreement is less than the Indebtedness, Cecil County will pay out of its own funds any amount sufficient to discharge in full the Indebtedness in excess of the purchase price. If the purchase price exceeds the amount of Indebtedness, the positive difference will be paid by Artesian Wastewater Maryland and may be financed through a note payable to Cecil County.
The Meadowview Agreement and the Cherry Hill Agreement are also subject to the petition filed by the Appleton Alliance described in the Artesian Water Maryland section above. As a result, closing had been delayed until the final judicial determination on the Appleton Alliance petition. The Court of Appeals issued a decision on June 21, 2011, holding that Maryland law does not prohibit Cecil County from entering into the Meadowview Agreement and Cherry Hill Agreement with Artesian Wastewater Maryland. The decision enables Artesian Wastewater Maryland to proceed with consummating the transactions contemplated by the Meadowview Agreement and Cherry Hill Agreement. Closing on these transactions remains subject to receipt of approval of the transactions by the MDPSC. Under each of the agreements, either party may terminate such agreement, subject to certain exceptions, in the event of uncured breach by the other party. Upon the mutual agreement of the parties, the closing date has been extended to the final day of the sixth month following the final judicial determination by the Maryland Court of Appeals on the Appleton Alliance petition. The closing is expected to occur on or before December 31, 2011.
PENNSYLVANIA REGULATED SUBSIDIARY
Artesian Water Pennsylvania, Inc., or Artesian Water Pennsylvania, began operations upon receiving recognition as a regulated public water utility by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PAPUC, in 2002. It provides water service to a residential community in Chester County. Artesian Water Pennsylvania filed an application with the PAPUC to increase our service area in Pennsylvania, which was approved and a related order was entered on February 4, 2005. This application involved specific developments, in which we expect modest future growth.
OTHER SUBSIDIARIES
Our three other subsidiaries, none of which are regulated, are Artesian Utility, Artesian Development Corporation, or Artesian Development, and Artesian Consulting Engineers, Inc., or Artesian Consulting Engineers.
Artesian Utility was formed in 1996. It designs and builds water and wastewater infrastructure and provides contract water and wastewater services on the Delmarva Peninsula. Artesian Utility also evaluates land parcels, provides recommendations to developers on the size of water or wastewater facilities and the type of technology that should be used for treatment at such facilities, and operates water and wastewater facilities in Delaware and Maryland for municipal and governmental organizations. Artesian Utility also has several contracts with developers for design and construction of wastewater facilities within the Delmarva Peninsula, using a number of different technologies for treatment of wastewater at each facility.
We currently operate wastewater treatment facilities for the town of Middletown, in Southern New Castle County, or Middletown, under a 20-year contract that expires on February 1, 2021. The facilities include two wastewater treatment stations with capacities of up to approximately 2.5 mgd and 250,000 gallons per day, respectively. We also operate a wastewater disposal facility in Middletown in order to support the 2.5 mgd wastewater treatment station.
One of the wastewater treatment facilities in Middletown now provides reclaimed wastewater for use in spray irrigation on public and agricultural lands in the area. Our relationship with the Town of Middletown has given us the opportunity to create the Artesian Water Resource Management Partnership, or AWRMP, to encourage and support the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation and other needs. Using reclaimed water to irrigate farm fields can save the Delmarva region millions of gallons of groundwater each day. The AWRMP’s first project in Middletown will save up to 3 million gallons of water per day during the peak growing season. Through the AWRMP initiative, Artesian will provide planning, engineering and technical expertise and help bring together the various state, local and private partners needed for water recycling project approvals.
8
The agreement signed on June 30, 2008 (and as amended April 29, 2009) between Artesian Utility and NSRWRC for the design, construction and operation of the Northern Sussex Regional Water Recycling Complex, a wastewater treatment facility to be located in Sussex County, Delaware, was cancelled on August 6, 2010. Artesian Wastewater will manage the design and construction of the facility going forward and, once constructed, the operation of the facility.
In connection with the Meadowview Agreement and the Cherry Hill Agreement described above under Artesian Wastewater Maryland, in March 2009, Artesian Utility signed an agreement with the Cecil County Department of Public Works in Cecil County, Maryland to operate the Meadowview Wastewater and Highlands Wastewater treatment and disposal facilities until Artesian Wastewater Maryland’s purchase of the facilities is final. This agreement also employs Artesian Utility to operate two water supply and treatment stations and two booster stations in Cecil County. In June 2011, Artesian Utility received a notice of termination of the operation agreement for these facilities from Cecil County effective October 31, 2011. Artesian Wastewater Maryland’s purchase of the facilities is expected to be final on or before December 31, 2011.
Artesian Development owns an approximately six-acre parcel of land zoned for office buildings located immediately adjacent to our corporate headquarters and two nine-acre parcels of land located in Sussex County.
In October 2010, Artesian Development purchased an office facility located in Sussex County, Delaware. The facility consists of approximately 10,000 square feet of office space along with nearly 10,000 square feet of warehouse space. This facility has allowed all of our Sussex County, Delaware operations to be housed in one central location.
Artesian Consulting Engineers acquired all the assets of Meridian Architects and Engineers in June 2008. As a result of the decline in new housing and development due to the economic downturn, the need for development and architectural services has remained depressed. Therefore, in April 2011, management decided to reduce staffing levels and reorganize the business. Artesian Consulting Engineers will no longer provide development and architectural services to outside third parties. Artesian Consulting Engineers will continue to work with existing clients on projects already in progress for engineering services until those projects are complete. Artesian will continue to provide design and engineering contract services through our Artesian Utility subsidiary.
OTHER
Artesian Resources initiated a Water Service Line Protection Plan, or WSLP Plan, in March 2005. The WSLP Plan covers all parts, material and labor required to repair or replace participating customers’ leaking water service lines up to an annual limit. As of June 30, 2011, approximately 16,300, or 23.6%, of our eligible water customers had signed up for the WSLP Plan. The WSLP Plan was expanded in the second quarter of 2008 to include maintenance or repair to customers’ sewer lines. This plan, the Sewer Service Line Protection Plan, or SSLP Plan, covers all parts, material and labor required to repair or replace participating customers’ leaking or clogged sewer lines up to an annual limit. As of June 30, 2011, approximately 8,800, or 12.8%, of our eligible customers had signed up for the SSLP Plan. Also, in the second quarter of 2010, the WSLP Plan and SSLP Plan were extended to include non-customers of Artesian Resources. As of June 30, 2011, approximately 740 non-customer participants have signed up for either the WSLP Plan or SSLP Plan.
NOTE 2 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures required in the financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, these financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2011.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Artesian Resources Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including its principal operating company, Artesian Water. In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company's balance sheet position as of June 30, 2011, the results of operations for the quarterly and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 and cash flows for the six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.
9
As more fully discussed in Note 9 - Northern Sussex Regional Water Recycling Complex, LLC, Artesian Resources and Darin A. Lockwood, the owner of NSRWRC, signed a Conclusion and Termination Agreement on August 6, 2010. Consequently, effective August 6, 2010, NSRWRC was deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is no longer the primary beneficiary of NSRWRC and NSRWRC no longer constitutes a variable interest entity, or VIE, as defined by FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 810.
The results of operations for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or for future periods.
NOTE 3 – STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
On May 25, 2005, the Company’s stockholders approved a new Equity Compensation Plan, which authorizes up to 500,000 shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock, or Class A Stock, for issuance, referred to as the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, or the Plan. Since May 25, 2005, no additional grants have been made under the Company’s other stock-based compensation plans that were previously available. The Company accounts for stock options issued after January 1, 2006 under FASB ASC Topic 718. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, compensation expense of approximately $31,000 and $62,000 was recorded for stock options granted in May 2011 and May 2010. Approximately $27,000 and $48,000 in compensation expense was recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 for stock options issued in May 2010 and May 2009. Costs were determined based on the fair value at the grant dates and those costs are being charged to income over the service period associated with the grants.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants issued in 2011 and 2010. All options were granted at market value with a 10-year option term with a vesting period of one year from the date of grant.
