MIDDLESEX WATER CO - Quarter Report: 2008 June (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
þ
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008
OR
¨
|
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 0-422
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New
Jersey
(State
of incorporation)
|
22-1114430
(IRS
employer identification no.)
|
1500
Ronson Road, Iselin, NJ 08830
(Address
of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(732)
634-1500
(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.
Yes þ No
¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting
company.
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated
filer þ Non-accelerated
filer ¨ Smaller
reporting company ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Act).
Yes ¨ No
þ
The
number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common
stock, as of August 4, 2008: Common Stock, No Par Value: 13,281,961 shares
outstanding.
INDEX
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2
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3
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4
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5
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13
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20
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MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
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||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
|
||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands except per share amounts)
|
||||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Operating
Revenues
|
$ | 23,035 | $ | 21,745 | $ | 43,890 | $ | 40,732 | ||||||||
Operating
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
Operations
|
10,617 | 10,143 | 21,719 | 20,335 | ||||||||||||
Maintenance
|
1,110 | 1,037 | 2,107 | 2,015 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation
|
1,955 | 1,875 | 3,885 | 3,720 | ||||||||||||
Other
Taxes
|
2,528 | 2,411 | 5,008 | 4,662 | ||||||||||||
Total
Operating Expenses
|
16,210 | 15,466 | 32,719 | 30,732 | ||||||||||||
Operating
Income
|
6,825 | 6,279 | 11,171 | 10,000 | ||||||||||||
Other
Income (Expense):
|
||||||||||||||||
Allowance
for Funds Used During Construction
|
162 | 140 | 265 | 252 | ||||||||||||
Other
Income
|
277 | 282 | 518 | 508 | ||||||||||||
Other
Expense
|
(113 | ) | (8 | ) | (158 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||||||
Total
Other Income, net
|
326 | 414 | 625 | 748 | ||||||||||||
Interest
Charges
|
1,806 | 1,698 | 3,323 | 3,081 | ||||||||||||
Income
before Income Taxes
|
5,345 | 4,995 | 8,473 | 7,667 | ||||||||||||
Income
Taxes
|
1,780 | 1,682 | 2,904 | 2,583 | ||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
3,565 | 3,313 | 5,569 | 5,084 | ||||||||||||
Preferred
Stock Dividend Requirements
|
62 | 62 | 124 | 124 | ||||||||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$ | 3,503 | $ | 3,251 | $ | 5,445 | $ | 4,960 | ||||||||
Earnings
per share of Common Stock:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
$ | 0.26 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.38 | ||||||||
Diluted
|
$ | 0.26 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.37 | ||||||||
Average
Number of
|
||||||||||||||||
Common
Shares Outstanding :
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
13,269 | 13,191 | 13,262 | 13,184 | ||||||||||||
Diluted
|
13,600 | 13,522 | 13,593 | 13,515 | ||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends Paid per Common Share
|
$ | 0.1750 | $ | 0.1725 | $ | 0.3500 | $ | 0.3450 |
See
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
1
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
|
|||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
|||||||||
June
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||||
ASSETS
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
UTILITY
PLANT:
|
Water
Production
|
$ | 100,211 | $ | 98,942 | ||||
Transmission
and Distribution
|
270,764 | 264,939 | |||||||
General
|
26,453 | 24,874 | |||||||
Construction
Work in Progress
|
15,299 | 9,833 | |||||||
TOTAL
|
412,727 | 398,588 | |||||||
Less
Accumulated Depreciation
|
67,721 | 64,736 | |||||||
UTILITY
PLANT - NET
|
345,006 | 333,852 | |||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
|
3,724 | 2,029 | ||||||
Accounts
Receivable, net
|
8,688 | 8,227 | |||||||
Unbilled
Revenues
|
5,691 | 4,609 | |||||||
Materials
and Supplies (at average cost)
|
1,451 | 1,205 | |||||||
Prepayments
|
1,657 | 1,363 | |||||||
TOTAL
CURRENT ASSETS
|
21,211 | 17,433 | |||||||
DEFERRED
CHARGES
|
Unamortized
Debt Expense
|
2,943 | 2,884 | ||||||
AND
OTHER ASSETS:
|
Preliminary
Survey and Investigation Charges
|
6,187 | 5,283 | ||||||
Regulatory
Assets
|
15,754 | 16,090 | |||||||
Operations
Contracts Fees Receivable
|
4,216 | 4,184 | |||||||
Restricted
Cash
|
6,113 | 6,418 | |||||||
Non-utility
Assets - Net
|
6,277 | 6,183 | |||||||
Other
|
330 | 348 | |||||||
TOTAL
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS
|
41,820 | 41,390 | |||||||
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
$ | 408,037 | $ | 392,675 | |||||
CAPITALIZATION
AND LIABILITIES
|
|||||||||
CAPITALIZATION:
|
Common
Stock, No Par Value
|
$ | 106,392 | $ | 105,668 | ||||
Retained
Earnings
|
28,245 | 27,441 | |||||||
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax
|
- | 69 | |||||||
TOTAL
COMMON EQUITY
|
134,637 | 133,178 | |||||||
Preferred
Stock
|
3,958 | 3,958 | |||||||
Long-term
Debt
|
116,675 | 131,615 | |||||||
TOTAL
CAPITALIZATION
|
255,270 | 268,751 | |||||||
CURRENT
|
Current
Portion of Long-term Debt
|
17,807 | 2,723 | ||||||
LIABILITIES:
|
Notes
Payable
|
17,000 | 6,250 | ||||||
Accounts
Payable
|
4,982 | 6,477 | |||||||
Accrued
Taxes
|
8,106 | 7,611 | |||||||
Accrued
Interest
|
2,177 | 1,916 | |||||||
Unearned
Revenues and Advanced Service Fees
|
787 | 758 | |||||||
Other
|
1,283 | 1,274 | |||||||
TOTAL
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
52,142 | 27,009 | |||||||
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Note 7)
|
|||||||||
DEFERRED
CREDITS
|
Customer
Advances for Construction
|
21,585 | 21,758 | ||||||
AND
OTHER LIABILITIES:
|
Accumulated
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
|
1,421 | 1,461 | ||||||
Accumulated
Deferred Income Taxes
|
18,305 | 17,940 | |||||||
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
14,243 | 13,333 | |||||||
Regulatory
Liability - Cost of Utility Plant Removal
|
5,979 | 5,726 | |||||||
Other
|
1,265 | 459 | |||||||
TOTAL
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
|
62,798 | 60,677 | |||||||
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION
|
37,827 | 36,238 | |||||||
TOTAL
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
|
$ | 408,037 | $ | 392,675 | |||||
See
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
2
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
|
||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
||||||||
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 5,569 | $ | 5,084 | ||||
Adjustments
to Reconcile Net Income to
|
||||||||
Net
Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
|
||||||||
Depreciation
and Amortization
|
4,208 | 4,029 | ||||||
Provision
for Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
|
317 | 235 | ||||||
Equity
Portion of AFUDC
|
(138 | ) | (121 | ) | ||||
Cash
Surrender Value of Life Insurance
|
115 | (205 | ) | |||||
Gain
on Disposal of Equity Investments
|
(86 | ) | - | |||||
Gain
on Sale of Real Estate
|
- | (212 | ) | |||||
Changes
