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PURE CYCLE CORP - Quarter Report: 2014 May (Form 10-Q)

purecycle10q.htm
 


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: May 31, 2014
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 0-8814

PURE CYCLE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado
 
84-0705083
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
     
1490 Lafayette Street, Suite 203, Denver, CO
 
80218
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
(303) 292 – 3456
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
     
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
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 [X] No [ ]

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes [X] 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. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ]
Non-accelerated filer [ ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller Reporting Company [X]
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of July 14, 2014:
 
 
Common stock, 1/3 of $.01 par value  24,037,598
(Class) (Number of Shares)
 
 
 

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
INDEX TO MAY 31, 2014 FORM 10-Q

 
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
Item 1 – Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
3
   
 Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013 (audited)
3
   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013
4
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 
For the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013
5
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6
 
 
Item 2 – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
22
   
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
35
   
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures
35
   
   
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
   
   
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
36
   
Item 6 – Exhibits
37
   
Signature Page
38
 

 
 

 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
 
ASSETS:
 
May 31, 2014
   
August 31, 2013
 
Current assets:
 
(unaudited)
       
    Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,876,115     $ 2,448,363  
    Trade accounts receivable
    600,397       584,802  
    Sky Ranch receivable
    50,915       57,303  
    Receivable from HP A&M
    7,248,571       6,655,156  
    Land and water held for sale
    1,829,365       -  
    Prepaid expenses
    256,945       154,345  
      Total current assets
    12,862,308       9,899,969  
                 
Investments in water and water systems, net
    89,477,302       88,512,249  
Land - Sky Ranch
    3,665,317       3,768,029  
Land and water held for sale
    -       5,748,630  
Note receivable - related party:
               
    Rangeview Metropolitan District, including accrued interest
    564,988       555,983  
Other assets
    87,645       133,471  
      Total assets
  $ 106,657,560     $ 108,618,331  
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
Current liabilities:
               
    Accounts payable
  $ 945,534     $ 167,775  
    Current portion of promissory notes payable
    1,185,244       4,668,943  
    Accrued liabilities
    169,112       264,740  
    Deferred revenues
    152,940       65,384  
    Deferred oil and gas lease payment
    640,558       235,483  
    Total current liabilities
    3,093,388       5,402,325  
                 
Deferred revenues, less current portion
    1,183,181       1,232,220  
Deferred oil and gas lease payment, less current portion
    474,925       -  
Promissory notes payable, less current portion
    3,329,298       3,211,112  
Participating Interests in Export Water Supply
    1,188,550       1,192,910  
Tap Participation Fee payable to HP A&M,
               
    net of $7.5 million and $42.9 million discount, respectively
    13,162,794       59,807,289  
    Total liabilities
    22,432,136       70,845,856  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock:
               
     Series B - par value $.001 per share, 25 million shares authorized;
               
         432,513 shares issued and outstanding
               
        (liquidation preference of $432,513)
    433       433  
Common stock:
               
     Par value 1/3 of $.01 per share, 40 million shares authorized;
               
       24,037,598 shares outstanding both periods presented
    80,130       80,130  
Additional paid-in capital
    163,361,616       115,224,946  
Accumulated deficit
    (79,216,755 )     (77,533,034 )
    Total shareholders' equity
    84,225,424       37,772,475  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 106,657,560     $ 108,618,331  
 
 
 
3

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended May 31,
   
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Revenues:
                       
    Metered water usage
  $ 314,231     $ 89,666     $ 1,028,641     $ 240,593  
    Wastewater treatment fees
    11,366       10,069       33,472       31,384  
    Farm operations
    328,801       296,085       855,686       963,935  
    Special facility funding recognized
    10,377       10,377       31,131       31,131  
    Water tap fees recognized
    3,574       3,574       10,721       10,721  
    Other
    10,200       3,673       33,275       8,603  
      Total revenues
    678,549       413,444       1,992,926       1,286,367  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
    Water service operations
    (94,058 )     (59,552 )     (307,526 )     (137,820 )
    Wastewater service operations
    (6,442 )     (4,898 )     (24,680 )     (12,842 )
    Farm operations
    (23,020 )     (27,867 )     (64,418 )     (73,967 )
    Depletion and depreciation
    (38,345 )     (22,198 )     (109,052 )     (66,514 )
    Other
    (12,295 )     -       (33,289 )     (20,673 )
      Total cost of revenues
    (174,160 )     (114,515 )     (538,965 )     (311,816 )
Gross margin
    504,389       298,929       1,453,961       974,551  
                                 
General and administrative expenses
    (848,326 )     (460,479 )     (2,153,217 )     (1,602,130 )
Depreciation
    (7,157 )     (55,481 )     (30,087 )     (165,308 )
Operating loss
    (351,094 )     (217,031 )     (729,343 )     (792,887 )
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
    Oil and gas lease income, net
    149,930       103,620       363,440       310,860  
    Easement income
    87,409       -       85,591       -  
    Interest income
    17,293       4,762       24,103       24,429  
    Other
    15,372       1,395       57,356       6,176  
    Interest expense
    (51,309 )     (73,627 )     (175,783 )     (176,837 )
Interest imputed on the Tap Participation Fee payable to HP A&M
    (248,847 )     (871,864 )     (1,309,085 )     (2,416,619 )
    Net loss
  $ (381,246 )   $ (1,052,745 )   $ (1,683,721 )   $ (3,044,878 )
      Unrealized income on marketable securities
    -       56       -       1,081  
    Comprehensive loss
  $ (381,246 )   $ (1,052,689 )   $ (1,683,721 )   $ (3,043,797 )
    Net loss per common share – basic and diluted
  $ (0.02 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.07 )   $ (0.13 )
                                 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted
    24,037,598       24,037,598       24,037,598       24,037,598  
 
4

 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
       
   
May 31, 2014
   
May 31, 2013
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
    Net loss
  $ (1,683,721 )   $ (3,044,878 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
               
        used for operating activities:
               
        Imputed interest on Tap Participation Fee payable to HP A&M
    1,309,085       2,416,619  
        Depreciation, depletion and other non-cash items
    139,139       231,822  
        Investment in Well Enhancement Recover Systems, LLC
    (37,193 )        
        Stock-based compensation expense
    183,090       42,252  
        Interest income and other non-cash items
    (315 )     1,763  
        Interest added to receivable from Rangeview Metropolitan District
    (9,005 )     (9,004 )
        Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
            Trade accounts receivable
    (15,595 )     (136,033 )
            Sky Ranch receivable
    6,388       (57,123 )
            Prepaid expenses
    (102,600 )     16,794  
            Receivable from HP A&M
    (593,415 )     (462,730 )
            Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    682,131       (116,004 )
Interest accrued on agriculture land promissory notes
    (84,784 )     67,383  
            Deferred revenues
    38,517       33,527  
            Deferred oil & gas lease
    880,000       (310,860 )
                Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    711,722       (1,326,472 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
    Investments in water, water systems, and land
    (915,896 )     (298,772 )
    Sales and maturities of marketable securities
    -       1,101,367  
    Purchase of property and equipment
    (2,250 )     (34,000 )
    Proceeds from sale of farm land
    3,919,265       -  
    Proceeds from sale of collateral stock
    -       3,415,000  
                Net cash provided by investing activities
    3,001,119       4,183,595  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
   Arapahoe County construction proceeds
    -       291,662  
   Payments to contingent liability holders
    (4,360 )     (16,535 )
   Payments made on promissory notes payable
    (3,280,729 )     (1,686,340 )
                Net cash used in financing activities
    (3,285,089 )     (1,411,213 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    427,752       1,445,910  
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period
    2,448,363       1,623,517  
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period
  $ 2,876,115     $ 3,069,427  
                 
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLSOURES OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES
               
   Reduction in Tap Participation Fee liability resulting from remedies under
               
        the Arkansas River Agreement
  $ 47,953,580          
   Accrued interest and penalties related to receivable from HP A&M and
               
        related promissory notes
          $ 78,900  
 
 
 
5

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014
 
NOTE 1 – PRESENTATION OF INTERIM INFORMATION

The May 31, 2014 consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, have been prepared by Pure Cycle Corporation (the “Company”) and have not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows at May 31, 2014, and for all periods presented have been made appropriately.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2013 Annual Report”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 27, 2013. The results of operations for interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year. The August 31, 2013 balance sheet was taken from the Company’s audited financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. The Company’s cash equivalents are comprised entirely of money market funds maintained at a high quality financial institution in an account which at various times during the nine months ended May 31, 2013, exceeded federally insured limits. There were no cash equivalents during the nine months ended May 31, 2014. At various times during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, the Company’s main operating accounts exceeded federally insured limits.

Financial Instruments – Concentration of Credit Risk and Fair Value

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents. The Company places its cash equivalents and investments with high quality financial institutions. The Company invests its cash primarily in certificates of deposits, money market instruments, and U.S. government treasury obligations. To date, the Company has not experienced significant losses on any of these investments.

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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are reported using the values as reported by the financial institution where the funds are held. These securities primarily include balances in the Company’s operating and savings accounts. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.

Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable – The carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the relatively short period to maturity for these instruments.

Long-term Financial Liabilities The Comprehensive Amendment Agreement No. 1 the “CAA” is comprised of a recorded balance and an off-balance sheet or “contingent” obligation associated with the Company’s acquisition of its “Rangeview Water Supply” (defined in Note 4 below). The amount payable is a fixed amount but is repayable only upon the sale of “Export Water” (defined in Note 4 below). Because of the uncertainty of the sale of Export Water, the Company has determined that the contingent portion of the CAA does not have a determinable fair value. The CAA is described further in Note 4 – Long-Term Obligations and Operating Lease – Participating Interests in Export Water Supply.
 
 
6

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

 
The recorded balance of the “Tap Participation Fee” liability (as described below) is its estimated fair value determined by projecting new home development in the Company’s targeted service area over an estimated development period.

Notes Receivable – Related PartyThe fair value of the note receivable – related party: Rangeview Metropolitan District is not practical to estimate due to the related party nature of the underlying transaction.

Receivable from HP A&M In conjunction with HP A&M defaulting on certain promissory notes, the Company has the right to collect from HP A&M any amounts the Company spends to cure the defaulted notes. Accordingly the Company has recorded the entire amount of the HP A&M notes as a receivable from HP A&M. Due to the fact that HP A&M was a related party the fair value of the accounts receivable is not practical to determine.
 
 
Mortgages Payable – During fiscal 2013, the Company began acquiring the defaulted and non-defaulted promissory notes that are payable by HP A&M. The majority of the notes issued by the Company have a five-year term, bear interest at an annual rate of five percent (5%) and require semi-annual payments with a straight-line amortization schedule. The carrying value of the notes payable approximate the fair value as the rates are comparable to market rates.

Off-Balance Sheet Instruments – The Company’s off-balance sheet instruments consist entirely of the contingent portion of the CAA. Because repayment of this portion of the CAA is contingent on the sale of Export Water, which is not reasonably estimable, the Company has determined that the contingent portion of the CAA does not have a determinable fair value. See further discussion in Note 4 Long-Term Obligations and Operating Lease – Participating Interests In Export Water Supply.

Tap Participation Fee

This note should be read in conjunction with Note 4 – Long-Term Obligations and Operating Lease below.

Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 10, 2006 (the “Arkansas River Agreement”), the Company is obligated to pay HP A&M a defined percentage of a defined number of water tap fees the Company receives after the date of the Arkansas River Agreement. A Tap Participation Fee (“TPF”) is due and payable once the Company has sold a water tap and received the consideration due for such water tap. The Company did not sell any water taps during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2014 or 2013.