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Expected Dividend Yield
|
3.99 | % | 4.24 | % | ||||
Expected Stock Price Volatility
|
0.25 | 0.27 | ||||||
Weighted Average Risk-Free Interest Rate
|
3.12 | % | 3.38 | % | ||||
Weighted Average Expected Life of Options (in years)
|
8.36 | 8.97 |
The expected dividend yield was based on a 12-month rolling average of the Company’s dividend yield. The expected volatility is the standard deviation of the change in the natural logarithm of the stock price (expressed as an annual rate) for the expected term shown above. The expected term was based on historic exercise patterns for similar grants. The risk-free interest rate is the 10-year Treasury Constant Maturity rate as of the date of the grants.
The following summary reflects changes in the shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock under option:
Option Shares
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Yrs.)
|
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Plan options
|
||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2011
|
440,800 | $ | 17.18 | |||||||||||||
Granted
|
33,750 | 19.06 | ||||||||||||||
Exercised
|
(15,050 | ) | 11.54 | |||||||||||||
Expired
|
--- | |||||||||||||||
Outstanding at June 30, 2011
|
459,500 | $ | 17.50 | 4.93 | $ | 622 | ||||||||||
Options exercisable at June 30, 2011
|
425,750 | $ | 17.38 | 4.54 | $ | 622 |
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $111,000.
10
The following summary reflects changes in the non-vested shares of Class A Stock under option:
Non-vested Shares
|
Option Shares
|
Weighted Average Grant – Date Fair Value Per Option
|
||||||
Non-vested at January 1, 2011
|
33,750 | $ | 3.73 | |||||
Granted
|
33,750 | 3.50 | ||||||
Vested
|
(33,750 | ) | 3.73 | |||||
Canceled
|
--- | --- | ||||||
Non-vested at June 30, 2011
|
33,750 | $ | 3.50 |
As of June 30, 2011, there was $103,000 of total unrecognized expense related to non-vested option shares granted under the Plan. The cost will be recognized over the remaining 0.88 year vesting period of the unvested options.
NOTE 4 - REGULATORY ASSETS
FASB ASC Topic 980 stipulates generally accepted accounting principles for companies whose rates are established or subject to approvals by a third-party regulatory agency. Certain expenses are recoverable through rates charged to our customers, without a return on investment, and are deferred and amortized during future periods using various methods as permitted by the Delaware Public Service Commission, or DEPSC, the MDPSC and the PAPUC. Depreciation and salary study expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of five years, while all other expenses related to rate proceedings and applications to increase rates are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of two years. The postretirement benefit obligation, which is being amortized over twenty years, is adjusted for the difference between the net periodic postretirement benefit costs and the cash payments. The amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is determined on an actuarial basis, which uses assumptions about inflation, mortality, medical trend rates and discount rates. The deferred income taxes will be amortized over future years as the tax effects of temporary differences previously flowed through to the customers reverse. Goodwill is entirely associated with the acquisition of Mountain Hill in August 2008 and is currently being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of fifty years. The purchase price of Mountain Hill included reimbursement of all carrying costs through the date of acquisition, which resulted in the recognition of goodwill. Deferred acquisition costs are the result of due diligence costs related to the proposed purchase agreements for water and wastewater facilities in Cecil County, Maryland and the November 2010 purchase of the Port Deposit, Maryland water assets. Amortization of these deferred acquisition costs begin once the acquired assets are placed into service.
Regulatory assets, net of amortization, comprise:
|
||||||||
Unaudited
|
||||||||
(in thousands)
|
||||||||
June 30, 2011
|
December 31, 2010
|
|||||||
Postretirement benefit obligation
|
$ | 530 | $ | 637 | ||||
Deferred income taxes recoverable in future rates
|
514 | 521 | ||||||
Goodwill
|
352 | 355 | ||||||
Deferred acquisition costs
|
1,018 | 1,009 | ||||||
Expense of rate and regulatory proceedings
|
231 | 88 | ||||||
$ | 2,645 | $ | 2,610 |
11
Expenses related to the Net Periodic Pension Cost for the postretirement benefit obligation are as follows:
Unaudited
|
||||||||
(in thousands)
|
||||||||
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
|
||||||||
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Net Periodic Pension Cost
|
||||||||
Interest cost
|
$ | 17 | $ | 22 | ||||
Amortization of net loss (gain)
|
7 | (2 | ) | |||||
Amortization of transition obligation
|
4 | 4 | ||||||
Total Net Periodic Benefit Cost
|
$ | 28 | $ | 24 |
Contributions
Artesian Water contributed $54,000 to its postretirement benefit plan in the first six months of 2011. These contributions consist of insurance premium payments for medical, dental and life insurance benefits made on behalf of the Company’s eligible retired employees.
NOTE 5 - NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AND EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE
Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the potentially dilutive effect of employee stock options. The following table summarizes the shares used in computing basic and diluted net income per share:
For the Three Months
|
For the Six Months
|
|||||||||||||||
Ended June 30,
|
Ended June 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2011
|
2010
|
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||||||||
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||
Average common shares outstanding during the period for Basic computation
|
7,672 | 7,539 | 7,662 | 7,526 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive effect of employee stock options
|
43 | 68 | 44 | 69 | ||||||||||||
Average common shares outstanding during the period for Diluted computation
|
7,714 | 7,607 | 7,706 | 7,595 |
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, employee stock options to purchase 200,250 and 234,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the calculations of diluted net income per share as the calculated proceeds from the options’ exercise were greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during this period.
The Company has 15,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock, or Class A Stock, and 1,040,000 authorized shares of Class B Common Stock, or Class B Stock. As of June 30, 2011, 6,793,856 shares of Class A Stock and 881,452 shares of Class B Stock were issued and outstanding. As of June 30, 2010, 6,671,040 shares of Class A Stock and 881,452 shares of Class B Stock were issued and outstanding. The par value for both classes is $1.00 per share. For the three months ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010 the Company issued 10,045 and 35,377 shares of Class A Stock, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, the Company issued 38,202 and 45,262 shares of Class A Stock, respectively.
Equity per common share was $12.50 and $12.59 at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. These amounts were computed by dividing common stockholders' equity by the number of shares of common stock outstanding on June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
NOTE 6 - REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS
Our water and wastewater utilities generate operating revenue from customers based on rates that are established by state Public Service Commissions through a rate setting process that may include public hearings, evidentiary hearings and the submission of evidence and testimony in support of the requested level of rates by the Company.
12
We are subject to regulation by the following state regulatory commissions: The DEPSC regulates both Artesian Water and Artesian Wastewater. Artesian Water Maryland and Artesian Wastewater Maryland are subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the MDPSC, and Artesian Water Pennsylvania is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the PAPUC.
Rate Proceedings
Our regulated utilities periodically seek rate increases to cover the cost of increased operating expenses, increased financing expenses due to additional investments in utility plant and other costs of doing business. In Delaware, utilities are permitted by law to place rates into effect, under bond, on a temporary basis pending completion of a rate increase proceeding. The first temporary increase may be up to the lesser of $2.5 million on an annual basis or 15% of gross water sales. Should the rate case not be completed within seven months, by law, the utility may put the entire requested rate relief, up to 15% of gross water sales, in effect under bond until a final resolution is ordered and placed into effect. If any such rates are found to be in excess of rates the DEPSC finds to be appropriate, the utility must refund the portion found to be in excess to customers with interest. The timing of our rate increase requests are therefore dependent upon the estimated cost of the administrative process in relation to the investments and expenses that we hope to recover through the rate increase. We can provide no assurances that rate increase requests will be approved by applicable regulatory agencies and, if approved, we cannot guarantee that these rate increases will be granted in a timely or sufficient manner to cover the investments and expenses for which we initially sought the rate increase.
