UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 22, 2009
RURAL/METRO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | |
| DELAWARE | | 0-22056 | | 86-0746929 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
9221 East Via de Ventura
Scottsdale, Arizona
85258
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (480) 606-3886
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Section 1 Registrant’s Business and Operations
| Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
On December 22, 2009, Rural/Metro Corporation (the “Company”) and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Computershare Trust Company, Inc. (the “Rights Agent”) amended (the “Third Amendment”) the Rights Agreement, as amended (the “Rights Agreement”), dated August 24, 2005 between the Company and the Rights Agent. The Third Amendment amends the terms of the Rights associated with the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company to increase from 10% to 15% the Beneficial Ownership triggering percentage at which a Person will become an Acquiring Person and at which a Distribution Date will occur (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). The Company entered into the Third Amendment after careful consideration of the Company’s improving position with respect to change-in-ownership rules under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
A copy of the Third Amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
Section 3 Securities and Trading Markets
| Item 3.03 | Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders. |
See the description set forth under “Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement,” which is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.
Section 9 Financial Statements and Exhibits
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
| 4.1 | Amendment No. 3 dated as of December 22, 2009 to that certain Rights Agreement, as amended, dated as of August 24, 2005, between Rural/Metro Corporation and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Computershare Trust Company, Inc., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on December 22, 2009). |
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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.
| | | | |
| | RURAL/METRO CORPORATION |
| | |
| Date: December 22, 2009 | | By: | | /s/ KRISTINE B. PONCZAK |
| | | | Kristine B. Ponczak |
| | | | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| | |
Exhibit No. | | |
| 4.1 | | Amendment No. 3 dated as of December 22, 2009 to that certain Rights Agreement, as amended, dated as of August 24, 2005, between Rural/Metro Corporation and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Computershare Trust Company, Inc., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on December 22, 2009). |
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