UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
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: 1-07183
TEJON RANCH CO.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 77-0196136
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization.) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
P.O. Box 1000, Tejon Ranch, California 93243
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(661) 248-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Title of each class | | Trading symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
| Common Stock, $0.50 par value | | TRC | | New York Stock Exchange | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. | | |
| Yes | ☐ | No | ☒ | | | | |
| Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. | | |
| Yes | ☐ | No | ☒ | | | | |
| 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 | ☒ | No | ☐ | | | | |
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). | | |
| Yes | ☒ | No | ☐ | | | | |
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.: | | |
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | | | |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | | | |
| | | Emerging growth company | ☐ | | | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨ | | |
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.☐ |
| If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐ |
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ¨ |
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). | | |
| Yes | ☐ | No | ☒ | | | | |
The aggregate market value of registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.50 per share, held by persons other than those who may be deemed to be affiliates of registrant on June 30, 2023 was $459,830,083 based on the last reported sale price on the New York Stock Exchange as of the close of business on that date. | | |
The number of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock on February 29, 2024 was 26,787,073 .
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed within 120 days of the Registrant's fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, relating to the directors and executive officers of the Company are incorporated by reference into Part III.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Glossary
| | | | | | | | |
| The following initialisms or acronyms may be used in this document and shall be defined as set forth below: |
| | |
| AKIP | | Advance Kern Incentive Program |
| ASC | | Accounting Standards Codification |
| ASU | | Accounting Standards Update |
| AVEK | | Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency |
| CFL | | Centennial Founders, LLC |
| CBD | | Center for Biological Diversity |
| CEQA | | California Environmental Quality Act |
| CFD | | Community Facilities District |
| CNPS | | California Native Plant Society |
| EBITDA | | Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization |
| EIR | | Environmental Impact Report |
| FTZ | | Foreign Trade Zone |
| GAAP | | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States |
| GHG | | Green House Gas |
| GSP | | Groundwater Sustainability Plan |
| LIBOR | | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| MV | | Mountain Village at Tejon Ranch |
| NOI | | Net Operating Income |
| NLER | | Net Liabilities to Equity Ratio |
| PEF | | Pastoria Energy Facility, LLC |
| RCL | | Revolving Credit Line |
| RWA | | Tejon Ranch Conservation and Land Use Agreement |
| SEC | | Securities and Exchange Commission |
| SOFR | | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| SWP | | State Water Project |
| TCWD | | Tejon-Castac Water District |
| TRC | | Tejon Ranch Co. |
| TRCC | | Tejon Ranch Commerce Center |
| TRPFFA | | Tejon Ranch Public Facilities Financing Authority |
| WRMWSD | | Wheeler Ridge Maricopa Water Storage District |
PART I
Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements regarding strategic alliances, the almond, pistachio and grape industries, the future plantings of permanent crops, future yields, prices, and water availability for our crops and real estate operations, future prices, production and demand for oil and other minerals, future development of our property, future revenue and income of our jointly-owned travel plaza and other joint venture operations, potential losses to the Company as a result of pending environmental proceedings, the adequacy of future cash flows to fund our operations, and of current assets and contracts to meet our water and other commitments, market value risks associated with investment and risk management activities and with respect to inventory, accounts receivable and our own outstanding indebtedness, ongoing negotiations, and other future events and conditions. In some cases, these statements are identifiable through the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “likely,” and similar expressions such as “in the process,” “designed to,” “well positioned,” or “envisioned to.” In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth, and trends in our business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievement implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and important factors include, but are not limited to, weather, market and economic forces, availability of financing for land development activities, and competition and success in obtaining various governmental approvals and entitlements for land development activities. No assurance can be given that the actual future results will not differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make for a number of reasons including those described above and in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this report.
As used in this annual report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company,” “Tejon,” “TRC,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Tejon Ranch Co. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Company Overview
We are a diversified real estate development and agribusiness company committed to responsibly using our land and resources to meet the housing, employment, and lifestyle needs of Californians and create value for our shareholders. Current operations consist of land planning and entitlement, land development, commercial land sales and leasing, leasing of land for mineral royalties, water asset management and sales, grazing leases, farming, and ranch operations.
These activities are performed through our five reporting segments:
Our prime asset is approximately 270,000 acres of contiguous, largely undeveloped land that, at its most southerly border, is 60 miles north of downtown Los Angeles and, at its most northerly border, is 15 miles east of Bakersfield. We create value by securing entitlements for our land, facilitating infrastructure development, strategic land planning, monetization of land through development and/or sales, and conservation in order to maximize the highest and best use for our land. We are involved in eight joint ventures that either own, develop, and/or operate real estate properties. We enter into joint ventures as a means to facilitate the development of portions of our land.
Business Objectives and Strategies
Our primary business objective is to maximize long-term shareholder value through the improvement and monetization of our land-based assets. A key element of our strategy is to entitle and then develop large-scale mixed-use master planned residential and commercial/industrial real estate projects to serve the growing populations of Southern and Central California. Our mixed-use master planned residential developments have been approved to collectively include up to 35,278 housing units, and more than 35 million square feet of commercial space. We have obtained entitlements on MV and the first approved final map for the project consisting of 401 residential lots and parcels for hospitality, amenities, and public uses. The Grapevine at Tejon Ranch, or Grapevine, has approved entitlements for 12,000 units and 5 million square feet of commercial development. Centennial at Tejon Ranch, or Centennial, had entitlements approved in 2018, and received legislative approvals in 2019 from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The Centennial approvals were litigated in two lawsuits filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in May 2019 and the Company has since worked on defending and addressing the ongoing litigation, including considering all options to address the Superior Court’s January 2022 decision and the Superior Court’s March 22, 2023 final judgment. On May 26, 2023, we filed a Notice of Appeal, thereby appealing the Superior Court’s decision to the Second District of the California Court of Appeal. On June 27, 2023, CBD/CNPS cross-appealed the Superior Court’s ruling. During the appeal process the Superior Court’s order of the rescission of project approvals have been placed on hold.
We are currently executing on value creation as we are engaged in construction, commercial sales, and leasing at our commercial/industrial center TRCC. We have begun construction of the first phase of a multi-family community, Terra Vista at Tejon, within TRCC. The development is located on a 27-acre site located immediately north of the Outlets at Tejon. In this first phase, the Company will develop 228 multi-family residences, in seven apartment buildings, as well as 5,525 square feet of community amenity space. All of these efforts are supported by diverse revenue streams generated from other operations including: farming, mineral resources, ranch operations, and our various joint ventures.
Percentage of Total Revenue1 by Segment:
1 Charts present segment revenues and equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, which has been included in real estate, while other income components are excluded.
Note: Our Resort Residential reporting segment did not report revenues in the periods reported herein.
The following table shows the revenues from continuing operations, segment profits and identifiable assets of each of our continuing segments for the last three years:
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SEGMENTS
(Amounts in thousands of dollars)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Revenues and Other Income | | | | | | |
| Real Estate—commercial/industrial | | $ | 11,758 | | | $ | 40,515 | | | $ | 19,476 | |
| Mineral resources | | 14,524 | | | 21,595 | | | 20,987 | |
| Farming | | 13,950 | | | 13,001 | | | 11,039 | |
| Ranch operations | | 4,507 | | | 4,106 | | | 4,111 | |
| Segment revenues | | 44,739 | | | 79,217 | | | 55,613 | |
| | | | | | |
| Investment income | | 2,557 | | | 634 | | | 57 | |
| Revenues and other income | | 47,296 | | | 79,851 | | | 55,670 | |
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures | | 6,868 | | | 7,752 | | | 9,202 | |
Total revenues and other income (1) | | $ | 54,164 | | | $ | 87,603 | | | $ | 64,872 | |
| Segment Profits (Losses) and Net Income | | | | | | |
| Real Estate—commercial/industrial | | $ | 3,705 | | | $ | 24,159 | | | $ | 7,523 | |
| Real Estate—resort/residential | | (1,528) | | | (1,629) | | | (1,723) | |
| Mineral resources | | 5,839 | | | 8,626 | | | 7,428 | |
| Farming | | (1,307) | | | (6,810) | | | (3,077) | |
| Ranch operations | | (536) | | | (918) | | | (568) | |
Segment profits (2) | | 6,173 | | | 23,428 | | | 9,583 | |
| | | | | | |
| Investment income | | 2,557 | | | 634 | | | 57 | |
| Other (loss) income | | (138) | | | 1,088 | | | 164 | |
| Corporate expenses | | (9,872) | | | (9,699) | | | (9,843) | |
| (Loss) income from operations before equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and income tax expense | | (1,280) | | | 15,451 | | | (39) | |
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures | | 6,868 | | | 7,752 | | | 9,202 | |
| Income before income taxes | | 5,588 | | | 23,203 | | | 9,163 | |
| Income tax expense | | 2,323 | | | 7,393 | | | 3,821 | |
| Net income | | 3,265 | | | 15,810 | | | 5,342 | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | | — | | | 2 | | | (6) | |
| Net income attributable to common stockholders | | $ | 3,265 | | | $ | 15,808 | | | $ | 5,348 | |
Identifiable Assets by Segment (3) | | | | | | |
| Real Estate—commercial/industrial | | $ | 73,105 | | | $ | 74,292 | | | $ | 82,397 | |
| Real Estate—resort/residential | | 321,216 | | | 312,956 | | | 305,818 | |
| Mineral resources | | 52,068 | | | 48,780 | | | 52,440 | |
| Farming | | 52,094 | | | 45,814 | | | 47,160 | |
| Ranch operations | | 2,072 | | | 1,945 | | | 2,079 | |
| Corporate | | 76,968 | | | 83,004 | | | 56,142 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 577,523 | | | $ | 566,791 | | | $ | 546,036 | |
(1) Refer to Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional detail on segment revenues.
(2) Segment profits are revenues less operating expenses, excluding investment income and expense, corporate expenses, equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, and income taxes.
(3) Identifiable Assets by Segment include both assets directly identified with those operations and an allocable share of jointly used assets. Corporate assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, refundable and deferred income taxes, land, buildings, and improvements.
Real Estate Development Overview
Our real estate operations consist of the following activities: real estate development, commercial land sales and leasing, land planning and entitlement, and conservation.
Interstate 5, one of the nation’s most heavily traveled freeways, brings in excess of 89,000 vehicles per day through our land, which includes 16 miles of Interstate 5 frontage on each side of the freeway and the commercial land surrounding three interchanges. The strategic plan for real estate focuses on development opportunities along the Interstate 5 and Highway 138 corridors, which includes TRCC; MV, a resort and residential community; Grapevine, a mixed-use master planned community in Kern County; Grapevine North, a 7,655-acre development area; and Centennial, a mixed-use master planned community in Los Angeles County. TRCC includes developments east and west of Interstate 5 at TRCC-East and TRCC-West, respectively.
The chart below is a continuum of the real estate development process highlighting each project's current status and key milestones to be met in moving through the real estate development process in California. During this process, we may experience delays arising from factors beyond our control. Such factors include litigation and a changing regulatory environment.
Note: Grapevine North's entitlement efforts have not yet begun, the Company continuously assesses its long-term growth strategy and capital resources when determining the start of this additional development.
Reporting Segments
Real Estate - Commercial/Industrial
A primary focus of the Company is our real estate commercial/industrial segment that includes: planning and permitting of land held for development; construction of infrastructure; the construction of pre-leased buildings; the construction of buildings to be leased or sold; and the sale of land to third parties for their own development. The commercial/industrial segment also includes activities related to communications leases, a power plant lease, and landscape maintenance fees.
At the heart of our real estate commercial/industrial segment is TRCC, a 20 million square foot commercial/industrial development on Interstate 5 just north of the Los Angeles basin. The Los Angeles industrial market is the largest in the country by most measures, sitting at the center of a 2 billion square-foot Southern California industrial market. It has been characterized by some of the highest asking rents and lowest vacancy rates of any market in the nation. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the primary industrial drivers and are responsible for over 40% of all inbound containers into the U.S.
As of December 31, 2023, our industrial portfolio, through our joint venture partnerships, consisted of 2.8 million square feet of gross leasable area, or GLA, and our TRCC commercial portfolio consisted of 620,907 square feet of GLA. As of December 31, 2023, our industrial portfolio was 100% leased and our commercial portfolio was 96% leased. Substantially all of our tenants are subject to net lease agreements. A net lease typically requires the tenant to be responsible for minimum monthly rent and property expenses including property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
Over eight million square feet of industrial, commercial, and retail space has been developed and is either operational (by us or third parties that we sold to), under construction, or soon to be under construction at TRCC, including distribution centers for IKEA, Caterpillar, Nestlé, Famous Footwear, L'Oreal, Camping World, Sunrise Brands, Dollar General and RectorSeal. TRCC sits on both sides of Interstate 5, giving distributors immediate access to the west coast’s principal north-south goods movement corridor.
TRCC has a Foreign Trade Zone, or FTZ, designation, of approximately 1,094 acres, which allows a user within the FTZ to secure the many benefits and cost reductions associated with streamlined movement of goods in and out of a trade zone. TRCC's attractiveness as a commercial/industrial location is further enhanced by the Economic Development Incentive Policy, or EDIP, adopted by the Kern County Board of Supervisors. The EDIP is aimed to expand and enhance the County's competitiveness by taking affirmative steps to attract new businesses and to encourage the growth and resilience of existing businesses. The EDIP provides incentives such as assistance in obtaining state tax incentives, building supporting infrastructure, and workforce development.
Recent Developments
For a discussion of business developments that occurred in 2023, see “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” later in this report. Certain summarized highlights are contained below.