The Company imputes interest expense on the unpaid TPF using the effective interest method over an estimated period which is utilized in the valuation of the liability. The Company imputed interest of $248,800 and $871,900 during the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company imputed interest of $1,309,100 and $2,416,600 during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Due to HP A&M’s default, and the Company’s remedies under the Arkansas River Agreement, the Company has retired certain water taps subject to the TPF and at May 31, 2014, there remain 3,736 water taps subject to the TPF.

Revenue Recognition

Tap and Construction Fees – In August 2005, the Company entered into the Water Service Agreement (the “County Agreement”) with Arapahoe County (the “County”). In fiscal 2006, the Company began recognizing water tap fees as revenue ratably over the estimated service period upon completion of the “Wholesale Facilities” (defined in the 2013 Annual Report) constructed to provide service to the County. The Company recognized $3,600 of water tap fee revenues during each of the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company recognized $10,700 of water tap fee revenues during each of the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The water tap fees to be recognized over this period are net of the royalty payments to the State of Colorado Board of Land Commissioners (the “Land Board”) and amounts paid to third parties pursuant to the CAA as further described in Note 4 – Long-Term Obligations and Operating Lease below.

The Company recognized $10,400 of “Special Facilities” (defined in the 2013 Annual Report) funding as revenue during each of the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company recognized $31,100 of Special Facilities funding as revenue during each of the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This is the ratable portion of the Special Facilities funding proceeds received from the County pursuant to the County Agreement as more fully described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the 2013 Annual Report.
 
 
7

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

 
As of May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the Company has deferred recognition of approximately $1,248,600 and $1,297,600, respectively of water tap and construction fee revenue from the County, which will be recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated useful accounting life of the assets constructed with the construction proceeds as described above.

Farm Operations – The Company leases its Arkansas River water and land to area farmers who actively farm the properties. The Company records farm lease income ratably each month based on estimated annual lease income the Company anticipates collecting from its land and water leases. The Company recorded these amounts as receivables, less an estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts. The allowance as of May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, was determined by the Company’s specific review of all past due accounts. The Company has recorded allowances for doubtful accounts totaling $41,100 as of May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013. As of May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013 the Company has recorded deferred revenue of $87,600 and $122,000, respectively, on its farm income related to billings for future periods. The Company manages the farm lease business as a separate line of business from the wholesale water and wastewater business.

Royalty and other obligations – Revenues from the sale of Export Water are shown net of royalties payable to the Land Board. Revenues from the sale of water on the “Lowry Range” (described in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report) are shown net of the royalties to the Land Board and the amounts retained by the District.

Oil and Gas Lease Payments – As further described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the 2013 Annual Report, on March 10, 2011, the Company entered into a Paid-Up Oil and Gas Lease (the “O&G Lease”) and a Surface Use and Damage Agreement (the “Surface Use Agreement”) with Anadarko E&P Company, L.P. (“Anadarko”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Company. In December of 2012 the O&G Lease was purchased by a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips Company. Pursuant to the O&G Lease, during the year ended August 31, 2011, the Company received up-front payments of $1,243,400 for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing and marketing oil and gas on approximately 634 acres of mineral estate owned by the Company at its “Sky Ranch” property (described in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report). The Company began recognizing the up-front payments as income on a straight-line basis over three years (the initial term of the O&G Lease) on March 10, 2011. The Company received an additional payment of $1,243,400 during February 2014 to extend the O&G Lease an additional two years through February 2016, which will be recognized as income on a straight-line basis over two years (the extension term of the O&G Lease). During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Company received an up-front payment of $12,540 for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing, and marketing oil and gas on 40 acres of mineral estate the Company owns adjacent to the Lowry Range (the “Rangeview Lease”). During the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized $149,900 and $103,600, respectively, of income and royalty related to the up-front payments received pursuant to the O&G Lease and the Rangeview Lease. During the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized $363,400 and $310,900, respectively, of income and royalty related to the up-front payments received pursuant to the O&G Lease and the Rangeview Lease.

As of May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the Company has deferred recognition of $1,115,500 and $431,800, respectively of income related to the O&G Lease and the Rangeview Lease, which will be recognized into income ratably through February 2016.

Capitalized Costs of Water and Wastewater Systems and Depletion and Depreciation of Water Assets

Costs to construct water and wastewater systems that meet the Company’s capitalization criteria are capitalized as incurred, including interest, and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of up to thirty years. The Company capitalizes design and construction costs related to construction activities, and it capitalizes certain legal, engineering and permitting costs relating to the adjudication and improvement of its water assets. The Company depletes its groundwater assets that are being utilized on the basis of units produced (i.e. thousands of gallons sold) divided by the total volume of water adjudicated in the water decrees.

 
8

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014
 
Share-based Compensation

The Company maintains a stock option plan for the benefit of its employees and non-employee directors. The Company records share-based compensation costs as expense over the applicable vesting period of the stock award using the straight-line method. The compensation costs to be expensed are measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. The Company has adopted the alternative transition method for calculating the tax effects of share-based compensation, which allows for a simplified method of calculating the tax effects of employee share-based compensation. Because the Company has a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets, the granting and exercise of stock options has no impact on the income tax provisions.

Income taxes

The Company uses a "more-likely-than-not" threshold for the recognition and de-recognition of tax positions, including any potential interest and penalties relating to tax positions taken by the Company. The Company did not have any significant unrecognized tax benefits as of May 31, 2014.

The Company files income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Colorado. The tax years that remain subject to examination are fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2013. The Company does not believe there will be any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next twelve months.

The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. At May 31, 2014, the Company did not have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was any interest expense recognized during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013.

Loss per Common Share

Loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. Common stock options and warrants aggregating 380,100 and 247,600 common share equivalents were outstanding as of May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and have been excluded from the calculation of loss per common share as their effect is anti-dilutive.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
The Company continually assesses any new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability. When it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement affects the Company’s financial reporting, the Company undertakes a study to determine the consequence of the change to its consolidated financial statements and assures that there are proper controls in place to ascertain that the Company’s consolidated financial statements properly reflect the change.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts from Customers,” which supercedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605),” and requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of potential goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to the exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 Is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively, with early adoption not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new standard.
 
NOTE 2FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy that has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable, with use of the lowest possible level of input to determine fair value.

Level 1 — Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange with the exception of cash and cash equivalents. The Company had none of these instruments at May 31, 2014 or August 31, 2013.
 
 
9

 
 
Level 2 — Valuations for assets and liabilities obtained from readily available pricing sources via independent providers for market transactions involving similar assets or liabilities. The Company had no Level 2 assets or liabilities at May 31, 2014 or August 31, 2013.
 
Level 3 — Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities. The Company had one Level 3 liability at May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the TPF liability, which is described in greater detail in Note 4 – Long-Term Obligations and Operating Lease below.
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014
 
The Company maintains policies and procedures to value instruments using the best and most relevant data available.

The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis consist entirely of its investments in water and water systems and other long-lived assets. See Note 3 – Investment in Water, Water Systems, Land and Improvements below.

Level 3 Liability – Tap Participation Fee. The Company’s TPF liability is the Company’s only financial liability measured on a non-recurring basis. As further described in Note 4 – Long-Term Obligations and Operating Lease, the TPF liability is valued by projecting new home development in the Company’s targeted service area over an estimated development period.

The following table provides information on the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of May 31, 2014:

Fair Value Measurement Using
 
         
Cost / Other
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
   
Total Unrealized
 
   
Fair Value
   
Value
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Gain
 
Tap Participation Fee liability
  $ 13,162,800     $ 13,162,800     $ -     $ -     $ 13,162,800     $ -  
 
Although not required, the Company deems the following table, which presents the changes in the TPF for the nine months ended May 31, 2014, to be helpful to the users of its consolidated financial statements:

 
   
Fair Value Measurement using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
   
Gross Estimated Tap Participation Fee Liability
   
Tap Participation Fee Reported Liability
   
Discount - to be imputed as interest expense in future periods
 
Balance at August 31, 2013
  $ 102,681,900     $ 59,807,300     $ 42,874,600  
Total gains and losses (realized and unrealized):
    -       -       -  
Imputed interest recorded as "Other Expense"
    -       1,309,100       (1,309,100 )
Purchases, sales, issuances, payments, and reductions resulting from foreclosures
    (82,068,300 )     (47,953,600 )     (34,114,700 )
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    -       -       -  
Balance at May 31, 2014
  $ 20,613,600     $ 13,162,800     $ 7,450,800  
 
10

 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014
 
NOTE 3 – INVESTMENTS IN WATER, WATER SYSTEMS, LAND AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Company’s water rights and current water and wastewater service agreements are more fully described in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report. There have been no significant changes to the Company’s water rights or water and wastewater service agreements during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014.

The Company’s water, water systems, land and improvements consist of the following costs and accumulated depreciation and depletion at May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013:

 
   
May 31, 2014
   
August 31, 2013
 
   
Costs
   
Accumulated Depreciation and Depletion
   
Costs
   
Accumulated Depreciation and Depletion
 
Arkansas River Valley assets
  $ 69,113,400     $ (1,488,600 )   $ 69,112,300     $ (1,487,700 )
Rangeview water supply
    14,490,000       (8,000 )     14,667,000       (7,700 )
Sky Ranch water rights and other costs
    4,292,000       (87,100 )     3,915,100       (79,800 )
Fairgrounds water and water system
    2,899,900       (688,600 )     2,899,900       (622,600 )
Rangeview water system
    167,700       (76,600 )     167,700       (72,800 )
Water supply – other
    931,300       (68,100 )     43,200       (22,400 )
Totals
    91,894,300       (2,417,000 )     90,805,200       (2,293,000 )
Net investments in water and water systems
  $ 89,477,300             $ 88,512,200          
 
Capitalized terms in this section not defined herein are defined in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report.

Depletion and Depreciation. The Company recorded $100 of depletion charges during each of the three month periods ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company recorded $300 of depletion charges during each of the nine month periods ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This related entirely to the Rangeview Water Supply. No depletion is taken against the Arkansas River water or Sky Ranch Water Supply because the water located at these locations is not yet being utilized for its intended purpose as of May 31, 2014.

The Company recorded $45,400 and $77,600 of depreciation expense during the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company recorded $138,800 and $231,500 of depreciation expense during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Land and Water Shares Held for Sale. During fiscal 2012, management decided to sell certain farms in order to have cash flows sufficient to acquire the notes defaulted upon by HP A&M and to meet the future obligations on the promissory notes the Company issued to purchase the defaulted notes owed by HP A&M. During the nine months ended May 31, 2014 the Company sold 1,886 acres of land along with 2,081 FLCC shares associated with the land. The Company has entered into agreements to sell an additional approximately 299 acres of land along with 1,140 FLCC shares. The assets held for sale total $1.8 million, which is the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell.

NOTE 4 – LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS AND OPERATING LEASE

The Participating Interests in Export Water Supply and the TPF payable to HP A&M are obligations of the Company that have no scheduled maturity dates. Therefore, these liabilities are not disclosed in tabular format, but they are described below.

Participating Interests in Export Water Supply

The Company acquired its Rangeview Water Supply through various amended agreements entered into in the early 1990’s. The acquisition was consummated with the signing of the CAA in 1996. Upon entering into the CAA, the Company recorded an initial liability of $11.1 million, which represented the cash the Company received from the participating interest holders that was used to purchase the Company’s Export Water (described in greater detail in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report). The Company agreed to remit a total of $31.8 million of proceeds received from the sale of Export Water to the participating interest holders in return for their initial $11.1 million investments. The obligation for the $11.1 million was recorded as debt, and the remaining $20.7 million contingent liability was not reflected on the Company’s balance sheet because the obligation to pay this is contingent on the sale of Export Water, the amounts and timing of which are not reasonably determinable.
 