On April 11, 2011, Artesian Water filed a request with the DEPSC to implement new rates to meet a requested increase in revenue of 19.45%, or approximately $10.9 million, on an annualized basis. The new rates are designed to support Artesian Water’s ongoing capital improvement program and to cover increased costs of operations, including chemicals and fuel, electricity, taxes, labor and benefits. Artesian Water’s last request to implement new rates was filed in April 2008. As permitted by law, on June 10, 2011, we placed temporary rates into effect designed to generate an increase in annual operating revenue of approximately 4.45%, or $2.5 million on an annualized basis, until new rates are approved by the DEPSC.
On December 29, 2010, Artesian Water Maryland filed an application with the MDPSC to revise its rates and charges concerning the former Mountain Hill Water system. Artesian Water Maryland requested authorization to implement proposed rates for water and wastewater services to meet a requested increase in revenue of approximately $65,000 on an annualized basis. In addition to the increase in rates, Artesian Water Maryland is requesting a change to its rate structure, reducing the per thousand gallon charge while adding a monthly customer and fire protection charge. If approved, these changes will result in a 34% increase for the average residential customer.
Service Territory Expansion Proceedings
On September 7, 2010, the DEPSC entered Order No. 7833, which approved the Revised Water Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity Regulations as final. After extensive proceedings regarding Regulation Docket No. 51, the DEPSC repealed and replaced its existing Regulations Governing Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for Water Utilities with a new revised set of regulations (the “Revised Water CPCN Regulations”). The Revised Water CPCN Regulations changed the definition of a “Proposed Service Area” to encompass either a single parcel or two or more contiguous parcels that will be provided water by the same system or main extension.
In Maryland, the Company must obtain approval from the appropriate local government authority for the ability to serve a particular area and also ensure that acquired area is in the county’s master water and sewer plan. The authority to exercise a franchise must then be obtained from the MDPSC. Utilities that seek to develop a franchise by constructing new facilities must obtain appropriate approvals from the Maryland Department of the Environment, the local government and the MDPSC. The utility must also obtain approval for soil and erosion plans and easement agreements from appropriate parties.
On June 4, 2009, the MDPSC approved Artesian Water Maryland’s request to construct a water system to serve the 172 residents of the Whitaker Woods housing development located adjacent to the Mountain Hill Service Area. This expanded franchise area is subject to the Mountain Hill tariff rates. We began serving customers in this development in November 2009. On September 9, 2009, the MDPSC approved Artesian Water Maryland’s request to construct a water system to serve 71 residents in the Charlestown Crossing housing development. Construction was completed in July 2010.
13
In December 2009, Artesian Water Maryland applied for approval from the MDPSC to exercise a franchise to provide water service to the Town of Port Deposit. This application also requested authority to finance the purchase of water system facilities, and to establish water service rates. On July 28, 2010, the MDPSC approved our application. On November 1, 2010, Artesian Water Maryland closed on this transaction and began serving customers.
On September 30, 2008, Artesian Water Maryland and Artesian Wastewater Maryland filed joint applications with the MDPSC to exercise franchises granted to the Company by Cecil County. On March 31, 2009, we presented an updated application that included an extended service area and the acquisition of certain facilities. A petition by the Appleton Alliance delayed the exercise of franchises granted. On June 21, 2011, the Maryland Court of Appeals held that Maryland law does not prohibit the transfer and sale of assets contemplated by these transactions. See Note 1 – General – Maryland Regulated Subsidiaries for further discussion. We have re-applied to the MDPSC for authority to exercise the previously awarded franchises and expect to receive a decision by the end of August 2011.
Other Proceedings
Delaware law permits water utilities to put into effect, on a semi-annual basis, increases related to specific types of distribution system improvements through a Distribution System Improvement Charge, or DSIC. This charge may be implemented by water utilities between general rate increase applications that normally recognize changes in a water utility’s overall financial position. The DSIC approval process is less costly when compared to the approval process for general rate increase requests. The DSIC rate applied between base rate filings is capped at 7.5% of the amount billed to customers under otherwise applicable rates and charges, and the DSIC rate increase applied cannot exceed 5% within any 12-month period. During 2010, Artesian Water filed two applications with the DEPSC for approval to collect a 0.34% increase and 0.68% increase during the first and second half of the year, respectively. These increases recover the costs of eligible revenue producing improvements made since the last rate increase in 2008, and were calculated to generate approximately $286,000 in revenue annually. In November 2010, we filed an application with the DEPSC for approval to increase the DSIC rate to 1.47% effective January 1, 2011, which will generate approximately $390,000 in revenue on an annual basis. The DEPSC approved the DSIC effective January 1, 2010, July 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011, subject to audit at a later date. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011, we earned approximately $88,000 and $347,000, respectively, in DSIC revenue.
On April 10, 2006, the DEPSC made effective new rules under Regulation Docket 15 that govern the terms and conditions under which water utilities require advances or contributions from customers or developers. These regulations require that developers pay for all water facilities within a new development, with such funding recorded as contributions in aid of construction by the water utility. In addition, the utility is required to receive a contribution in aid of construction of $1,500 for each new residential connection to its system towards the cost of water supply, treatment and storage facilities. These regulations further require developers to fully pay for facilities to serve satellite systems. These required contributions are intended to place a greater burden upon new customers to pay for the cost of facilities required to serve them. On February 12, 2010 and February 11, 2011, respectively, we filed the first and second of three required annual reports with the DEPSC, in order to demonstrate our compliance with Regulation Docket 15.
In 2003, legislation was enacted in Delaware requiring all water utilities serving within northern New Castle County, Delaware to certify by July 2006, and each three years thereafter, that they have sufficient sources of self-supply to serve their respective systems. The DEPSC accepted our certification of sufficient water supply through 2009. Artesian Water filed a new certification of self-sufficiency with the DEPSC on June 30, 2009, for the period through 2012. On June 1, 2010, the DEPSC accepted our self-sufficiency certification through 2012.
14
NOTE 7 – INCOME TAXES
Under FASB ASC Topic 740, an uncertain tax position represents our expected treatment of a tax position taken, or planned to be taken in the future, that has not been reflected in measuring income tax expense for financial reporting purposes. As a result of our review of our tax positions, we determined that we had no material uncertain tax positions. The Company would recognize, if applicable, interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and in accordance with the regulations of the jurisdictions involved. There were no such interest and penalty charges for the six months ended June 30, 2011 or June 30, 2010. The Company remains subject to examination by state authorities for tax years 2007 through 2010 and by federal authorities for the tax year 2009 through 2010. During the second quarter of 2010, the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, conducted an examination of the Company’s Federal income tax returns for 2007 and 2008. The IRS has proposed no changes to the 2007 consolidated corporate income tax return. The IRS made changes to the tax depreciation expense, which is related to the bonus depreciation calculation, on the 2008 consolidated corporate income tax return in the amount of approximately $1.9 million. This change does not constitute a disallowance of a deduction, but only a deferral of such deduction. The depreciation expense will be taken in subsequent years over the remaining tax lives of the applicable assets. This adjustment reduces the Net Operating Loss generated in 2008 by the same amount. The Company agrees with this change.
NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value.
Current Assets and Liabilities
For those current assets and liabilities that are considered financial instruments, the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.
Long-term Financial Liabilities
The fair value of Artesian Resources' long-term debt as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, determined by discounting their future cash flows using current market interest rates on similar instruments with comparable maturities as guided under FASB ASC 825 are shown as below:
In thousands
|
||||||||
June 30, 2011
|
December 31, 2010
|
|||||||
Carrying amount
|
$ | 108,382 | $ | 106,606 | ||||
Estimated fair value
|
118,338 | 113,481 | ||||||
The fair value of Advances for Construction cannot be reasonably estimated due to the inability to accurately estimate the timing and amounts of future refunds expected to be paid over the life of the contracts. Refund payments are based on the water sales to new customers in the particular development constructed. The fair value of Advances for Construction would be less than the carrying amount because these financial instruments are non-interest bearing.