in Assets and Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts
Receivable
|
(493 | ) | (1,555 | ) | ||||
Unbilled
Revenues
|
(1,082 | ) | (1,546 | ) | ||||
Materials
& Supplies
|
(246 | ) | (139 | ) | ||||
Prepayments
|
(294 | ) | (407 | ) | ||||
Other
Assets
|
(183 | ) | (194 | ) | ||||
Accounts
Payable
|
(559 | ) | 2,011 | |||||
Accrued
Taxes
|
531 | 1,312 | ||||||
Accrued
Interest
|
261 | 32 | ||||||
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
1,207 | 1,300 | ||||||
Unearned
Revenue & Advanced Service Fees
|
29 | 106 | ||||||
Other
Liabilities
|
(123 | ) | 186 | |||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
9,033 | 9,916 | ||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Utility
Plant Expenditures, Including AFUDC of $127 in 2008 and $131 in
2007
|
(13,539 | ) | (8,774 | ) | ||||
Restricted
Cash
|
340 | 647 | ||||||
Proceeds
from Real Estate Dispositions
|
- | 273 | ||||||
Preliminary
Survey & Investigation Charges
|
(905 | ) | (1,590 | ) | ||||
NET
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
(14,104 | ) | (9,444 | ) | ||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Redemption
of Long-term Debt
|
(795 | ) | (711 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from Issuance of Long-term Debt
|
939 | 133 | ||||||
Net
Short-term Bank Borrowings
|
10,750 | 800 | ||||||
Deferred
Debt Issuance Expenses
|
(158 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||
Common
Stock Issuance Expense
|
- | (15 | ) | |||||
Restricted
Cash
|
(35 | ) | (23 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from Issuance of Common Stock
|
724 | 705 | ||||||
Payment
of Common Dividends
|
(4,640 | ) | (4,547 | ) | ||||
Payment
of Preferred Dividends
|
(124 | ) | (124 | ) | ||||
Construction
Advances and Contributions-Net
|
105 | 33 | ||||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
6,766 | (3,779 | ) | |||||
NET
CHANGES IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
1,695 | (3,307 | ) | |||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
2,029 | 5,826 | ||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
|
$ | 3,724 | $ | 2,519 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITY:
|
||||||||
Utility
Plant received as Construction Advances and Contributions
|
$ | 1,312 | $ | 2,811 | ||||
Transfer of Equity Investments to Employee Retirement Benefit Plans | $ | 132 | - | |||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
|
||||||||
Cash
Paid During the Year for:
|
||||||||
Interest
|
$ | 3,101 | $ | 3,098 | ||||
Interest
Capitalized
|
$ | (127 | ) | $ | (131 | ) | ||
Income
Taxes
|
$ | 2,707 | $ | 1,518 | ||||
See
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
3
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
|
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL STOCK
|
AND
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
(Unaudited)
|
(In
thousands)
|
June
30,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||
Common
Stock, No Par Value
|
||||||||||||
Shares
Authorized -
|
40,000
|
|||||||||||
Shares
Outstanding -
|
2008
- 13,278
|
$ | 106,392 | $ | 105,668 | |||||||
2007
- 13,246
|
||||||||||||
Retained
Earnings
|
28,245 | 27,441 | ||||||||||
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax
|
- | 69 | ||||||||||
TOTAL
COMMON EQUITY
|
$ | 134,637 | $ | 133,178 | ||||||||
Cumulative
Preference Stock, No Par Value:
|
||||||||||||
Shares
Authorized - 100
|
||||||||||||
Shares
Outstanding - None
|
||||||||||||
Cumulative
Preferred Stock, No Par Value
|
||||||||||||
Shares
Authorized - 139
|
||||||||||||
Shares
Outstanding - 37
|
||||||||||||
Convertible:
|
||||||||||||
Shares
Outstanding, $7.00 Series - 14
|
$ | 1,457 | $ | 1,457 | ||||||||
Shares
Outstanding, $8.00 Series - 12
|
1,399 | 1,399 | ||||||||||
Nonredeemable:
|
||||||||||||
Shares
Outstanding, $7.00 Series - 1
|
102 | 102 | ||||||||||
Shares
Outstanding, $4.75 Series - 10
|
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||||||
TOTAL
PREFERRED STOCK
|
$ | 3,958 | $ | 3,958 | ||||||||
Long-term
Debt
|
||||||||||||
8.05%,
Amortizing Secured Note, due December 20, 2021
|
$ | 2,749 | $ | 2,800 | ||||||||
6.25%,
Amortizing Secured Note, due May 22, 2028
|
8,365 | 8,575 | ||||||||||
6.44%,
Amortizing Secured Note, due August 25, 2030
|
6,207 | 6,347 | ||||||||||
6.46%,
Amortizing Secured Note, due September 19, 2031
|
6,487 | 6,627 | ||||||||||
4.22%,
State Revolving Trust Note, due December 31, 2022
|
674 | 691 | ||||||||||
3.30%
to 3.60%, State Revolving Trust Note, due May 1, 2025
|
3,678 | 3,168 | ||||||||||
3.49%,
State Revolving Trust Note, due January 25, 2027
|
667 | 603 | ||||||||||
4.03%,
State Revolving Trust Note, due December 1, 2026
|
957 | 974 | ||||||||||
3.64%,
State Revolving Trust Note, due July 1, 2028
|
211 | - | ||||||||||
3.64%,
State Revolving Trust Note, due January 1, 2028
|
140 | - | ||||||||||
4.00%
to 5.00%, State Revolving Trust Bond, due September 1,
2021
|
695 | 695 | ||||||||||
0.00%,
State Revolving Fund Bond, due September 1, 2021
|
528 | 538 | ||||||||||
First Mortgage Bonds:
|
||||||||||||
5.20%,
Series S, due October 1, 2022
|
12,000 | 12,000 | ||||||||||
5.25%,
Series T, due October 1, 2023
|
6,500 | 6,500 | ||||||||||
6.40%,
Series U, due February 1, 2009
|
15,000 | 15,000 | ||||||||||
5.25%,
Series V, due February 1, 2029
|
10,000 | 10,000 | ||||||||||
5.35%,
Series W, due February 1, 2038
|
23,000 | 23,000 | ||||||||||
0.00%,
Series X, due September 1, 2018
|
582 | 591 | ||||||||||
4.25%
to 4.63%, Series Y, due September 1, 2018
|
765 | 765 | ||||||||||
0.00%,
Series Z, due September 1, 2019
|
1,317 | 1,342 | ||||||||||
5.25%
to 5.75%, Series AA, due September 1, 2019
|
1,785 | 1,785 | ||||||||||
0.00%,
Series BB, due September 1, 2021
|
1,656 | 1,685 | ||||||||||
4.00%
to 5.00%, Series CC, due September 1, 2021
|
1,995 | 1,995 | ||||||||||
5.10%,
Series DD, due January 1, 2032
|
6,000 | 6,000 | ||||||||||
0.00%,
Series EE, due September 1, 2024
|
7,004 | 7,112 | ||||||||||
3.00%
to 5.50%, Series FF, due September 1, 2024
|
8,385 | 8,385 | ||||||||||
0.00%,
Series GG, due September 1, 2026
|
1,685 | 1,710 | ||||||||||
4.00%
to 5.00%, Series HH, due August 1, 2026
|
1,950 | 1,950 | ||||||||||
0.00%,
Series II, due August 1, 2027
|
1,750 | 1,750 | ||||||||||
3.40%
to 5.00%, Series JJ, due August 1, 2027
|
1,750 | 1,750 | ||||||||||
SUBTOTAL
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
134,482 | 134,338 | ||||||||||
Less:
Current Portion of Long-term Debt
|
(17,807 | ) | (2,723 | ) | ||||||||
TOTAL LONG-TERM
DEBT
|
$ | 116,675 | $ | 131,615 | ||||||||
See
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
4
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
NOTES
TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note
1 – Basis of Presentation
Middlesex
Water Company (Middlesex or the Company) is the parent company and sole
shareholder of Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Tidewater), Tidewater Environmental
Services, Inc. (TESI), Pinelands Water Company (Pinelands Water) and Pinelands
Wastewater Company (Pinelands Wastewater) (collectively, Pinelands), Utility
Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA), and Utility Service Affiliates (Perth
Amboy) Inc. (USA-PA). Southern Shores Water Company, LLC (Southern Shores) and
White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. (White Marsh) are wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Tidewater. The financial statements for Middlesex and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company) are reported on a consolidated
basis. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have
been eliminated.