 
11

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014


The CAA obligation is non-interest bearing, and if the Export Water is not sold, the parties to the CAA have no recourse against the Company. If the Company does not sell the Export Water, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are also not entitled to payment of any dividend and have no contractual recourse against the Company.

As the proceeds from the sale of Export Water are received and the amounts are remitted to the external CAA holders, the Company allocates a ratable percentage of this payment to the principal portion (the Participating Interests in Export Water Supply liability account) with the balance of the payment being charged to the contingent obligation portion. Because the original recorded liability, which was $11.1 million, was 35% of the original total liability of $31.8 million, 35% of each payment remitted to the CAA holders is allocated to the recorded liability account. The remaining portion of each payment, or 65%, is allocated to the contingent obligation, which is recorded on a net revenue basis.

In fiscal years 2007 and 2008, in order to reduce the long term impact of the CAA, the Company repurchased various portions of the CAA obligations in priority. The Company did not make any CAA acquisitions during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013. As a result of the acquisitions, and due to the sale of Export Water, as detailed in the table below, the remaining potential third party obligation at May 31, 2014, is $3.4 million:
 
   
Export Water Proceeds Received
   
Initial Export Water Proceeds to Pure Cycle
   
Total Potential Third party Obligation
   
Paticipating Interests Liability
   
Contingency
 
Original balances
  $     $ 218,500     $ 31,807,700     $ 11,090,600     $ 20,717,100  
Activity from inception until August 31, 2013:
                                 
  Acquisitions
          28,077,500       (28,077,500 )     (9,790,000 )     (18,287,500 )
  Option payments - Sky Ranch
                                       
      and The Hills at Sky Ranch
    110,400       (42,300 )     (68,100 )     (23,800 )     (44,300 )
  Arapahoe County tap fees *
    533,000       (373,100 )     (159,900 )     (55,800 )     (104,100 )
  Export Water sale payments
    269,300       (188,500 )     (80,800 )     (28,100 )     (52,700 )
Balance at August 31, 2013
    912,700       27,692,100       3,421,400       1,192,900       2,228,500  
Fiscal 2014 activity:
                                       
  Export Water sale payments
    42,600       (29,800 )     (12,800 )     (4,400 )     (8,400 )
Balance at May 31, 2014
  $ 955,300     $ 27,662,300     $ 3,408,600     $ 1,188,500     $ 2,220,100  

 * The Arapahoe County tap fees are less $34,522 in royalties paid to the Land Board.

The CAA includes contractually established priorities which call for payments to CAA holders in order of their priority. This means the first three payees receive their full payment before the next priority level receives any payment and so on until full repayment. The Company will receive $4.9 million of the remaining first priority payout (the remaining entire first priority payout totals $7.1 million as of May 31, 2014).
 
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on July 10, 2014, the Company and the District entered into a settlement agreement with respect to the lawsuit filed in December 2011 by the Company and the District against the Land Board.  In conjunction with the settlement the Land Board assigned its right to receive approximately $2.4 million from the future sales of Export Water under the CAA to the Company.  See Note 11 – Subsequent Events.

Arkansas River Agreement Obligations

The Tap Participation Fee. The $13.2 million TPF liability at May 31, 2014, represents the estimated discounted fair value of the Company’s obligation to pay HP A&M 20% of the Company’s gross proceeds, or the equivalent thereof, from the sale of the next 3,736 water taps sold by the Company.
 
 
12

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

 
Initially the obligation was to pay 10% of the Company’s gross proceeds, or the equivalent thereof, from the sale of 40,000 water taps sold after the date of the Arkansas River Agreement. The 40,000 water taps were reduced to 3,736 water taps as a result of (i) sales of Arkansas River Valley land in 2006 and 2009, (ii) the sale of unutilized water rights owned by the Company in the Arkansas River Valley in 2007, (iii) the election made by HP A&M, effective September 1, 2011, pursuant to the Arkansas River Agreement, to increase the TPF percentage from 10% to 20%, and to take a corresponding 50% reduction in the number of taps subject to the TPF, (iv) the allocation of 26.9% of the Net Revenues (defined as all lease and related income received from the farms less employee expenses, direct expenses for managing the leases and a reasonable overhead allocation) received by HP A&M from management of the farm leasing operations from September 1, 2011 to August 3, 2012 prior to termination of the Property Management Agreement, and (v) the reduction of 15,691 taps as the result of foreclosures on certain farms pursuant to the remedies outlined in the Arkansas River Agreement (2,233 in fiscal 2013 and 13,458 in the nine month period ended May 31, 2014).

The fair value of the TPF liability is an estimate prepared by management of the Company. The fair value of the liability is based on discounted estimated cash flows subject to the TPF calculated by projecting future annual water tap sales for the number of taps subject to the TPF at the date of valuation. Future cash flows from water tap sales are estimated by utilizing the following historical information, where available:

 
·
New homes constructed in the area known as the 11-county “Front Range” of Colorado from the 1980’s through the valuation date. The Company utilized data for this length of time to provide development information over many economic cycles because the Company anticipates development in its targeted service area to encompass many economic cycles over the development period.
 
 
·
New home construction patterns for large master planned housing developments along the Front Range. The Company utilized this information because these developments are deemed comparable to projects anticipated to be constructed in the Company’s targeted service area (i.e. these master planned communities were located in predominately undeveloped areas on the outskirts of the Front Range).
 
 
 
·
Population growth rates for Colorado and the Front Range. Population growth rates were utilized to predict anticipated growth along the Front Range, which was used to predict an estimated number of new homes necessary to house the increased population.
 
 
·
The Consumer Price Index since the 1980’s, which was utilized to project estimated future water tap fees.
 
Utilizing this historical information, the Company projected an estimated new home development pattern in its targeted service area sufficient to cover the sale of the water taps subject to the TPF at the date of the revaluation, May 31, 2014. The Company revalued the TPF payable as of August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2014 due to the reduction of taps subject to the TPF as a result of the exercise of remedies under the Arkansas River Agreement. The estimated proceeds generated from the sale of those water taps resulted in estimated payments to HP A&M over the life of the projected development period of $20.6 million, which is a decrease of $82.1 million from the previous valuation completed at August 31, 2013 ($102.7 million). The estimated proceeds as of August 31, 2013 was estimated to be $102.7 million, a decrease of $17.9 million from the previous valuation in fiscal 2012. The estimated payments to HP A&M are then discounted to the current valuation date and the difference between the amount reflected on the Company’s balance sheet at the valuation date and the total estimated payments is imputed as interest expense over the estimated development time using the effective interest method. The implied interest rate for the most recent valuation was 6.8%.

Actual new home development in the Company’s service area and actual future tap fees inevitably will vary significantly from the Company’s estimates, which could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. An important component in the Company’s estimate of the value of the TPF, which is based on historical trends, is that the Company reasonably expects water tap fees to continue to increase in the coming years. Tap fees are market based and the continued increase in tap fees reflects, among other things, the increasing costs to acquire and develop new water supplies. Tap fees thus are partially indicative of the increasing value of the Company’s water assets. The Company continues to assess the value of the TPF liability and updates its valuation analysis whenever events or circumstances indicate the assumptions used to estimate the value of the liability have changed materially. The difference between the net present value and the estimated realizable value will be imputed as interest expense using the effective interest method over the estimated development period utilized in the valuation of the TPF.

Payment of the TPF may be accelerated in the event of a merger, reorganization, sale of substantially all assets, or similar transactions and in the event of bankruptcy and insolvency events. Pursuant to the default provisions of the Company’s agreement with HP A&M, the Company reduced the discounted present value of the TPF by $11.7 million during the fiscal year-end August 31, 2013 and an additional $47.9 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2014. The Company recorded the decrease in the TPF payable as an equity transaction due to the related party nature of the original transaction. Through May 31, 2014, $28.4 million of interest has been imputed since the acquisition date, recorded using the effective interest method.
 
 
13

 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

During fiscal year 2013, four of the farms and one FLLC certificate representing water rights only went through foreclosure proceedings due to the defaults by HP A&M. The Company’s agreement with HP A&M provides for a reduction of the number of water taps subject to the TPF payable to HP A&M in the event the farms or water rights are subject to foreclosure proceedings or other risks of loss. During fiscal year 2013, the Company reduced the number of taps by 2,233 taps and the discounted present value of the Tap Participation Fee by a total of approximately $11.7 million as a result of the foreclosures. As of August 31, 2013, there were 17,194 taps subject to the Tap Participation Fee. During the nine months ended May 31, 2014, an additional 31 farms and one FLCC certificate representing water rights only, collectively including 8,545 FLCC shares, were foreclosed resulting in a reduction of the number of taps subject to the TPF by an additional 13,458 taps (approximately $47.9 million of the TPF), leaving 3,736 taps subject to the Tap Participation Fee. Subsequent to May 31, 2014, an additional 901 FLCC shares, were foreclosed resulting in a reduction of the number of taps subject to the TPF by an additional 1,665 taps (approximately $5.7 million of the TPF), leaving 2,071 taps (approximately $7.5 million) subject to the TPF.

Promissory Notes Payable by HP A&M in Default. Approximately 69 of the 80 properties the Company originally acquired from HP A&M were subject to outstanding promissory notes payable to third parties that were secured by deeds of trust on the Company’s properties and water rights, as well as mineral interests. HP A&M defaulted on all of the promissory notes and informed the Company that it does not intend to pay any of the amounts owed. HP A&M owed approximately $9.6 million of principal and accrued interest as of September 1, 2012. These promissory notes were secured by approximately 14,000 acres of land and 16,882 FLCC shares representing water rights owned by the Company.
 
On July 2, 2012, the Company formally notified HP A&M that its failure to pay the promissory notes constituted an Event of Default under the Seller Pledge Agreement (as defined below) and a default of a material covenant under the Arkansas River Agreement. The Company informed HP A&M that unless such defaults were cured within thirty days, the Property Management Agreement would be terminated and the Company would proceed to exercise certain rights and remedies under the Arkansas River Agreement, the Seller Pledge Agreement, and the Property Management Agreement to protect its assets. The Company’s remedies at law and under the Arkansas River Agreement and related agreements include, but are not limited to, the right to (i) foreclose on 1,500,000 shares of Pure Cycle common stock issued to HP A&M and the proceeds therefrom (the “Pledged Shares”) which were pledged by HP A&M pursuant to a pledge agreement (the “Seller Pledge Agreement”) to secure the payment and performance by HP A&M of the promissory notes described above; (ii) reduce the TPF; (iii) terminate the Property Management Agreement; and (iv) recover damages caused by the defaults, including certain costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

On August 3, 2012, the Company formally terminated the Property Management Agreement. On September 27, 2012, the Pledged Shares were sold at auction in a foreclosure sale for $2.35 per share, yielding approximately $3.42 million of proceeds to the Company (net of fees of $110,000). Pursuant to the Arkansas River Agreement, the Company is reducing the TPF and is entitled to recover damages caused by the defaults, including certain costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. The Company is currently pursuing its remedies and will continue to pursue such remedies over the next 12 months.

To protect its land and water interests, during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Company purchased approximately $7.0 million of the $9.6 million notes payable by HP A&M. During the nine months ending May 31, 2014 the Company purchased an additional approximately $2.4 million of notes payable by HP A&M. The Company is in the process of settling the remaining $245,000 in notes with the holders of these notes. HP A&M continues to be liable for making the required payments on the notes, and the Company is pursuing remedies to recover the costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by the Company in protecting the rights and title to the land and water rights securing the notes payable by HP A&M, including the costs incurred in purchasing the notes defaulted on by HP A&M. The amount owed on the outstanding notes was approximately $4.5 million, including accrued interest of $37,200 and approximately $7.9 million, including accrued interest of $122,000, at May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively.
 