Construction
On March 29, 2022, we formed TRC-MRC 5 LLC, a joint venture with Majestic Realty Co., or Majestic, a Los Angeles-based commercial industrial developer, to pursue the development, construction, lease-up, and management of an approximately 446,400 square foot industrial building located within TRCC-East. Construction of the building was completed in December 2023. A lease was secured, in advance of construction, for the entirety of this space by Sunrise Brands, a leading designer, producer, distributor, and retailer of both branded and private-label apparel. The tenant took possession of the property in January 2024.
During the first quarter of 2024, we began construction on Terra Vista at Tejon, a new multi-family apartment community located immediately adjacent to the Outlets at Tejon at TRCC. Terra Vista at Tejon is our first residential development. This development will also begin TRCC’s transition to a mixed-use master-planned community. TRCC already includes a large employment base of industrial and retail users totaling over 8.8 million square feet of existing development, under construction or near construction, with an additional 11.1 million square feet of entitled space to be developed in the future.
Investments
Leasing
Within our commercial/industrial segment, we lease land to various types of tenants. We currently lease land to two auto service stations with convenience stores, 11 fast-food operations, one service diner-style restaurant, a motel, an antique shop, and a post office.
In addition, the Company leases several microwave repeater locations, radio and cellular transmitter sites, fiber optic cable routes, and 32 acres of land to Pastoria Energy Facility, L.L.C., or PEF, for an electric power plant.
The following table summarizes information with respect to lease expirations for our consolidated entities as of December 31, 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year of Lease Expiration | | Number of Expiring Leases | | Rentable Square Footage of Expiring Leases | | Annualized Base Rent1 | | Percentage of Annual Minimum Rent |
| 2024 | | 3 | | 6,810 | | | $266 | | 3.83% |
| 2025 | | 5 | | 61,708 | | | 552 | | 7.95% |
| 2026 | | 8 | | 65,367 | | | 536 | | 7.72% |
| 2027 | | 3 | | 1,201 | | | 225 | | 3.24% |
| 2028 | | 6 | | 90,131 | | | 458 | | 6.59% |
20292 | | 1 | | 1,394,000 | | | 4,403 | | 63.40% |
20303 | | 2 | | — | | | 68 | | 0.98% |
| 2031 | | — | | — | | | 0 | | —% |
| 2032 | | 1 | | 3,750 | | | 152 | | 2.19% |
| 2033 | | 1 | | 125,453 | | | 82 | | 1.18% |
| 2034 | | 1 | | 1,801 | | | 76 | | 1.09% |
| Thereafter | | 2 | | 64,004 | | | 127 | | 1.83% |
| 1 - Annualized base rent is calculated as monthly base rent (cash basis) per the lease, as of the reporting period, multiplied by 12. Annualized base rent shown in thousands. |
| 2 - This amount includes 32 acres of the PEF ground lease. |
| 3 - These leases pertain to communication leases that do not have defined rentable square feet. |
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had five lease renewals.
Terra Vista at Tejon
In 2021, the Kern County Board of Supervisors approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) which authorizes the development of a multi-family apartment complex within TRCC. The approved CUP authorizes the Company to develop up to a maximum of 495 multi-family residences, in thirteen apartment buildings, as well as approximately 6,500 square feet of community amenity space and 8,000 square feet of community serving retail, collectively known as Terra Vista at Tejon. The multi-family apartment community will be located on a 27-acre site located immediately north of the Outlets at Tejon. Terra Vista at Tejon will be the first residential community at TRCC and for the Company, providing an ideal housing option for the thousands of employees currently working at the various distribution centers, retailers, hotels and fast-food restaurants at TRCC.
On February 16, 2022, we formed TRC-MRC Multi I, LLC with Majestic for the development, leasing and management of this multi-family residential community. On January 26, 2023, the Company and Majestic entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, formalizing the purchase of Majestic's interest in this joint venture for $175,000; the joint venture was subsequently dissolved in September of 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owns 100% interest of this project, and has consolidated its assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company has started construction of the 228-unit first phase of Terra Vista at Tejon. The first units are expected to become available in 2025, with the remaining units in this first phase expected to come online soon thereafter.
Joint Ventures
We use joint ventures to advance our development projects at TRCC. This allows us to combine our resources with other real estate companies and gain greater access to capital, share in the risks of real estate developments and share in the operating expenses. More importantly, it allows us to better manage the deployment of our capital for entitlement and litigation efforts, and increase our leasing portfolio.
Our joint venture with TA/Petro owns and operates two travel and truck stop facilities, restaurants, and five separate gas stations with convenience stores within TRCC-West and TRCC-East.
We are involved in five joint ventures with Majestic to develop, lease, manage, and/or acquire industrial buildings within TRCC. These joint ventures currently operate five fully leased industrial buildings occupying over 2.8 million rentable square feet.
We are involved in a joint venture with Rockefeller Development Group, or RDG, as of December 31, 2023. The TRCC/Rock Outlet Center LLC operates the Outlets at Tejon. Our previous joint venture with RDG, the 18-19 joint venture, sold its land to a third-party during the fourth quarter of 2021 for $15.2 million, and was dissolved in 2022.
TRCC Entitlements
The following is a summary of the Company's commercial, retail and industrial real estate developments as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | |
| Project | | Cost to Date | | Estimated Cost to Complete | | Total Estimated Cost at Completion | | Estimated Completion Date |
| Tejon Ranch Commerce Center | | $ | 101,421 | | | $ | 98,206 | | | $ | 199,627 | | | TBD |
Less: Reimbursements from TRPFFA1 | | 86,276 | | | 45,546 | | | 131,822 | | | TBD |
| TRCC Development Costs, net | | $ | 15,145 | | | $ | 52,660 | | | $ | 67,805 | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
1The Tejon Ranch Public Facilities Financing Authority, or TRPFFA, is a joint powers authority formed by Kern County and Tejon-Castac Water District, or TCWD, to finance public infrastructure within the Company’s Kern County developments. TRPFFA, through bond sales, will reimburse the Company for qualifying infrastructure costs at TRCC. |
The above costs have increased as a result of inflationary factors on expenditures such as labor, fuel, and material costs.
The following table summarizes total entitlements for TRCC as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | |
| (in square feet) | Industrial | Commercial Retail |
| Total entitlements received | 19,300,941 | 956,309 |
| Total entitlements used | 8,201,864 | 674,246 |
| Entitlements available | 11,099,077 | 282,063 |
|
|
|
We believe we are well positioned for long-term value creation as we continue with our current development plans at TRCC. This is evident in the 151% increase in land prices over a six-year period starting with $3.50 per square foot in 2017. Industrial rents have increased 236% over the same six year period starting at $0.25 per square foot in 2017. Current entitlements available at TRCC can facilitate alternative uses and further increase the per-acre value.
Commercial/industrial Real Estate Development Market Overview
The logistics operators currently located within TRCC have demonstrated success in serving all of California and the western region of the United States, and we are building on their success in our marketing efforts. We will continue to focus our marketing strategy for TRCC on the significant labor and logistical benefits of our site, the pro-business approach of Kern County, and the success of the current tenants and owners within our development. Our strategy fits within the logistics model that many companies are using, which favors large, centralized distribution facilities which have been strategically located to maximize the balance of inbound and outbound efficiencies, rather than several decentralized smaller distribution centers. Operators located within TRCC have demonstrated success through utilization of this model. With access to markets of over 40 million people for next-day delivery service, they are also demonstrating success with e-commerce fulfillment.
We believe that our ability to provide fully-entitled, shovel-ready land parcels to support buildings ranging from 10,000 square feet to more than two million square feet, provides us with a marketing advantage. Our marketing efforts target industrial users in the Santa Clarita Valley of northern Los Angeles County, and the northern part of the San Fernando Valley, for whom we may be an attractive location due to the limited availability of new product and high real estate costs in these locations. Tenants in these geographic areas are typically users of smaller facilities, but often are looking to expand operations and cannot find larger size buildings in these markets. We are also targeting larger users in the Inland Empire, east of Los Angeles, that are looking to relocate to lower their operating costs.
We continue to closely monitor new construction, specifically speculative construction in comparison to pre-lease and build to suit. The commercial/industrial real estate sales market is highly competitive, with competition throughout California. The principal factors of competition in this industry are price, availability of labor, proximity to the port complexes of Los Angeles and Long Beach and customer base. A potential disadvantage to our development strategy is our distance from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in comparison to the warehouses and distribution centers located in the West Inland Empire.
Our most direct regional competitors are in the Inland Empire, a large industrial area located 60 miles east of Los Angeles, which continues its expansion eastward beyond Riverside and San Bernardino into the Perris, Moreno Valley, and Beaumont regions of Southern California. We also face competition within Northern Los Angeles, which is comprised of the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley along with areas north of us in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Strong demand for large distribution facilities is driving development farther east in the search for large, entitled parcels. As development in the Inland Empire continues to move east and farther away from the ports, our proximity to the ports is becoming more advantageous.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, vacancy rates in the Inland Empire climbed to 5.1%, a level not seen in over ten years. Average asking rents declined by $0.06 per square foot (4.2%) quarter-over-quarter and $0.13 per square foot (8.0%) from one year ago to $1.48 per square foot. Net absorption remained in positive territory, driven by several large pre-leases completing construction. However, new supply continued to outpace demand for the eighth consecutive quarter, pushing availability up 130-basis points to 8.5%, a level not seen since Q1 2013. The San Fernando Valley and Ventura County industrial markets continue to see tight conditions, as vacancy and availability sit at historically low numbers. Some vacancy was returned to the market, and the overall vacancy rate in the San Fernando Valley increased by 30 basis points to 1.2%, while in Ventura County, it decreased by 60 basis points to 2.0%. Average asking rates remained strong in the San Fernando Valley at $1.74 per square foot, whereas Ventura County saw a similar increase to $1.22 per square foot.
Industrial vacancy rates are expected to remain low, and industrial users seeking larger spaces are going further north into neighboring Kern County, and particularly, TRCC, which has attracted increased attention as market conditions continue to tighten. Additionally, TRCC is in a position to capture tenant awareness due to our ability to provide a competitive alternative for users in the Inland Empire and the Santa Clarita Valley.
Real Estate - Resort/Residential
Our resort/residential segment activities include land entitlement, land planning and pre-construction engineering, and land stewardship and conservation activities. We have three major resort/residential communities within this segment:
•Mountain Village at Tejon Ranch
•Centennial at Tejon Ranch
•Grapevine at Tejon Ranch
The entitlement process precedes the regulatory approvals necessary for land development and routinely takes several years to complete. Litigation by environmental and other special interest groups has been a primary cause of delays and increased costs for our real estate development projects as well as other projects in California. For discussion on legal matters pertaining to our developments, see Note 14 (Commitments and Contingencies) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
As we embark on our mixed-use master planned communities, we understand that it can take up to 25 years, or longer, to complete from commencement of construction. The entitlement process for development of property in California is complex, lengthy (spanning multiple years) and costly, involving numerous federal, state, and county regulatory approvals. We are unable to determine anticipated completion dates for our real estate development projects with certainty because the time for completion is heavily dependent on the regulatory approvals necessary for land development. Also, as a real estate developer, we are cognizant of the micro- and macro-economic factors that have a significant influence on the real estate sector. As a developer, one would be at an economic disadvantage to bring product to market with no willing or able buyers. This ebb and flow of the economy also plays into the timing of our completion date. Costs will also fluctuate over the life of these projects because of the cost of labor and raw materials and the timing of approvals and other activity. The uncertainty of estimated costs to completion is compounded by the potential impact of inflation, which will fluctuate with the equally uncertain completion dates for our projects.
Mountain Village at Tejon Ranch
MV is planned to be an exclusive, low-density, resort-based community that will provide its owners and guests with a wide variety of recreational opportunities, lodging and spa facilities, putting greens, a range of housing options, and other exclusive services and amenities that are designed to distinguish MV as the resort community of choice for the Southern California market. MV encompasses 26,417 acres, including 5,082 acres for a mixed-use master planned community to include housing, lodging, retail, and commercial components. MV is entitled for 3,450 homes, 160,000 square feet of commercial development, 750 hotel keys, and 21,335 acres of open space. The first tentative tract map for the project, which includes 752 residential lots, was approved by Kern County in 2017. The first final map for the project consisting of 401 residential lots and parcels for hospitality, amenities, and public uses was approved by Kern County in December 2021.
The commercial component of the project is the 160,000 square foot commercial center that we call Farm Village (shown above). Farm Village will serve as the commercial center and community gathering place for MV residents and visitors, as well as the gateway to MV. Farm Village will include fresh culinary offerings, artisan markets, boutique lodging, and an array of trails, gardens, and agriculture that will be intertwined to create the most unique, relaxing and edutaining experience, while fulfilling the needs of residents and visitors of MV. In 2018, we obtained commercial site plan approval from Kern County for the first phase of the Farm Village consisting of 53,180 square feet.
Timing of MV development in the coming years will be dependent on the strength of both the economy and the residential real estate market. We are currently exploring capital financing opportunities for the development of MV. Such financing opportunities could come from a variety of sources, such as joint ventures with financial partners, debt financing, or equity financing.
Centennial at Tejon Ranch
The Centennial development is a mixed-use master planned community development encompassing 12,323 acres of our land within Los Angeles County. Centennial is entitled for 19,333 housing units, including nearly 3,500 affordable units, and 10.1 million square feet of commercial development. Centennial will incorporate business districts, schools, retail and entertainment centers, medical facilities and other commercial offices and light industrial businesses that, when complete, will create a substantial number of jobs. The project is being developed by Centennial Founders, LLC, a consolidated joint venture in which we have a 93.46% ownership interest as of December 31, 2023. Centennial is envisioned to be an ecologically friendly community that will achieve a job-housing balance.
