On August 6, 2021, we entered into a sales agreement with Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc., which enables the Company to issue and sell shares of Common stock in one or more negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for a maximum aggregate offering amount of up to
$300,000
(the “ATM Program”). The offer and sale of our Common stock pursuant to the ATM Program has been registered under the Securities Act pursuant to our automatically effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-228269).
As of September 30, 2021, 0 shares of Common stock ha
d
been sold under the ATM Program.
We paid cash dividends of $1.95, $1.775, $5.675, and $5.15 per share of both Common stock and Class B common stock during the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Non-Vested
Restricted Stock
During both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2021, 3,250 shares of Class B common stock with an aggregate fair market value of $894 were withheld as payment in lieu of cash to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of
non-vested
restricted stock. These shares were retired upon delivery. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020, 5,361 shares of Common and Class B common stock with an aggregate fair market value of $1,265, and 11,693 shares of Common and Class B common stock with an aggregate fair market value of $2,299, respectively, were withheld as payment in lieu of cash to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of
non-vested
restricted stock. These shares were retired upon delivery.
Exercise of Stock Options
Cash received from Common stock issued as a result of stock options exercised during the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, was $2,094, $6,573, $9,940, and $11,978, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, 2,965 shares of Common stock with an aggregate fair market value of $863 were withheld as payment in lieu of cash for stock option exercises. These shares were retired upon delivery. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020, 6,582 shares of Common stock with an aggregate fair market value of $1,490, and 11,455 shares of Common stock with an aggregate fair market value of $2,343, respectively, were withheld as payment in lieu of cash for stock option exercises. These shares were retired upon delivery.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
During the quarters ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we received net proceeds of $392 and $401, respectively, for shares of our Common stock purchased under our employee stock purchase plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we received net proceeds of $1,233 and $1,229, respectively, for shares of our Common stock purchased under our employee stock purchase plan.
9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation, Claims and Assessments
We are involved in litigation incidental to the operation of our business. We vigorously defend all matters in which we or our subsidiaries are named defendants and, for insurable losses, maintain significant levels of insurance to protect against adverse judgments, claims or assessments that may affect us. Although the adequacy of existing insurance coverage and the outcome of any legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, based on the current information available, we do not believe the ultimate liability associated with any known claims or litigation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Self-insurance reserves are maintained relative to company-wide casualty insurance and health benefit programs. The level of exposure from catastrophic events is limited by the purchase of stop-loss and aggregate liability reinsurance coverage. When estimating the self-insurance liabilities and related reserves, management considers a number of factors, which include historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors, and valuations provided by independent third-party actuaries. Management reviews its assumptions with its independent third-party actuaries to evaluate whether the self-insurance reserves are adequate. If actual claims or adverse development of loss reserves occur and exceed these estimates, additional reserves may be required. Reserves in the amounts of $8,039 and $5,404 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were established related to such programs and are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in our condensed consolidated unaudited balance sheets.