NOTE 9 – NORTHERN SUSSEX REGIONAL WATER RECYCLING COMPLEX, LLC
On August 6, 2010, Artesian Resources, on behalf of itself and all applicable subsidiaries, signed a Conclusion and Termination Agreement, or Termination Agreement, with Darin A. Lockwood, on behalf of himself and all applicable business entities in which he has an interest, or Lockwood, including without limitation the NSRWRC, a business entity owned by Lockwood, pursuant to which all contracts and agreements with Lockwood and NSRWRC were cancelled except as set forth below.
15
The Termination Agreement supersedes and terminates all contracts and agreements previously existing between the parties, including the cancellation of the Wastewater Services Agreement between Artesian Utility and NSRWRC for the design, construction and operation of the Northern Sussex Regional Water Recycling Complex, a wastewater treatment facility to be located in Sussex County, Delaware. Artesian Wastewater will manage the design and construction of the facility going forward and, once constructed, the operation of the facility. Other contracts cancelled by the Termination Agreement include a sublease agreement for office space, an asset purchase agreement and a consulting agreement. Any other contracts or business relationships between Artesian Resources and Lockwood not specifically noted were also cancelled with no additional compensation paid to either party. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, Lockwood received a final net settlement payment of $800,000 including deposit. In addition, on August 6, 2010, Artesian Resources and Lockwood entered into a confidentiality agreement and covenant not to compete.
Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, Artesian Wastewater purchased the 75-acre parcel of land, purchased by Lockwood on July 1, 2008, for the operation of the wastewater facility known as the Northern Sussex Regional Water Recharge Complex and entered into a Water and Wastewater Easement Agreement that provides Artesian Wastewater right of way to a portion of land adjacent to the 75-acre parcel of land. The Company purchased the land (with a carrying value of $5.2 million) and all engineering and design work (with a carrying value of $2.7 million) by paying off the $7.9 million remaining balance of the NSRWRC’s construction loan with a financial institution secured by the 75-acre parcel that was previously guaranteed by the Company. There is no other security pledged for the 75-acre parcel of land. No gain was recognized as a result of the Termination Agreement since the assets were purchased at their carrying cost on NSRWRC’s balance sheet and the loan concurrently repaid equaled the carrying value of the assets at the date of the Termination Agreement.
As a result of the Termination Agreement, effective August 6, 2010, NSRWRC was deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is no longer the primary beneficiary of NSRWRC and NSRWRC no longer constitutes a VIE, as defined by FASB ASC Topic 810. See Note 2 – Basis of Presentation. The deconsolidation of NSRWRC resulted in the reclassification of the facility from non-utility property to utility plant on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Also, as a result of the Termination Agreement, the Company recognized interest expense for the first six months of 2011 related to higher short term borrowings in Artesian Wastewater that previously had been capitalized in the first six months of 2010.
NOTE 10 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Prior to the signing of the Termination Agreement on August 6, 2010 discussed in Note 9 - Northern Sussex Regional Water Recycling Complex, LLC, the Company entered into transactions in the normal course of business with related parties. The owner of NSRWRC is the sole owner of Meridian Architects and Engineers, LLC, or Meridian Architects, Meridian Enterprises, LLC, or Meridian Enterprises, and Meridian Consulting, LLC, or Meridian Consulting. Approximately $22,500 was paid to Meridian Enterprises for the six months ended June 30, 2010 for office space rental. Also, as of June 30, 2010, the Company had accounts receivable balances for engineering services due from the following entities, all of which are owned by the owner of NSRWRC: Meridian Architects of approximately $58,000, Landlock, LLC of approximately $228,000, Triple D Double S, LLC of approximately $74,000 and Peninsula Square, LLC of approximately $32,000. In addition, for the six months ended June 30, 2010, related party revenue for engineering services was approximately $3,000 from Triple D Double S, LLC. All services were provided in the ordinary course of business at fees and on terms and conditions that the Company believes are the same as those that would result from arm’s-length negotiations between unrelated parties.
NOTE 11 - IMPACT OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to represent the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB (together with the FASB, the “Boards”) on fair value measurement. The collective efforts of the Boards and their respective staffs, reflected in this guidance, have resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value.” The Boards have concluded the common requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments in this guidance are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities is not permitted. The Company does not expect a material impact on the Company's financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.
16
In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance to allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments in this guidance do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. This guidance should be applied retrospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company currently does not have other comprehensive income, should the Company have other comprehensive income in the future we will determine if we will present it on a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.
NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Common Stock Offering
On July 20, 2011, the Company completed the sale of 804,290 shares of its Class A Non-Voting Common Stock. The net proceeds (after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses) of approximately $14.1 million were used to fund a paid-in capital contribution in the same amount to Artesian Water. Artesian Water intends to use the paid-in capital contribution to repay short-term borrowings (including borrowings incurred under our line of credit with Citizens Bank that is available to all of our subsidiaries) incurred primarily to finance expenses associated with its construction program, including investment in utility plant and equipment, and to fund capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. In addition, we may utilize proceeds from this shelf issuance to adjust capitalization ratios in our other regulated subsidiaries.
Financing Agreement
On July 15, 2011, Artesian Water entered into a Financing Agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) with the Delaware Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, acting by and through the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health, a public agency of Delaware (the “Department”). The Department makes loans to, and acquires obligations of, eligible persons in Delaware to finance the costs of drinking water facilities in accordance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act using funds from the Delaware Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund (the “Fund”).
Under the Financing Agreement, the Department has agreed to advance to Artesian Water up to approximately $3.6 million (the “Loan”) from the Fund to finance all or a portion of the cost to replace specific water transmission mains in service areas located in New Castle County, Delaware (collectively, the “Project”). In accordance with the Financing Agreement, Artesian Water will from time to time request funds under the Loan as it incurs costs in connection with the Project. Pursuant to a General Obligation Note, Series 2011-SRF, dated as of July 15, 2011, entered into in connection with the Financing Agreement (the “Note”), borrowings under the Financing Agreement bear interest at a rate of 1.7% per annum and are further subject to an administrative fee at a rate of 1.7% per annum. Interest and the administrative fee accrue starting on July 15, 2011 and are payable semiannually in arrears on each January 1 and July 1, commencing on January 1, 2012 (each, a “Payment Date”). Artesian Water is obligated to pay only interest and the administrative fee during the period commencing on July 15, 2011 and ending on the earlier of (i) the Payment Date next succeeding the date on which the Project is actually completed and (ii) July 15, 2013. After the end of such period, in addition to payment of interest and the administrative fee, Artesian Water will begin making principal payments semiannually on each Payment Date on the outstanding principal amount of the Loan in accordance with the terms of the Note. The final maturity date of the Note on which all unpaid principal, interest and administrative fee are due and payable is July 1, 2032. As of August 5, 2011, no funds were borrowed under this Loan.
17
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
OVERVIEW
Our profitability is primarily attributable to the sale of water by Artesian Water. Gross water sales in Artesian Water comprise 90.3% of total operating revenues. Our profitability is also attributed to the various contract operations, water and sewer Service Line Protection Plans and other services we provide. Water sales are subject to seasonal fluctuations, particularly during summer when water demand may vary with rainfall and temperature. In the event temperatures during the typically warmer months are cooler than expected, or rainfall is greater than expected, the demand for water may decrease and our revenues may be adversely affected. We believe the effects of weather are short term and do not materially affect the execution of our strategic initiatives. Our contract operations and other services provide a revenue stream that is not affected by changes in weather patterns.