In 2018, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took action to approve the Specific Plan and 30-Year Development Agreement for Centennial by a vote of 4-1. In 2019, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors affirmed their final approval of the Centennial project, and Climate Resolve and CBD/California Native Plant Society, or CNPS, separately filed actions in Los Angeles Superior Court objecting to the Centennial project. In 2021, the court issued its decision denying the petition for writ of mandate by CBD/CNPS and granting the petition for writ of mandate filed by Climate Resolve. On November 30, 2021, the Company and Centennial entered into a Settlement Agreement with Climate Resolve. The Company is now awaiting the Court’s decision regarding the outcome of outstanding claims. On May 26, 2023, we filed a Notice of Appeal, thereby appealing the Superior Court’s decision to the Second District of the California Court of Appeal. On June 27, 2023, CBD/CNPS cross-appealed the Superior Court’s ruling. During the appeal process the Superior Court’s order of the rescission of project approvals was placed on hold. See Note 14 (Commitments and Contingencies) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement for further discussion.
Grapevine at Tejon Ranch
Grapevine is a mixed-use master planned community encompassing 8,010 acres of our lands within Kern County located on the San Joaquin Valley floor, adjacent to TRCC. Grapevine is entitled for 12,000 homes, 5.1 million square feet for commercial development, and more than 3,367 acres of open space and parks. The 4,643 acres designated for mixed-use development will include housing, retail, commercial, and industrial components. See Note 14 (Commitments and Contingencies) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement for further discussion.
Immediately northeast of Grapevine is Grapevine North, a 7,655-acre development area, which is currently used for agricultural purposes. Identified as a development area in the Tejon Ranch Conservation and Land Use Agreement, Grapevine North presents a significant opportunity for future development. Grapevine North may feature mixed-use community development similar to Grapevine at Tejon Ranch, or other development uses as appropriate based upon market conditions at the time.
The greatest competition for the Centennial and Grapevine communities will come from developments in the Santa Clarita Valley, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Bakersfield. The developments in these areas will be providing similar housing products as our developments. The principal factors of competition in this industry are product segmentation, pricing of product, amenities offered, and location. We will attempt to differentiate our developments through our unique setting, land planning and different product offerings. MV will compete generally for discretionary dollars that consumers will allocate to recreational and residential homes.
The following is a summary of the Company's residential real estate developments as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Community: | Mountain Village | Centennial | Grapevine | Resort |
| Location: | Kern County | Los Angeles County | Kern County | Residential |
Project Status1: | Entitled | Entitled | Entitled | Total |
| Entitlement Area (acres): | 26,417 | 12,323 | 8,010 | 46,750 |
| Housing Units: | 3,450 | 19,333 | 12,000 | 34,783 |
Commercial Development (sqft)2: | 160,000 | 10,100,000 | 5,100,000 | 15,360,000 |
| Open Areas (acres): | 21,335 | 5,624 | 3,367 | 30,326 |
Costs to Date3: | $155,168 | $119,788 | $40,716 | $315,672 |
(1) Estimated completion anticipated to be 25 years, or longer, from commencement of construction. To-date construction has not begun.
(2) MV also has approval for up to 750 lodging units and 350,000 square feet of facilities in support of two 18-hole golf courses.
(3) As total project costs are difficult to accurately forecast with any certainty at this time due to finalization of entitlement and mapping processes, as well as final engineering for the developments, and capital funding structure selected, only costs incurred to date has been presented. Dollars presented in thousands.
Mineral Resources
Our mineral resources segment consists of oil and gas royalties, rock and aggregate royalties, royalties from a cement operation leased to National Cement Company of California, Inc., or National, and the management of water assets and water infrastructure. We continue to look for opportunities to grow our mineral resource revenues through expansion of leasing and encouraging new exploration. The management of our water assets consists of the evaluation of near-term highest and best uses, which can include the sale of water on a temporary basis, the use of water for internal purposes, and the storage of water for future use in our development projects. At the same time, we are also evaluating opportunities as they arise for the purchase of additional water assets as we have done in the past.
Royalty rates are contractually defined and based on a percentage of production and are received in cash. Our royalty revenues fluctuate based on changes in the market prices for oil, natural gas, and rock and aggregate product, the inevitable decline in production of existing wells and quarries, and other factors affecting the third-party oil and natural gas exploration and production companies that operate on our lands, including the cost of development and production.
Estimates of oil and gas reserves on our properties are unknown to us. We do not make such estimates, and our lessees do not make information concerning reserves available to us.
We lease certain portions of our land to oil companies for the exploration and production of oil and gas. We do not engage in any oil exploration or extraction activities. As of December 31, 2023, 12,015 acres were committed to producing oil and gas leases from which the operators produced and sold approximately 94,780 barrels of oil and 62,000 MCF (each MCF being 1,000 cubic feet) of dry gas during 2023. Our share of production, based upon average royalty rates during the last three years, has been 34, 36, and 29 barrels of oil per day for 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. There are 305 active oil wells located on the leased land as of December 31, 2023. Royalty rates on our leases averaged approximately 13% of oil production in 2023.
The price per barrel of oil decreased in the first quarter of 2023 and peaked for the year during the third quarter of 2023. Prices for oil and natural gas fluctuate in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, such as: changes in domestic and global supply and demand, domestic and global inventory levels, and political and economic conditions, including international disputes such as current conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
We have approximately 2,000 acres under lease to National for the purpose of manufacturing Portland cement from limestone deposits found on the leased acreage. National owns and operates a cement manufacturing plant on our property with a production capacity in excess of 1,000,000 tons of cement per year. The amount of payment that we receive under the lease is based upon shipments from the cement plant. The term of this lease expires in 2026, however National has options to extend the lease until 2095.
We also lease 521 acres to Granite Construction and Griffith Construction for the mining of rock and aggregate product that is used in construction of roads and bridges. The royalty revenues we receive under this arrangement are based upon the amount of product produced at these sites. The Granite site has reached the end of its economic life and began restoration activities during 2023. We also have a royalty arrangement with Granite Construction tied to land previously owned by the Company that began operations in 2021 and is now paying royalty payments, which will more than offset the payments received from the old Granite site.
Water sales opportunities each year are impacted by rain and snowfall volume along with California State Water Project, or SWP, allocations. The current SWP allocation, is at 15% of contract amounts with an expectation that the allocation may increase.
In 2015, we entered into a water sale agreement with PEF, our current lessee under a power plant lease. PEF may purchase from us up to 3,500-acre feet of water per year through July 2030, with an option to extend the term. PEF is under no obligation to purchase water from us in any given year but is required to pay us an annual option payment equal to 30% of the maximum annual payment. The price of the water under the agreement is subject to 3% annual increases for the duration of the lease agreement. The Company's commitments to sell this water can be met through current water sources.
Farming Operations
In the San Joaquin Valley, we farm permanent crops including the following acreage: wine grapes— 1,036 (all in production); almonds—2,108 (1,652 in production and 456 under development); and pistachios—932 (all in production). We manage the farming of alfalfa and forage mix on 120 acres in the Antelope Valley, and we periodically lease 530 acres of land that is used for the growing of vegetables which can also be used for the development of permanent crops, such as almonds.
Pricing for nut and grape crops is particularly sensitive to the size of each year’s world crop, prior year inventory carry forward, and demand for those crops. The U.S. almond industry projects 2023 yields to be about 2.40 billion pounds compared to 2.57 billion pounds during the previous year. Impacts of the pandemic, especially how it congested ports and snarled supply chains, delaying shipments of almonds and other California agricultural exports, played a key role in the current supply overhangs, which have pushed prices to lower levels. We expect prices to remain low until industry inventory levels are reduced, which may not happen until after 2024. Pistachios for the 2023 crop year are expected to be approximately 1.5 billion pounds compared to 0.9 billion pounds during the previous year. Yields for the Company's 2023 almond and wine grape crops have been comparable with the prior year's production thus far, while pistachio yields have seen an increase, as it was the on production year for pistachios. One bright spot this year is the removal of tariffs by India, the top export market for California almonds. Tariffs imposed on California almonds going to China remain at 25% and we expect will continue to make American products less competitive in China and push customers to switch to another producing country.
Weather conditions can also impact the number of tree and vine dormant hours, which are integral to tree and vine growth. Farmers in California have faced a series of challenges in recent years, and this wet, cool winter and spring created different obstacles after three years of drought. In addition, higher cultural and financing costs, and a reduced bloom cycle with highly compromised bee flight hours, created more adversity for farmers. The Company's harvest was delayed in 2023 for pistachios and almonds as a result of spring and early summer weather conditions. However, the abundant rain and snow has vastly improved the water situation, while shipping logistics continue to improve. We will not know the impact of current weather conditions on 2024 production until the early summer of 2024.
Labor costs, both internal and through labor contractors, continue to increase and the Company expects this trend to continue over the foreseeable future. The Company utilizes external labor contractors, as necessary, for large projects, such as pruning and harvesting, as a way to manage our labor needs. From a broader inflationary standpoint, the Company is seeing and will continue to see an increase in production costs, most notably chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides, and fuel costs.
Sales of our grape crop typically occur in the third and fourth quarters of the calendar year. Sales of our pistachio and almond crops also typically occur in the third and fourth quarters of the calendar year but can occur up to a year or more after each crop is harvested. In 2023, we sold 41% of our grape crop to one winery, 37% to a second winery and the remainder to two other customers. These sales are under contracts ranging from one to eight years. In 2023, our almonds were sold to various commercial buyers, with the largest buyer accounting for 35% of our crop. In 2023, our pistachios were sold to various buyers, with the largest buyer accounting for 76% of our crop. We believe that we would not be adversely affected by the loss of any or all of these buyers, because of the markets for these commodities, the large number of buyers that would be available to us, and the fact that the prices for these commodities do not vary based on the identity of the buyer or the size of the contract.
At this time, the State Department of Water Resources has announced that the estimated water supply for 2024 will be at 15% of full entitlement. This allocation may change based upon precipitation and snowpack runoff in Northern California from additional potential winter storms. The current 15% allocation of SWP water is enough for us to farm our crops when combined with our other water sources. We have additional water resources, such as groundwater and surface sources, and those of the water districts we are in that allow us to have sufficient water for our farming needs. It is too early in the year to determine the impact of 2024 water supplies on 2024 California crop production for almonds, pistachios, and wine grapes. See discussion of water contract entitlement and long-term outlook for water supply under Item 2, “Properties.” Also see Note 6 (Long-Term Water Assets) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our water assets.
Ranch Operations
Our ranch operations segment consists of game management revenues and ancillary land uses, such as grazing leases and filming. Within game management, we operate our High Desert Hunt Club, a premier upland bird hunting club. The High Desert Hunt Club offers over 6,400 acres and 35 hunting fields, with each field providing different terrain and challenges. The hunting season runs from October through March. We also sell individual hunting packages as well as seasonal hunting memberships.
Approximately 256,000 acres are used for two grazing leases, which account for 36% of total revenues from ranch operations at December 31, 2023.
Game management offers a wide variety of guided big game hunts, including trophy Rocky Mountain elk, deer, turkey and wild pig. We offer guided hunts and memberships for both the Spring and Fall hunting seasons. At December 31, 2023, game management accounts for 43% of the total revenue from ranch operations.
In addition, the Ranch Operations segment manages, and includes the expenses for the upkeep, maintenance, and security, of all 270,000 acres of land.
General Environmental Regulation
Our operations are subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, including laws relating to water, air, solid waste, and hazardous substances. Although we believe that we are in material compliance with these requirements, there can be no assurance that we will not incur costs, penalties, and liabilities, including those relating to claims for damages to property or natural resources, resulting from our operations. Environmental liabilities may also arise from claims asserted by adjacent landowners or other third parties. We also expect continued legislation and regulatory development in the area of climate change and greenhouse gases. It is unclear, as of this date, how any such developments will affect our business. Enactment of new environmental laws or regulations, or changes in existing laws or regulations or the interpretation of these laws or regulations, might require expenditures in the future. We historically have not had material environmental liabilities.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental stewardship and sustainability are core values at Tejon Ranch Co., along with quality, visionary innovation and development. This commitment to sustainability manifests itself in many ways throughout the Company and its operations.
Climate Change
The Company maintains policies intended to both reduce its carbon footprint and proactively sequester, or capture and store, carbon.
•Since 2008, the Company has voluntarily conserved 240,000 acres of its land covered by trees and other vegetation. An analysis conducted in 2020 for the Company by Dudek Environmental Service's determined that this acreage effectively sequesters 3.3 million tons of carbon. That equals the volume of carbon produced in a single year by 2.5 million passenger vehicles, approximately 5% of California’s 2022 passenger vehicle fleet.
•Solar power is used significantly within TRCC. For example, the Company installed a solar-covered parking structure at the Outlets at Tejon. The structure covers 1.85 acres and is projected to reduce by approximately 83% the center’s electricity consumption needs for shared spaces and produce approximately 1,076,000 kWh of clean energy every year. In addition, the IKEA distribution center at TRCC features a 1.8 MW photovoltaic solar array covering 370,000 square feet of the warehouse’s rooftop. The system handles the power needs of IKEA’s distribution center and provides power to the electrical grid as well. Caterpillar’s distribution center in TRCC utilizes a ground-based solar array to reduce its energy usage.
•The Company is also working with Calpine Energy, a power generating company, to complete the development of a 600-acre industrial-sized solar field. Located immediately adjacent to Calpine’s Pastoria Energy Facility, a natural gas and steam powered generating plant in the San Joaquin Valley portion of Tejon Ranch, the solar array is expected to produce approximately 100 MW of power once fully operational.
•TRCC is important to the growth of electric vehicle usage, as it contains one of the largest Tesla Supercharger stations in the country. Combined, the west and east sides of TRCC contain nearly 100 superchargers.