 
14

 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

Operating Lease

Effective January 2013, the Company entered into an operating lease for 1,200 square feet of office space. The lease has a two year term with payments of $1,530 per month.

NOTE 5 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company maintains the 2014 Incentive Plan (the “2014 Incentive Plan”), which was approved by shareholders in January 2014 and became effective April 12, 2014. Executives, eligible employees, consultants and non-employee directors are eligible to receive options and stock grants pursuant to the 2014 Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the 2014 Incentive Plan, options to purchase shares of stock and restricted stock awards can be granted with exercise prices, vesting conditions and other performance criteria determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Company has reserved 1.6 million shares of common stock for issuance under the 2014 Incentive Plan. No awards have been made under the 2014 Incentive Plan. Prior to the effective date of the 2014 Incentive Plan, the Company granted stock awards to eligible participants under its 2004 Incentive Plan (the “2004 Equity Plan”), which expired April 11, 2014. No additional awards may be granted pursuant to the 2004 Equity Plan; however, awards outstanding as of April 11, 2014, will continue to vest and expire and may be exercised in accordance with the terms of the 2004 Equity Plan.

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the 2004 Equity Plan for the nine months ended May 31, 2014:
 
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
   
Approximate Aggregate Instrinsic Value
 
Oustanding at August 31, 2013
    347,500     $ 5.62              
Granted
    32,500       6.08              
Exercised
    -       -              
Forfeited or expired
    -       -              
Outstanding at May 31, 2014
    380,000     $ 5.66       6.32     $ 421,095  
Options exercisable at May 31, 2014
    247,500     $ 5.67       4.59     $ 452,175  

The following table summarizes the activity and value of non-vested options under the 2004 Equity Plan as of and for the nine months ended May 31, 2014:

 
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
Non-vested options oustanding at beginning of period
    132,500     $ 3.80  
Granted
    32,500       4.09  
Vested
    (32,500 )     2.36  
Forfeited
    -       -  
Options not vested at May 31, 2014
    132,500     $ 4.22  


All non-vested options are expected to vest. The total fair value of options vested was nil for each of the three months ended May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013. The total fair value of options vested for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013 was $76,800 and $18,800, respectively.

Stock-based compensation expense was $68,800 and $19,200 for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense was $183,100 and $42,300 for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 
15

 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

 
At May 31, 2014, the Company had unrecognized expenses relating to non-vested options that are expected to vest totaling $403,600 which have a weighted average life of less than three years. The Company has not recorded any excess tax benefits to additional paid-in capital.
 
NOTE 6 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On December 16, 2009, the Company entered into a Participation Agreement with Rangeview Metropolitan District (“District”), whereby the Company agreed to provide funding to the District in connection with the District joining the South Metro Water Supply Authority (“SMWSA”). The Company provided $50,000 of funding to the District pursuant to the Participation Agreement during each of the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company provided $130,000 and $89,500 of funding to the District pursuant to the Participation Agreement during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts were expensed at the time of funding.
 
In 1995, the Company extended a loan to the District, a related party. The loan provided for borrowings of up to $250,000, is unsecured, bears interest based on the prevailing prime rate plus 2% (5.25% at May 31, 2014) and matured on December 31, 2013. The Company extended the maturity date of the loan to December 31, 2015. The $565,000 balance of the note receivable at May 31, 2014, includes borrowings of $229,300 and accrued interest of $335,700.
 
NOTE 7 – SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

The Company sells wholesale water and wastewater services to the District pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements (defined in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report). Sales to the District accounted for 12% and 36% of the Company’s total water and wastewater revenues for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Sales to the District accounted for 11% and 41% of the Company’s total water and wastewater revenues for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The District has one significant customer. Pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements the Company is providing water and wastewater services to this customer on behalf of the District. The District’s significant customer accounted for 10% and 31% of the Company’s total water and wastewater revenues for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The District’s significant customer accounted for 9% and 35% of the Company’s total water and wastewater revenues for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Revenues related to the provision of water for the oil and gas industry to one customer accounted for 84% and 49% of the Company’s water and wastewater revenues for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Revenues related to the provision of water for the oil and gas industry one customer accounted for 86% and 50% of the Company’s water and wastewater revenues for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
The Company had accounts receivable from the District which accounted for 11% and 14% of the Company’s trade receivables balances at May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively. Accounts receivable from the District’s largest customer accounted for 9% and 12% of the Company’s trade receivables as of May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively. Accounts receivable from industrial water sales accounted for 26% and 27% of the Company’s trade receivable balances at May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013.

NOTE 8 – ACCRUED LIABILITIES

At May 31, 2014, the Company had accrued liabilities of $169,100, of which $59,600 was for estimated property taxes, $47,900 was for professional fees, $22,300 was for farm lease prepayments, and $39,300 related to operating payables.

At August 31, 2013, the Company had accrued liabilities of $264,700, of which $156,100 was for estimated property taxes, $56,700 was for professional fees, $30,300 was for farm lease prepayments, and the remaining $21,600 related to operating payables.

NOTE 9 – LITIGATION LOSS CONTINGENCIES

The Company is involved in various claims, litigation and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The Company records an accrual for a loss contingency when its occurrence is probable and damages can be reasonably estimated based on the anticipated most likely outcome or the minimum amount within a range of possible outcomes. The Company makes such estimates based on information known about the claims and experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar claims. Disclosures are also provided for reasonably possible losses that could have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
 
16

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

Because each of the lawsuits below involves complex legal issues and uncertainties, the Company has determined that no accruals for losses related to the lawsuits are reasonably estimable or deemed reasonably likely as of May 31, 2014.

In December 2011, the Company and the District filed a lawsuit against the State of Colorado acting by and through the Land Board. The complaint was filed with the District Court, City and County of Denver, State of Colorado. The Company and the District are claiming that the Land Board breached, and will breach, agreements entered into by the Land Board with the Company and the District in connection with a 1996 settlement agreement. Those agreements include (i) the Amended and Restated Water Lease, dated as of April 11, 1996, between the Land Board and the District (the “Lease”) and (ii) the Service Agreement of the same date between the Company and the District. As initially reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 29, 2011, the Land Board issued a Request for Proposal that included a draft lease agreement related to oil and gas rights at the Land Board’s Lowry Range. The Land Board subsequently entered into an oil and gas lease for the Lowry Range, which the Company believes does not protect the Company’s exclusive rights. As a result of this breach, the Company and the District are claiming damages to be proven at trial. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on July 10, 2014, the Company and the District entered into a settlement agreement with respect to this lawsuit and certain claims related to operational issues under the Lease (discussed below) which the parties had previously agreed to submit to arbitration.  Pursuant to the settlement, the Company, the District, and the Land Board have entered into a new agreement which amends and restates the Lease.  For a more detailed discussion of the terms of the settlement, see the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2014.

HP A&M initiated a lawsuit against the Company in District Court, City and County of Denver, State of Colorado on February 27, 2012, alleging breaches of representations made in connection with the Arkansas River Agreement. The HP A&M claims relate to the issues currently being litigated between the Company and the Land Board regarding the Company’s exclusive right to provide water service to the Land Board’s Lowry Range property. The Company believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them.

The Company filed a lawsuit against HP A&M in the District Court, City and County of Denver, State of Colorado on April 4, 2014, alleging HP A&M breached the Arkansas River Agreement, Seller Pledge Agreement and Property Management Agreement, among other ways, by failing to (i) pay, perform and discharge its obligations when due or otherwise pursuant to the Excluded Indebtedness, (ii) cure defaults under the Notes and Deeds of Trust applicable to the Excluded Indebtedness, and (iii) use Net Revenue, pursuant to the Property Management Agreement, to pay Excluded Indebtedness. As a result of these breaches, the Company is claiming damages to be proven at trial, and estimated as of the date of the lawsuit to be not less than $8 million. HP A & M filed its answer on May 30, 2014, asserting affirmative defenses and counterclaims, including, among others, breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and requesting damages in an amount to be proven at trial.

The Land Board asserted certain counterclaims in the lawsuit described above that relate to operational disputes under the Lease. On June 14, 2013, the Company, the District and the Land Board entered into an Arbitration Agreement pursuant to which the parties have agreed to submit three counterclaims under the Lease to binding arbitration: (i) whether revenue from wastewater services are subject to royalties under the Lease and the appropriate payment for a right-of-way for a wastewater reclamation facility, (ii) whether Export Water royalties are owed on a net or gross proceeds basis, and (iii) if, and/or how water from the four aquifers under the Lowry Range should be blended for sale, as well as any related claims of the Company and the District for offset, credit or overpayment of previous royalties paid and defenses to the three claims. The counterclaims have been dismissed from the lawsuit without prejudice. An arbitrator has not yet been selected, so the timing of resolution of these claims is unknown. Because the arbitration has not proceeded past the agreement stage and the outcome is uncertain, the Company has determined that accruals for losses related to the arbitration are not reasonably estimable or deemed reasonably likely as of May 31, 2014.  As described above, subsequent to the end of the quarter, on July 10, 2014, the Company and the District entered into a settlement agreement with respect to the lawsuit.  The settlement agreement also settled the claims which the parties had agreed to submit to arbitration.  For a more detailed discussion of the terms of the settlement, see the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2014.

 
17

 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014
 

 
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, foreclosure proceedings were commenced against 38 of the properties acquired by the Company from HP A&M which are subject to promissory notes defaulted upon by HP A&M and secured by deeds of trust on the Company’s land and water rights. The proceedings were filed on various dates from January 9, 2013 through July 3, 2013, with the Public Trustees of Bent, Otero and Prowers Counties in Colorado and involve claims against HP A&M for its failure to pay the notes. In addition one proceeding was commenced in 2013 against water rights pursuant to the Colorado Uniform Commercial Code (the “UCC”). On March 12, 2014, foreclosure proceedings were commenced with the Public Trustee of Bent County against two additional properties acquired by the Company from HP A&M. On May 5, 2014, a foreclosure proceeding pursuant to the UCC was commenced against one FLCC certificate representing water rights only. As of the date of this filing, PCY Holdings, LLC (“PCY Holdings”), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary has been the successful bidder in foreclosure sales of 37 of the properties acquired by the Company from HP A&M (including one completed after the end of the quarter), and the Company terminated one foreclosure proceeding by curing HP A&M’s default. As of the date of this report four of our properties remain subject to foreclosure proceedings. These three properties represent less than 9% of the Company’s FLLC shares and less than 15% of the Company’s original Arkansas River land acquired from HP A&M.

Foreclosure sales were conducted on three of the Company’s farm properties on August 28, 2013, and on a fourth property on September 4, 2013 are currently the subject of litigation. PCY Holding, LLC, was the successful bidder in the foreclosure sales. On September 16, 2013, HP A&M filed a complaint against PCY Holdings and the Public Trustee for the County of Bent, Colorado, in the District Court, County of Bent, Colorado seeking (i) a declaratory judgment that it is entitled to redeem the four properties from the foreclosure sales by paying the amount of the outstanding debt, plus fees, which is the amount PCY Holdings bid in the sales, and (ii) preliminary and permanent injunctions against the Public Trustee preventing the Public Trustee from issuing confirmation deeds for the foreclosure sales to PCY Holdings or anyone other than HP A&M. On November 20, 2013 the complaint was dismissed with prejudice, and judgment was entered in favor of the Public Trustee and PCY Holdings. Responses to motions filed by both PCY Holdings and HP A&M regarding attorney’s fees awards have been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal discussed below.

On January 3, 2014 HP A&M filed a notice of appeal of the judgment with the Colorado Court of Appeals. If HP A&M wins on appeal, the Company could lose these four properties, subject to its remedies under the Arkansas River Agreement. The Company intends to vigorously defend any appeal of this ruling and to pursue the remedies against HP A&M for the defaults. Because the timing and outcome of the appeal is uncertain, the Company has determined that accruals for losses related to the appeal are not reasonably estimable or deemed reasonably likely at this time.