While water sales revenues are our primary source of revenues, we continue to seek growth opportunities to provide wastewater service in Delaware, Maryland and the surrounding areas. We also continue to explore and develop relationships with developers and municipalities in order to increase revenues from contract water and wastewater operations, wastewater management services, design, construction and engineering services. We plan to continue developing and expanding our contract operations and other services in a manner that complements our growth in water service to new customers. Our anticipated growth in these areas is subject to changes in residential and commercial construction, which may be affected by interest rates, inflation and general housing and economic market conditions. We anticipate continued growth in our non-regulated division due to our water and sewer Service Line Protection Plans. We will continue to focus attention on expanding our contract operations opportunities with municipal and government water providers in Delaware and surrounding areas.
Water Division
Artesian Water, Artesian Water Maryland and Artesian Water Pennsylvania provide water service to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal and utility customers. Increases in the number of customers served contributed to increases in our operating revenue. The Town of Middletown, which is one of our municipal customers and is located in southern New Castle County, Delaware, has nearly doubled in population since 2001, and population growth in this area is expected to continue for some time as a result of ongoing and future residential construction. As population growth continues in Middletown and other areas in Delaware, we believe that the demand for water will increase, thereby contributing to an increase in our operating revenues. As of June 30, 2011, we had approximately 78,300 metered water customers in Delaware, an increase of approximately 800 compared to June 30, 2010. The number of metered water customers in Maryland increased by approximately 300 compared to 2010, and the number of metered water customers in Pennsylvania remained consistent with 2010.
Wastewater Division
Artesian Wastewater owns wastewater infrastructure and began providing wastewater services in Delaware in July 2005. Artesian Wastewater Maryland was incorporated on June 3, 2008 to provide regulated wastewater services in Maryland. Our wastewater customers are billed a flat monthly fee, which contributes to providing a revenue stream unaffected by weather.
Non-Regulated Division
Artesian Utility provides contract water and wastewater operation services to private, municipal and governmental institutions. Artesian Utility currently operates wastewater treatment facilities for the town of Middletown, in Southern New Castle County, or Middletown, under a 20-year contract that expires on February 1, 2021. The facilities include two wastewater treatment stations with capacities of up to approximately 2.5 mgd and 250,000 gallons per day, respectively. We also operate a wastewater disposal facility in Middletown in order to support the 2.5 mgd wastewater facility.
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One of the wastewater treatment facilities in Middletown now provides reclaimed wastewater for use in spray irrigation on public and agricultural lands in the area. Our relationship with the Town of Middletown has given us the opportunity to create the Artesian Water Resource Management Partnership, or AWRMP, to encourage and support the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation and other needs. Using reclaimed water to irrigate farm fields can save the Delmarva region millions of gallons of groundwater each day. The AWRMP’s first project in Middletown will save up to 3 million gallons of water per day during the peak growing season. Through the AWRMP initiative, Artesian will provide planning, engineering and technical expertise and help bring together the various state, local and private partners needed for water recycling project approvals.
Artesian Development is a real estate holding company that owns properties, including land zoned for office buildings, a water treatment plant and wastewater facility, as well as property for current operations, including the recent purchase of an office facility. The facility consists of approximately 10,000 square feet of office space along with nearly 10,000 square feet of warehouse space. This facility allows all of our Sussex County, Delaware operations to be housed in one central location.
Artesian Consulting Engineers acquired all the assets of Meridian Architects and Engineers in June 2008. As a result of the decline in new housing and development due to the economic downturn, the need for development and architectural services has remained depressed. Therefore, in April 2011, management decided to reduce staffing levels and reorganize the business. Artesian Consulting Engineers will no longer provide development and architectural services to outside third parties. Artesian Consulting Engineers will continue to work with existing clients on projects already in progress for engineering services until those projects are complete. Artesian will continue to provide design and engineering contract services through our Artesian Utility subsidiary.
Protection Plans
In addition to services discussed above, Artesian Resources initiated a Water Service Line Protection Plan, or WSLP Plan, in March 2005. The WSLP Plan covers all parts, material and labor required to repair or replace participating customers’ leaking water service lines up to an annual limit. As of June 30, 2011, approximately 16,300, or 23.6%, of our eligible water customers had signed up for the WSLP Plan. The WSLP Plan was expanded in the second quarter of 2008 to include maintenance or repair to customers’ sewer lines. This plan, the Sewer Service Line Protection Plan, or SSLP Plan, covers all parts, material and labor required to repair or replace participating customers’ leaking or clogged sewer lines up to an annual limit. As of June 30, 2011, approximately 8,800, or 12.8%, of our eligible customers had signed up for the SSLP Plan. Also, in the second quarter of 2010, the WSLP Plan and SSLP Plan were extended to include non-customers of Artesian Resources. As of June 30, 2011, approximately 740 non-customer participants have signed up for either the WSLP Plan or SSLP Plan.
Strategic Direction
Our strategy is to significantly increase customer growth, revenues, earnings and dividends by expanding our water, wastewater and Service Line Protection Plan services across the Delmarva Peninsula. We remain focused on providing superior service to our customers and continuously seeking ways to improve our efficiency and performance. By providing water and wastewater services, we believe we are positioned as the primary resource for developers and communities throughout the Delmarva Peninsula seeking to fill both needs simultaneously. We have a proven ability to acquire and integrate high growth, reputable entities, through which we have captured additional service territories that will serve as a base for future revenue. With recent acquisitions, we have successfully integrated their operations, infrastructure, technology and employees. We believe this experience presents a strong platform for further expansion and that our success to date also produces positive relationships and credibility with regulators, municipalities, developers and customers in both existing and prospective service areas.
In our regulated water division, our strategy is to focus on a wide spectrum of activities, which include identifying new and dependable sources of supply, developing the wells, treatment plants and delivery systems to supply water to customers and educating customers on the wise use of water. Our strategy includes focused efforts to expand in new regions added to our Delaware service territory over the last 10 years. In addition, we believe growth will occur in the Maryland counties on the Delmarva Peninsula. We plan to expand our regulated water service area in the Cecil County designated growth corridor and to expand our business through the design, construction, operation, management and acquisition of additional water systems. The expansion of our exclusive franchise areas elsewhere in Maryland and the award of additional contracts will similarly enhance our operations within the state.
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We believe that Delaware's generally lower cost of living in the region, availability of development sites in relatively close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean in Sussex County, and attractive financing rates for construction and mortgages have resulted, and will continue to result, in increases to our customer base. Delaware’s lower property and income tax rate make it an attractive region for new home development and retirement communities. Substantial portions of Delaware are currently not served by a public water system, which could also assist in an increase to our customer base as systems are added. According to the United States Census Bureau, Delaware's population increased an estimated 14.6% from 2000 to 2010, as compared to the nationwide growth rate of approximately 10.6%.
In our regulated wastewater division, we foresee significant growth opportunities and will continue to seek strategic partnerships and relationships with developers and municipalities to complement existing agreements for the provision of wastewater service on the Delmarva Peninsula. Artesian Wastewater completed an agreement with Georgetown, Delaware in July 2008 to provide wastewater treatment and disposal services for Georgetown’s growth and annexation areas. Artesian Wastewater will provide up to 1 mgd of wastewater capacity for the town. The preliminary engineering and design work was completed on a regional wastewater treatment and disposal facility located in the northern Sussex County area that has the potential to treat up to approximately 8 mgd. This facility is strategically situated on 75 acres to provide service to the growing population in the Georgetown, Ellendale and Milton areas, as well as to neighboring municipal systems. This facility was granted conditional use approval by Sussex County Council to serve the Elizabethtown subdivision of approximately 4,000 homes and 439,000 square feet of proposed commercial space, as well as seven additional projects comprising approximately 3,000 residential units. The facility will also be capable of offering wastewater services to local municipalities. Artesian Wastewater will manage the design and construction of the facility and, once constructed, the operation of the facility.
