The Company filed for a change in accounting method under the Internal Revenue Service tangible property regulations, or TPR, effective in 2014. Under the change in accounting method, the Company is permitted to deduct the costs of certain asset improvements that were previously being capitalized and depreciated for tax purposes as an expense on its income tax return. This ongoing deduction results in a reduction in the effective income tax rate, a net reduction in income tax expense, and a reduction in the amount of income taxes currently payable. It also results in increases to deferred tax liabilities and regulatory assets representing the appropriate book and tax basis difference on capital additions.
| Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. (In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) |
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this report on Form 10-Q constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. Words such as "may," "should," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include certain information relating to the Company’s business strategy; statements including, but not limited to:
• | the amount and timing of rate changes and other regulatory matters including the recovery of costs recorded as regulatory assets; |
• | expected profitability and results of operations; |
• | trends; |
• | goals, priorities and plans for, and cost of, growth and expansion; |
• | strategic initiatives; |
• | availability of water supply; |
• | water usage by customers; and |
• | the ability to pay dividends on common stock and the rate of those dividends. |
The forward-looking statements in this report reflect what the Company currently anticipates will happen. What actually happens could differ materially from what it currently anticipates will happen. The Company does not intend to make a public announcement when forward-looking statements in this report are no longer accurate, whether as a result of new information, what actually happens in the future or for any other reason. Important matters that may affect what will actually happen include, but are not limited to:
• | changes in weather, including drought conditions or extended periods of heavy rainfall; |
• | natural disasters, including pandemics such as the current outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus known as “COVID-19” and the effectiveness of the Company’s pandemic plans; |
• | levels of rate relief granted; |
• | the level of commercial and industrial business activity within the Company's service territory; |
• | construction of new housing within the Company's service territory and increases in population; |
• | changes in government policies or regulations, including the tax code; |
• | the ability to obtain permits for expansion projects; |
• | material changes in demand from customers, including the impact of conservation efforts which may reduce the demand of customers for water; |
• | changes in economic and business conditions, including interest rates; |
• | loss of customers; |
• | changes in, or unanticipated, capital requirements; |
• | the impact of acquisitions; |
• | changes in accounting pronouncements; |
• | changes in the Company’s credit rating or the market price of its common stock; and |
• | the ability to obtain financing. |
General Information
The primary business of the Company is to impound, purify to meet or exceed safe drinking water standards and distribute water. The Company also owns and operates two wastewater collection systems and four wastewater collection and treatment systems. The Company operates within its franchised water and wastewater territory, which covers portions of 50 municipalities within three counties in south-central Pennsylvania. The Company is regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PPUC, for both water and wastewater in the areas of billing, payment procedures, dispute processing, terminations, service territory, debt and equity financing and rate setting. The Company must obtain PPUC approval before changing any practices associated with the aforementioned areas.
Water service is supplied through the Company's own distribution system. The Company obtains the bulk of its water supply from both the South Branch and East Branch of the Codorus Creek, which together have an average daily flow of 73.0 million gallons. This combined watershed area is approximately 117 square miles. The Company has two reservoirs, Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which together hold up to approximately 2.2 billion gallons of water. The Company supplements its reservoirs with a 15-mile pipeline from the Susquehanna River to Lake Redman which provides access to an additional supply of 12.0 million gallons of untreated water per day. The Company also owns seven wells which are capable of providing a safe yield of approximately 366,000 gallons per day to supply water to its customers in Carroll Valley Borough and Cumberland Township, Adams County. As of September 30, 2020, the Company's average daily availability was 35.4 million gallons, and average daily consumption was approximately 20.0 million gallons. The Company's service territory had an estimated population of 201,000 as of December 31, 2019. Industry within the Company's service territory is diversified, manufacturing such items as fixtures and furniture, electrical machinery, food products, paper, ordnance units, textile products, air conditioning systems, laundry detergent, barbells and motorcycles.