NOTE 10 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company operates primarily in two lines of business: (i) the wholesale water and wastewater business; and (ii) the agricultural farming business. The Company provides wholesale water and wastewater services to customers using water rights owned by the Company and develops infrastructure to divert, treat and distribute that water and collect, treat and reuse wastewater. The Company’s agricultural business consists of the Company leasing its Arkansas River Valley land and water to area farmers under cash leases or in certain cases crop share leases. The following tables show information by operating segment for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
18

 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

 
Three Months Ended May 31, 2014
 
                         
   
Business segments
             
   
Wholesale
                   
   
water and
                   
   
wastewater
   
Agricultural
   
All Other
   
Total
 
                         
 Revenues
  $ 335,800     $ 328,800     $ 13,900     $ 678,500  
 Gross profit
    184,700       305,800       13,900       504,400  
 Depreciation
    7,200       -       -       7,200  
 Other significant noncash items:
                               
           Stock-based compensation
    -       -       68,800       68,800  
            TPF interest expense
    248,800       -       -       248,800  
 Segment assets
   
   96,813,900
      6,571,000       3,272,700       106,657,600  
 Expenditures for segment assets
   
          399,000
      -       -       399,000  
                                 
 

Three Months Ended May 31, 2013
 
                         
   
Business segments
             
   
Wholesale
                   
   
water and
                   
   
wastewater
   
Agricultural
   
All Other
   
Total
 
                         
 Revenues
  $ 99,700     $ 296,100     $ 17,600     $ 413,400  
 Gross profit
    13,100       268,200       17,600       298,900  
 Depreciation
    55,500       -       -       55,500  
 Other significant noncash items:
                               
           Stock-based compensation
    -       -       19,200       19,200  
            TPF interest expense
    871,900       -       -       871,900  
 Segment assets
    93,329,600       6,610,300       9,028,400       108,968,300  
 Expenditures for segment assets
    178,500       -       -       178,500  
 
 
19

 
 
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2014

 
 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2014
 
                         
   
Business segments
             
   
Wholesale
                   
   
water and
                   
   
wastewater
   
Agricultural
   
All Other
   
Total
 
                         
 Revenues
  $ 1,095,400     $ 855,700     $ 41,900     $ 1,993,000  
 Gross profit
    620,800       791,300       41,900       1,454,000  
 Depreciation
    30,100       -       -       30,100  
 Other significant noncash items:
                               
           Stock-based compensation
    -       -       183,100       183,100  
            TPF interest expense
    1,309,100       -       -       1,309,100  
 Segment assets
    96,813,900       6,571,000       3,272,700       106,657,600  
 Expenditures for segment assets
   
           918,100
      -       -       918,100  
 
 
 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013
 
                         
   
Business segments
             
   
Wholesale
                   
   
water and
                   
   
wastewater
   
Agricultural
   
All Other
   
Total
 
                         
 Revenues
  $ 272,000     $ 963,900     $ 50,500     $ 1,286,400  
 Gross profit
    34,100       890,000       50,500       974,600  
 Depreciation
    165,300       -       -       165,300  
 Other significant noncash items:
                               
           Stock-based compensation
    -       -       42,300       42,300  
            TPF interest expense
    2,416,600       -       -       2,416,600  
 Segment assets
    93,329,600       6,610,300       9,028,400       108,968,300  
 Expenditures for segment assets
    298,800       -       -       298,800  
 
 
NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to the Company’s quarter end, an additional 901 FLCC shares have been obtained through the foreclosure proceedings resulting in a reduction of the number of taps subject to the TPF by 1,655 taps and a corresponding reduction to the TPF payable of approximately $5.7 million and leaving 2,071 taps subject to the TPF.

Subsequent to the Company’s quarter end, the Company borrowed $1,750,000 from a banking institution. The note has a 20 year term, requires semi-annual payments, and carries a 5.27% per annum rate. The note is secured by nine of the Company's farms totaling 1,345.73 acres, 1,538.4 FLCC shares, and an assignment of a HP A&M note and deed of trust with a balance due of approximately $535,000, which is secured by 623 FLCC shares.
 
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on July 10, 2014, the Company and the District entered into a settlement agreement with respect to the lawsuit filed in December 2011 by the Company and the District against the Land Board involving certain claims arising out of or related to the Lease.  The settlement agreement also settles certain claims related to operational issues under the Lease which the parties had previously agreed to submit to arbitration.  Pursuant to the settlement, the Company, the District, and the Land Board have entered into a new agreement which amends and restates the Lease.  In conjunction with the settlement, the Land Board assigned its right to receive approximately $2.4 million from the future sales of Export Water under the CAA to the Company.  For a more detailed discussion of the terms of the settlement, see the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2014.

*****
 
 
20

 
 
Item 2.                      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

The discussion and analysis below includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, as described in “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, that could cause our actual growth, results of operations, performance, financial position and business prospects and opportunities for this fiscal year and periods that follow to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by those forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our disclosure under the heading “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below.

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand our results of operations and financial condition and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2013 Annual Report”).

The following section focuses on the key indicators reviewed by management in evaluating our financial condition and operating performance, including the following:

 
·
Revenue generated from providing wholesale water and wastewater services;
 
·
Revenues generated from agricultural operations;
 
·
Expenses associated with developing our water assets; and
 
·
Cash available to continue development of our water rights and service agreements.

Our MD&A section includes the following items:
 
Our Business – a general description of our business, our services and our business strategy.
 
Results of Operations – an analysis of our results of operations for the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position – an analysis of our cash position and cash flows, as well as a discussion of our financing arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates – a discussion of our critical accounting policies that require critical judgments, assumptions and estimates.

Forward Looking Statements – an identification of forward looking statements and a description of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in forward looking statements.

Our Business

Pure Cycle Corporation (“we”, “us” or “our”) is an investor-owned Colorado corporation that (i) provides wholesale water and wastewater services to end-use customers of governmental entities and to commercial and industrial customers and (ii) manages land and water assets for farming.

Wholesale Water and Wastewater

These services include water production, storage, treatment, bulk transmission to retail distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment, irrigation water treatment and transmission, construction management, billing and collection and emergency response.

We are a vertically integrated wholesale water and wastewater provider, which means we own or control substantially all assets necessary to provide wholesale water and wastewater services to our customers. This includes owning (i) water rights which we use to provide domestic, irrigation, and industrial water to our wholesale customers (we own surface water, groundwater, reclaimed water rights and storage rights), (ii) infrastructure (such as wells, diversion structures, pipelines, reservoirs and treatment facilities) required to withdraw, treat, store and deliver water, (iii) infrastructure required to collect, treat, store and reuse wastewater, and (iv) infrastructure required to treat and deliver reclaimed water for irrigation use.
 
 
21

 

 
We currently provide wholesale water service predominately to two local governmental entity customers. Our largest wholesale domestic customer is the Rangeview Metropolitan District (the “District”), a quasi-municipal political subdivision of the State of Colorado, which is described further below. We provide service to the District and its end-use customers pursuant to “The Rangeview Water Agreements” (defined below) between us and the District for the provision of wholesale water service to the District for use in the District’s service area. Through the District, we serve 258 Single Family Equivalent (“SFE”) (as defined below) water connections and 157 SFE wastewater connections located in southeastern metropolitan Denver. We also provide water service for industrial use.

We plan to utilize our significant water assets along with our adjudicated reservoir sites to provide wholesale water and wastewater services to local governmental entities which in turn will provide residential/commercial water and wastewater services to communities along the eastern slope of Colorado in the area extending essentially from Fort Collins on the north to Colorado Springs on the south, which is generally referred to as the “Front Range.” Principally we target the “I-70 corridor,” which is located east of downtown Denver and south of the Denver International Airport. This area is predominately undeveloped and is expected to experience substantial growth over the next 30 years. We also plan to continue to provide water service to commercial and industrial customers.

Agricultural Operations and Leasing

Approximately 83% of our farm operations are managed through cash lease arrangements with local area farmers whereby we charge a fixed fee, billed semi-annually in March and November, to lease our land and the water for agricultural purposes to tenant farmers. Approximately 17% of our farm operations are managed through crop share leases, pursuant to which we and the tenant farmer jointly share in the gross revenues generated from the crops grown under a 75% farmer, 25% landlord participation. The majority of crops grown on our farms are alfalfa, with a number of acres also planted in corn, sorghum, and wheat. We will continue to review and evaluate ways to enhance the performance of our approximately 14,900 acres of farm land through relationships with area farmers.

We also own 931 acres of land along the I-70 corridor east of Denver, Colorado. We are currently leasing this land to an area farmer until such time as the property can be developed.

These land interests are described in the Arkansas River Water and Land and Sky Ranch sections of Note 4 - Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report.

Results of Operations

Executive Summary

The results of our operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 
22

 
 
Table 1
 
Three Months Ended:  
   
May 31, 2014
   
May 31, 2013
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Millions of gallons of water delivered
    31.6       11.8       19.8       168 %
Water revenues generated
  $ 314,200     $ 89,700     $ 224,500       250 %
Operating costs to deliver water
  $ 94,100     $ 59,600     $ 34,500       58 %
  (excluding depreciation and depletion)
                               
   Water delivery gross margin %
    70 %     34 %                
                                 
Wastewater treatment revenues
  $ 11,400     $ 10,100     $ 1,300       13 %
Operating costs to treat wastewater
  $ 6,400     $ 4,900     $ 1,500       31 %
    Wastewater treatment gross margin %
    44 %     51 %                
                                 
Tap and specialty facility revenues
  $ 14,000     $ 14,000     $ -       0 %
                                 
Farm operations revenues
  $ 328,800     $ 296,100     $ 32,700       11 %
Farm operating costs
  $ 23,000     $ 27,900     $ (4,900 )     -18 %
    Farm operations gross margin %
    93 %     91 %                
                                 
General and administrative expenses
  $ 848,300     $ 460,500     $ 387,800       84 %
Net losses
  $ 381,200     $ 1,052,700     $ (671,500 )     -64 %
 
Table 1a
 
Nine Months Ended:  
   
May 31, 2014
   
May 31, 2013
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Millions of gallons of water delivered
    103.7       30.8       72.9       237 %
Water revenues generated
  $ 1,028,600     $ 240,600     $ 788,000       328 %
Operating costs to deliver water
  $ 307,500     $ 137,800     $ 169,700       123 %
  (excluding depreciation and depletion)
                               
   Water delivery gross margin %
    70 %     43 %                
                                 
Wastewater treatment revenues
  $ 33,500     $ 31,400     $ 2,100       7 %
Operating costs to treat wastewater
  $ 24,700     $ 12,800     $ 11,900       93 %
    Wastewater treatment gross margin %
    26 %     59 %                
                                 
Tap and specialty facility revenues
  $ 41,900     $ 41,900     $ -       0 %
                                 
Farm operations revenues
  $ 855,700     $ 963,900     $ (108,200 )     -11 %
Farm operating costs
  $ 64,400     $ 74,000     $ (9,600 )     -13 %
    Farm operations gross margin %
    92 %     92 %                
                                 
General and administrative expenses
  $ 2,153,200     $ 1,602,100     $ 551,100       34 %
Net losses
  $ 1,683,700     $ 3,044,900     $ (1,361,200 )     -45 %
 
 
Water Usage Revenues

Our water service charges include a fixed monthly fee and a fee based on actual amounts of water used, which is based on a tiered pricing structure that provides for higher prices as customers use greater amounts of water. Our rates and charges are established based on the average of three surrounding water providers.