The
consolidated notes within the 2007 Form 10-K are applicable to these financial
statements and, in the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary
(including normal recurring accruals) to present fairly the financial position
as of June 30, 2008, the results of operations for the three month and six month
periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and cash flows for the six month periods
ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Information included in the Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007, has been derived from the Company’s
audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Certain
reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to
conform with the current period presentation.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements – In September 2006, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, which
establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about
fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years.
In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) 157-2, Effective
Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which deferred the effective date of SFAS 157 to
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for nonfinancial assets and
nonfinancial liabilities. Adoption of SFAS 157 for financial assets and
financial liabilities did not have a material impact on its financial
statements. The Company does not anticipate that adoption of FSP 157-2 will
have a material impact on its financial statements.
FASB
statement No. 141 (R) “Business Combinations” was issued in December of 2007.
This Statement establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a
business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable
assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the
acquiree. The Statement also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the
goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to
disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and
financial effects of the business combination. The guidance will become
effective as of the beginning of a company’s fiscal year beginning after
December 15, 2008. This new pronouncement will impact the Company’s accounting
for business combinations completed beginning January 1, 2009.
In May
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles.” This Statement identifies the sources of
accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the
preparation of financial statements. This Statement is effective 60
days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity
with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The Company is
currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its
consolidated financial statements.
5
In June
2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) EITF 03-6-1, “Determining
Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are
Participating Securities.” This FSP clarifies that all outstanding
unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable
dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common
shareholders. Awards of this nature are considered participating
securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per
share must be applied. This FSP is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently
evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its
consolidated financial statements.
Note 2 – Rate
Matters
On April
29, 2008 Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater filed with the New Jersey
Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for base rate increases of 19.8% and 22.9%,
respectively. These combined increase requests represent $0.3 million
of additional revenues needed to cover higher operations and maintenance costs
of those systems. We cannot predict whether the BPU will ultimately
approve, deny, or reduce the amount of our requests.
Effective
January 1, 2008, Tidewater received approval from the Delaware Public Service
Commission (PSC) to increase their Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC)
from 0.17% to 1.62%. The DSIC increase is expected to generate
additional annual revenue of approximately $0.2 million.
Effective
July 1, 2008, Tidewater received approval from the PSC to further increase their
DSIC from 1.62% to 2.94%. The DSIC increase is designed to generate
additional annual revenue of approximately $0.2 million.
In
accordance with the tariff established for Southern Shores, an annual rate
increase of 3% was implemented on January 1, 2008. The increase cannot exceed
the lesser of the regional Consumer Price Index or 3%. The contracted rate
schedule is set to expire on December 31, 2009.
Note
3 – Capitalization
Common Stock
–During the six months ended June 30, 2008, there were 31,707 common shares
(approximately $0.6 million) issued under the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment
and Common Stock Purchase Plan (DRP).
Long-term Debt
–Middlesex received approval from the BPU to issue up to $4.0 million of
first mortgage bonds through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust
under the New Jersey State Revolving Fund (SRF) program. The Company expects to
complete the transaction in November 2008. Proceeds from this
financing will be used for the ongoing main cleaning and lining project in
2009.
Long-term
Debt decreased $15.0 million during 2008 for First Mortgage Bond Series U, which
matures on February 1, 2009. There was an equal and offsetting
increase in the Current Portion of Long-term Debt for the Series U
bond.
Note
4 – Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) are
computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding
during the period presented. Diluted EPS assumes the conversion of
both the Convertible Preferred Stock $7.00 Series and the Convertible Preferred
Stock $8.00 Series.
6
(In
Thousands Except per Share Amounts)
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic:
|
2008
|
Shares
|
2007
|
Shares
|
||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 3,565 | 13,269 | $ | 3,313 | 13,191 | ||||||||||
Preferred
Dividend
|
(62 | ) | (62 | ) |
|
|||||||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$ | 3,503 | 13,269 | $ | 3,251 | 13,191 | ||||||||||
Basic
EPS
|
$ | 0.26 | $ | 0.25 | ||||||||||||
Diluted:
|
||||||||||||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$ | 3,503 | 13,269 | $ | 3,251 | 13,191 | ||||||||||
$7.00
Series Preferred Dividend
|
24 | 167 | 24 | 167 | ||||||||||||
$8.00
Series Preferred Dividend
|
24 | 164 | 24 | 164 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
|
$ | 3,551 | 13,600 | $ | 3,299 | 13,522 | ||||||||||
Diluted
EPS
|
$ | 0.26 | $ | 0.24 |
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic:
|
2008
|
Shares
|
2007
|
Shares
|
||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 5,569 | 13,262 | $ | 5,084 | 13,184 | ||||||||||
Preferred
Dividend
|
(124 | ) |
|
(124 | ) |
|
||||||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$ | 5,445 | 13,262 | $ | 4,960 | 13,184 | ||||||||||
Basic
EPS
|
$ | 0.41 | $ | 0.38 | ||||||||||||
Diluted:
|
||||||||||||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$ | 5,445 | 13,262 | $ | 4,960 | 13,184 | ||||||||||
$7.00
Series Preferred Dividend
|
49 | 167 | 49 | 167 | ||||||||||||
$8.00
Series Preferred Dividend
|
48 | 164 | 48 | 164 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
|
$ | 5,542 | 13,593 | $ | 5,057 | 13,515 | ||||||||||
Diluted
EPS
|
$ | 0.41 | $ | 0.37 | ||||||||||||
Note
5 – Business Segment Data
The
Company has identified two reportable segments. One is the regulated business of
collecting, treating and distributing water on a retail and wholesale basis to
residential, commercial, industrial and fire protection customers in parts of
New Jersey and Delaware. This segment also includes regulated wastewater systems
in New Jersey and Delaware. The Company is subject to regulations as
to its rates, services and other matters by the States of New Jersey and
Delaware with respect to utility services within these States. The other segment
is primarily comprised of non-regulated contract services for the operation and
maintenance of municipal and private water and wastewater systems in New Jersey
and Delaware. Inter-segment transactions relating to operational
costs are treated as pass-through expenses. Finance charges on inter-segment
loan activities are based on interest rates that are below what would normally
be charged by a third party lender.