Artesian Wastewater Maryland signed two agreements in October 2008 with Cecil County for the purchase of specific wastewater facilities. The closing of these transactions is expected to be completed on or before December 31, 2011 as further described in Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 to this Form 10-Q under the heading “General-Maryland Regulated Subsidiaries.” Closing on these transactions is also subject to the approval of the Maryland Public Service Commission, or MDPSC. Once completed, these acquisitions will add four wastewater facilities to our service area.
The general need for increased capital investment in our water and wastewater systems is due to a combination of population growth, more protective water quality standards and aging infrastructure. Our capital investment plan for the next five years includes projects for water and wastewater treatment plant improvements and additions in both Delaware and Maryland. Capital improvements are planned and budgeted to meet anticipated changes in regulations and needs for increased capacity related to projected growth. The Delaware Public Service Commission and Maryland Public Service Commission have generally recognized the operating and capital costs associated with these improvements in setting water and wastewater rates for current customers and capacity charges for new customers.
In our non-regulated division, we are actively pursuing opportunities to expand our contract operations. In Artesian Utility, we will seek to expand our contract design and construction services of water and wastewater facilities for developers, municipalities and other utilities and will continue to actively pursue water and wastewater operation contracts with municipalities across the Delmarva Peninsula. Artesian Development owns two nine-acre parcels of land, located in Sussex County, Delaware, which will allow for construction of a water treatment facility and wastewater treatment facility. Artesian Consulting Engineers will no longer provide development and architectural services to outside third parties. Artesian Consulting Engineers will continue to work with existing clients on projects already in progress for engineering services until those projects are complete. Artesian will continue to provide design and engineering contract services through our Artesian Utility subsidiary.
Regulatory Matters and Inflation
Our water and wastewater utility operations are subject to regulation by their respective state regulatory commissions, which have broad administrative power and authority to regulate rates charged for service, determine franchise areas and conditions of service, approve acquisitions, authorize the issuance of securities and oversee other matters. The profitability of our utility operations is influenced, to a great extent, by the timeliness and adequacy of rate allowances we are granted by the respective regulatory commissions or authorities in the states in which we operate.
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On April 11, 2011, Artesian Water filed a request with the Delaware Public Service Commission to implement new rates to meet a requested increase in revenue of 19.45%, or approximately $10.9 million, on an annualized basis. The new rates are designed to support Artesian Water’s ongoing capital improvement program and to cover increased costs of operations, including chemicals and fuel, electricity, taxes, labor and benefits. Artesian Water’s last request to implement new rates was filed in April 2008. As permitted by law, on June 10, 2011, we placed temporary rates into effect designed to generate an increase in annual operating revenue of approximately 4.45%, or $2.5 million on an annualized basis, until new rates are approved by the Delaware Public Service Commission.
On December 29, 2010, Artesian Water Maryland filed an application with the Maryland Public Service Commission to revise its rates and charges concerning the former Mountain Hill Water system. Artesian Water Maryland requested authorization to implement proposed rates for water and wastewater services to meet a requested increase in revenue of approximately $65,000 on an annualized basis. In addition to the increase in rates, Artesian Water Maryland is requesting a change to its rate structure, reducing the per thousand gallon charge while adding a monthly customer and fire protection charge. If approved, these changes will result in a 34% increase for the average residential customer.
We are affected by inflation, most notably by the continually increasing costs required to maintain, improve and expand our service capability. The cumulative effect of inflation results in significantly higher facility costs compared to investments made 20 to 40 years ago, which must be recovered from future cash flows.
Results of Operations – Analysis of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
Operating Revenues
Revenues totaled $16.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, $0.5 million, or 3.2%, above revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2010 of $16.0 million. Water sales revenues increased $774,000, or 5.6%, for the three months ended June 30, 2011 over the corresponding period in 2010. The increase in water sales is due to the addition of service territory and water interconnections and a temporary rate increase placed into effect on June 10, 2011, as permitted under Delaware law, until new rates are approved by the DEPSC. In addition, the Distribution System Improvement Charge, or DSIC, revenue increased for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. We realized 88.9% of our total operating revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2011 from the sale of water as compared to 86.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2010.
Non-utility operating revenue decreased $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, or 19.1%, from $1.4 million in 2010 to $1.1 million for the same period in 2011. This decrease is primarily due to less design and permitting services performed for a project in Middletown, Delaware, a decrease in contract services performed for municipalities in Maryland following the purchase of the Town of Port Deposit’s water assets and a reduction in contract services for municipalities in Pennsylvania. In addition, consulting revenue earned by Artesian Consulting Engineers decreased due to the reduction and reorganization of the business. The decrease in non-utility operating revenue is partially offset by an increase in water and wastewater Service Line Protection Plan, or SLP Plans, revenue earned by Artesian Resources. The SLP Plans provide coverage for all material and labor required to repair or replace participants’ leaking water service or clogged sewer lines up to an annual limit.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and income taxes, increased $0.4 million, or 4.1%, to $9.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2010. The components of the change in operating expenses include an increase in utility operating expenses of $0.7 million, a decrease in non-utility operating expenses of $0.2 million and a decrease in property and other taxes of $0.1 million.
The increase in utility operating expenses of $0.7 million, or 9.0%, for the three months ended June 30, 2011 over the same period in 2010, is primarily comprised of an increase in payroll and employee benefits costs and administration expenses.
Payroll and employee benefit costs increased $0.3 million, or 9.2%, compared to the same period in 2010, primarily as a result of an increase in wages and increased medical benefit premiums.
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Administration expenses increased $0.3 million, or 36.0%, primarily due to legal costs associated with ongoing litigation against Chester Water Authority.
Non-utility expenses decreased approximately $183,000, or 19.1%, primarily the result of less project activity in Artesian Utility as compared to the same period in 2010. The decrease in non-utility expenses is partially offset by an increase in legal costs of approximately $240,000 related to a federal grand jury subpoena received by Artesian Water in connection with an investigation being conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Property and other taxes decreased by $99,000, or 9.6%, compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to the first year assessment of a Maryland facility that was recorded in 2010 and was retroactive to include 2009. Partially offsetting the decrease in property and other taxes is an increase in payroll taxes, a result of increased payroll costs.
The ratio of operating expense, excluding depreciation and income taxes, to total revenue was 59.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to 59.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2010.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $100,000, or 5.8%, due to continuing investment in utility plant in service providing supply, treatment, storage and distribution of water.
Federal and state income tax expense increased $51,000 due to a retroactive adjustment to our effective tax rate applied to a deferred tax liability related to the bonus depreciation calculation in the State of Maryland for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2010.
Interest Charges
Interest charges increased $46,000, or 2.6%, primarily due to an increase in short-term debt outstanding and increased short-term borrowing interest charges that were previously capitalized, a result of the Termination Agreement with NSRWRC as of August 6, 2010.
Net Income
Our net income decreased $45,000, or 2.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease in net income was primarily due to lower operating income margins from our non-utility subsidiaries and increased interest charges for the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The decrease in net income is partially offset by higher operating income margins in our utility business.
Results of Operations – Analysis of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
Operating Revenues
Revenues totaled $31.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, $0.3 million or 0.9%, above revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2010 of $31.0 million. Water sales revenues increased $794,000, or 3.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2011 over the corresponding period in 2010. The increase in water sales is due to the addition of service territory and water interconnections, a slight increase in water consumption and a temporary rate increase placed into effect on June 10, 2011, as permitted under Delaware law, until new rates are approved by the DEPSC. In addition, the Distribution System Improvement Charge, or DSIC, revenue increased for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. We realized 88.3% of our total operating revenue in the first six months of 2011 from the sale of water as compared to 86.5% in 2010.
Other utility operating revenue totaled $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to $1.3 million in 2010. The increase is primarily the result of increased wastewater customer service revenues.