Water deliveries increased 168% and water revenues increased 250% during the three months ended May 31, 2014, compared to the three months ended May 31, 2013, respectively. Water deliveries increased 237% and water revenues increased 328% during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2013, respectively. Both deliveries and sales increased primarily as a result of the addition of water sales to the oil and gas industry, which was used primarily to frack wells drilled into the Niobrara formation. Our revenue increased by a greater margin then our deliveries due to meter rates for fracking water compared to rates received from customers that have acquired taps. The following table details the sources of our sales, the number of kgal (1,000 gallons) sold, and the average price per kgal for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014.
 
 
23

 
 
Table 2 - Water Revenue Summary
   
Three Months Ending May 31, 2014
   
Nine Months Ending May 31, 2014
 
Customer Type
 
Sales
   
kgal
   
Average per kgal
 
Sales
   
kgal
   
Average per kgal
 
On Site - Commercial
  $ 28,600       4,350.2     $ 6.57     $ 78,800       12,540.2     $ 6.28  
Export-Commercial
    7,500       487.2       15.39       17,100       3,141.6       5.44  
Fracking
    278,100       26,772.9       10.39       932,700       88,054.4       10.59  
    $ 314,200       31,610.3     $ 9.94     $ 1,028,600       103,736.2     $ 9.92  
 
The gross margins on delivering water increased to 70% during the three months ended May 31, 2014 from 34% during the three months ended May 31, 2013. The gross margins on delivering water increased to 70% during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 from 43% during the nine months ended May 31, 2013. The increases were primarily due to the increased volume of water sold and selling water at higher tiered rates.

Wastewater Treatment Revenues

Our wastewater customer is charged based on the amount of wastewater treated.

Wastewater fees increased 13% during the three months ended May 31, 2014, compared to the three months ended May 31, 2013. Wastewater fees increased 7% during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2013. This increase was primarily the result of increased demand from our only wastewater customer. Our operating costs increased due to the reclassification of expenses related to the District, which we had historically recorded under general and administrative expenses, but we are now expensing under operating costs for enhanced presentation of the financial results.

Tap Fees

In August 2005, we entered into the Water Service Agreement (the “County Agreement”) with Arapahoe County (the “County”). In fiscal 2006, we began recognizing water tap fees as revenue ratably over the estimated service period upon completion of the “Wholesale Facilities” (defined in the 2013 Annual Report) constructed to provide service to the County. We recognized $3,600 and $10,700 of water tap fee revenues during each of the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The water tap fees to be recognized over this period are net of the royalty payments to the State of Colorado Board of Land Commissioners (the “Land Board”) and amounts paid to third parties pursuant to the “CAA” which is described in Note 4 – Long-Term Obligations and Operating Lease to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

We recognized $10,400 and $31,100 of “Special Facilities” (defined in the 2013 Annual Report) funding as revenue during each of the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013, respectively. This is the ratable portion of the Special Facilities funding proceeds received from the County pursuant to the County Agreement as more fully described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the 2013 Annual Report.

At May 31, 2014, we have deferred recognition of $1.2 million of water tap and construction fee revenue from the County, which will be recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated useful accounting life of the assets constructed with the construction proceeds as described above.

On December 31, 2013, the District increased its water tap fees from $22,500 per SFE to $24,620 per SFE. Wastewater tap fees increased from $4,883 per SFE to $4,988 per SFE. We did not sell any water or wastewater taps during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2014 or 2013.
 
 
24

 

 
Farming Operations

Our farming operations include revenues from leases on the farms we own in the Arkansas River Valley.

Lease income from our farming operations increased by 11% and decreased by 11% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013, respectively. Because we assumed management of our farms on August 3, 2012 we recognized lease income for four months during the three months ended November 30, 2012 and, consequently, seven months of lease income for the nine months ended May 31, 2013. The decrease in lease income during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2013 is due to the additional month of lease income recognized in the nine months ended May 31, 2013.

The following chart details our farm revenue by lease type, acres, and the average revenue per acre for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014.
 
Table 3 - Farm Summary
 
   
Three Months Ended May 31, 2014
   
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2014
 
Lease Type
 
Sales
   
Acres
   
Average per Acre
   
Sales
   
Acres
   
Average per Acre
 
Arkansas Cash
  $ 232,400       9,610     $ 24.18     $ 658,500       10,274     $ 64.09  
Arkansas Pasture
    2,300       1,132       2.03       8,900       1,320       6.74  
Arkansas Water shares
    27,800       N/A       N/A       78,100       N/A       N/A  
Arkansas Crop Share
    66,300       2,174       30.50       110,200       1,772       62.19  
Arkansas Not Farmed
    -       1,988       -       -       1,988       -  
Sky Ranch
    -       931       -       -       931       -  
    $ 328,800       15,835     $ 20.76     $ 855,700       16,285     $ 52.55  
 
General and Administrative and Other Expenses

Significant balances classified as general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively were:

Table 4 - Signficant Balances in G&A
 
   
Three Months Ended:
             
   
5/31/2014
   
5/31/2013
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Salary and salary related expenses:
                       
   Including share-based compensation
  $ 199,400     $ 155,000     $ 44,400       29 %
   Excluding share-based compensation
  $ 130,600     $ 135,700     $ (5,100 )     -4 %
Legal and accounting fees
  $ 403,300     $ 75,700     $ 327,600       433 %
Property taxes
  $ 13,500     $ 57,500     $ (44,000 )     -77 %
Water assessment fees
  $ 81,100     $ 72,500     $ 8,600       12 %
Directors fees (including insurance)
  $ 27,400     $ 11,300     $ 16,100       142 %
Public entity related expenses
  $ 30,000     $ 17,100     $ 12,900       75 %
 
 
25

 
 
Table 4a - Signficant Balances in G&A
 
   
Nine Months Ended:
             
   
5/31/2014
   
5/31/2013
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Salary and salary related expenses:
                       
   Including share-based compensation
  $ 571,100     $ 423,700     $ 147,400       35 %
   Excluding share-based compensation
  $ 388,000     $ 381,400     $ 6,600       2 %
Legal and accounting fees
  $ 897,300     $ 217,100     $ 680,200       313 %
Property taxes
  $ 48,500     $ 265,600     $ (217,100 )     -82 %
Water assessment fees
  $ 225,300     $ 248,700     $ (23,400 )     -9 %
Directors fees (including insurance)
  $ 75,500     $ 99,500     $ (24,000 )     -24 %
Public entity related expenses
  $ 72,600     $ 75,500     $ (2,900 )     -4 %
 
Salary and salary related expenses including share-based compensation increased 29% and 35% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 as compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013, respectively. The increases were primarily due to the recognition of option expense on the grant of stock options to our non-employee directors in January 2013 of 32,500 shares versus 12,500 shares during January 2012 and the grant of stock options to our management in August 2013 of 100,000 shares versus no shares during August 2012. The salary and salary related expenses noted above include $68,800 and $19,200 of share-based compensation expenses during the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The salary and salary related expenses noted above include $183,100 and $42,300 of share-based compensation expenses during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Legal and accounting fees increased 433% and 313% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014, as compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013, respectively. The increase was due to increased litigation and foreclosure legal fees of approximately $334,000 and $689,500 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013, respectively.

In conjunction with the HP A&M default we are now responsible for the property taxes associated with the land. We are also now accruing property taxes related to our Sky Ranch property. The expected annual property taxes for calendar year 2014 (payable in 2015) are approximately $153,700. Property taxes decreased 77% and 82% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014, respectively, as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2013 as a result of re-assessment of Sky Ranch because the land is now considered to be agricultural for property tax purposes.

Water assessment fees, which are mainly paid to the Fort Lyon Canal Company (“FLCC”), are the fees we pay for our share of the maintenance of the Fort Lyon Canal. The fees are approved by the shareholders of the FLCC. As of May 31, 2014, we hold approximately 19,557 (21%) of the voting shares of the FLCC, 1,140 of which are subject to contracts for sale. After the sale of these shares, we will own approximately 20% of the voting shares of the FLCC. Assessments per share from the FLCC were $17, $15, and $16 for the calendar years 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively.
 
 
Director’s fees, including D&O insurance, increased 142% and decreased 24% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 as compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013, respectively. These fees vary due to timing of expenditures, but generally are expected to remain consistent year over year. Effective January 2014 the Company has begun expensing director’s fees on a monthly basis rather than in an annual lump sum as they were done in the past, which should reduce quarter to quarter variations.

Costs associated with corporate governance and costs associated with being a publicly traded entity increased 75% for the three months ended May 31, 2014 as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2013 and decreased 4% for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2013. The fluctuations are due to the timing of filings, billings for services, and the changes in filing fees and compliance costs for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 
26

 



Other Income and Expense Items

Table 5 - Other Items
   
Three Months Ended:
                   
   
31-May-14
   
31-May-13
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Income items:
                       
  Oil and gas lease income
  $ 149,900     $ 103,600     $ 46,300       45 %
  Interest income
  $ 17,300     $ 4,800     $ 12,500       260 %
                                 
Expense items:
                               
  Imputed interest
  $ 248,800     $ 871,900     $ (623,100 )     -71 %
  Interest expense
  $ 51,300     $ 73,600     $ (22,300 )     -30 %
 
Table 5a - Other Items
   
Nine Months Ended:
                   
   
31-May-14
   
31-May-13
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Income items:
                       
  Oil and gas lease income
  $ 363,400     $ 310,900     $ 52,500       17 %
  Interest income
  $ 24,100     $ 24,400     $ (300     -1 %
                                 
Expense items:
                               
  Imputed interest
  $ 1,309,100     $ 2,416,600     $ (1,107,500 )     -46 %
  Interest expense
  $ 175,800     $ 176,800     $ (1,000 )     -1 %
 
The oil and gas lease income amounts represent a portion of the up-front payments we received on March 10, 2011, upon the signing of the Paid-Up Oil and Gas Lease (the “O&G Lease”) and Surface Use and Damage Agreement (the “Surface Use Agreement”). During fiscal 2011, we received payments of $1,243,400 for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing and marketing oil and gas on 634 acres of mineral estate we own at our Sky Ranch property. The income received was recognized in income over the initial three year term of the O&G Lease, which began on March 10, 2011. In December of 2012 the O&G Lease was purchased by a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips Company. During February 2014 we received an additional payment of $1,243,400 to extend the initial term of the O&G Lease by an additional two years through February 2016. The income received for the extension is being recognized in income over the two year extension term of the O&G Lease.

Interest income represents interest earned on the temporary investment of capital in available-for-sale securities, finance charges, interest accrued on the note payable by the District and interest accrued on the Special Facilities construction proceeds receivable from the County. The increases are primarily related to finance charges attributable to our farm leases.

Imputed interest expense is related to the Tap Participation Fee (“TPF”) payable to HP A&M. This represents the expensed portion of the difference between the estimated fair value of the payments to be made to HP A&M and the discounted present value of those payments imputed using the effective interest method. The decrease in the imputed interest expense is a result of the reduction in the TPF as a result of us exercising our remedies under the Arkansas River Agreement during fiscal 2014, which is explained in greater detail in Note 4 – Long-Term Obligations and Operating Lease to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Interest expense is related to the interest accrued on the $4.5 million in promissory notes issued and outstanding to acquire the HP A&M debt. We began acquiring these notes during the three months ended November 30, 2012 and continued acquiring promissory notes through May 31, 2014. Due to the timing of when we acquired the HP A&M debt, we only recognized a prorated portion of the interest for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013 compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014.

 
27

 

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position

At May 31, 2014, our working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $9.8 million, which included $2.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. As of the date of the filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we have an effective shelf registration statement pursuant to which we may elect to sell up to another $15 million of stock at any time and from time to time. Additionally, we have agreements to sell certain farms for a total of $1.8 million. We believe that as of the date of the filing of this annual report on Form 10-Q and as of May 31, 2014, we have sufficient working capital to fund our operations for the next fiscal year.