7
(In
Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
Six
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
June
30,
|
June
30,
|
|||||||||||||||
Operations
by Segments:
|
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||||||||||
Regulated
|
$ | 20,538 | $ | 19,776 | $ | 38,960 | $ | 36,462 | ||||||||
Non
– Regulated
|
2,607 | 2,081 | 5,091 | 4,427 | ||||||||||||
Inter-segment
Elimination
|
(110 | ) | (112 | ) | (161 | ) | (157 | ) | ||||||||
Consolidated
Revenues
|
$ | 23,035 | $ | 21,745 | $ | 43,890 | $ | 40,732 | ||||||||
Operating
Income:
|
||||||||||||||||
Regulated
|
$ | 6,346 | $ | 5,951 | $ | 10,236 | $ | 9,416 | ||||||||
Non
– Regulated
|
479 | 328 | 935 | 584 | ||||||||||||
Consolidated
Operating Income
|
$ | 6,825 | $ | 6,279 | $ | 11,171 | $ | 10,000 | ||||||||
Net
Income:
|
||||||||||||||||
Regulated
|
$ | 3,260 | $ | 3,140 | $ | 4,961 | $ | 4,777 | ||||||||
Non
– Regulated
|
305 | 173 | 608 | 307 | ||||||||||||
Consolidated
Net Income
|
$ | 3,565 | $ | 3,313 | $ | 5,569 | $ | 5,084 | ||||||||
Capital
Expenditures:
|
||||||||||||||||
Regulated
|
$ | 6,973 | $ | 5,024 | $ | 13,284 | $ | 8,549 | ||||||||
Non
– Regulated
|
239 | 130 | 255 | 225 | ||||||||||||
Total
Capital Expenditures
|
$ | 7,212 | $ | 5,154 | $ | 13,539 | $ | 8,774 |
As
of
June
30,
2008
|
As
of
December
31,
2007
|
|||||||
Assets:
|
||||||||
Regulated
|
$ | 401,693 | $ | 387,931 | ||||
Non
– Regulated
|
10,366 | 8,157 | ||||||
Inter-segment
Elimination
|
(4,022 | ) | (3,413 | ) | ||||
Consolidated
Assets
|
$ | 408,037 | $ | 392,675 |
Note
6 – Short-term Borrowings
As of
June 30, 2008, the Company has established lines of credit aggregating $33.0
million. At June 30, 2008, the outstanding borrowings under these credit lines
were $17.0 million at a weighted average interest rate of 3.30%.
The
weighted average daily amounts of borrowings outstanding under the Company’s
credit lines and the weighted average interest rates on those amounts were $13.1
million and $0.2 million at 3.71% and 6.62% for the three months ended June 30,
2008 and 2007, respectively. The weighted average daily amounts of borrowings
outstanding under the Company’s credit lines and the weighted average interest
rates on those amounts were $10.3 million and $0.1 million at 4.11% and 6.62%
for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Interest
rates for short-term borrowings under the lines of credit are below the prime
rate with no requirement for compensating balances.
8
Note
7 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
Guarantees
- USA-PA operates the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey (Perth Amboy) water and
wastewater systems under contract through June 30, 2018. The agreement was
effected under New Jersey’s Water Supply Public/Private Contracting Act and the
New Jersey Wastewater Public/Private Contracting Act. Under the agreement,
USA-PA receives a fixed fee and in addition, a variable fee based on increased
system billing. Scheduled fixed fee payments for 2008 are $8.0 million. The
fixed fees will increase over the term of the contract to $10.2 million per
year.
In
connection with the agreement, Perth Amboy, through the Middlesex County
Improvement Authority, issued approximately $68.0 million in three series of
bonds. Middlesex guaranteed one of those series of bonds, designated the Series
C Serial Bonds, in the principal amount of approximately $26.3 million. Perth
Amboy guaranteed the two other series of bonds. The Series C Serial Bonds have
various maturity dates with the final maturity date on September 1, 2015. As of
June 30, 2008, approximately $22.6 million of the Series C Serial Bonds remained
outstanding.
Middlesex
is obligated to perform under the guarantee in the event notice is received from
the Series C Serial Bonds trustee of an impending debt service deficiency. If
Middlesex funds any debt service obligations as guarantor, Perth Amboy is
required to reimburse the Company. There are other provisions in the agreement
that make it unlikely that we would be required to perform under the guarantee,
such as scheduled annual rate increases for water and wastewater services as
well as rate increases that may be implemented at anytime by Perth Amboy. In the
event revenues from customers could not satisfy the reimbursement requirements,
Perth Amboy has Ad Valorem taxing powers, which could be used to raise the
needed amount.
Water
Supply - Middlesex has an agreement with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority
(NJWSA) for the purchase of untreated water through November 30, 2023, which
provides for an average purchase of 27 million gallons per day (mgd). Pricing is
set annually by the NJWSA through a public rate making process. The agreement
has provisions for additional pricing in the event Middlesex overdrafts or
exceeds certain monthly and annual thresholds.
Middlesex
also has an agreement with a non-affiliated regulated water utility for the
purchase of treated water. This agreement, which expires February 27, 2011,
provides for the minimum purchase of 3 mgd of treated water with provisions for
additional purchases.
Purchased
water costs are shown below:
(In
Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
Six
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
June
30,
|
June
30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Purchased
Water
|
||||||||||||||||
Treated
|
$ | 529 | $ | 539 | $ | 1,050 | $ | 999 | ||||||||
Untreated
|
516 | 529 | 1,121 | 1,128 | ||||||||||||
Total
Costs
|
$ | 1,045 | $ | 1,068 | $ | 2,171 | $ | 2,127 |
Construction
– The Company expects to spend approximately $32.7 million on its construction
program in 2008.