The Company's water business is somewhat dependent on weather conditions, particularly the amount and timing of rainfall. Revenues are particularly vulnerable to weather conditions in the summer months. Prolonged periods of hot and dry weather generally cause increased water usage for watering lawns, washing cars, and keeping golf courses and sports fields irrigated. Conversely, prolonged periods of dry weather could lead to drought restrictions from governmental authorities. Despite the Company’s adequate water supply, customers may be required to cut back water usage under such drought restrictions which would negatively impact revenues. The Company has addressed some of this vulnerability by instituting minimum customer charges which are intended to cover fixed costs of operations under all likely weather conditions.
The Company’s business does not require large amounts of working capital and is not dependent on any single customer or a very few customers for a material portion of its business. Increases in revenues are generally dependent on the Company’s ability to obtain rate increases from the PPUC in a timely manner and in adequate amounts and to increase volumes of water sold through increased consumption and increases in the number of customers served. The Company continuously looks for water and wastewater acquisition and expansion opportunities both within and outside its current service territory as well as additional opportunities to enter into bulk water contracts with municipalities and other entities to supply water.
The Company has agreements with several municipalities to provide sewer billing and collection services. The Company also has a service line protection program on a targeted basis in order to further diversify its business. Under this optional program, customers pay a fixed monthly fee, and the Company will repair or replace damaged customer service lines, as needed, subject to an annual maximum dollar amount. Opportunities to expand both initiatives are being pursued.
Impact of COVID-19
In December 2019, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was reported. On March 6, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed an emergency disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which was extended for an additional ninety days on June 3, 2020 and again on September 1, 2020. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. Developments in this area continue daily at the local, state, and national levels. The Company is taking steps, consistent with directions from local, state, and federal authorities, to mitigate known risks with the health and safety of its employees and customers as its first priority.
The Company is an essential, life-sustaining business and has continued normal operations. The Company continues to monitor guidance from state and local authorities and has made some modifications to its operations in order to comply with Pennsylvania’s guidelines. This includes implementing enhanced safety procedures in its lobby and when entering customers’ homes and businesses as well as implementing social distancing practices such as halting unnecessary gatherings and travel. The Company has evaluated and re-prioritized some of its capital projects, but the restrictions are not expected to materially impede the Company’s ability to complete its planned capital expenditures or acquisitions. The Company has not experienced any supply chain disruptions and continues to maintain relationships with its vendors to identify issues as early as possible. The Company believes it has sufficient liquidity and access to the capital markets if needed.
As a water and wastewater utility, it is the Company’s mission to provide uninterrupted water and wastewater service. Due to the effect of COVID-19 on the general public, in compliance with an order from the PPUC, the Company paused shut-off procedures for delinquent customers on March 13, 2020. In addition, the Company is not currently billing late payment charges. These customers will continue to be billed at normal tariff rates for the water they use, and wastewater service provided. Based on the October 8, 2020 order from the PPUC, the Company expects to resume normal shut-off procedures and begin billing late payment charges for most customers on or around November 9, 2020. However, the Company will not terminate service and will waive late payment charges for certain “protected customers” as defined by the order.
The Company may continue to experience an increase in residential demand while commercial and industrial demand may decline based on many government, commercial, and industrial concerns which have curtailed production, or limited capacity, due to government orders or in response to changing economic conditions, and simultaneously, many employees are now teleworking or have been laid off or furloughed. The duration and magnitude of these changes is currently unknown and difficult to predict.
To date, there has been no material impact on the Company’s workforce, operations, financial performance, liquidity, or supply chain as a result of COVID-19. However, the ultimate duration and severity of the pandemic or its effects on the economy, the capital and credit markets, or the Company’s workforce, customers and suppliers, as well as governmental and regulatory responses, are uncertain.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared
With Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $4,704, an increase of $221, or 4.9%, from net income of $4,483 for the same period of 2019. The primary contributing factors to the increase were higher operating revenues and lower interest on debt which were partially offset by higher operating expenses and income taxes.