•The Company’s master planned mixed-use residential communities are designed with a jobs housing balance that will locate housing near employment centers, reducing commuting miles. Centennial is designed to include electric vehicles, through vehicle purchase incentives, and the installation of 30,000 EV chargers located within both residential and commercial sections of the community, at TRCC, and within disadvantaged communities in Southern California. At Centennial, at least 50% of the energy supply is intended to be produced by on-site renewable sources, and natural gas use in the community will be limited to essential commercial uses only.
•At Grapevine, like Centennial, 50% or more of its energy supply is intended to be produced on site by renewable sources, and natural gas will not be installed in homes.
•All homes in Mountain Village will feature roof-top photovoltaic solar arrays and battery energy storage systems, where required by code.
Air Quality
•The Company has contracted with the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District, or SJVUAPCD, to pre-mitigate air emissions related to the Company’s current development at TRCC-East and future development at Mountain Village and Grapevine. As of 2024, the SJVUAPCD had fully eliminated air emissions for fiscal 2023 at TRCC-East, as well as future emissions projected to occur through full build-out of the project. For Mountain Village, the Company has funded the replacement of outdated agricultural engines to help mitigate air emissions for the initial phase of development.
•Two decades ago, the Company helped establish and has continued to support Valley Clean Air Now, or ValleyCAN, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) public charity that advances quantifiable and voluntary solutions addressing air pollution in California’s San Joaquin Valley, a region with some of the worst air quality and highest poverty levels in the United States. The Company continues to support ValleyCAN in its mission to improve public health and quality of life in disadvantaged communities located in the region.
Water Conservation
•At TRCC-East, water used for irrigation purposes is reclaimed water from the water treatment plant. Landscaping at the Outlets at Tejon consists of drought-tolerant, native planting material.
•Each of the Company’s master planned, mixed-use residential communities will feature state-of-the-art water conservation measures, reclaimed water for irrigation, stormwater capture, and drought-tolerant landscaping.
•The Company’s agricultural operations use highly efficient drip irrigation to water its orchards and vineyards.
•We are involved in water storage and water recharge programs in the water basins in which we have operations.
Customers
Our PEF power plant lease accounted for 11% of total revenues in 2023, 6% in 2022 and 8% in 2021. No other recurring customer represents 5% or more of our revenues in 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Organization
Tejon Ranch Co. is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1987 to succeed the business operated as a California corporation since 1936.
Human Capital
At December 31, 2023, we had 87 full-time employees. We believe our employees are among our most important resources and are critical to our continued success. We focus significant attention on attracting and retaining talented and experienced individuals to manage and support our operations. To attract and retain top talent, we have designed our compensation and benefits programs to provide a balanced and effective reward structure. Our short and long-term incentive programs are aligned with key business objectives and are intended to motivate strong performance. Our employees are eligible for medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings/retirement plan, employer-provided life and disability insurance and an array of voluntary benefits designed to meet individual needs. We have adopted a Compliance with State and Federal Statutes, Rules and Regulations Reporting Policy that applies to all of our employees. Its receipt and review by each employee are documented and verified quarterly. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our policies are designed to promote fairness, equal opportunities, and diversity within the Company. When attracting, developing and retaining talent, we seek individuals who hold varied experiences and viewpoints and embody our core values to create an inclusive and diverse culture and workplace that allows each employee to do their best work and drive our collective success. We believe that a diverse workforce possesses a broader array of perspectives that businesses need to remain competitive in today’s economy. We maintain employment policies that comply with federal, state and local labor laws and promote a culture of fairness and respect. These policies set forth our goal to provide equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, gender (including identity or expression), marital status, civil partnership status, sexual orientation, disability, color, nationality, race or ethnic origin, or religion or belief. All of our employees must adhere to a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that sets standards for appropriate behavior, and all employees must also complete required internal training on respect in the workplace and diversity to further enhance our cultural behaviors.
Reports
We make available, free of charge through our Internet website, www.tejonranch.com, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or to be furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to the SEC. We also make available on our website our corporate governance guidelines, charters of our Board of Directors’ Committees (audit, compensation, nominating and corporate governance, and real estate), and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers, and Employees. These items are also available in printed copy upon request. We intend to disclose in the future any amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers, and Employees, or waivers of such provisions granted to executive officers and directors, on the website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver. Any document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, may be inspected, without charge, at the SEC’s website: http://www.sec.gov.
Information about our Executive Officers
The following table shows each of our executive officers and the offices held as of March 6, 2024, the period the offices have been held, and the age of the executive officer.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Name | | Office | | Held since | | Age |
| Gregory S. Bielli | | President and Chief Executive Officer, Director | | 2013 | | 63 |
| Allen E. Lyda | | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | | 2022 | | 66 |
| Brett A. Brown | | Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | | 2023 | | 59 |
| Hugh McMahon | | Executive Vice President, Real Estate | | 2014 | | 57 |
| Robert D. Velasquez | | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer | | 2022 | | 57 |
| Michael R.W. Houston | | Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary | | 2023 | | 49 |
A description of present and prior positions with us, and business experience is given below.
Mr. Bielli has been employed by the Company since September 2013. Mr. Bielli joined the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer and became President and Chief Executive Officer on December 17, 2013. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bielli was President of Newland Communities' Western Region, a diversified real estate company, and was responsible for overseeing management of all operational aspects of Newland's real estate projects in the region. Mr. Bielli worked with Newland Communities from 2006 through August 2013.
Mr. Lyda has been employed by us since 1990, initially serving as Vice President, Finance and Treasurer. He was elected Assistant Secretary in 1995 and Chief Financial Officer in 1999. Mr. Lyda was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2008, and Executive Vice President in 2012. Mr. Lyda's title was subsequently changed in 2013 to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to more accurately describe the responsibilities of his office. In 2019, he was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer and ceased serving as the Company's Chief Financial Officer. In 2022, he was given the title of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer. In 2023, his title was changed back to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Brown has been employed by us since May 2023 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Brown served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer at Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., a commercial real estate company, from May 2019 to November 2022. From February 2018 to May 2019, Mr. Brown served as Chief Financial Officer at PREP Property Group, a commercial real estate company. Over the course of more than three decades, Mr. Brown has worked exclusively in the real estate industry, both with public and privately held companies, as well as Real Estate Investment Trusts. Mr. Brown earned a Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, from Northern Illinois University. He is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, International Council of Shopping Centers, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. McMahon joined the Company in November 2001 as Director of Financial Analysis. In 2008, Mr. McMahon became Vice President of Commercial/Industrial Development and in December of 2014, was promoted to Senior Vice President of Commercial/Industrial Development and elected as an officer of the Company. In 2015, he was promoted to Executive Vice President. Mr. McMahon's title was subsequently changed to Executive Vice President, Real Estate.
Mr. Velasquez joined the Company as Vice President of Finance in 2014. Mr. Velasquez's title was subsequently changed, in 2015, to Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer to more accurately describe the responsibilities of his office. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Velasquez served as an Executive Director at Ernst & Young in their audit and assurance practice section. Mr. Velasquez worked with Ernst & Young from 1999 through 2014. Mr. Velasquez holds a B.S. in Business Administration – Option: Accounting from California State University, Los Angeles. Mr. Velasquez is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of California. On January 1, 2018 he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer. On January 1, 2019, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer and served in that role until March 2022. In 2022, he was given the title of Chief Accounting Officer.
Mr. Houston rejoined the Company in August 2023 as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary. Mr. Houston joined the Company in May 2016 as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel. In January 2021, Mr. Houston left the Company and worked with the Southern California Association of Governments, a metropolitan planning organization, as their Chief Counsel and Director of Legal Services. He previously worked for the City of Anaheim, where he served as City Attorney from 2013 through 2016. His background involves extensive experience in corporate governance, municipal law, real estate, land use and environmental issues. Prior to working for the City of Anaheim, he served as a partner for a Newport Beach, CA-based law firm of Cummins & White from 2011 to 2013, and prior to that, was a partner at Rutan & Tucker, LLP, Costa Mesa, CA.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or future prospects could be materially adversely affected. Our strategy, focused on more aggressive development of our land, involves significant risk and could result in operating losses. The risks that we describe in our public filings are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently consider immaterial, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
STRATEGIC RISKS
Strategic risk relates to the Company's future business plans and strategies, including the risks associated with the macro- and micro- environment in which we operate, including the demand for our products and services, the success of investments in our real estate development, technology and public policy.
Adverse changes in economic conditions in markets where we conduct our operations and where prospective purchasers of our future homes and commercial products live could reduce the demand for our products and, as a result, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Adverse changes in economic conditions in markets where we conduct our operations and where prospective purchasers of our real estate products live have had and may in the future have a negative impact on our business. Adverse changes in employment levels, job growth, consumer confidence, interest rates, and population growth, or an oversupply of product for sale or lease may reduce demand and depress prices and cause buyers to cancel their purchase agreements. This, in turn, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Higher interest rates and lack of available financing can have significant impacts on the real estate industry. Higher interest rates generally impact the real estate industry by making it harder for buyers to qualify for financing, which can lead to a decrease in the demand for residential, commercial or industrial sites. Higher interest rates can also lead to tighter construction lending markets impacting the development of industrial buildings within our projects. Any decrease in demand will negatively impact our proposed developments. Lack of available credit to finance real estate purchases can also negatively impact demand. Any downturn in the economy or consumer confidence can also be expected to result in reduced housing demand and slower industrial development, which would negatively impact the demand for land we are developing.
We are subject to various land use regulations and require governmental approvals and permits for our developments that could be denied. In planning and developing our land, we are subject to various local, state, and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning zoning, infrastructure design, subdivision of land, and construction. All of our new developments require amending existing general plan and zoning designations, so it is possible that our entitlement applications could be denied. In addition, the zoning that ultimately is approved could include density provisions that would limit the number of homes and other structures that could be built within the boundaries of a particular area, which could adversely impact the financial returns from a given project. Many states, cities and counties (including neighboring Ventura County) have in the past approved various “slow growth” or “urban limit line” measures. If that were to occur in the jurisdictions governing the Company’s land use, our future real estate development activities could be significantly adversely affected.
Third-party litigation increases the time and cost of our development efforts. The land use approval processes we must follow to ultimately develop our projects have become increasingly complex. Moreover, the statutes, regulations and ordinances governing the approval processes provide third parties the opportunity to challenge the proposed plans and approvals. As a result, the prospect of third-party challenges to planned real estate developments provides additional uncertainties in real estate development planning and entitlements. Third-party challenges in the form of litigation can result in denial of the right to develop, and, by their nature, adversely affect the length of time and the cost required to obtain the necessary approvals. In addition, adverse decisions arising from any litigation increase the costs and length of time to obtain ultimate approval of a project and could adversely affect the design, scope, plans and profitability of a project.
We are subject to environmental regulations and opposition from environmental groups that could cause delays and increase the costs of our development efforts or preclude such development entirely. Environmental laws that apply to a given site can vary greatly according to the site’s location and condition, present and former uses of the site, and the presence or absence of sensitive elements like wetlands and endangered species. Federal and state environmental laws also govern the construction and operation of our projects and require compliance with various environmental regulations, including analysis of the environmental impact of our projects and evaluation of our reduction in the projects’ carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental laws and conditions may result in delays, cause us to incur additional costs for compliance, mitigation and processing land use applications, or preclude development in specific areas. In addition, in California, third parties have the ability to file litigation challenging the approval of a project, which they usually do by alleging inadequate disclosure and mitigation of the environmental impacts of the project. Certain groups opposed to development have made clear they intend to oppose our projects vigorously, so litigation challenging their approval is expected. Currently, the Centennial entitlement approval has been opposed through litigation against the Company and Los Angeles County. The issues most commonly cited in opponents’ public comments include the poor air quality of the San Joaquin Valley air basin, potential impacts of projects on the California condor and other species of concern, the potential for our lands to function as wildlife movement corridors, potential impacts of our projects on traffic and air quality in Los Angeles County, emissions of greenhouse gases, water availability and criticism of proposed development in rural areas as being “sprawl.” In addition, California has a specific statutory and regulatory scheme intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state and efforts to enact federal legislation to address climate change concerns could require further reductions in our projects’ carbon footprint in the future.
Until final permits are received, litigation is complete, and final maps are received, we will have a limited inventory of real estate. Each of our four current and planned real estate projects, TRCC, Centennial, MV, and Grapevine involve obtaining various governmental agency permits, local government permits, such as building permits, overcoming litigation, and receiving final maps from local jurisdictions. A delay in achieving these items could lead to additional costs related to these developments and potentially lost opportunities for the sale of lots to developers and land users.
We are in competition with several other developments for customers and residents. Within our real estate activities, we are in direct competition for customers with other industrial sites in Northern, Central, and Southern California. We are also in competition with other highway interchange locations using Interstate 5 and State Route 99 for commercial leasing opportunities. Once they receive all necessary permits and approvals, Centennial and Grapevine will ultimately compete with other residential housing options in the region, such as developments in the Santa Clarita Valley, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Bakersfield. MV will compete generally for discretionary dollars that consumers will allocate to recreation and second homes, so its competition will include a greater area and range of projects. Intense competition may decrease our sales and harm our results of operations.
Increases in taxes or government fees could increase our cost, and adverse changes in tax laws could reduce demand for homes in our future residential communities. Increases in real estate taxes and other local government fees, such as fees imposed on developers to fund schools, open space, and road improvements, could increase our costs and have an adverse effect on our operations. In addition, any changes to income tax laws that would reduce or eliminate tax deductions or incentives to homeowners, such as a change limiting the deductibility of real estate taxes or interest on home mortgages, could make housing less affordable or otherwise reduce the demand for housing, which in turn could reduce future sales.
Our developable land is concentrated entirely in California. All of our developable land is in California and our business is especially sensitive to the economic conditions within California. Any adverse change in the economic climate of California, or our regions of that state, and any adverse change in the political or regulatory climate of California, or the counties where our land is located, could adversely affect our real estate development activities. Ultimately, our ability to sell or lease lots may decline as a result of weak economic conditions or restrictive regulations.