9
Litigation
– The Company is a defendant in lawsuits in the normal course of business. We
believe the resolution of pending claims and legal proceedings will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
Change in
Control Agreements – The Company has Change in Control Agreements with its
Officers that provide compensation and benefits in the event of termination of
employment in connection with a change in control of the Company.
Note
8 – Employee Retirement Benefit Plans
Pension – The
Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan, which covers all
employees with more than 1,000 hours of service hired before April 1,
2007. Employees hired after March 31, 2007 are not eligible to
participate in this plan, but do participate in a defined contribution plan that
provides an annual contribution at the discretion of the Company based upon a
percentage of the participants’ compensation. In order to be eligible for an
annual contribution, the eligible employee must be employed by the Company on
December 31st of the year to which the award pertains.
During
the second quarter the Company contributed $0.1 million in equity securities to
the plan. The Company contributed $2.1 million of cash to the plan on
July 29, 2008. No further contributions are anticipated to be made in
2008. The Company also maintains an unfunded supplemental retirement benefit
plan for certain active and retired company officers and currently pays $0.3
million in annual benefits to the retired participants.
Postretirement Benefits
Other Than Pensions – The Company maintains a postretirement benefit plan
other than pensions for substantially all of its retired employees and active
employees hired before April 1, 2007. Employees hired after March 31,
2007 are not eligible to participate in this plan. Coverage includes
healthcare and life insurance. Retiree contributions are dependent on credited
years of service. The Company contributed $0.3 million of cash to the plan on
July 29, 2008. The Company expects to make additional cash
contributions to the plan of approximately $1.0 million over the remainder of
the current year.
The
following table sets forth information relating to the Company’s periodic costs
for its retirement plans.
(In
Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Pension Benefits
|
Other Benefits
|
|||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Service
Cost
|
$ | 312 | $ | 320 | $ | 194 | $ | 205 | ||||||||
Interest
Cost
|
488 | 453 | 252 | 224 | ||||||||||||
Expected
Return on Assets
|
(484 | ) | (456 | ) | (145 | ) | (120 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization
of Unrecognized Losses
|
- | 66 | 72 | 84 | ||||||||||||
Amortization
of Unrecognized Prior Service Cost
|
2 | 2 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Amortization
of Transition Obligation
|
- | - | 34 | 34 | ||||||||||||
Net
Periodic Benefit Cost
|
$ | 318 | $ | 385 | $ | 407 | $ | 427 |
10
Pension Benefits
|
Other Benefits
|
|||||||||||||||
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Service
Cost
|
$ | 624 | $ | 639 | $ | 387 | $ | 411 | ||||||||
Interest
Cost
|
975 | 907 | 505 | 448 | ||||||||||||
Expected
Return on Assets
|
(969 | ) | (913 | ) | (291 | ) | (241 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization
of Unrecognized Losses
|
- | 131 | 144 | 169 | ||||||||||||
Amortization
of Unrecognized Prior Service Cost
|
5 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Amortization
of Transition Obligation
|
- | 5 | 68 | 68 | ||||||||||||
Net
Periodic Benefit Cost
|
$ | 635 | $ | 769 | $ | 813 | $ | 855 | ||||||||
Note
9 – Stock Based Compensation
The
Company maintains an escrow account for 71,253 shares of the Company's common
stock which were awarded under the 1997 Restricted Stock Plan, which has
expired. Such stock is subject to an agreement requiring forfeiture by the
employee in the event of termination of employment within five years of the
award other than as a result of retirement, death, disability or change in
control. The Company received shareholders approval of a stock-based
compensation plan called the 2008 Restricted Stock Plan at its May 21, 2008
annual meeting of shareholders. The Company received approval from the BPU for
the plan on May 9, 2008. The maximum number of shares authorized for
grant under the 2008 Restricted Stock Plan is 300,000 shares.
The
Company has also filed a petition with the BPU requesting approval of a
stock-based compensation plan for non-employee members of the Board of Directors
called the Director Stock Compensation Plan. The Company received
shareholder approval for the new plan at its May 21, 2008 annual meeting of
shareholders. The Company received approval from the BPU for the plan
on July 30, 2008. The maximum number of shares authorized for grant
under the plan is 100,000 shares.
The
Company recognizes compensation expense at fair value for its restricted stock
awards in accordance with SFAS 123(R), “Shared Based
Payment”. Compensation expense is determined by the market value of
the stock on the date of the award and is being amortized over a five-year
period. Compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
was $0.1 million. Compensation expense for the six months ended June
30, 2008 and 2007 was $0.1 million. Total unearned compensation related to
restricted stock was $0.7 million at both June 30, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
11
Note
10 – Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive
income was as follows:
(In
Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
Six
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
June
30,
|
June
30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 3,565 | $ | 3,313 | $ | 5,569 | $ | 5,084 | ||||||||
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
|
||||||||||||||||
Change
in Value of Equity Investments, Net of Income Tax
|
--- | (23 | ) | (12 | ) | (14 | ) | |||||||||
Less:
Adjustment for Gain Included in Net Income
|
(57 | ) | --- | (57 | ) | --- | ||||||||||
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss):
|
(57 | ) | (23 | ) | (69 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||||
Comprehensive
Income
|
$ | 3,508 | $ | 3,290 | $ | 5,500 | $ | 5,070 |
12
Item
2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The
following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company included
elsewhere herein and with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain
statements contained in this periodic report and in the documents incorporated
by reference constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933. The Company intends that these statements be covered by
the safe harbors created under those laws. These statements include,
but are not limited to:
|
-
|
statements
as to expected financial condition, performance, prospects and earnings of
the Company;
|
|
-
|
statements
regarding strategic plans for
growth;
|
|
-
|
statements
regarding the amount and timing of rate increases and other regulatory
matters;
|
|
-
|
statements
regarding expectations and events concerning capital
expenditures;
|
|
-
|
statements
as to the Company’s expected liquidity needs during fiscal 2008 and beyond
and statements as to the sources and availability of funds to meet its
liquidity needs;
|
|
-
|
statements
as to expected rates, consumption volumes, service fees, revenues,
margins, expenses and operating
results;
|
|
-
|
statements
as to the Company’s compliance with environmental laws and regulations and
estimations of the materiality of any related
costs;
|
|
-
|
statements
as to the safety and reliability of the Company’s equipment, facilities
and operations;
|
|
-
|
statements
as to financial projections;
|
|
-
|
statements
as to the ability of the Company to pay
dividends;
|
|
-
|
statements
as to the Company’s plans to renew municipal franchises and consents in
the territories it serves;
|
|
-
|
expectations
as to the amount of cash contributions to fund the Company’s retirement
benefit plans, including statements as to anticipated discount rates and
rates of return on plan assets;
|
|
-
|
statements
as to trends; and
|
|
-
|
statements
regarding the availability and quality of our water
supply.