System Expansion

During the three months ended May 31, 2014, we began expanding our capacity and storage in anticipation of increased demand for industrial water used in fracking. We have completed a well on our Sky Ranch property along with a 400,000 barrel capacity storage pond. We have drilled and are in the process of completing a well on the “Lowry Range”, as described in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report, that we anticipate will be operational in the middle of July. We will also be drilling an additional well on our Sky Ranch property, which we anticipate will be operational in August 2014. During the three months ended May 31, 2014, we spent approximately $600,000 on these wells, the storage pond, and delivery infrastructure. We anticipate the total cost of our expansion to be approximately $3.5 million.
 
 
Arkansas River Water Assets

The FLCC water assessments are the charges assessed to the FLCC shareholders for the upkeep and maintenance of the Fort Lyon Canal. The water assessment payments are payable to the FLCC each calendar year. Our calendar year assessments for 2013 were approximately $290,000 and were expensed ratably during the year. Our calendar year 2012 property taxes (paid in April 2013) for our Arkansas River farm properties were approximately $142,000. For the calendar year 2014, FLCC water assessments increased from $15 to $16 per share, which will increase our expenses by approximately $22,900 to $312,900, which will be expensed ratably during 2014. Our calendar year 2013 property taxes were approximately $150,500. Based on these taxes we are accruing monthly property taxes of approximately $11,700 for calendar year 2014.

Sky Ranch Property

Our calendar year 2012 Sky Ranch property taxes (paid in April 2013) were approximately $90,600. As a result of a change in the assessment to agricultural land we anticipate the property taxes for calendar year 2013 will be less. The county valuation for property tax assessments of the Sky Ranch property was reduced from approximately $4.2 million to approximately $84,000. The property taxes for the calendar year 2013 (paid in April 2014) were approximately $3,200. Based on these taxes we are accruing monthly property taxes of approximately $300 for calendar year 2014.

ECCV Capacity Operating System

Pursuant to a 1982 contractual right, the District may purchase water produced from East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District’s (“ECCV”) Land Board system. ECCV’s Land Board system is comprised of eight wells and more than ten miles of buried water pipeline located on the Lowry Range. In May 2012, in order to increase the delivery capacity and reliability of these wells, in our capacity as the District’s service provider and the Export Water Contractor (as defined in the Amended and Restated Water Lease between the District and the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners), we entered into an agreement to operate and maintain the ECCV facilities allowing us to utilize the system to provide water to commercial and industrial customers, including customers providing water for drilling and hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells. Our costs associated with the use of the ECCV system were a flat monthly fee of $4,667 per month from May 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, which increased to $8,000 per month from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2020, and will decrease to $3,000 per month from January 1, 2021 through April 2032. Additionally, we pay a fee per 1,000 gallons of water produced from ECCV’s system, which is included in the water usage fees charged to customers.

The Tap Participation Fee

The $13.2 million TPF liability at May 31, 2014, represents the estimated fair value of our obligation to pay HP A&M 20% of our gross proceeds, or the equivalent thereof, from the sale of the next 3,736 water taps we sell. To date we have imputed $28.4 million of interest since we acquired our farm assets, recorded using the effective interest method. We did not sell any taps during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2014 or 2013.
 
 
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Payment of the TPF may be accelerated in the event of a merger, reorganization, sale of substantially all assets, or similar transactions and in the event of bankruptcy and insolvency events. Through May 2014 foreclosure sales were completed on 34 of our farms and two FLCC certificates representing water rights only, and we cured one farm in foreclosure. Our agreement with HP A&M allows us to reduce the TPF in the event any of our farms or water rights are foreclosed upon. Foreclosures as of May 31, 2014 have resulted in a reduction of 15,691 taps. As of May 31, 2014, there were 3,736 taps remaining subject to the TPF. As a result of the foreclosures and the reduction in taps remaining subject to the TPF, the TPF was revalued as of May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013. An additional foreclosure sale was completed after the end of the quarter. See Note 12 – Subsequent Events.

South Metropolitan Water Supply Authority

The South Metropolitan Water Supply Authority (“SMWSA”) is a municipal water authority in the State of Colorado organized to pursue the acquisition and development of new water supplies on behalf of its members. SMWSA members include 14 Denver area water providers in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. The District became a member of SMWSA in 2009 in an effort to participate with other area water providers in developing regional water supplies along the Front Range. For over two years, the SMWSA members have been working with Denver Water and Aurora Water on a cooperative water project known as the Water Infrastructure Supply Efficiency partnership (“WISE”), which seeks to develop regional infrastructure which would interconnect members’ water transmission systems to be able to develop additional water supplies from the South Platte River in conjunction with Denver Water and Aurora Water. In July of 2013, the District together with nine other SMWSA members formed the South Metropolitan Wise Authority (“SMWA”) to continue to develop the WISE project. Through an agreement with the District, we continue to support SMWA and its joint water development efforts and may seek to participate in one or more regional water projects if such projects are in our best interest.

Summary Cash Flows Table
 
Table 4 - Summary Cash Flows Table
 
   
Nine Months Ended
             
   
May 31, 2014
   
May 31, 2013
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Cash (used) provided by:
                       
  Operating acitivites
  $ 711,700     $ (1,326,500 )   $ 2,038,200       -154 %
   Investing activities
  $ 3,001,100     $ 4,183,600     $ (1,182,500 )     -28 %
   Financing activities
  $ (3,285,100 )   $ (1,411,200 )   $ (1,873,900 )     133 %
 
Changes in Operating Activities – Operating activities include revenues we receive from the sale of wholesale water and wastewater services and leases on our farms, costs incurred in the delivery of those services, G&A expenses, and depletion/depreciation expenses.

Cash provided by operations in the nine months ended May 31, 2014 increased by $2,038,200 compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2013, which was due mainly to decreases in operating losses and the receipt of an up-front oil and gas lease payment.

We will continue to provide wholesale domestic and industrial water and wastewater services to customers in our service area and leasing our farms to local area farmers.

Changes in Investing ActivitiesInvesting activities in the nine months ended May 31, 2014, consisted of the receipt of $3,919,300 from the sale of 1,886 acres of land along with 2,081 FLCC shares, which was partially offset by the investment in our water system and purchase of assets of $915,900 and equipment of $2,300. Investing activities during the nine months ended May 31, 2013, consisted of us selling $1,101,400 of marketable securities, the sale of 1.5 million pledged shares for $3.4 million (net of costs), the purchase of equipment of $34,000, and us investing $298,800 into our water and wastewater infrastructure.

Changes in Financing ActivitiesFinancing activities in the nine months ended May 31, 2014 consisted of payments on the promissory notes of $3,280,700 and payments to contingent liability holders of $4,400. Financing activities in nine months ended May 31, 2013 consisted of the receipt of $291,700 from the County for the construction of Special Facilities, $16,500 in payments to contingent liability holders, and $1,686,300 of cash used to acquire the promissory notes defaulted upon by HP A&M.
 
 
29

 

 
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include estimates associated with the timing of revenue recognition, the impairment of water assets and other long-lived assets, valuation of the TPF, fair value estimates and share-based compensation. Below is a summary of these critical accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenues consist mainly of tap fees, construction fees, monthly service fees, and beginning in fiscal 2013, farm operations. As further described in Note 1 – Presentation of Interim Information to the accompanying financial statements, proceeds from tap sales and construction fees are deferred upon receipt and recognized in income based on whether we own or do not own the facilities constructed with the proceeds. We recognize tap fees derived from agreements for which we construct infrastructure owned by others as revenue, along with the associated costs of construction, pursuant to the percentage-of-completion method. The percentage-of-completion method requires management to estimate the percent of work that is completed on a particular project, which could change materially throughout the duration of the construction period and result in significant fluctuations in revenue recognized during the reporting periods throughout the construction process. We did not recognize any revenues pursuant to the percentage-of-completion method during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2014 or 2013.

Tap and construction fees derived from agreements for which we own the infrastructure are recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated service life of the assets constructed with said fees. Although the cash will be received up-front and most construction will be completed within one year of receipt of the proceeds, revenue recognition may occur over 30 years or more. Management is required to estimate the service life, and currently the service life is based on the estimated useful accounting life of the assets constructed with the tap fees. The useful accounting life of the asset is based on management’s estimation of an accounting based useful life and may not have any correlation to the actual life of the asset or the actual service life of the tap. This is deemed a reasonable recognition life of the revenues because the depreciation of the assets constructed generating those revenues will therefore be matched with the revenues.

Monthly water usage fees and monthly wastewater service fees are recognized in income each month as earned.

Pursuant to the O&G Lease, during the year ended August 31, 2011, we received up-front payments of $1,243,400 from for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing and marketing oil and gas on approximately 634 acres of mineral estate we own at our Sky Ranch property. We began recognizing the up-front payments from the O&G Lease as income on a straight-line basis over three years (the initial term of the O&G Lease) on March 10, 2011. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, we received up-front payments of $12,540 for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing and marketing oil and gas on 40 acres of mineral estate we own adjacent to the Lowry Range (the “Rangeview Lease”). During February 2014 we received an additional up-front payment of $1,243,400 to extend the O&G lease by an additional two years to February 2016. We recognized $150,000 and $103,600 during the three months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 of income royalty related to the up-front payments related to the O&G Lease and the Rangeview Lease. We recognized $363,400 and $310,900 during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 of income royalty related to the up-front payments related to the O&G Lease and the Rangeview Lease.

We lease our farms to local area farmers on both cash and crop share lease basis. Our cash lease farmers are charged a fixed fee, billed semi-annually in March and November. During the November billing cycle our cash lease billings include either a discount or a premium adjustment based on actual water deliveries by the FLCC. Our crop share lease fees are based on actual crop yields and are received upon the sale of the crops. All fees are estimated and recognized ratably on a monthly basis.

Impairment of Water Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever management believes events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability of assets to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated future undiscounted net cash flows we expect to be generated by the eventual use of the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired and therefore the costs of the assets deemed to be unrecoverable, the impairment to be recognized would be the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.
 
 
30

 
 
Our water assets will be utilized in the provision of water services which inevitably will encompass many housing and economic cycles. Our service capacities are quantitatively estimated based on an average single family home utilizing .4 acre feet of water per year. Our water supplies are legally decreed to us through the water court. The water court decree allocates a specific amount of water (subject to continued beneficial use) which historically has not changed. Thus, individual housing and economic cycles typically do not have an impact on the number of connections we can serve with our supplies or the amount of water legally decreed to us relating to these supplies.
 
 
We report assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. See further discussion regarding our land and water rights assets held for sale in Note 4 – Water Assets to the financial statements included in our 2013 Annual Report.

Our Front Range and Arkansas River Water Rights

We determine the undiscounted cash flows for our Denver based assets and the Arkansas River assets (described below in the Tap Participation Fee section) by estimating tap sales to potential new developments in our service area and to communities along the Front Range using estimated future tap fees, less estimated costs to provide water services, over an estimated development period. Actual new home development in our service area and the Front Range, actual future tap fees, and actual future operating costs inevitably will vary significantly from our estimates, which could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as well as our results of operations. We performed an impairment analysis as of August 31, 2013, and determined that our Rangeview Water Supply (defined in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report) and Arkansas River water assets were not impaired and their costs were deemed recoverable. Our impairment analysis is based on development occurring within areas in which we have service agreements (e.g. Sky Ranch and the Lowry Range, which are described in Note 4 – Water Assets to the 2013 Annual Report) as well as in surrounding areas, including the Front Range and the I-70 corridor. We estimate that we have the ability to provide wholesale water service to approximately 170,000 SFE’s using our combined Rangeview Water Supply and Arkansas River water assets, which have a carrying value of approximately $89.5 million as of May 31, 2014. Based on the carrying value of our water rights, the long term and uncertain nature of any development plans, current tap fees of $24,620 and estimated gross margins, we estimate that we would need to sell the following number of new water connections to recover the costs of our Rangeview Water Supply and our Arkansas River water assets:

 
·
At current tap fees: we estimate we would need to add 7,600 new wholesale water connections, requiring 5.7% of our water portfolio;
 
 
·
If tap fees increase 5.0%: we estimate we would need to add 7,200 new wholesale water connections, requiring 5.4% of our water portfolio;
 
 
·
If tap fees decrease 5%: we estimate we would need to add 8,000 new wholesale water connections, requiring 5.9 % of our portfolio.
 