We have in the past and may in the future encounter other risks that could impact our ability to develop our land. We have in the past and may in the future encounter other difficulties in developing our land, including:
•Difficulty in securing adequate water resources for future developments;
•Natural risks, such as geological and soil problems, earthquakes, fire, heavy rains and flooding, and heavy winds;
•Shortages of qualified trades people;
•Reliance on local contractors, who may be inadequately capitalized;
•Shortages of materials; and
•Increases in the cost of materials.
A prolonged downturn in the real estate market or instability in the mortgage and commercial real estate financing industry could have an adverse effect on our real estate business. Our residential housing projects, Centennial, MV, and Grapevine, are currently in the litigation phase, permitting phase, or are fully entitled and waiting for development to begin. If a downturn in the real estate market or an instability in the mortgage and commercial real estate financing industry exists at the time these projects move into their development and marketing phases, our resort/residential business could be adversely affected. An excess supply of homes available due to foreclosures or the expectation of deflation in housing prices could also have a negative impact on our ability to sell our inventory when it becomes available. The inability of potential commercial/industrial clients to get adequate financing for the expansion of their businesses could lead to reduced lease revenues and sales of land within our industrial development.
OPERATIONAL RISKS
Operational risk relates to risks arising from external market factors that affect the operation of our businesses. It includes weather and other natural conditions; regulatory requirements; information management and data protection and security, including cybersecurity; supply chain and business disruption; and other risks, including human resources and reputation.
We are involved in a cyclical industry and are affected by changes in general and local economic conditions. The real estate development industry is cyclical and is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions, including:
•Employment levels
•Availability of financing
•Interest rates
•Consumer confidence
•Demand for the developed product, whether residential or industrial
•Supply of similar product, whether residential or industrial
The process of a project's development begins, and financial and other resources are committed long before a real estate project comes to market, which could occur at a time when the real estate market is depressed. It is also possible in a rural area like ours that no market for the project will develop as projected.
The inability of a client tenant to pay us rent adversely affects our business. Our commercial revenues are derived primarily from rental payments and reimbursement of operating expenses under our leases. If our client tenants fail to make rental payments under their leases, our financial condition and cash flows would be adversely affected.
Our inability to renew leases or re-lease space on favorable terms as leases expire may significantly affect our business. Some of our revenues are derived from rental payments and reimbursement of operating expenses under our leases. If a client tenant experiences a downturn in its business or other types of financial distress, it may be unable to make timely payments under its lease. Also, if our client tenants terminate early or decide not to renew their leases, we may not be able to re-lease the space. Even if client tenants decide to renew or lease space, the terms of renewals or new leases, including the cost of any tenant improvements, concessions, and lease commissions, may be less favorable to us than current lease terms. Consequently, we could generate less cash flow from the affected properties than expected, which could negatively impact our business. We may have to divert cash flow generated by other properties to meet our debt service payments, if any, or to pay other expenses related to owning the affected properties.
We may experience increased operating costs, which may reduce profitability to the extent that we are unable to pass those costs on to client tenants. Our properties are subject to increases in operating expenses, including insurance, property taxes, utilities, administrative costs, and other costs associated with security, landscaping, and repairs and maintenance of our properties. We cannot be certain that our client tenants will be able to bear the full burden of costs, such as real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, common area and other expenses that we pass along through our leases, or that such increased costs will not lead them, or other prospective client tenants, to seek space elsewhere. If operating expenses increase, the availability of other comparable space in the markets in which we operate may hinder or limit our ability to increase our rents. If operating expenses increase without a corresponding increase in revenues, our profitability would diminish.
From time to time, we experience shortages or increased costs of labor and supplies or other circumstances beyond our control that cause delays or increased costs within our industrial development, which can adversely affect our operating results. Our ability to develop our current industrial development has in the past and may in the future be adversely affected by circumstances beyond our control, including: work stoppages, labor disputes and shortages of qualified trades people; changes in laws relating to union organizing activity; and shortages, delays in availability, or fluctuations in prices of building materials (including as a result of inflation). Any of these circumstances could give rise to delays in the start or completion of, or could increase the cost of, developing infrastructure and buildings within our industrial development. If any of the above happens, our operating results could be harmed.
We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect our prospects. Our future success depends, to a significant degree, on the efforts of our senior management. The loss of key personnel could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, or our ability to pursue land development. Our success will also depend in part on our ability to attract and retain additional qualified management personnel.
Volatile oil and natural gas prices could adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations. Our cash flows and results of operations are dependent in part on oil and natural gas prices, which are volatile. Oil and natural gas prices also impact the amount we receive for our mineral leases. Moreover, oil and natural gas prices depend on factors we cannot control, such as: changes in foreign and domestic supply and demand for oil and natural gas; weather; political conditions in other oil-producing countries, including the possibilities of insurgency or war in such areas; prices of foreign exports; domestic and international drilling activity; price and availability of alternate fuel sources; the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other major currencies; the level and effect of trading in commodity markets; and the effect of worldwide energy conservation measures and governmental regulations. Substantial or extended decline in the price of oil and gas could have a negative impact on our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Substantial or extended declines in future natural gas or crude oil prices could have an adverse effect on our future business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
Our reserves and production will decline from their current levels. The rate of production from oil and natural gas properties generally decline as reserves are produced. Any decline in production or reserves could materially and adversely affect our future cash flow, liquidity and results of operations.
Water delivery and water availability continues to be a long-term concern within California. Any limitation of delivery of SWP water, limitations on our ability to move our water resources, and the absence of available, reliable alternatives during drought periods could potentially cause permanent damage to orchards and vineyards and possibly impact future development opportunities.
Our future revenue and profitability related to our water resources will primarily be dependent on our ability to acquire and sell water assets. In light of the fact that our water resources represent a portion of our overall business at present, our long-term profitability will be affected by various factors, including the availability and timing of water resource acquisitions, regulatory approvals and permits associated with such acquisitions, transportation arrangements, and changing technology. We may also encounter unforeseen technical or other difficulties, which could result in cost increases with respect to our water resources. Moreover, our profitability is significantly affected by changes in the market price of water. Future sales and prices of water may fluctuate widely as demand is affected by climatic, economic, demographic and technological factors, as well as the relative strength of the residential, commercial, financial, and industrial real estate markets. The factors described above are not within our control.
Natural and man-made disasters, public health crises, political instability, and other potentially catastrophic events may have an adverse impact on our business and operating results and could decrease the value of our assets. Natural and man-made disasters, public health crises, political instability, and other potentially catastrophic events, including terrorist attacks, particularly those that may cause a decline in global economic activity, could have a material adverse impact on our business, our operating results, and the market price of our common stock. Catastrophic events occurring anywhere in the world may result in declining economic activity, which could reduce the demand for, and the value of, our properties. To the extent that catastrophic events impact our client tenants, their businesses similarly could be adversely affected, including their ability to continue to honor their lease obligations. Disruptions to the global economy can also impact demand for, and the prices of our products, which could adversely affect our future cash flow and results of operations.
Information technology failures and data security breaches could harm our business. We use information technology and other computer resources to carry out important operational and marketing activities and to maintain our business records. These information technology systems are dependent upon global communications providers, web browsers, telephone systems and other aspects of the Internet infrastructure that have experienced security breaches, cyber-attacks, significant systems failures and electrical outages in the past. A material network breach in the security of our information technology systems could include the theft of customer, employee or Company data. The release of confidential information as a result of a security breach may also lead to litigation or other proceedings against us by affected individuals or business partners, or by regulators, and the outcome of such proceedings, which could include penalties or fines, could have a significant negative impact on our business. We may also be required to incur significant costs to protect against damages caused by these information technology failures or security breaches in the future. However, we cannot provide assurance that a security breach, cyber-attack, data theft or other significant systems failure will not occur in the future, and such occurrences could have a material and adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.
Increased cybersecurity requirements, vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime could pose a risk to our systems, networks, products, solutions, services and data. Increased global cybersecurity vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted cyber-related attacks pose a risk to our security and our customers', partners', suppliers' and third-party service providers' products, systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the data. We remain potentially vulnerable to additional known or unknown threats despite our attempts to mitigate these risks. We also may have access to sensitive, confidential or personal data or information that is subject to privacy and security laws, regulations or customer-imposed controls. Our efforts to protect sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, may nonetheless leave us vulnerable to material security breaches, theft, misplaced or lost data, programming errors, employee errors and/or malfeasance that could potentially lead to the compromising of sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, improper use of our systems, software solutions or networks, unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information, production downtimes and operational disruptions. In addition, a cyber-related attack could result in other negative consequences, including damage to our reputation or competitiveness, remediation or increased protection costs, litigation or regulatory action. Additionally, violations of privacy or cybersecurity laws (including the California Consumer Privacy Act), regulations or standards increasingly lead to class-action and other types of litigation, which can result in substantial monetary judgments or settlements. Therefore, any such security breaches could have a material adverse effect on us.
Inflation can have a significant adverse effect on our operations. Inflation can have a major impact on our farming operations. The farming operations are most affected by escalating costs, unpredictable revenues and very high irrigation water costs. High fixed water costs related to our farmlands will continue to adversely affect earnings. Prices received for many of our products are dependent upon prevailing market conditions and commodity prices. Therefore, it is difficult for us to accurately predict revenue, just as we cannot pass on cost increases caused by general inflation, except to the extent reflected in market conditions and commodity prices.
Inflation can adversely impact our real estate operations, by increasing costs of material and labor, as well as the cost of capital, which can impact operating margins. In an inflationary environment, we may not be able to increase prices at the same pace as the increase in inflation, which would further erode operating margins.
Government policies and regulations, particularly those affecting the agricultural sector and related industries, could adversely affect our operations and profitability. Agricultural commodity production and trade flows are significantly affected by government policies and regulations. Governmental policies affecting the agricultural industry, such as taxes, trade tariffs, duties, subsidies, import and export restrictions on commodities and commodity products, can influence industry profitability, the planting of certain crops, the location and size of crop production, whether unprocessed or processed commodity products are traded, and the volume and types of imports and exports. In addition, international trade disputes can adversely affect trade flows by limiting or disrupting trade between countries or regions. Future governmental policies, regulations or actions affecting our industry may adversely affect the supply of, demand for and prices of our products, restrict our ability to do business and cause our financial results to suffer.
Our efforts, goals and disclosures related to environmental stewardship and sustainability matters expose us to risks that can adversely affect our reputation and performance. Our commitment to sustainability with respect to climate change, air quality, and water conservation reflect our current plans and aspirations and are not guarantees that we will be able to achieve our goals. Our failure, or perceived failure, to achieve these goals and objectives on a timely basis, or at all, could adversely affect our reputation, stock price, operations, financial performance and growth, and expose us to increased scrutiny from the investment community, as well as enforcement authorities.
FINANCIAL RISKS
Financial risk relates to our ability to meet financial obligations and mitigate exposure to broad market risks, including volatility in interest rates and commodity prices; credit risk; and liquidity risk, including risk related to our credit ratings and our availability and cost of funding. Credit risk is the risk of financial loss arising from a customer or counterparty failure to meet its contractual obligations. We face credit risk in our industrial businesses, as well as in our investing and leasing activities and derivative financial instruments activities. Liquidity risk refers to the potential inability to meet contractual or contingent financial obligations (whether on- or off-balance sheet) as they arise and could potentially impact an institution’s financial condition or overall safety and soundness.
Constriction of the credit markets or other adverse changes in capital market conditions could limit our ability to access capital and increase our cost of capital. During past economic downturns, we relied principally on positive operating cash flow, cash and investments, our revolving credit facility and equity offerings to meet current working capital needs, entitlement investment, and investment within our developments. Any slowdown in the economy could negatively impact our access to credit markets and may limit our sources of liquidity in the future and potentially increase our costs of capital.
We regularly assess our projected capital requirements to fund future growth in our business, repay our debt obligations, and support our other general corporate and operational needs, and we regularly evaluate our opportunities to raise additional capital. As market conditions permit, we may issue new equity securities through the public capital markets, enter new joint ventures, or obtain additional bank financing to fund our projected capital requirements or provide additional liquidity. Adverse changes in economic, or capital market conditions could negatively affect our business, liquidity and financial results.
Our business model is very dependent on transactions with strategic partners. We may not be able to successfully (1) attract desirable strategic partners; (2) complete agreements with strategic partners; and/or (3) manage relationships with strategic partners going forward, any of which could adversely affect our business. A key to our development and value creation strategies has been the use of joint ventures and strategic relationships. These joint venture partners bring development experience, industry expertise, financial resources, financing capabilities, brand recognition and credibility or other competitive assets.
A complicating factor in any joint venture is that strategic partners may have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours or that are influenced by factors related to our business. These competing interests lead to the difficult challenges of successfully managing the relationship and communication between strategic partners and monitoring the execution of the partnership plan. We may also be subject to adverse business consequences if the market reputation or financial position of the strategic partner deteriorates. If we cannot successfully execute transactions with strategic partners, our business could be adversely affected.
Inability to comply with credit facility covenants, restrictions or limitations could adversely affect our financial condition. Our ability to meet our debt service and other obligations and the financial covenants under our credit facility will depend, in part, upon our future financial performance. Our future results are subject to the risks and uncertainties described in this report. Our revenues and earnings vary with the level of general economic activity in the markets we serve, and the level of commodity prices related to our farming and mineral resource activities. The factors that affect our ability to generate cash can also affect our ability to raise additional funds for these purposes through the addition of debt, the sale of equity, refinancing existing debt, or the sale of assets.