|
These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results and
outcomes include, but are not limited to:
|
-
|
the
effects of general economic
conditions;
|
|
-
|
increases
in competition in the markets served by the
Company;
|
|
-
|
the
ability of the Company to control operating expenses and to achieve
efficiencies in its operations;
|
|
-
|
the
availability of adequate supplies of
water;
|
|
-
|
actions
taken by government regulators, including decisions on base rate increase
requests;
|
|
-
|
new
or additional water quality
standards;
|
|
-
|
weather
variations and other natural
phenomena;
|
|
-
|
the
existence of attractive acquisition candidates and the risks involved in
pursuing those acquisitions;
|
|
-
|
acts
of war or terrorism;
|
|
-
|
significant
changes in the housing starts in
Delaware;
|
|
-
|
the
availability and cost of capital resources;
and
|
|
-
|
other
factors discussed elsewhere in this quarterly
report.
|
13
Many of
these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. Given
these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any
forward-looking statements, which only speak to the Company’s understanding as
of the date of this report. The Company does not undertake any obligation to
release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable
securities laws.
For an
additional discussion of factors that may affect the Company’s business and
results of operations, see Item 1A. - Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Overview
The
Company has operated as a water utility in New Jersey since 1897, and in
Delaware, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Tidewater, since 1992. We are in
the business of collecting, treating, distributing and selling water for
residential, irrigation, commercial, municipal, industrial and fire protection
purposes. We also operate a New Jersey municipal water and wastewater system
under contract and provide wastewater services in New Jersey and Delaware
through our subsidiaries. Our utility companies are regulated as to rates
charged to customers for water and wastewater services in New Jersey and
Delaware, as to the quality of service provided and as to certain other matters.
Our USA, USA-PA and White Marsh subsidiaries are not regulated
utilities.
Our New
Jersey water utility system (the Middlesex System) provides water services to
approximately 59,600 retail, commercial and fire service customers, primarily in
central New Jersey. The Middlesex System also provides water service under
contract to municipalities in central New Jersey with a total population of
approximately 303,000. Through our subsidiary, USA-PA, we operate the water
supply system and wastewater collection system for the City of Perth Amboy, New
Jersey. Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater provide water and wastewater
services to residents in Southampton Township, New Jersey.
Tidewater
and Southern Shores provide water services to approximately 32,100 retail
customers in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties, Delaware. Our TESI
subsidiary provides regulated wastewater service to approximately 1,500
residential retail customers. White Marsh serves approximately 5,700 customers
under unregulated operating contracts with various owners of small water and
wastewater systems in Kent and Sussex Counties.
USA
provides customers both inside and outside of our service territories a water
service line maintenance program called LineCareSM. We
offer a similar program for wastewater service lines called LineCare+SM.
The
majority of our revenue is generated from regulated water services to customers
in our franchise areas. We record water service revenue as such service is
rendered and include estimates for amounts unbilled at the end of the period for
services provided since the end of the last billing cycle. Fixed service charges
are billed in advance by our subsidiary, Tidewater, and are recognized in
revenue as the service is provided.
Our
ability to increase operating income and net income is based significantly on
four factors: weather, adequate and timely rate relief, effective cost
management, and customer growth. These factors are evident in the discussions
below which compare our results of operations with prior
periods.
14
We are
seeking to increase customer growth outside our existing service territories,
primarily in the mid-Atlantic region. The business opportunities we
are looking to develop are both regulated and non-regulated. We incur
costs in connection with the preliminary surveying and investigation (PSI) of
potential water and wastewater projects. We cannot guarantee we will
successfully obtain any of these projects. Non-regulated project PSI
costs are expensed as incurred and regulated project PSI costs are deferred
until the project is acquired or abandoned. Abandoned project costs
are expensed when identified.
Recent
Developments
Rate Increases
On April
29, 2008 Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater filed with the New Jersey
Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for base rate increases of 19.8% and 22.9%,
respectively. These combined increase requests represent $0.3 million
of additional revenues needed to cover higher operations and maintenance costs
of those companies. We cannot predict whether the BPU will ultimately
approve, deny, or reduce the amount of our requests.
Effective
January 1, 2008, Tidewater received approval from the Delaware Public Service
Commission (PSC) to increase their Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC)
from 0.17% to 1.62%. The DSIC increase is designed to generate
additional annual revenue of approximately $0.2 million.
Effective
July 1, 2008, Tidewater received approval from the PSC to further increase their
DSIC from 1.62% to 2.94%. The DSIC increase is designed to generate
additional annual revenue of approximately $0.2 million.
In
accordance with the tariff established for Southern Shores, an annual rate
increase of 3% was implemented on January 1, 2008. The increase cannot exceed
the lesser of the regional Consumer Price Index or 3%. The contracted rate
schedule is set to expire on December 31, 2009.
Operating
Results by Segment
The
Company has two operating segments, Regulated and Non-Regulated. Our Regulated
segment contributed 89% of total revenues and 89% of net income for the six
months ended June 30, 2008 and 91% of total revenues and 95% of net income for
the six months ended June 30, 2007. The discussion of the Company’s results of
operations is on a consolidated basis, and includes significant factors by
subsidiary. The segments in the tables included below consist of the following
companies: Regulated-Middlesex, Tidewater, Pinelands, Southern Shores, and TESI;
Non-Regulated- USA, USA-PA, and White Marsh.
15
Results
of Operations – Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
(In
Thousands)
Three Months Ended
June 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Regulated
|
Non-
Regulated
|
Total
|
Regulated
|
Non-
Regulated
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$ | 20,538 | $ | 2,497 | $ | 23,035 | $ | 19,776 | $ | 1,969 | $ | 21,745 | ||||||||||||
Operations
and maintenance expenses
|
9,796 | 1,931 | 11,727 | 9,631 | 1,549 | 11,180 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation
expense
|
1,926 | 29 | 1,955 | 1,842 | 33 | 1,875 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
taxes
|
2,470 | 58 | 2,528 | 2,352 | 59 | 2,411 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
6,346 | 479 | 6,825 | 5,951 | 328 | 6,279 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
income
|
239 | 87 | 326 | 414 | -- | 414 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
1,752 | 54 | 1,806 | 1,672 | 26 | 1,698 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income
taxes
|
1,573 | 207 | 1,780 | 1,553 | 129 | 1,682 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 3,260 | $ | 305 | $ | 3,565 | $ | 3,140 | $ | 173 | $ | 3,313 |
Operating
revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2008 increased $1.3 million, or
5.9%, from the same period in 2007. Revenues in our Middlesex system
increased $1.3 million as a result of a 9.1% base rate increase implemented on
October 26, 2007. Middlesex revenues decreased by $0.6 million due to lower
consumption by our customers in 2008. Revenues improved $0.1 million
in our Tidewater system, of which $0.1 million was the result of the additional
1.62% DSIC rate increase that went into effect at the beginning of
2008. Customer growth contributed $0.1 million to the
increase. Fees charged for initial connection to our Delaware Water
system were $0.1 million lower in 2008 as new residential and commercial
development has slowed in our Delaware service
territories. USA-PA’s fees for managing the Perth Amboy water
and wastewater systems were $0.2 million higher than the same period in 2007 due
mostly to higher pass-through charges. There was on equal and
offsetting amount of higher expenses connected with this management
contract. Revenues from non-regulated contract operations in Delaware
increased $0.1 million due to growth in contract customers and increased sales
of additional services. Revenues from our regulated wastewater
operations in Delaware increased $0.1 million due to customer
growth. All other operations accounted for $0.1 million of additional
revenues.