Operating revenues for the third quarter of 2020 increased $577, or 4.2%, from $13,680 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 to $14,257 for the corresponding 2020 period. The primary reason for the increase was changes in consumption patterns. Total per capita consumption for the third quarter of 2020 was approximately 0.6% higher than the same period of last year. The Company experienced an increase in residential demand as many employees are now teleworking or have been laid off or furloughed while commercial and industrial demand declined based on many government, commercial, and industrial concerns which have curtailed production, or limited capacity, due to government orders or in response to changing economic conditions. Growth in the customer base also added to revenues. The average number of water customers served in 2020 increased as compared to 2019 by 589 customers, from 68,407 to 68,996 customers. The average number of wastewater customers served in 2020 increased as compared to 2019 by 555 customers, from 2,522 to 3,077 customers, due to the recent acquisitions.
Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2020 increased $271, or 3.9%, from $6,965 for the third quarter of 2019 to $7,236 for the corresponding 2020 period. The increase was primarily due to higher expenses of approximately $120 for depreciation, $93 for a higher provision for uncollectible accounts, and $85 for wastewater treatment. Other expenses increased by a net of $180. The increased expenses were partially offset by lower expenses of approximately $111 for wages, $58 for health insurance, and $38 for distribution system maintenance.
Interest on debt for the third quarter of 2020 decreased $162, or 12.3%, from $1,314 for the third quarter of 2019 to $1,152 for the corresponding 2020 period. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest on long-term debt due to the refinancing of various debt issues. The average debt outstanding under the lines of credit was $10,595 for the third quarter of 2020 and $4,873 for the third quarter of 2019. The weighted average interest rate on the lines of credit was 1.41% for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 and 3.45% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.
Allowance for funds used during construction decreased $2, from $117 in the third quarter of 2019 to $115 in the corresponding 2020 period due to a lower volume of eligible construction.
Other income (expenses), net for the third quarter of 2020 decreased $40, or 49.4%, compared to the same period of 2019. Higher earnings on life insurance policies of approximately $19 were partially offset by higher retirement expenses of $6. Other expenses decreased by a net of approximately $27.
Income taxes for the third quarter of 2020 increased $306, or 51.7%, compared to the same period of 2019 primarily due to lower deductions from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, tangible property regulations, or TPR. The Company’s effective tax rate was 16.0% for the third quarter of 2020 and 11.7% for the third quarter of 2019.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared
With Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Net income for the first nine months of 2020 was $12,888, an increase of $1,875, or 17.0%, from net income of $11,013 for the same period of 2019. The primary contributing factors to the increase were higher operating revenues and a gain on life insurance which were partially offset by higher expenses and income taxes.
Operating revenues for the first nine months of 2020 increased $1,895, or 4.9%, from $38,559 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to $40,454 for the corresponding 2020 period. The primary reasons for the increase were changes in consumption patterns and a rate increase effective March 1, 2019. Total per capita consumption for the first nine months of 2020 was approximately 1.4% lower than the same period of last year. However, the Company experienced an increase in residential demand as many employees are now teleworking or have been laid off or furloughed while commercial and industrial demand declined based on many government, commercial, and industrial concerns which have curtailed production, or limited capacity, due to government orders or in response to changing economic conditions. The Company reduced revenue by $1 in the first nine months of 2020 and $319 in the same period of 2019, by recording a regulatory liability for the benefit of the lower tax rate effective January 1, 2018 resulting from the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, which it agreed to give back to customers as part of the new rate order, including the gross-up of revenue necessary to return the effect of the temporary tax difference. Growth in the customer base also added to revenues. The average number of water customers served in 2020 increased as compared to 2019 by 565 customers, from 68,225 to 68,790 customers. The average number of wastewater customers served in 2020 increased as compared to 2019 by 645 customers, from 2,373 to 3,018 customers, due to the recent acquisitions. The increased revenues were partially offset by a $249 decrease from a lower distribution system improvement charge, or DSIC, allowed by the PPUC. The DSIC reset to zero on March 1, 2019 when the rate order took effect. For the remainder of the year, the Company expects revenues to show a modest increase due to an increase in the number of water and wastewater customers from acquisitions and growth within the Company’s service territory. The duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic including any resulting economic slowdown could impact results. Other regulatory actions and weather patterns could also impact results.
Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2020 increased $1,040, or 5.1%, from $20,484 for the first nine months of 2019 to $21,524 for the corresponding 2020 period. The increase was primarily due to higher expenses of approximately $363 for depreciation, $242 for wastewater treatment, and $156 for a higher provision for uncollectible accounts. Also adding to the increase were expenses of $80 for water treatment chemicals and $70 for purchased power. Other expenses increased by a net of $323. The increased expenses were partially offset by reduced expenses of $129 for water treatment plant and distribution system maintenance, and $65 for wages. For the remainder of the year, the Company expects depreciation expense to continue to rise due to additional investment in utility plant, and other expenses to increase at a moderate rate as costs to treat water and to maintain and extend the distribution system continue to rise. The Company may continue to experience additional expenses for uncollectible accounts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interest on debt for the first nine months of 2020 decreased $434, or 11.0%, from $3,937 for the first nine months of 2019 to $3,503 for the corresponding 2020 period. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest on long-term debt due to the refinancing of various debt issues. The average debt outstanding under the lines of credit was $9,405 for the first nine months of 2020 and $3,914 for the first nine months of 2019. The weighted average interest rate on the lines of credit was 1.99% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 3.62% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Interest expense for the remainder of the year is expected to increase slightly due to the long-term debt issue (see Note 6 to the financial statements included herein) partially offset by the repayment of the 10.05% Senior Notes and line of credit.
Allowance for funds used during construction increased $57, from $273 in the first nine months of 2019 to $330 in the corresponding 2020 period due to a higher volume of eligible construction. Allowance for funds used during construction for the remainder of the year is expected to increase based on a projected increase in the amount of eligible construction.
A non-recurring gain on life insurance of $515 was recorded in the first nine months of 2020 as a result of a death benefit from a life insurance policy. No similar gains are anticipated at this time.
Other income (expenses), net for the first nine months of 2020 reflects decreased expenses of $66 as compared to the same period of 2019. Higher earnings on life insurance policies of approximately $32 and lower charitable contributions of $7 were the primary reasons for the decrease. Other expenses decreased by a net of $57. Higher retirement expenses of approximately $30 partially offset the decrease. For the remainder of the year, other income (expenses) will be largely determined by the change in market returns and discount rates for retirement programs and related assets.
Income taxes for the first nine months of 2020 increased $118, or 6.0%, compared to the same period of 2019 primarily due to higher taxable income partially offset by higher deductions from the IRS TPR. The Company’s effective tax rate was 13.9% for the first nine months of 2020 and 15.1% for the first nine months of 2019. The lower effective tax rate is primarily due to higher deductions from the TPR and a non-taxable gain on life insurance. The Company's effective tax rate for the remainder of 2020 will largely be determined by the level of eligible asset improvements expensed for tax purposes under TPR each period.
Rate Matters
See Note 11 to the financial statements included herein for a discussion of rate matters.
The Company does not expect to collect a distribution system improvement charge or file a rate increase request in 2020.
Acquisitions and Growth
On October 8, 2013, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the wastewater collection and treatment assets of SYC WWTP, L.P. in Shrewsbury and Springfield Townships, York County, Pennsylvania. On July 1, 2020, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the Albright Trailer Park water assets and wastewater collection assets of R.T. Barclay, Inc. in Springfield Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisitions is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in 2021, at which time the Company will add approximately 90 combined wastewater customers and approximately 60 water customers through an interconnection with its current water distribution system. The wastewater customers of the Albright Trailer Park are currently served by SYC WWTP, L.P. and the water customers are currently served by the Company, each through a single customer connection to the park.
On March 4, 2019, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the wastewater collection assets of West Manheim Township in York County, Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisition is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in 2021 at which time the Company will add approximately 1,800 wastewater customers. These wastewater customers are currently water customers of the Company.
On May 27, 2020, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the water assets and wastewater collection and treatment assets of Country View Manor Community, LLC in Washington Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisition is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in 2021 at which time the Company will add approximately 50 water and wastewater customers.
In total, these acquisitions are expected to be immaterial to Company results. The Company is also pursuing other bulk water contracts and acquisitions in and around its service territory to help offset any further declines in per capita water consumption and to grow its business.