The Revolving Credit Facility requires compliance with three financial covenants: (a) total liabilities divided by tangible net worth not greater than 0.55 to 1.00 at each year end; (b) a debt service coverage ratio not less than 1.50 to 1.00 as of each year end on a rolling four quarter basis; and (c) a liquidity ratio not less than 2.00 to 1.00 at each year end. A failure to comply with these requirements could allow the lending bank to terminate the availability of funds under our revolving credit facility and/or cause any outstanding borrowings to become due and payable prior to maturity.
MARKET RISKS
Market risk relates to the functioning of the marketplace. Many factors affect market function: investor anticipation, shocks in other markets, and anything that limits the efficient functioning of the marketplace. Market risks can affect the price of our Common Stock.
Only a limited market exists for our Common Stock, which could lead to price volatility. The limited trading market for our Common Stock may cause fluctuations in the market value of our Common Stock to be exaggerated, leading to price volatility in excess of that which would occur in a more active trading market of our Common Stock.
Concentrated ownership of our Common Stock creates a risk of sudden change in our share price. As of March 6, 2024, directors and members of our executive management team beneficially owned or controlled approximately 22.6% of our Common Stock. Investors who purchase our Common Stock may be subject to certain risks due to the concentrated ownership of our Common Stock. The sale by any of our large shareholders of a significant portion of that shareholder’s holdings could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock. In addition, the registration and sale of any significant number of additional shares of our Common Stock will have the immediate effect of increasing the public float of our Common Stock and any such increase may cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline or fluctuate significantly.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
We recognize the importance of assessing, identifying, and managing material risks associated with cybersecurity threats, as such term is defined in Item 106(a) of Regulation S-K. These risks include, among other things: operational risks, intellectual property theft, fraud, extortion, harm to employees or customers and violation of data privacy or security laws.
The identification and assessment of cybersecurity risk are integrated into our overall risk management systems and processes, which are managed by senior management and overseen by the Board of Directors. Cybersecurity risks related to our business, privacy and compliance issues are identified and addressed through a multi-faceted approach that includes third party assessments, internal information technology (IT) audit, IT security, governance, risk and compliance reviews. In connection with the aforementioned approaches, and to defend, detect and respond to cybersecurity incidents, we, among other things: conduct proactive privacy and cybersecurity reviews of systems and applications, audit applicable data policies, perform penetration testing using external third-party tools and techniques to test security controls, conduct employee training, monitor emerging laws and regulations related to data protection and information security, and implement appropriate changes.
We have implemented incident response and breach management processes, which have four overarching and interconnected stages: 1) preparation for a cybersecurity incident, 2) detection and analysis of a security incident, 3) containment, eradication and recovery, and 4) post-incident analysis. Such incident responses are overseen by leaders from our IT and accounting teams.
Cybersecurity incident events are evaluated, ranked by severity and prioritized for response and remediation. Incidents are evaluated to determine materiality, as well as operational and business impact, and reviewed for privacy impact.
We also conduct tabletop exercises that simulate responses to cybersecurity incidents. Our team of cybersecurity professionals then collaborate with technical and business stakeholders across our business units to further analyze the risk to the Company, and form detection, mitigation and remediation strategies.
As part of the above processes, we regularly engage external auditors and consultants with expertise in cybersecurity to assess our internal cybersecurity programs and compliance with applicable practices and standards.
Our risk management program also assesses third party risks, and we perform third-party risk management to identify and mitigate risks from third parties, such as vendors, suppliers, and other business partners associated with our use of third-party service providers. In addition to new vendor onboarding, we perform risk management during third-party cybersecurity compromise incidents to identify and mitigate risks to us from third-party incidents.
We describe whether and how risks from identified cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition, under the heading “Information technology failures and data security breaches could harm our business,” which discussion is included as part of our risk factor disclosures at Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Cybersecurity Governance
Cybersecurity is an important part of our risk management processes and an area of focus for our Board of Directors and management. The Board of Directors’ Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of risks from cybersecurity threats. Members of the Audit Committee receive updates on a quarterly basis from senior management regarding matters of cybersecurity. This includes existing and new cybersecurity risks, status on how management is addressing and/or mitigating those risks, cybersecurity and data privacy incidents (if any) and status on key information security initiatives. Our Board members also engage in ad hoc conversations with management on cybersecurity-related news events and discuss any updates to our cybersecurity risk management and strategy programs.
Our management, represented by our Director of IT, Marcus O. Pegues, and our Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, Robert D. Velasquez, leads our cybersecurity risk assessment and management processes and oversees their implementation and maintenance. These individuals are informed about, and monitor the prevention, mitigation, detection and remediation of cybersecurity incidents through their management of, and participation in, the cybersecurity risk management and strategy processes described above, including the operation of our incident response plan, and report to the Audit Committee on any appropriate items.
Marcus O. Pegues is an experienced information technology professional in our information technology department and has served as Director of IT since 2021. He works with the Company’s internal information technology department and external partners to monitor and improve our cybersecurity capabilities. Mr. Pegues possesses a proven track record of guiding our
organization through strategic technology, risk mitigation, process improvement initiatives, and digital transformations. He also possesses extensive experience in technology and cybersecurity, gained over his career spanning more than 15 years. He earned his Master of Science in Information Technology with Specialization in Project Management from Colorado Technical University and his Bachelor of Science in Business Management with Specialization in Information Technology from Colorado Technical University.
Robert D. Velasquez, CPA, is an experienced risk management professional in our finance and risk management function and has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer since March 2022. Mr. Velasquez currently oversees key functions for the Company’s accounting, finance, and treasury strategies, including risk management. In addition, Mr. Velasquez leads the Company’s cybersecurity risk oversight and the development and enhancement of internal controls designed to prevent, detect, address, and mitigate the risk of cyber incidents.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Land
Our approximately 270,000 acres include portions of the San Joaquin Valley, portions of the Tehachapi Mountains and portions of the western end of the Antelope Valley. Each of our five reporting segments uses various portions of this land. A number of key transportation and utility facilities cross our land, including Interstate 5, California Highways 58, 138 and 223, the California Aqueduct (which brings water from Northern California), and various transmission lines for electricity, oil, natural gas and communication systems. Our corporate offices are located on our property.
Approximately 247,000 acres of our land are located in Kern County, California. The Kern County general plan, or the “General Plan,” for this land contemplates continued commercial, resource utilization, farming, grazing and other agricultural uses, as well as certain new developments and uses, including residential and recreational facilities. While the General Plan is intended to provide guidelines for land use and development, it is subject to amendment to accommodate changing circumstances and needs. We have three major master planned real estate projects in Kern County: MV, TRCC and Grapevine.
The remainder of our land, approximately 23,000 acres, is in Los Angeles County. This area is accessible from Interstate 5 via Highway 138. Los Angeles County has adopted general plan policies that contemplate future residential development of portions of this land, subject to further assessments of environmental and infrastructure constraints. The Centennial master planned project is on our lands in Los Angeles County.
Portions of our land consist of mountainous terrain, much of which is not presently served by paved roads or by utility or water lines. Much of this property is included within the Conservation Agreement we entered into with five major environmental organizations in June 2008. As we receive entitlement approvals over the life span of our developments, we will dedicate conservation easements on 145,000 acres of this land, which will preclude future development of the land. This acreage includes many of the most environmentally sensitive areas of our property and is home to many plant and wildlife species whose environments will remain undisturbed.
Any significant development on our currently undeveloped land would involve the construction of roads, utilities and other expensive infrastructure and would have to be done in a manner that accommodates a number of environmental concerns, including endangered species, wetlands issues, and greenhouse gas emissions. Accommodating these environmental concerns, could possibly limit development of portions of the land or result in substantial delays or certain changes to the scope of development in order to obtain governmental approval.
Water Operations
Our existing long-term water contracts with the Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District, or WRMWSD, provide for water entitlements and deliveries from the SWP to our agricultural and municipal/industrial operations in the San Joaquin Valley. The terms of these contracts extend to 2035. Under the contracts, we are entitled to annual water for 5,496 acres of land, or 15,547 acre-feet of water subject to SWP allocations, which is adequate for our present farming operations. It is assumed that at the end of the current contract period, all water contracts will be extended for approximately the same amount of annual water.
In addition to the WRMWSD contract water entitlements, we have an additional water entitlement from the SWP sufficient to service a substantial amount of future residential and/or commercial development in Kern County. TCWD, a local water district serving our land in the district and land we have sold in TRCC, has 5,749 acre-feet of SWP entitlement (also called Table A amount), subject to SWP allocations. In addition, TCWD has 65,005 acre-feet of water stored in Kern County water banks. Both the entitlement and the banked water are the subject of a long-term water supply contract extending to 2035 between TCWD and the Company. TCWD is the water supplier to TRCC, and will be the principal water supplier for any significant mixed-use development in MV. TCWD will also be the water district that provides services to the Grapevine and Centennial projects.
We have a 150-acre water bank consisting of nine ponds on our land in southern Kern County. Water is pumped into these ponds and then percolates into underground aquifers. Since 2006, we have banked 54,728 acre-feet of water from the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency, or AVEK, which has been pumped from the California aqueduct and is currently retained in this water bank. We anticipate adding additional water to the water bank in the future, as water is available.
Over time, we have also purchased water for our future use or sale. We have secured SWP entitlement under long-term SWP water contracts within the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District and the Dudley-Ridge Water District, totaling 3,444 acre-feet of SWP entitlement annually, subject to SWP allocations. These contracts extend through 2035. In 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of a water purchase agreement that will allow and require the Company to purchase 6,693 acre-feet of water each year from the Nickel Family, LLC, or Nickel, through the Kern County Water Agency.
The initial term of the water purchase agreement with Nickel runs through 2044 and includes a Company option to extend the contract for an additional 35 years. This contract allows us to purchase water each year. The purchase cost of water in 2023 was $928 per acre-foot. Purchase costs are subject to annual cost increases based on the greater of the consumer price index or 3%, resulting in a 2024 purchase cost of $956 per acre-foot.
The water purchased will ultimately be used in the development of the Company’s land for commercial/industrial development, residential development, and farming. Interim uses may include the sale of portions of this water to third party users on an annual basis, until the water is fully used for the Company’s internal uses.
During 2023, SWP allocations were 100% of contract levels, and WRMWSD was able to supply us with water from various sources that, when combined with our water sources provided sufficient water to meet our farming and real estate demands. In some years, there is also sufficient runoff from local mountain streams to allow us to capture some of this water in reservoirs and utilize it to offset some of the SWP water. In years where the supply of water is sufficient, both WRMWSD and TCWD are able to bank (percolate into underground aquifers) some of their excess supplies for future use. At this time, Wheeler Ridge expects to be able to deliver our entire contract water entitlement in any year that the SWP allocations exceed 30% by drawing on its ground water wells and water banking assets. Based on historical records of water availability, we believe we have no material problems with our water supply. However, if SWP allocations are less than 30% of our entitlement in any year, or if shortages continue for a sustained period of several years, then WRMWSD may not be able to deliver 100% of our entitlement and we will have to rely on our own ground water sources, mountain stream runoff, water transfer from other sources, and water banking assets to supply the needs of our farming and development activities. Water from these sources may be more expensive than SWP water because of pumping costs and/or transfer costs. A 15% preliminary SWP water allocation has been made by the California Department of Water Resources, or DWR, for 2024. The current 15% allocation of SWP water will allow us to have sufficient water for our farming needs for the next year.
All SWP water contracts require annual payments related to the fixed and variable costs of the SWP and each water district, whether or not water is used or available. WRMWSD and TCWD contracts also establish a lien on benefited land.
Portions of our property also have available groundwater, which we believe would be sufficient to supply commercial development in the Interstate 5 corridor and support current agricultural operations. Ground water in the Antelope Valley Basin is subject to an adjudication of the water basin that limits groundwater pumping.
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA, is a sustainable groundwater framework that became effective January 1, 2015. For the water districts in which the Company participates in the San Joaquin Valley, Groundwater Sustainability Plans have been developed and submitted to the DWR for review. Through these plans, it will have to be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the DWR that the groundwater within the basins is sustainably managed by 2040 or 2042. To achieve sustainability, the GSPs could impose limitations on the use of groundwater. The Company's Kern County lands are located in the Kern Subbasin, the White Wolf Subbasin and the Castac Lake Basin. The Kern Subbasin is designated by DWR as a high priority, critically overdrafted basin, and its GSP was required to be submitted to DWR by January of 2020. After their initial submittal to DWR of their GSPs, DWR notified the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies in the Kern Subbasin of deficiencies in their GSPs, which were to be addressed to DWR’s satisfaction by July of 2022. The GSAs met that deadline. Upon evaluation of resubmitted plans, however, DWR determined that the basin is inadequate. DWR has initiated consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board for possible State intervention. The White Wolf Subbasin is designated by DWR as a medium priority, non-critically overdrafted basin, and its GSP was required to be submitted to DWR by January 2022. The Board of Directors of the White Wolf GSA adopted the GSP for the White Wolf Subbasin and submitted it to DWR. In October 2023, DWR announced the approval of the GSP with only four minor correction items to be corrected in the five-year plan update due by 2027. The Castac Basin is a low priority basin, so there is no anticipation at this time of any restriction related to use of groundwater under SGMA. Regardless of any limitations on groundwater use that might result from SGMA, the Company's lands are in relatively good condition because of the diverse inventory of surface water supplies and banked water that the Company has access, to as mentioned above.
There have been many environmental challenges regarding the movement of SWP water through the Sacramento Delta. Operation of the Delta pumps are of primary importance to the California water system, because these pumps are part of the system that moves water from Northern California to Southern California. Biological Opinions, or BiOps, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or FWS, and National Marine Fisheries Service, or NMFS, in 2008 and 2009 contained restrictions on pumping from the Delta and were challenged in the courts by both water agencies and environmental groups, which challenges were, for the most part unsuccessful. Since then, a number of developments have occurred that affect or potentially affect SWP supplies from the Delta.