While we
anticipate continued organic customer and consumption growth, particularly in
our Delaware systems, such growth and increased consumption cannot be
guaranteed. Revenues from our water systems are highly dependent on the effects
of weather, which may adversely impact future consumption despite customer
growth. Appreciable organic customer and consumption growth is less
likely in our New Jersey systems due to the extent to which our service
territory is developed. The Company expects 2008 operating revenues
to reflect the full effect of the October 2007 Middlesex $5.0 million rate
increase.
Operation
and maintenance expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2008 increased $0.5
million or 4.9%. Water Production costs were $0.1 million higher due
to higher costs for water, electric power, chemicals and disposal of residuals
in New Jersey. The costs to operate our TESI regulated wastewater
facilities in Delaware increased $0.1 million due to acquisition of the Milton,
Delaware municipal wastewater system during 2007 and an increased number of
wastewater treatment facilities in operation in
Delaware. Operating costs for USA-PA increased $0.2 million due
to higher pass through-charges. All other expense categories
increased $0.1 million.
16
Depreciation
expense increased $0.1 million, or 4.3%, primarily as a result of a higher level
of utility plant in service since June 30, 2007.
Other
taxes increased $0.1 million, generally reflecting additional taxes on higher
gross revenues in our Middlesex system.
Total
Other Income, net decreased $0.1 million, primarily due to costs associated with
business development activities on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Interest
expense increased $0.1 million commensurate with higher
short-term borrowings compared to the prior year period. Lower
interest rates reduced the level of the interest expense
increase. The weighted average interest rate for the quarter was
almost 3% lower than the quarter ended June 30, 2007.
Income
taxes increased $0.1 million as a result of increased operating income as
compared to the prior year.
Net
income increased 7.6% from $3.3 million to $3.6 million. Basic
earnings per share grew 4% to $0.26 for the three months ended June
30, 2008 compared to $0.25 for the same period in 2007. Diluted
earnings per share were $0.26 and $0.24 for three months ended June 30, 2008 and
2007, respectively.
Results
of Operations – Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
(In
Thousands)
Six Months Ended June
30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Regulated
|
Non-
Regulated
|
Total
|
Regulated
|
Non-
Regulated
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$ | 38,960 | $ | 4,930 | $ | 43,890 | $ | 36,462 | $ | 4,270 | $ | 40,732 | ||||||||||||
Operations
and maintenance expenses
|
20,005 | 3,821 | 23,826 | 18,846 | 3,504 | 22,350 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation
expense
|
3,827 | 58 | 3,885 | 3,656 | 64 | 3,720 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
taxes
|
4,892 | 116 | 5,008 | 4,544 | 118 | 4,662 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
10,236 | 935 | 11,171 | 9,416 | 584 | 10,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
income
|
416 | 209 | 625 | 748 | --- | 748 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
3,198 | 125 | 3,323 | 3,030 | 51 | 3,081 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income
taxes
|
2,493 | 411 | 2,904 | 2,357 | 226 | 2,583 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 4,961 | $ | 608 | $ | 5,569 | $ | 4,777 | $ | 307 | $ | 5,084 |
Operating
revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased $3.2 million or 7.8%
from the same period in 2007. Revenues in our Middlesex system
increased $2.4 million as a result of a 9.1% base rate increase implemented on
October 26, 2007. Middlesex revenues decreased $0.4 million due to
lower consumption by our customers during 2008. Water sales improved $0.6
million in our Delaware water systems, of which $0.4 million was a result of an
additional 12% base rate increase that was granted to Tidewater on February 28,
2007 and a DSIC rate increase of 1.62% that went into effect January 1,
2008. Fees charged to new customers for initial connection to our
Delaware water systems were down $0.2 million for the reasons described
above. USA-PA’s fees for managing the Perth Amboy water and
wastewater systems were $0.3 million higher than the same period in 2007 due
mostly to higher pass-through charges. There was an equal and
offsetting amount of higher expenses connected with this management
contract. Revenues from our regulated
17
wastewater
operations in Delaware increased $0.2 million due to customer
growth. All other operations accounted for $0.3 million of additional
revenues.
Operation
and maintenance expenses increased $1.5 million or 6.6%. Water
Production costs increased $0.4 million due to higher costs for water, electric
power, chemicals and disposal of residuals. Labor and benefits costs
increased $0.4 million due to wage increases and an increased number of
employees to meet the needs of the increased Delaware customer
base. The costs to operate our TESI regulated wastewater facilities
in Delaware increased $0.3 million due to acquisition of the Milton, Delaware
municipal wastewater system during 2007 and an increased number of wastewater
treatment facilities in operation in Delaware. Operating costs
for USA-PA increased $0.3 million due to higher pass-through
charges. All other expense categories increased $0.1
million.
Depreciation
expense increased $0.2 million or 4.4% due to the higher level of utility plant
in service.
Other
taxes increased $0.3 million, generally reflecting additional taxes on higher
gross revenues in our Middlesex system.
Total
Other Income, net decreased $0.1 million primarily due to costs associated with
business development activities on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Interest
expense increased $0.2 million commensurate with higher
short-term borrowings compared to the prior year period. Lower
interest rates reduced the level of the interest expense
increase. The weighted average interest rate for the year was almost
2.5% lower than the year ended June 30, 2007.
Income
taxes increased $0.3 million as a result of increased operating income as
compared to the prior year.
Net
income increased $0.5 million or 9.5%. Basic earnings per share increased 7.9%
to $0.41 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $0.38 for the same
period in 2007. Diluted earnings per share were $0.41 and $0.37 for
six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Cash
flows from operations are largely dependent on three factors: the impact of
weather on water sales, adequate and timely rate increases, and customer growth.
The effect of those factors on net income is discussed in results of operations.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, cash flows from operating activities
were $9.0 million, a decrease of $0.9 million from the prior year. The decrease
includes $2.6 million attributable to a decrease in Accounts Payable due to the
timing of payments. This decrease in cash flows was partially offset
by increased net income and a decrease in customer accounts
receivable. The $9.0 million of net cash flow from operations enabled
us to fund 66% of our utility plant expenditures internally for the period, with
the remainder funded with proceeds from requisitions under the Delaware State
Revolving Fund (SRF) program loans and short-term borrowings.