Although changes in the housing market throughout the Front Range have delayed our estimated tap sale projections, these changes do not alter our water ownership, our service obligations to existing properties or the number of SFE’s we can service.

Tap Participation Fee

We own approximately 14,900 acres of irrigated land together with approximately 54,000 acre-feet of Arkansas River water rights from HP A&M. In addition to common stock issued to HP A&M to purchase these assets, we agreed to pay HP A&M a defined percentage of a defined number of water taps we sell from and after the date of the agreement with HP A&M. The TPF is payable when we sell water taps and receive funds from such water tap sales or other dispositions of property purchased in the HP A&M acquisition. The TPF liability is valued by estimating new home development in our service area over an estimated development period. This was done by utilizing third party historical and projected housing and population growth data for the Denver metropolitan area applied to an estimated development pattern supported by historical development patterns of certain master planned communities in the Denver metropolitan area. This development pattern was then applied to projected future water tap fees determined by using historical water tap fee trends.
 
 
31

 

 
We updated the estimated discounted cash flow analysis as of May 31, 2014. Actual new home development in our service area and actual future tap fees inevitably will vary significantly from our estimates which could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as well as our results of operations. An important component in our estimate of the value of the TPF, which is based on historical trends, is that we reasonably expect water tap fees to continue to increase in the coming years. Tap fees are market based and the continued increase in tap fees reflects, among other things, the increasing costs to acquire and develop new water supplies. Tap fees are thus partially indicative of the increasing value of our water assets. We continue to assess the value of the TPF liability and update its valuation analysis whenever events or circumstances indicate the assumptions used to estimate the value of the liability have changed materially. The difference between the net present value and the estimated realizable value will be imputed as interest expense using the effective interest method over the estimated development period utilized in the valuation of the TPF. Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 10, 2006 (the “Arkansas River Agreement”), we believe we are entitled to reduce the TPF due to the defaults by HP A&M.

Share-Based Compensation

We estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards made to key employees and directors on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. We then expense the fair value over the vesting period of the grant using a straight-line expense model. The fair value of share-based payments requires management to estimate/calculate various inputs such as the volatility of the underlying stock, the expected dividend rate, the estimated forfeiture rate and an estimated life of each option. We do not expect any forfeiture of option grants; therefore the compensation expense has not been reduced for estimated forfeitures. These assumptions are based on historical trends and estimated future actions of option holders and may not be indicative of actual events which may have a material impact on our financial statements. For further details on share based compensation expense, see Note 5 – Shareholders’ Equity to the accompanying financial statements.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 – Presentation of Interim Information to the accompanying financial statements for recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements that are not historical facts contained or incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from projected results. The words “anticipate,” “goal,” “seek,” “project,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend” and similar expressions and references to future periods, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding:

 
·
the impact of housing and economic cycles on the number of connections we can serve with our water;
 
·
the number of new water connections needed to recover the costs of our Rangeview Water Supply and Arkansas River water assets;
 
·
increases in future water tap fees;
 
·
the amount of the Tap Participation Fee liability;
 
·
the sufficiency of our working capital and financing sources to fund our operations;
 
·
impairments in carrying amounts of long-lived assets;
 
·
changes in unrecognized tax positions;
 
·
forfeitures of option grants and vesting of non-vested options;
 
·
the impact of new accounting pronouncements;
 
·
the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting;
 
·
plans for the use and development of our water assets;
 
·
our plans to provide water for drilling and fracking oil and gas wells;
 
·
expected development and growth in the area referred to as the Front Range of Colorado;
 
·
management of farms and the generation of revenues from such management;
 
 
32

 
 
 
·
anticipated results of foreclosure proceedings to which our properties and water rights are subject;
 
·
claims of HP A&M against the Company;
 
·
litigation and arbitration with the Land Board;
 
·
litigation with HP A&M;
 
·
our ability to reduce the Tap Participation Fee and recover damages from HP A&M; and
 
·
future fluctuations in the price and trading volume of our common stock.

Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We are not able to predict all factors that may affect future results. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations will be realized. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K; the timing of new home construction and other development in the areas where we may sell our water, which in turn may be impacted by credit availability; population growth; employment rates; general economic conditions; the market price of water; changes in customer consumption patterns; changes in applicable statutory and regulatory requirements; changes in governmental policies and procedures; uncertainties in the estimation of water available under decrees; uncertainties in the estimation of costs of delivery of water and treatment of wastewater; uncertainties in the estimation of the service life of our systems; uncertainties in the estimation of costs of construction projects; the strength and financial resources of our competitors; our ability to find and retain skilled personnel; climatic and weather conditions, including floods, droughts and freezing conditions; labor relations; turnover of elected officials and delays caused by political concerns and governmental procedures; availability and cost of labor, material and equipment; delays in anticipated permit and construction dates; engineering and geological problems; environmental risks and regulations; our ability to raise capital; our ability to negotiate contracts with new customers; uncertainties in water court rulings; outcome of litigation and arbitration; our ability to collect on judgments obtained in litigation; and other factors discussed from time to time in our press releases, public statements and documents filed or furnished with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
 
 
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Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

General

We have limited exposure to market risks from instruments that may impact the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Such exposure is due primarily to changing interest rates.

Interest Rates

The primary objective for our investment activities is to preserve principal while maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. This is accomplished by investing in diversified short-term interest bearing investments. As of May 31, 2014 we have no investments. We have in the past, and anticipate in the future, that we will invest in certificates of deposit with stated maturities and locked interest rates and, therefore, will not be subject to interest rate fluctuations. We have no investments denominated in foreign country currencies and, therefore, our investments are not subject to foreign currency exchange risk.


Item 4.                      Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Commission’s rules and forms, and that information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The President and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as of May 31, 2014, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. A system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system of controls 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.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
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PART II

Item 1.                      Legal Proceedings

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, foreclosure proceedings were commenced against 38 of the properties we acquired from HP A&M which are subject to promissory notes defaulted upon by HP A&M and secured by deeds of trust on our land and water rights. The proceedings were filed on various dates from January 9, 2013 through July 3, 2013, with the Public Trustees of Bent, Otero and Prowers Counties in Colorado and involve claims against HP A&M for its failure to pay the notes. In addition one proceeding was commenced in 2013 against water rights pursuant to the Colorado Uniform Commercial Code (the “UCC”). On March 12, 2014, foreclosure proceedings were commenced with the Public Trustee of Bent County against two additional properties we acquired from HP A&M. On May 5, 2014, a foreclosure pursuant to the UCC was commenced against on FLCC certificate representing water rights only. PCY Holdings, LLC (“PCY Holdings”), our wholly owned subsidiary, has been the successful bidder in foreclosure sales of 37 of the properties we acquired from HP A&M, including one completed after quarter end, and we terminated one foreclosure proceeding by curing HP A&M’s default. As of the date of this filing, four of our properties remain subject to foreclosure proceedings. These properties represent less than 9% of our FLCC shares and less than 15% of our farm land acquired from HP A&M.

Foreclosure sales were conducted on three of our properties on August 28, 2013, and on a fourth property on September 4, 2013. PCY Holdings was the successful bidder in these foreclosure sales. On September 16, 2013, HP A&M filed a complaint against PCY Holdings and the Public Trustee for the County of Bent, Colorado, in the District Court, County of Bent, Colorado. HP A&M is seeking (i) a declaratory judgment that it is entitled to redeem the four properties from the foreclosure sales by paying the amount of the outstanding debt, plus fees, which is the amount we bid in the sales, and (ii) preliminary and permanent injunctions against the Public Trustee preventing the Public Trustee from issuing confirmation deeds for the foreclosure sales to PCY Holdings or anyone other than HP A&M. On November 20, 2013, the complaint was dismissed with prejudice, and judgment was entered in favor of the Public Trustee and PCY Holdings. The District Court awarded the Public Trustee of Bent County and PCY Holdings their attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with this matter. In subsequent proceedings regarding a petition filed by PCY Holdings with the District Court requesting the removal of lis pendens filed against the four properties by HP A&M, the District Court awarded attorneys’ fees to HP A&M with respect to the petition. Responses to motions by both PCY Holdings and HP A&M regarding the attorneys’ fee awards have been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal, discussed below, of the District Court’s initial ruling against HP A&M.

On January 3, 2014, HP A&M filed a notice of appeal of the judgment with the Colorado Court of Appeals. If HP A&M wins on appeal, we could lose these four properties, subject to our remedies under the Arkansas River Agreement. We intend to vigorously defend the appeal of this ruling. The Arkansas River agreement requires HP A&M to acquire any properties subject to foreclosure on our behalf. Therefore, our remedies against HP A&M for the note defaults include the right to damages for any loss of these four properties.

We filed a lawsuit against HP A&M in the District Court, City and County of Denver, State of Colorado on April 4, 2014, alleging HP A&M breached the Arkansas River Agreement, Seller Pledge Agreement and Property Management Agreement, among other ways, by failing to (i) pay, perform and discharge its obligations when due or otherwise pursuant to the Excluded Indebtedness, (ii) cure defaults under the Notes and Deeds of Trust applicable to the Excluded Indebtedness, and (iii) use Net Revenue, pursuant to the Property Management Agreement, to pay Excluded Indebtedness. As a result of these breaches, we are claiming damages to be proven at trial, and estimated as of the date of the lawsuit to be not less than $8 million. HP A & M filed its answer on May 30, 2014, asserting affirmative defenses and counterclaims, including, among others, breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and requesting damages in an amount to be proven at trial.
 
On July 10, 2014, we, the District and the Land Board, entered into a settlement agreement with respect to the lawsuit filed in December 2011 by us and the District against the Land Board involving certain claims arising out of or related to (i) the Amended and Restated Lease Agreement dated April 1996 between the District and the Land Board (the “Lease”) and (ii) the Service Agreement of the same date between the us and the District (the “Service Agreement”).  The settlement agreement also settles certain claims related to operational issues under the Lease which the parties had previously agreed to submit to arbitration.  Pursuant to the settlement, we, the District, and the Land Board have entered into a 2014 Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2014, which amends and restates the Lease.  In addition, we and the District have entered into an Amended and Restated Service Agreement dated July 11, 2014, which amends and restates the Service Agreement.  In conjunction with the settlement, the Land Board assigned us its right to receive approximately $2.4 million from future sales of Export Water under the CAA.  For a more detailed discussion of the terms of the settlement, see the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2014.
 
 
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Item 6.                      Exhibits

Exhibits
 
 
31 Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32 Certification pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101
The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending May 31, 2014, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) the consolidated balance sheets as of May 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, (ii) the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, (iii) the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, and (iv) the notes to the consolidated financial statements, tagged in accordance with Rule 406T.*+
 
*
Filed herewith.
 
+
In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, information in Exhibit 101 is “furnished” and not “filed.”
 

 
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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 hereunto duly authorized.

PURE CYCLE CORPORATION


 

/s/ Mark W. Harding                                            
Mark W. Harding
President and Chief Financial Officer

July 14, 2014
 
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