Non-utility operating revenue decreased $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, or 22.4%, from $2.8 million in 2010 to $2.2 million for the same period in 2011. This decrease is primarily due to less design and permitting services performed for a project in Middletown, Delaware, a decrease in contract services performed for municipalities in Maryland following the purchase of the Town of Port Deposit’s water assets and a reduction in contract services for municipalities in Pennsylvania. In addition, consulting revenue earned by Artesian Consulting Engineers decreased due to the reduction and reorganization of the business. The decrease in non-utility operating revenue is partially offset by an increase in water and wastewater Service Line Protection Plan, or SLP Plans, revenue earned by Artesian Resources. The SLP Plans provide coverage for all material and labor required to repair or replace participants’ leaking water service or clogged sewer lines up to an annual limit.
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Operating Expenses
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and income taxes, increased $1.1 million, or 5.7%, to $19.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to $18.8 million for the same period in 2010. The components of the change in operating expenses include an increase in utility operating expenses of $1.4 million and decrease in non-utility operating expenses of $0.3 million.
The increase in utility operating expenses of $1.4 million, or 9.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2011 over the same period in 2010, is primarily comprised of an increase in payroll and employee benefits costs, administration expenses and repair and maintenance expenses.
Payroll and employee benefit costs increased $0.8 million, or 10.6%, compared to the same period in 2010, primarily as a result of an increase in wages and increased medical benefit premiums.
Administration expenses increased $0.4 million, or 19.7%, primarily due to legal costs associated with ongoing litigation against Chester Water Authority.
Repair and maintenance expenses increased $0.2 million, or 21.1%, a result of increased water treatment equipment maintenance costs, increased meter maintenance costs increased software support fees and increased fuel costs.
Non-utility expenses decreased approximately $261,000, or 13.2%, primarily the result of less project activity in Artesian Utility as compared to the same period in 2010. The decrease in non-utility expenses is partially offset by an increase in legal costs of approximately $240,000. Artesian Water received a federal grand jury subpoena in connection with an investigation being conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Property and other taxes decreased by $46,000, or 2.3%, compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to the first year assessment of a Maryland facility that was recorded in 2010 and was retroactive to include 2009. Partially offsetting the decrease in property and other taxes is an increase in payroll taxes, a result of increased payroll costs.
The ratio of operating expense, excluding depreciation and income taxes, to total revenue was 63.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to 60.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $179,000, or 5.2%, due to continuing investment in utility plant in service providing supply, treatment, storage and distribution of water.
Federal and state income tax expense decreased $372,000 due to lower taxable income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2010. The decrease in federal and state income tax is partially offset by an increase due to a retroactive adjustment to our effective tax rate applied to a deferred tax liability related to the bonus depreciation calculation in the State of Maryland.
Interest Charges
Interest charges increased $93,000, or 2.6%, primarily due to an increase in short-term debt outstanding and increased short-term borrowing interest charges that were previously capitalized, a result of the Termination Agreement with NSRWRC as of August 6, 2010.
Net Income
Our net income decreased $682,000, or 19.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease in net income was primarily due to lower operating income margins for the period ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity for the six months ended June 30, 2011 were $10.4 million provided by cash flow from operating activities and $2.8 million from the issuance of long-term debt. Approximately $0.1 million of equity issuance costs were deferred at June 30, 2011. In July 2011, after the Company completed the sale of its Class A Non-Voting Common Stock, the equity issuance costs were recorded as an offset to additional paid in capital. Cash flow from operating activities is primarily provided by our utility operations, and is impacted by the timeliness and adequacy of rate increases and changes in water consumption as a result of year-to-year variations in weather conditions, particularly during the summer. A significant part of our ability to maintain and meet our financial objectives is to ensure that our investments in utility plant and equipment are recovered in the rates charged to customers. As such, from time to time, we file rate increase requests to recover increases in operating expenses and investments in utility plant and equipment.
Investment in Plant and Systems
The primary focus of Artesian Water’s investment was to continue to provide high quality reliable service to our growing service territory. We invested $6.6 million in capital expenditures during the first six months of 2011 compared to $6.3 million invested during the same period in 2010. During the first six months of 2011, we invested $1.4 million to enhance or improve existing treatment facilities and for the rehabilitation of pumping equipment to better serve our customers. We invested $1.8 million to upgrade and automate our meter reading equipment. We invested approximately $0.2 million for our rehabilitation program for transmission and distribution facilities by replacing aging or deteriorating mains and for new transmission and distribution facilities. We invested approximately $1.5 million in mandatory utility plant expenditures, due to governmental highway projects, which require the relocation of water service mains. Developers financed $0.6 million for the installation of water mains and hydrants for the first six months of 2011 compared to $0.9 million for the first six months of 2010. We also invested $0.3 million for equipment purchases, computer hardware and software upgrades, and building upgrades, furniture and equipment related to renovations made to our main office building located in New Castle County. The investment in general plant also includes an additional investment of $0.3 million for transportation and equipment purchases. An additional $0.5 million was invested in wastewater projects in Delaware and Maryland.
Lines of Credit
At June 30, 2011, Artesian Resources had a $40 million line of credit with Citizens Bank, or Citizens, which is available to all subsidiaries of Artesian Resources. As of June 30, 2011, there was $17.4 million of available funds under this line of credit. The interest rate for borrowings under this line is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR. This is a demand line of credit and therefore the financial institution may demand payment for any outstanding amounts at any time. The term of this line of credit expires on the earlier of January 18, 2012 or any date on which Citizens demands payment.
At June 30, 2011, Artesian Water had a $20 million line of credit with CoBank, ACB, or CoBank, that allows for the financing of operations for Artesian Water, with up to $10 million of this line available for the operations of Artesian Water Maryland. As of June 30, 2011, there was $17.0 million of available funds under this line of credit. The interest rate for borrowings under this line is LIBOR plus 1.50%. The term of this line of credit expires on January 17, 2012.
Pursuant to the Termination Agreement between Artesian Resources and Darin A. Lockwood signed on August 6, 2010, Artesian Resources purchased the 75-acre parcel of land, previously purchased by Darin A. Lockwood on July 1, 2008, for the operation of the wastewater facility known as the Northern Sussex Regional Water Recharge Complex. The Company purchased the land (with a carrying value of $5.2 million) and all engineering and design work (with a carrying value of $2.7 million) by paying off the $7.9 million remaining balance of the NSRWRC’s construction loan with a financial institution secured by the 75-acre parcel that was previously guaranteed by the Company. There is no other security pledged for the 75-acre parcel of land.
Line of Credit Commitments
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Commitment Due by Period
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|||||||||||||||
In thousands
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Less than
1 Year
|
1-3 Years
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4-5 Years
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Over 5 Years
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||||||||||||
Lines of Credit
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$ | 25,632 | $ | ----- | $ | ----- | $ | ----- |
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Long-Term Debt
On August 1, 2008, Artesian Water Maryland executed a promissory note in the amount of approximately $2.3 million to Sunrise Holdings, L.P., or Sunrise, in connection with the Mountain Hill acquisition, that bears interest at a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.50%. The note is payable in four equal annual installments, commencing on the first anniversary of the closing date. Two annual installment payments were made in the amount of $0.6 million each. The remaining principal balance due on this note, as of June 30, 2011, is $1.2 million. The note is secured by a first lien security interest in all of Mountain Hill’s assets in favor of Sunrise and is guaranteed by Artesian Resources.
Artesian Water’s trust indentures, which set certain criteria for the issuance of new long-term debt, limit long-term debt, including the short-term portion thereof, to 66 ⅔% of total capitalization. Our debt to total capitalization, including the short-term portion thereof, was 53.1% at June 30, 2011. In addition, our revolving line of credit with CoBank contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that are binding on us (which are in some cases subject to certain exceptions), including, but not limited to, restrictions on our ability to make certain loans and investments, guaranty certain obligations, enter into, or undertake, certain mergers, consolidations or acquisitions, transfer certain assets, change our business or incur additional indebtedness. In addition, this line of credit requires us to abide by certain financial covenants and ratios. As of June 30, 2011, we were in compliance with these covenants.