One of these developments relates to the Coordinated Operation Agreement, or COA, that DWR and the Bureau of Reclamation, or the Bureau, which operates pumps in the Delta to supply water to its Central Valley Project, or CVP, entered into in 1986. The COA governs the concurrent state and federal pumping operations in the Delta. DWR and the Bureau renegotiated the COA in late 2018 to bring the COA up to date with various physical and legal changes that occurred over the course of thirty years. The renegotiated COA has generally resulted in reduced deliveries to SWP contractors.
Another development is DWR’s plan for construction of a facility to convey water through the Delta in the form of a tunnel system that would divert water at or near the northern end of the Delta and convey the water underground via tunnel for delivery at or near the southern end of the Delta. Originally envisioned as a two-tunnel system known as California WaterFix, that project was rescinded and has been replaced with a proposed downsized single-tunnel system referred to as the Delta Conveyance Project, or DCP. In January of 2020, DWR began the environmental review process for the DCP by issuance of a Notice of Preparation of an EIR under CEQA. DWR circulated the Draft EIR for the DCP and the public comment period on the DEIR closed on December 16, 2022. DWR reviewed the comments received and has approved the Final EIR for DCP. DWR and the SWP Contractors will continue to work on executing amendments to the water supply contracts that provide for addition of the DCP to the SWP. The DCP is intended to increase the amount of water available for delivery across the Delta, particularly in wet years.
A third development is the Reinitiation of Consultation on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project. This is a process that DWR and the Bureau of Reclamation, or Bureau, jointly requested in 2016 and that resulted in new federal FWS and NMFS Biological Opinions, or BiOps, under Federal Endangered Species Act, or ESA, in 2019. The 2019 BiOps were intended to enhance reliability of water available for pumping out of the Delta based on updated best available science. The State of California and various non-governmental organizations filed a legal challenge to the new BiOps. Shortly after the 2019 BiOps were finalized, the State of California issued an Incidental Take Permit, or ITP, pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act, or CESA, which is generally more restrictive on pumping out of the Delta in comparison to the BiOps. Several SWP Contractors, and others, filed litigation challenging ITP on several grounds, including CEQA and breach of contract. Additionally, the Bureau has reinitiated further consultation relative to the proposed actions in the federal BiOps. An interim operations plan for the Delta has been introduced that would govern Delta operations in the absence of final BiOps, and that plan is also the subject of legal challenges. It is expected that new biological options will be issued in 2024.
Other Activities
TRPFFA is a joint powers authority formed by Kern County and TCWD to finance public infrastructure within the Company’s Kern County developments. TRPFFA has created two Community Facilities Districts, or CFDs, the West CFD and the East CFD. The West CFD has placed liens on 420 acres of the Company’s land to secure payment of special taxes related to $19,540,000 of outstanding bond debt sold by TRPFFA for TRCC-West. The East CFD has placed liens on 1,931 acres of the Company’s land to secure payments of special taxes related to $72,055,000 of outstanding bond debt sold by TRPFFA for TRCC-East. At TRCC-West, the West CFD has no additional bond debt approved for issuance. At TRCC-East, the East CFD has $44,035,000 of additional bond debt authorized by TRPFFA. Proceeds from the sales of these bonds are to reimburse the Company for public infrastructure related to TRCC-East.
We paid $2,775,000 and $2,899,000 in special taxes related to the CFDs in 2023 and 2022, respectively. As development continues to occur at TRCC, new owners of land and new lease tenants, through triple net leases, will bear an increasing portion of the assessed special tax. It is expected that we will have special tax payments in 2024 of $2,803,000, but this could change in the future based on the amount of bonds outstanding within each CFD and the amount of taxes paid by other owners and tenants. The assessment of each individual property sold or leased is not determinable at this time, because it is based on the current tax rate and the assessed value of the property at the time of sale or on its assessed value at the time it is leased to a third-party. Accordingly, the Company is not required to recognize an obligation at December 31, 2023.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in various legal matters arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. None of these matters are expected, individually or in aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Note 14 (Commitments and Contingencies) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our Common Stock trades under the symbol TRC on the New York Stock Exchange.
As of February 29, 2024, there were 270 registered owners of record of our Common Stock.
No cash dividends were paid in 2023 or 2022 and at this time there is no intention of paying cash dividends in the future.
For information regarding equity compensation plans pursuant to Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, please see Item 11, “Executive Compensation” and Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” of this Form 10-K, below.
The annual stockholder performance graph will be provided separately in our annual report to stockholders.
ITEM 6. RESERVED
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
See Part I, "Forward-Looking Statements" for our cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information.
This discussion and analysis are based on, should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 15(a)1 of this Form 10-K, beginning at page F-1. It also should be read in conjunction with the disclosure under “Forward-Looking Statements” in Part 1 of this Form 10-K. When this report uses the words “we,” “us,” “our,” “Tejon,” “TRC,” and the “Company,” they refer to Tejon Ranch Co. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. References herein to fiscal year refer to our fiscal years ended or ending December 31.
OVERVIEW
Our Business
We are a diversified real estate development and agribusiness company committed to responsibly using our land and resources to meet the housing, employment, and lifestyle needs of Californians and to create value for our shareholders. In support of these objectives, we have been investing in land planning and entitlement activities for new commercial/industrial and resort/residential land developments and in infrastructure improvements within our active industrial development. Our prime asset is approximately 270,000 acres of contiguous, largely undeveloped land that, at its most southerly border, is 60 miles north of Los Angeles and, at its most northerly border, is 15 miles east of Bakersfield.
Our business model is designed to create value through the execution of commercial/industrial development, entitlement and development of land for resort/residential uses, and the maximization of earnings from operating assets, while at the same time protecting significant portions of our land for conservation purposes. We operate our business near one of the country’s largest population centers, which is expected to continue to grow well into the future.
We currently operate in five reporting segments: commercial/industrial real estate development; resort/residential real estate development; mineral resources; farming; and ranch operations.
Our commercial/industrial real estate segment generates revenues from real estate leases, and land and building sales. The primary commercial/industrial development is TRCC. The resort/residential real estate development segment is actively involved in the land entitlement and pre-development efforts both internally and through a joint venture. Our active developments within this segment are MV, Centennial, and Grapevine. Our mineral resources segment generates revenues from oil and gas royalty leases, rock and aggregate mining leases, a lease with National Cement of California Inc., and water sales. The farming segment produces revenues from the sale of wine grapes, almonds, and pistachios. Lastly, the ranch operations segment consists of game management revenues and ancillary land uses, such as grazing leases and filming.
Financial Highlights
For 2023, net income attributable to common stockholders was $3,265,000 compared to net income attributed to common stockholders of $15,808,000 in 2022. The primary factor driving the decrease was the absence of land sales in 2023 within the commercial/industrial segment, contributing to a $20,454,000 decrease in segment operating profits. Additionally, the mineral resources segment operating income decreased by $2,787,000 largely attributable to limited opportunities to sell water as a result of 100% SWP allocation. The above decreases were partially offset by improved farming segment operating results of $5,503,000 mainly due to cost reductions. Also offsetting the decreases were income tax expense savings of $5,070,000 derived from lower taxable profits when compared with the prior period.
For 2022, net income attributable to common stockholders was $15,808,000 compared to net income attributed to common stockholders of $5,348,000 in 2021. Over the comparative period, commercial/industrial segment profits increased $16,636,000, resulting from the sale of three land parcels totaling 98.2 acres. Profits from the mineral resources segment increased by $1,198,000 as a result of greater oil royalties. Lastly, total other income increased $1,501,000 as a result of an increase in interest income, along with receiving excess distributions and recognizing long-term deferred gains associated with our former 18-19 West joint venture. The preceding improvements were offset by a $3,572,000 increase in income tax expense.
During 2024, we will continue to invest funds towards litigation defense, permits, and maps for our master plan mixed-use developments and for master project infrastructure and vertical development within our active commercial and industrial development, including construction on Terra Vista at Tejon, our new multi-family apartment community located immediately adjacent to the Outlets at Tejon at TRCC. Securing entitlements for our land is a long, arduous process that can take several years and involves litigation. During the next few years, our net income will fluctuate from year-to-year based upon, among other factors, commodity prices, production within our farming segment, the timing of land sales and the leasing of land, industrial space, and/or multi-family apartment units within our industrial developments, and equity in earnings generated from our unconsolidated joint ventures.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations provides a narrative discussion of our results of operations. It contains the results of operations for each reporting segment of the business and is followed by a discussion of our financial position. It is useful to read the reporting segment information in conjunction with Note 16 (Reporting Segments and Related Information) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts for assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (2) changes in the estimates that are likely to occur from period to period, use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, or would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, impairment of long-lived assets, capitalization of costs, allocation of costs related to land sales and leases, stock compensation, and our future ability to utilize deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed the foregoing disclosure. In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimation, but are not deemed critical as defined above. Changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements. Please refer to Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which discusses accounting policies that we have selected from acceptable alternatives.
We believe the following critical accounting estimates reflect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Real Estate Development – We evaluate our real estate development projects for impairment on an ongoing basis. Our evaluation for impairment involves an initial assessment of each real estate development to determine whether events or changes in circumstances exist that may indicate that the carrying amounts of a real estate development are no longer recoverable. Possible indications of impairment may include events or changes in circumstances affecting the entitlement process, government regulation, litigation, geographical demand for new housing, and market conditions related to pricing of new homes.
We make significant assumptions to evaluate each real estate development for possible indications of impairment. These assumptions include the identification of appropriate and comparable market prices, the consideration of changes to legal factors or the business climate, and assumptions surrounding continued positive cash flows and development costs. Considering that the planned development communities will be in a location that does not currently have many comparable homes, the Company must make assumptions surrounding the expected ability to sell the real estate assets at a price that is in excess of current accumulated costs. We use our internal forecasts and business plans to estimate future prices, absorption, and costs. We develop our forecasts based on recent sales data, input from marketing consultants, as well as discussions with commercial real estate brokers.
When events or changes in circumstances exist that result in an indicator of impairment, we perform an impairment calculation, which compares the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated future cash flows (undiscounted). If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, we calculate an impairment loss. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated fair value, which may be based on estimated future cash flows (discounted). We recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds the asset’s estimated fair value. If we recognize an impairment loss, the adjusted carrying amount of the asset will be its new cost basis. For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis will be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset. Restoration of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited. If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to impairment losses that could be material to our results of operations.
At this time, there are no assets within any of our reporting segments that we believe are at risk of being impaired due to market conditions, nor have we identified any impairment indicators.
We believe that the accounting estimate related to asset impairment is a critical accounting estimate because it is very susceptible to change from period to period; it requires management to make assumptions about future prices, production, and costs, and the potential impact of a loss from impairment could be material to our earnings. Management’s assumptions regarding future cash flows from real estate developments are expected to fluctuate due to changes in prices, absorption, and costs as future market conditions change.
Allocation of Costs Related to Land Sales and Leases – When we sell or lease land within one of our real estate developments, as we are currently doing within TRCC, and we have not completed all infrastructure development related to the total project, we determine the appropriate costs of sales for the sold land and the timing of recognition of the sale. In the calculation of cost of sales or allocations to leased land, we use estimates and forecasts to determine total costs at completion of the development project. These estimates of final development costs can change as conditions in the market and costs of construction change.
In preparing these estimates, we use internal budgets, forecasts, and engineering reports to help us estimate future costs related to infrastructure that has not been completed. These estimates become more accurate as the development proceeds forward, due to historical cost numbers and to the continued refinement of the development plan. These estimates are updated periodically throughout the year so that, at the ultimate completion of development, all costs have been allocated. Any increases to our estimates in future years will negatively impact net profits and liquidity due to an increased need for funds to complete development. If, however, this estimate decreases, net profits as well as liquidity will improve.
We believe that the estimates used related to cost of sales and allocations to leased land are critical accounting estimates and will become even more significant as we continue to move forward as a real estate development company. The estimates used are very susceptible to change from period to period, due to the fact that they require management to make assumptions about costs of construction, absorption of product, and timing of project completion, and changes to these estimates could have a material impact on the recognition of profits from the sale of land within our developments.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results of Operations by Segment
We evaluate the performance of our reporting segments separately to monitor the different factors affecting financial results. Each reporting segment is subject to review and evaluation as we monitor current market conditions, market opportunities, and available resources. The performance of each reporting segment is discussed below:
Real Estate – Commercial/Industrial
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Commercial/industrial revenues | | | | | |
| Pastoria Energy Facility Lease | $ | 5,089 | | | $ | 4,859 | | | $ | 4,380 | |
| TRCC Leasing | 1,702 | | | 1,535 | | | 1,724 | |
| TRCC management fees and reimbursements | 1,261 | | | 1,431 | | | 692 | |
| Commercial leases | 662 | | | 646 | | | 627 | |
| Communication leases | 1,079 | | | 1,011 | | | 952 | |
| Landscaping and other | 1,965 | | | 1,237 | | | 1,066 | |
| Land sales | — | | | 29,796 | | | 10,035 | |
| Total commercial revenues | $ | 11,758 | | | $ | 40,515 | | | $ | 19,476 | |
| Total commercial expenses | $ | 8,053 | | | $ | 16,356 | | | $ | 11,953 | |
| Operating income from commercial/industrial | $ | 3,705 | | | $ | 24,159 | | | $ | 7,523 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
2023 Operational Highlights:
•Commercial/industrial real estate development segment revenues were $11,758,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $28,757,000, or 71%, from $40,515,000 in 2022. The absence of land sales was the primary driver of this decrease. We sold three land parcels in 2022, totaling 98.2 acres, for $29,796,000, whereas in 2023 we did not sell any land parcels. The decrease was partially offset by higher landscaping revenues of $728,000 and increases in Pastoria Energy Facility and TRCC leasing revenues of $230,000.
