Cash and cash equivalents totaled $12.9 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $3.5 million from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $16.4 million. The decrease was primarily related to a net $7.9 million investment in property and equipment and a net $14.2 million used in financing activities, partially offset by a net $18.6 million provided by operating activities.
Net property, plant and equipment totaled $38.1 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $1.6 million from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $36.5 million. Property, plant and equipment acquisitions totaled $10.9 million for the fiscal year 2024 while depreciation expense was $8.5 million, and the net impact of disposals was $797,000.
Right-of-use assets acquired from operating leases totaled $2.5 million net of amortization expense at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $795,000 from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $3.3 million. The decrease was primarily related to $1.3 million in right-of-use asset payments and, partially offset by $510,000 in right-of-use asset additions during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets totaled $7.2 million at September 30, 2024, a $318,000 decrease from the prior fiscal year end balance of $7.5 million and was the result of intangible asset amortization expense of $438,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, partially offset by $121,000 related to the acquisition of Heritage Painting.
Prepaid expenses and other totaled $4.1 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $568,000 from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $3.5 million. The increase was primarily due to the increase of various prepaid insurance accounts at the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the prior fiscal year end.
Contract assets totaled $24.6 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $8.6 million from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $16.0 million. This increase was primarily due to the timing of project billings and related costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings at September 30, 2024, as compared to at September 30, 2023.
Liabilities totaled $99.6 million at September 30, 2024, decrease of $8.3 million from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $107.9 million.
Contract liabilities totaled $17.0 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $792,000 from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $17.7 million. This decrease was due to increased billings in excess of costs and earnings when computing earned revenue on construction projects at September 30, 2024, as compared to at September 30, 2023.
The aggregate balance of current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt totaled $23.6 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $1.4 million from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $25.0 million. The decrease was primarily due to $8.0 million in long-term debt repayments, partially offset by $2.0 million in long-term debt additions and $4.5 million in line of credit borrowings due by June 28, 2026.
Net deferred income tax payable totaled $6.5 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $380,000 from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $6.9 million. The decrease was primarily related to the addition of $533,000 in state net operating loss valuation allowances at the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
Accounts payable totaled $23.7 million as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $1.7 million from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $22.0 million. The increase was due to more work in progress at the end of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the prior fiscal year-end.
Current and long-term operating lease liabilities totaled $2.5 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $818,000 from the prior fiscal year end balance of $3.4 million. The decrease was primarily related to $1.3 million in operating lease payments, partially offset by $510,000 in additions during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities totaled $13.9 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $752,000 from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $13.1 million. The increase was primarily due to increased labor and burden expenses incurred towards the end of the fiscal year 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023.
Current maturities of lines of credit and short-term borrowings totaled $10.3 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $9.6 million from the prior fiscal year-end balance of $19.8 million. This decrease was primarily due to $4.2 million in line of credit