We expect to fund our activities for the next twelve months using our available cash balances and bank credit lines, plus projected cash generated from operations.
Contractual Obligations
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Payments Due by Period
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|||||||||||||||||||
In thousands
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Less than
1 Year
|
1-3
Years
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4-5
Years
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After 5
Years
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Total
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First Mortgage Bonds (Principal and Interest)
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$ | 7,067 | $ | 14,022 | $ | 13,847 | $ | 154,594 | $ | 189,530 | ||||||||||
State revolving fund loans (Principal and Interest)
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787 | 1,180 | 1,574 | 7,351 | 10,892 | |||||||||||||||
Note Payable (Principal and Interest)
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590 | 580 | --- | --- | 1,170 | |||||||||||||||
Operating leases
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65 | 94 | 99 | 1,588 | 1,846 | |||||||||||||||
Unconditional purchase obligations
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3,780 | 7,539 | 7,549 | 20,758 | 39,626 | |||||||||||||||
Tank painting contractual obligation
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174 | --- | --- | --- | 174 | |||||||||||||||
Total contractual cash obligations
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$ | 12,463 | $ | 23,415 | $ | 23,069 | $ | 184,291 | $ | 243,238 |
Long-term debt obligations reflect the maturities of certain series of our first mortgage bonds, which we intend to refinance when due. The state revolving fund loan obligation has an amortizing mortgage payment payable over a 20-year period, and will be refinanced as future securities are issued. Both the long-term debt and the state revolving fund loan have certain financial covenant provisions, the violation of which could result in default and require the obligation to be immediately repaid, including all interest. We have not experienced conditions that would result in our default under these agreements, and we do not anticipate any such occurrence. Payments for unconditional purchase obligations reflect minimum water purchase obligations based on rates that are subject to change under our interconnection agreement with the Chester Water Authority.
On July 15, 2011, Artesian Water entered into a Financing Agreement, or Financing Agreement, with the Delaware Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, acting by and through the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health, a public agency of Delaware, or the Department. The Company has been given a loan of approximately $3.6 million, or the Loan, from the Delaware Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund to finance all or a portion of the cost to replace specific water transmission mains in service areas located in New Castle County, Delaware (collectively, the “Project”). In accordance with the Financing Agreement, the Company will from time to time request funds under the Loan as it incurs costs in connection with the Project. The Company shall pay to the Department, on the principal amount drawn down and outstanding from the date drawn, interest at a rate of 1.7% per annum and an administrative fee at the rate of 1.7% per annum. As of August 5, 2011, no funds were borrowed under this Loan.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, including any arrangements with any structured finance, special purpose or variable interest entities.
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Critical Accounting Assumptions, Estimates and Policies; Recent Accounting Standards
This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on the accounting policies used and disclosed in our 2010 consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and included as part of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The preparation of those financial statements required management to make assumptions and estimates that affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual amounts or results could differ from those based on such assumptions and estimates.
Our critical accounting policies are described in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. There have been no changes in our critical accounting policies. Our significant accounting policies are described in our notes to the 2010 consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Information concerning our implementation and the impact of recent accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board is included in the notes to our 2010 consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and also in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. We did not adopt any accounting policy in the first six months of 2011 that had a material impact on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which express our “belief,” “anticipation” or “expectation,” as well as other statements which are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements regarding our goals, priorities, growth and expansion plans and expectation for our water and wastewater subsidiaries and non-regulated subsidiaries, customer base growth opportunities in Delaware and Cecil County, Maryland, our belief regarding our capacity to provide water services for the foreseeable future to our customers, our belief relating to our compliance and the cost to achieve compliance with relevant governmental regulations, our expectation of the timing of decisions by regulatory authorities, our expectation of the timing of the closing for pending acquisitions, the impact of weather on our operations and the execution of our strategic initiatives, our expectation of the timing for construction on new projects, our belief regarding our reliance on outside engineering firms, our expectation relating to the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements, contract operations opportunities, legal proceedings, our properties, deferred tax assets, adequacy of our available sources of financing, the expected recovery of expenses related to our long-term debt, our expectation to be in compliance with financial covenants in our debt instruments, our ability to refinance our debt as it comes due, the timing and terms of renewals of our lines of credit, plans to increase our wastewater treatment operations, engineering services and other revenue streams less affected by weather, expected future contributions to our postretirement benefit plan, and our liquidity needs are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “projects”, “forecasts”, “may”, “should”, variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Certain factors as discussed under Item 1A -Risk Factors, in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, such as changes in weather, changes in our contractual obligations, changes in government policies, the timing and results of our rate requests, changes in economic and market conditions generally, and other matters could cause results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so and you should not rely on any forward-looking statement as representation of the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal course of business. Our policy is to manage interest rates through the use of fixed rate long-term debt and, to a lesser extent, short-term debt. The Company's exposure to interest rate risk related to existing fixed rate, long-term debt is due to the term of the majority of our First Mortgage Bonds, which have final maturity dates ranging from 2018 to 2043. The Company has $60 million of variable rate lines of credit with two banks, under which the interim bank loans payable at June 30, 2011 were approximately $25.6 million. We are also exposed to market risk associated with changes in commodity prices. Our risks associated with price increases in chemicals, electricity and other commodities are mitigated by our ability to recover our costs through rate increases to our customers. We have also sought to mitigate future significant electric price increases by signing a two year supply contract, at a fixed price.
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ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
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Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective to achieve the foregoing objectives. A control system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the control system are met and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
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(b) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
As previously disclosed, Artesian Water received a federal grand jury subpoena in connection with an investigation being conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Environmental Protection Agency. The subpoena requests certain documents from Artesian Water principally relating to eight wastewater facilities in Pennsylvania formerly operated by personnel of Artesian Utility Development, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary. Artesian Resources was subsequently advised that Artesian Utility’s prior operation of the eight wastewater facilities in Pennsylvania is a subject of the grand jury investigation. We are fully cooperating with the investigation. Due to the stage of the investigation, we are unable to predict the outcome of the investigation, or the possible loss or range of loss, if any, which could be associated with the resolution of any possible criminal charges or civil claims that may be brought against us. Should such charges or claims be brought, we could face significant fines, damage awards or regulatory consequences which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
Periodically, we are involved in other proceedings or litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will materially affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in such Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 4 – RESERVED
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ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
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Description
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10.1
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Financing Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, between Artesian Water Company, Inc. and Delaware Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, acting by and through the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Company’s form 8-K filed on July 19, 2011.
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10.2
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General Obligation Note (New Castle County Water Main Transmission Replacements Projects), Series 2011-SRF, dated as of July 15, 2011, issued by Artesian Water Company, Inc. in favor of Delaware Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, acting by and through the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the Company’s form 8-K filed on July 19, 2011.
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31.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
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31.2
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
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32
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).*
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101
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The following financial statements from Artesian Resources Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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* Filed herewith
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
Date: August 9, 2011
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By:
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/s/ DIAN C. TAYLOR
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Dian C. Taylor (Principal Executive Officer)
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Date: August 9, 2011
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By:
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/s/ DAVID B. SPACHT
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David B. Spacht (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
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Description
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10.1
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Financing Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, between Artesian Water Company, Inc. and Delaware Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, acting by and through the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Company’s form 8-K filed on July 19, 2011.
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10.2
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General Obligation Note (New Castle County Water Main Transmission Replacements Projects), Series 2011-SRF, dated as of July 15, 2011, issued by Artesian Water Company, Inc. in favor of Delaware Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, acting by and through the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the Company’s form 8-K filed on July 19, 2011.
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31.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
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31.2
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
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32
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).*
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101
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The following financial statements from Artesian Resources Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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* Filed herewith
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