On May 10, 2017, the Company signed an emergency interconnect agreement with Dallastown-Yoe Water Authority. The effectiveness of this agreement is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Approval is expected to be granted in 2021 at which time the Company will begin construction of a water main extension to a single point of interconnection and either supply a minimum agreed upon amount of water to the authority, receive a payment in lieu of water, or provide water during an emergency, at current tariff rates.
Capital Expenditures
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company invested $15,973 in construction expenditures for routine items and the replacement of a standpipe as well as various replacements and improvements to infrastructure. In addition, the Company invested $1,158 in the acquisitions of wastewater systems. The Company was able to fund construction expenditures using internally-generated funds, line of credit borrowings, proceeds from its stock purchase plans and customer advances and contributions from developers, municipalities, customers or builders.
The Company anticipates construction expenditures for the remainder of 2020 of approximately $12,200 exclusive of any potential acquisitions not yet approved. In addition to routine transmission and distribution projects and the reimbursement for the Amblebrook development (see Note 9 to the financial statement included herein), a portion of the anticipated expenditures will be for additional main extensions, improvements to a raw water pumping station, expansion of a wastewater treatment plant, and various replacements and improvements to infrastructure. The Company intends to use primarily internally-generated funds for its anticipated construction and fund the remainder through cash, line of credit borrowings, proceeds from its stock purchase plans and customer advances and contributions. Customer advances and contributions are expected to account for between 5% and 10% of funding requirements during the remainder of 2020. The Company believes it will have adequate credit facilities and access to the capital markets, if necessary, to meet its anticipated capital needs in the remainder of 2020 and 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash
The Company manages its cash through a cash management account that is directly connected to its line of credit. Excess cash generated automatically pays down outstanding borrowings under the line of credit arrangement. If there are no outstanding borrowings, the cash is used as an earnings credit to reduce banking fees. Likewise, if additional funds are needed beyond what is generated internally for payroll, to pay suppliers, to fund capital expenditures, or to pay debt service, funds are automatically borrowed under the line of credit. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had no borrowings outstanding on its line of credit and had a cash balance of $10,901 from its most recent long-term debt issue. The cash and the cash management facility connected to the line of credit are expected to provide the necessary liquidity and funding for the Company's operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions and potential buybacks of stock for the foreseeable future.
Accounts Receivable
The accounts receivable balance tends to follow the change in revenues but is also affected by the timeliness of payments by customers and the level of the reserve for doubtful accounts. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, higher revenue as compared to the end of 2019 and a weakening in the timeliness of payments resulted in an increase in accounts receivable – customers. A reserve is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated based on inactive accounts with outstanding balances. Management periodically evaluates the adequacy of the reserve based on past experience, agings of the receivables, adverse situations that may affect a customer’s ability to pay, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. During 2020, management’s assessment included consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic along with past trends during times of economic instability and regulations from the PPUC regarding customer turn-offs and collections, and determined an increase in its allowance for doubtful accounts was warranted. If the status of these factors deteriorates, the Company may incur additional expenses for uncollectible accounts and experience a reduction in its internally-generated funds.
Internally-generated Funds
The amount of internally-generated funds available for operations and construction depends on the Company’s ability to obtain timely and adequate rate relief, changes in regulations including taxes, customers’ water usage, weather conditions, customer growth and controlled expenses. During the first nine months of 2020, the Company generated $16,306 internally from operations as compared to the $13,553 it generated during the first nine months of 2019, primarily due to an increase in net income and a reduction in the amount of interest and income taxes paid.
Credit Lines
Historically, the Company has borrowed $15,000 to $20,000 under its lines of credit before refinancing with long-term debt or equity capital.
In the third quarter of 2020, the Company entered into an agreement for a $50,000 unsecured, committed line of credit maturing in September 2022 at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.05% with an unused commitment fee and an interest rate floor. Simultaneously, the Company paid off and terminated all prior existing line of credit agreements. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had no borrowings under its line of credit agreement.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets and in the banking industry resulting in increased borrowing costs. The Company has taken steps to manage the risk of reduced credit availability. It has established a committed line of credit with an increase in the total amount available and a 2-year revolving maturity that cannot be called on demand. There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to obtain sufficient lines of credit with favorable terms in the future. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient lines of credit or to refinance its line of credit borrowings with long-term debt or equity when necessary, it may have to eliminate or postpone capital expenditures. Management believes the Company will have adequate capacity under its current lines of credit to meet anticipated financing needs throughout 2020 and 2021.