The
capital spending program for 2008 is currently estimated to be $32.7 million.
which is lower by $4.2 million than the amount previously reported in our 2007
Annual Report on Form 10-K. This decrease is due primarily to the
slowing of new residential and commercial development in our Delaware service
territories. Through June 30, 2008, we have expended $13.6
million. For the remainder of 2008 we expect to incur $19.1 million
of costs. We expect to spend an additional $5.4 million for additions
and improvements to our Delaware water systems; $1.9 million for infrastructure
additions for our Delaware wastewater systems; $1.1
18
million
towards implementation of a Company-wide information system upgrade; and $3.0
million for the RENEW program to complete the cleaning and cement lining of
approximately nine miles of unlined water mains in the Middlesex system. There
remains a total of approximately 112 miles of unlined mains in the 730-mile
Middlesex system. The capital program also includes an additional $7.7 million
to be incurred over the remainder of 2008 for scheduled upgrades to our existing
systems in New Jersey. The remaining spending for scheduled upgrades
includes $3.2 million for improvements to existing utility plant, $2.3 million
for mains, $0.3 million for service lines, $0.2 million for meters, $0.1 million
for hydrants and $1.6 million for other infrastructure needs.
To fund
our capital program in 2008, we will utilize internally generated funds and
funds available under existing New Jersey SRF program loans (currently, $3.5
million) and Delaware SRF program loans (currently, $2.2 million). These
programs provide low cost financing for projects that meet certain water quality
and system improvement benchmarks. If needed, we will also borrow funds through
$33.0 million of available lines of credit with several financial institutions.
As of June 30, 2008, $17.0 million was outstanding against the lines of
credit.
We
periodically issue shares of common stock in connection with our dividend
reinvestment and stock purchase plan (DRP). From time to time, we may
issue additional equity to reduce short-term indebtedness, fund our capital
program, and for other general corporate purposes.
We
currently project that we may be required to expend between $73.3 million and
$93.4 million for capital projects in 2009 and 2010 combined. The exact amount
is dependent on customer growth, residential housing sales and project
scheduling. In particular, Middlesex has filed a prudence review
application with the BPU for a proposed major transmission pipeline designed to
strengthen its existing transmission network and provide further system
reliability. Initial estimates to construct the pipeline are $26.2
million. Evidentiary hearings are scheduled for the end of August
2008. The duration and outcome of the BPU review process may affect
the construction schedule as well as the project viability.
We
have a $15.0 million first mortgage bond (Series U) that will be maturing on
February 1, 2009. It is our intention to refund and refinance Series U with a
long-term first mortgage bond. The timing and terms of this refinancing are
dependent on financial market conditions and other identified capital need at
that time.
To the
extent possible and because of favorable interest rates available to regulated
water utilities, we expect to finance our capital expenditures under the SRF
loan programs. We also expect to use internally generated funds and proceeds
from the sale of common stock through the Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock
Purchase Plan. It may also be necessary to sell shares of our Common
Stock through a public offering.
In
addition to the effect of weather conditions on revenues, increases in certain
operating costs will impact our liquidity and capital resources. We received
rate relief for Middlesex in October 2007, for Tidewater in January
2008 and July 2008, and for Southern Shores on January 1,
2008. Changes in operating costs and timing of capital projects will
have an impact on revenues, earnings, and cash flows and will also impact the
timing of filings for future rate increases.
Recent Accounting
Pronouncements – See Note 1 of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting
pronouncements.
Item
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market
Risk
The
Company is subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal
course of business. Our capital program is partially financed with
fixed rate, long-term debt and, to a lesser extent, short-term debt. The
Company’s interest rate risk related to existing fixed rate, long-term debt is
not material due to the term of the majority of our Amortizing Secured Notes and
First Mortgage Bonds, which have final maturity dates ranging
19
from 2009
to 2038. Over the next twelve months, approximately $17.8 million of
the current portion of twenty-one existing long-term debt instruments will
mature. Applying a hypothetical change in the rate of interest of 10% on those
borrowings would not have a material effect on earnings.
Item
4.
|
As
required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls
and procedures was conducted by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with
the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that
the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures for Long-term Debt and the
Current Portion of Long-term Debt were not effective. As a result of this
conclusion, the Company performed additional review and analysis to ensure the
condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly
present in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows for the periods presented.
On August
1, 2008 the Company implemented additional procedures and controls related to
the evaluation and review of maturity dates for Long-term Debt to ensure proper
classification of debt maturing in less than one year to the Current Portion of
Long-term Debt in the future.
Disclosure
controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or
submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include,
without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is
accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely
decisions regarding disclosure.
20
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
Reference
is made to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2007 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the period ended June 30,
2008. Note 7 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements for the period ended June 30, 2008, included in Part I of this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 1A.
|
Risk
Factors
|
We expect
our revenues to increase from customer growth in Delaware for our regulated
water operations and, to a lesser degree, our regulated wastewater operations as
a result of the anticipated construction and sale of new housing units in the
territories we serve. Although the residential building market in
Delaware has experienced growth in recent years, this growth may not continue in
the future. If housing starts in the Delaware territories we serve
decline significantly as a result of economic conditions or otherwise, revenue
growth may not meet our expectations and our financial results could be
impacted.
Except as
described above, information about risk factors for the six months ended June
30, 2008 does not differ materially from those set forth in Part I, Item 1A. of
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2007.
Item 2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds
|
None.
Item 3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
None.
Item 4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders
|
|
1.
|
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS:
|
Nominees
for Class III term expiring 2011
FOR
|
%
|
WITHHOLD
|
%
|
||
John
R. Middleton, M.D.
|
10,202,350
|
92.8
|
789,288
|
7.2
|
|
Jeffries
Shein
|
10,535,807
|
95.9
|
455,831
|
4.1
|
|
J.
Richard Tompkins
|
9,098,808
|
82.8
|
1,892,830
|
17.2
|
|
2.
|
Approval
of the new 2008 Restricted Stock
Plan
|
FOR
|
%
|
AGAINST
|
%
|
ABSTAIN
|
%
|
6,106.228
|
92.5
|
498,479
|
7.5
|
150,948
|
0.0
|
|
3.
|
Approval
of the outside Director Stock Compensation
Plan
|
FOR
|
%
|
AGAINST
|
%
|
ABSTAIN
|
%
|
6,006,178
|
91.7
|
543,555
|
8.3
|
205,922
|
0.0
|
21
Item 5.
|
Other
Information
|
None.
Item 6.
|
Exhibits
|
Section
302 Certification by Dennis W. Doll pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of
the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
|
Section
302 Certification by A. Bruce O’Connor pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
|
Section
906 Certification by Dennis W. Doll pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
Section
906 Certification by A. Bruce O’Connor pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ A. Bruce
O’Connor
|
||
A.
Bruce O’Connor
|
|||
Vice
President and
|
|||
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Date:
August 6, 2008
22