Long-term Debt
The Company’s loan agreements contain various covenants and restrictions. Management believes it is currently in compliance with all of these restrictions. See Note 6 to the financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for additional information regarding these restrictions.
On September 30, 2020, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with certain institutional investors relating to the private placement of $30,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s senior notes. The senior notes bear interest at 3.24% per annum payable semiannually and mature on September 30, 2050. The senior notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company. The Company received net proceeds, after deducting issuance costs, of approximately $29,838. The net proceeds were used to refinance the $6,500 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 10.05% Senior Notes, Series C, due September 30, 2020, to refinance line of credit borrowings incurred by the Company as interim financing for various capital projects, to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.
The Company’s total long-term debt as a percentage of the total capitalization, defined as total common stockholders’ equity plus total long-term debt, was 45.9% as of September 30, 2020 and 43.7% as of December 31, 2019. The Company expects to allow the debt percentage to trend upward until it approaches fifty percent before considering additional equity. A debt to total capitalization ratio between forty-six and fifty percent has historically been acceptable to the PPUC in rate filings. Due to its ability to generate more cash internally, the Company has been able to keep its ratio below fifty percent.
Income Taxes, Deferred Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company filed for a change in accounting method under the IRS TPR effective in 2014. Under the change in accounting method, the Company is permitted to deduct the costs of certain asset improvements that were previously being capitalized and depreciated for tax purposes as an expense on its income tax return. This ongoing deduction results in a reduction in the effective income tax rate, a net reduction in income tax expense, and a reduction in the amount of income taxes currently payable. It also results in increases to deferred tax liabilities and regulatory assets representing the appropriate book and tax basis difference on capital additions.
The Company’s effective tax rate will largely be determined by the level of eligible asset improvements expensed for tax purposes that would have been capitalized for tax purposes prior to the implementation of TPR.
The Company has a substantial deferred income tax asset primarily due to the excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation from the 2017 Tax Act and the differences between the book and tax balances of the deferred compensation plans. The Company does not believe a valuation allowance is required due to the expected generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
The Company has seen an increase in its deferred income tax liability amounts primarily as a result of the accelerated depreciation deduction available for federal tax purposes which creates differences between book and tax depreciation expense. The Company expects this trend to continue as it makes significant investments in capital expenditures subject to accelerated depreciation or TPR.
The Company has determined there are no uncertain tax positions that require recognition as of September 30, 2020.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act provides a substantial stimulus and assistance package intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including tax relief and government loans, grants and investments. The CARES Act did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company will continue to monitor any effects that may result from the CARES Act or future COVID-19 related legislation.
Common Stock
Common stockholders’ equity as a percent of the total capitalization was 54.1% as of September 30, 2020 and 56.3% as of December 31, 2019. The volume of share repurchases and line of credit borrowings, among other things, could reduce this percentage in the future. It is the Company’s general intent to target a ratio between fifty and fifty-four percent.
Credit Rating
On April 9, 2020, Standard & Poor’s affirmed the Company’s credit rating at A-, with a stable outlook and adequate liquidity. The Company’s ability to maintain its credit rating depends, among other things, on adequate and timely rate relief, which it has been successful in obtaining, its ability to fund capital expenditures in a balanced manner using both debt and equity and its ability to generate cash flow. The Company’s objectives are to continue to maximize its funds provided by operations and maintain a strong capital structure in order to be able to attract capital.
Physical and Cyber Security
The Company maintains security measures at its facilities, and collaborates with federal, state and local authorities and industry trade associations regarding information on possible threats and security measures for water and wastewater utility operations. The costs incurred are expected to be recoverable in water and wastewater rates and are not expected to have a material impact on its business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The Company relies on information technology systems in connection with the operation of the business, especially with respect to customer service, billing, accounting, and in some cases, the monitoring and operation of treatment, storage and pumping facilities. In addition, the Company relies on these systems to track utility assets and to manage maintenance and construction projects, materials and supplies, and human resource functions. The information technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from cyber security attacks or other cyber-related events, including, but not limited to, power loss, computer systems failures, internet, telecommunications or data network failures, physical and electronic loss of data, computer viruses, intentional security breaches, hacking, denial of service actions, misappropriation of data, and similar events. In some cases, administration of certain functions may be outsourced to third-party service providers that could also be targets of cyber security attacks. A loss of these systems, or major problems with the operation of these systems, could harm the business, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company through the loss or compromise of customer, financial, employee, or operational data, disruption of billing, collections or normal field service activities, disruption of electronic monitoring and control of operational systems, and delays in financial reporting and other normal management functions.
Possible impacts associated with a cyber security attack or other events may include remediation costs related to lost, stolen, or compromised data, repairs to data processing systems, increased cyber security protection costs, adverse effects on our compliance with regulatory and environmental laws and regulation, including standards for drinking water, litigation, and reputational damage.
The Company has implemented processes, procedures and controls to prevent or limit the effect of these possible events, and maintains insurance to help defray costs associated with cyber security attacks. The Company has not experienced a material impact on business or operations from these attacks. Although the Company does not believe its systems are at a materially greater risk of cyber security attacks than other similar organizations and despite the implementation of robust security measures, the Company cannot provide assurance that the insurance will fully cover the costs of a cyber security event, and its robust security measures do not guarantee that reputation and financial results will not be adversely affected by such an incident.
The Company entered into a consent order agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in December 2016 after the Company determined it exceeded the action level for lead as established by the Lead and Copper Rule, or LCR, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Company did not have an exceedance in any subsequent compliance test. Under the agreement, the Company committed to exceed the LCR replacement schedule by replacing all of the remaining known company-owned lead service lines within four years from the agreement. The cost for these service line replacements was approximately $2,734 and $2,713 through September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and is included in utility plant. As of September 30, 2020, all known company-owned lead service lines have been replaced. Any additional company-owned lead service lines that are discovered will be replaced but are not expected to have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.
The Company was granted approval by the PPUC to modify its tariff to include the cost of the annual replacement of up to 400 lead customer-owned service lines over nine years from the agreement. The tariff modification allows the Company to replace customer-owned service lines at its own initial cost. The Company will record the costs as a regulatory asset to be recovered in future base rates to customers, over a four-year period. The cost for the customer-owned lead service line replacements was approximately $1,174 and $1,000 through September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and is included as a regulatory asset. Based on its experience, the Company estimates that lead customer-owned service lines replacements will cost $1,400. This estimate is subject to adjustment as more facts become available.
Labor Relations
The prior union contract expired on April 30, 2020. Management and the union leadership have negotiated and agreed to a new contract, which was ratified in October 2020 and expires April 30, 2023.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The methods, estimates, and judgments the Company used in applying its accounting policies have a significant impact on the results reported in its financial statements. The Company’s accounting policies require management to make subjective judgments because of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company’s most critical accounting estimates include regulatory assets and liabilities, revenue recognition and accounting for its pension plans. There has been no significant change in accounting estimates or the method of estimation during the quarter ended September 30, 2020.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not use off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations that may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or significant components of revenues or expenses. The Company does not use securitization of receivables or unconsolidated entities. For risk management purposes, the Company uses a derivative financial instrument, an interest rate swap agreement discussed in Note 7 to the financial statements included herein. The Company does not engage in trading or other risk management activities, does not use other derivative financial instruments for any purpose, has no guarantees and does not have material transactions involving related parties.
| Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. |
Not applicable.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are effective such that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. A controls system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
No change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
| Exhibits. |
Exhibit No. | Description
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101.INS | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| THE YORK WATER COMPANY |
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| /s/ Joseph T. Hand |
Date: November 6, 2020 | Joseph T. Hand Principal Executive Officer |
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| /s/ Matthew E. Poff |
Date: November 6, 2020 | Matthew E. Poff Principal Financial and Accounting Officer |
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