•Commercial/industrial real estate segment expenses decreased $8,303,000, or 51%, from $16,356,000 in 2022 to $8,053,000 in 2023. The decrease in expenses is primarily attributed to the absence of $8,623,000 in cost of sales from the land sales in 2022.
2022 Operational Highlights:
•During 2022, commercial/industrial segment revenues increased $21,039,000, or 108%, from $19,476,000 in 2021 to $40,515,000. The three land parcels we sold in 2022 totaling 98.2 acres include:
◦A 27.88-acre land parcel contributed with a fair value of $8,501,000 to TRC-MRC 5, LLC. We recognized revenues of $5,489,000 and deferred profit of $3,012,000 after applying the five-step revenue recognition model in accordance with ASC Topic 606 — Revenue From Contracts With Customers and ASC Topic 323, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures.
◦58.0 acres of industrial land located at TRCC East to Nestlé for $22,000,000. We recognized land sales revenue of $19,627,000 and deferred revenues of $2,373,000 attributable to a performance obligation within the contract after applying the five-step revenue recognition model in accordance with ASC Topic 606 - Revenue From Contracts With Customers.
◦12.3 acres of industrial land located at TRCC West to a third party for $4,680,000.
•Commercial/industrial real estate segment expenses increased $4,403,000, or 37%, from $11,953,000 in 2021 to $16,356,000 in 2022. The increase in expenses is primarily attributed to additional land cost of sales of $4,372,000.
For 2024, TRCC will continue to be the driver of new activity within the Company. Construction began in January of 2024 on Terra Vista at Tejon, our new multi-family apartment community located immediately adjacent to the Outlets at Tejon. In 2023, we completed construction of a pre-leased 446,400 square-foot industrial building through a joint venture. We also expect the commercial/industrial segment to continue to experience operating costs, net of amounts capitalized, related to professional service fees, marketing, commissions, planning, and staffing costs as we continue to pursue development opportunities. These costs are expected to remain consistent with current levels of expense with any variability in the future tied to specific absorption transactions in any given year and near-term inflation impacts. TCWD water assessments may vary depending on water availability and its ability to sell water.
The actual timing and completion of development is difficult to predict due to the uncertainties of the market. Infrastructure development and marketing activities and costs will continue over several years as we develop our land holdings. We anticipate shorter lead times and more stable prices for materials, with electrical components being a notable exception. We will also continue to evaluate land resources to determine the highest and best uses for our land holdings. Future sales of land are dependent on market circumstances and specific opportunities. Our goal in the future is to increase land value and create future revenue growth through planning and development of commercial and industrial properties.
See Item 1, “Business – Real Estate Development Overview” for discussion of the market outlook for the next year.
Real Estate – Resort/Residential
Our resort/residential segment activities include defending entitlements, land planning and pre-construction engineering and conservation activities for our Centennial, Grapevine, and MV projects.
We are in the preliminary stages of development; hence, no revenues are attributed to this segment for these reporting periods.
2023 Operational Highlights:
•In 2023, resort/residential segment expenses decreased $101,000 to $1,528,000, or 6%, when compared to $1,629,000 in 2022. The decrease is namely attributed to a decrease in payroll costs.
2022 Operational Highlights:
•In 2022, resort/residential segment expenses decreased $94,000 to $1,629,000, or 5%, when compared to $1,723,000 in 2021. The decrease is attributed to lower professional service costs.
The resort/residential segment will continue to incur costs in the future related to professional service fees, public relations costs, and staffing costs as we continue to go forward with permitting and pre-development activities for the above communities. We expect these expenses to remain consistent with current years' cost in the near term and only begin to increase as we move into the development phase of each project in the future. The actual timing and completion of entitlement-related activities and the beginning of development is difficult to predict due to the uncertainties of the approval process, the length of time related to litigation defense, and the status of the economy. We will also continue to evaluate land resources to determine the highest and best use for our landholdings. Our long-term goal through this process is to increase the value of our land and create future revenue opportunities through resort and residential development.
We are continuously monitoring the markets in order to identify the appropriate time in the future to begin infrastructure improvements and lot sales. Our long-term business plan of developing the communities of MV, Centennial, and Grapevine remains unchanged. As home buyer trends change in California to a more suburban orientation and the economy stabilizes, we believe the perception of land values will also begin to improve. Long-term market fundamentals, such as California's significant documented housing shortage and large Southern California population center we believe will support housing demand in our region.
See Item 1, “Business – Real Estate Development Overview” for a further discussion of real estate development activities.
Mineral Resources
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Mineral resources revenues | | | | | | |
| Oil and gas | | $ | 1,005 | | | $ | 1,340 | | | $ | 737 | |
| Rock aggregate | | 1,903 | | | 1,937 | | | 1,910 | |
| Cement | | 2,652 | | | 2,871 | | | 2,210 | |
| Exploration leases | | 29 | | | 94 | | | 119 | |
| Water sales | | 8,033 | | | 14,658 | | | 15,523 | |
| Reimbursables and other | | 902 | | | 695 | | | 488 | |
| Total mineral resources revenues | | $ | 14,524 | | | $ | 21,595 | | | $ | 20,987 | |
| Total mineral resources expenses | | $ | 8,685 | | | $ | 12,969 | | | $ | 13,559 | |
| Operating income from mineral resources | | $ | 5,839 | | | $ | 8,626 | | | $ | 7,428 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Oil and gas | | | | | | |
| Oil production (barrels) | | 94,780 | | 92,788 | | 75,006 |
| Average price per barrel | | $78.00 | | $98.00 | | $69.00 |
| | | | | | |
| Natural gas production (millions of cubic feet) | | 62,000 | | 57,000 | | 64,000 |
| Average price per thousand cubic feet | | $2.87 | | $2.84 | | $1.50 |
| Blended royalty rate | | 13.3% | | 14.5% | | 13.9% |
| | | | | | |
| Water | | | | | | |
| Water sold in acre-feet | | 5,145 | | 10,400 | | 13,651 |
| Average price per acre-foot | | $1,561 | | $1,409 | | $1,137 |
| | | | | | |
| Cement | | | | | | |
| Tons sold | | 1,112,000 | | 1,356,000 | | 1,275,000 |
| Average price per ton | | $2.39 | | $2.12 | | $1.73 |
| | | | | | |
| Rock/Aggregate | | | | | | |
| Tons sold | | 1,600,000 | | 1,677,000 | | 1,466,000 |
| Average price per ton | | $1.19 | | $1.15 | | $1.30 |
| | | | | | |
| Note: Differences between revenues calculated within this table and reported revenues within the previous table are attributed to rounding and the level of precision presented on production units shown. |
2023 Operational Highlights:
•Revenues from our mineral resources segment decreased $7,071,000, or 33%, to $14,524,000 in 2023 when compared to $21,595,000 in 2022. The decrease is primarily attributed to lower water sales revenue of $6,625,000. The SWP allocation was at 100% in 2023, due to heavy rainfall in California, which severely limited our water sales opportunities, whereas in 2022 the allocation was at 5%. Additionally, the Company experienced a decrease in royalties of $587,000 due to lower price per barrel for oil production, combined with lower production volume of cement and aggregate production, when compared to 2022.
•Mineral resources expenses decreased $4,284,000, or 33%, to $8,685,000 in 2023 when compared to $12,969,000 in 2022 as a result of having less cost of water sales.
2022 Operational Highlights:
•Revenues from our mineral resources segment increased $608,000, or 3%, to $21,595,000 in 2022 when compared to $20,987,000 in 2021. The increase is attributed to higher oil and gas royalties resulting from higher price per barrel and higher price per thousand cubic feet, respectively, when compared to 2021 pricing. These improvements were partially offset by an $865,000 reduction in water revenue. This decline was driven by less water available for sale, but due to low statewide water supplies, we were able to sell our available water at higher prices.
•Mineral resources expenses decreased $590,000, or 4%, to $12,969,000 in 2022 when compared to $13,559,000 in 2021 as a result of having less water sales, offset by an increase in property taxes.
For further discussion of mineral resources operations, refer to Item 1 “Business—Mineral Resources.”
Farming
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| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Farming revenues | | | | | | |
| Almonds | | $ | 5,378 | | | $ | 6,121 | | | $ | 3,100 | |
| Pistachios | | 4,036 | | | 2,450 | | | 4,293 | |
| Wine grapes | | 3,290 | | | 3,470 | | | 2,850 | |
| Hay | | 267 | | | 587 | | | 408 | |
| Other | | 979 | | | 373 | | | 388 | |
| Total farming revenues | | $ | 13,950 | | | $ | 13,001 | | | $ | 11,039 | |
| Total farming expenses | | $ | 15,257 | | | $ | 19,811 | | | $ | 14,116 | |
| Operating loss from farming | | $ | (1,307) | | | $ | (6,810) | | | $ | (3,077) | |
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| | December 31, 2023 | | | December 31, 2022 | | | Change | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Revenue | | Quantity Sold2 | | Average
Price | | | Revenue | | Quantity Sold2 | | Average
Price | | | Revenue | | Quantity Sold2 | | Average
Price | | |
| ALMONDS (lbs.) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current year crop | | $ | 3,300 | | | 1,575 | | | $ | 2.10 | | | | $ | 2,851 | | | 1,267 | | | $ | 2.25 | | | | $ | 449 | | | 308 | | | $ | (0.15) | | | |
| Prior crop years | | 1,819 | | | 1,042 | | | $ | 1.75 | | | | 3,216 | | | 1,584 | | | $ | 2.03 | | | | (1,397) | | | (542) | | | $ | (0.28) | | | |
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| Crop insurance | | 259 | | | | | | | | 54 | | | | | | | | 205 | | | | | | | |
Subtotal Almonds1 | | $ | 5,378 | | | 2,617 | | | $ | 1.96 | | | | $ | 6,121 | | | 2,851 | | | $ | 2.13 | | | | $ | (743) | | | (234) | | | $ | (0.17) | | | |
| PISTACHIOS (lbs.) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current year crop | | $ | 3,990 | | | 2,466 | | | $ | 1.62 | | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | $ | 3,990 | | | 2,466 | | | $ | 1.62 | | | |
| Prior crop years | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
| Prior crop price adjustment | | — | | | | | | | | 873 | | | | | | | | (873) | | | | | | | |
| Crop insurance | | 46 | | | | | | | | 1,577 | | | | | | | | (1,531) | | | | | | | |
Subtotal Pistachios1 | | $ | 4,036 | | | 2,466 | | | $ | 1.62 | | | | $ | 2,450 | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | $ | 1,586 | | | 2,466 | | | $ | 1.62 | | | |
| WINE GRAPES (tons) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current year crop | | $ | 3,290 | | | 11 | | | $ | 299.09 | | | | $ | 3,470 | | | 10 | | | $ | 347.00 | | | | $ | (180) | | | 1 | | | $ | (47.91) | | | |
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| Crop insurance | | — | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | |
| Subtotal Wine Grapes | | $ | 3,290 | | | 11 | | | $ | 299.09 | | | | $ | 3,470 | | | 10 | | | $ | 347.00 | | | | $ | (180) | | | 1 | | | $ | (47.91) | | | |
| Other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Hay | | $ | 267 | | | | | | | | $ | 587 | | | | | | | | $ | (320) | | | | | | | |
| Other farming revenues | | 979 | | | | | | | | 373 | | | | | | | | 606 | | | | | | | |
| Total farming revenues | | $ | 13,950 | | | | | | | | $ | 13,001 | | | | | | | | $ | 949 | | | | | | | |
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1 Average price calculation reflects sale of almond and pistachio crops during the calendar reported year, exclusive of any price adjustments. | | |
2 Almond and pistachio units are presented in thousands of pounds, while wine grapes are presented in thousands of tons. | | |
2023 Operational Highlights:
•During 2023, farming segment revenues increased $949,000, or 7%, from $13,001,000 in 2022 to $13,950,000 in 2023. The factors contributing to this increase are as follow:
◦Pistachio crop revenue increased by $3,990,000 in 2023, which was partially offset by a $1,531,000 decrease in crop insurance and a $873,000 decrease in prior year crop price adjustment. Pistachio revenues increased primarily because the 2022 crop did not bear fruit due to a mild winter.
◦Almond revenues decreased $743,000 due to unfavorable pricing for crops sold in 2023 when compared to 2022. Additionally, the variations in the mix of almonds sold also attributed to this decrease. During 2022, a majority of almonds sold were of the Nonpareil and Monterey varieties, which generally sell at a higher price.
◦Wine grape revenues decreased $180,000 due to unfavorable pricing, partially offset by higher yields.
•During 2023, farming segment expenses decreased $4,554,000, or 23%, from $19,811,000 in 2022 to $15,257,000 in 2023. The decrease is mainly attributable to lower water holding cost of $3,040,000. Additionally, utility costs decreased by $805,000 due to water availability in 2023 resulting in less need of water transmission costs to pump water for farming.
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| | December 31, 2022 | | | December 31, 2021 | | | Change |
| ($ in thousands) | | Revenue | | Quantity Sold2 | | Average
Price | | | Revenue | | Quantity Sold2 | | Average
Price | | | Revenue | | Quantity Sold2 | | Average
Price |
| ALMONDS (lbs.) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current year crop | | $ | 2,851 | | | 1,267 | | | $ | 2.25 | | | | $ | 2,257 | | | 945 | | | $ | 2.39 | | | | $ | 594 | | | 322 | | | $ | (0.14) | |
| Prior crop years | | 3,216 | | | 1,584 | | | 2.03 | | | | 670 | | | 377 | | | 1.78 | | | | 2,546 | | | 1,207 | | | 0.25 | |
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| Crop insurance | | 54 | | | | | | | | 173 | | | | | | | | $ | (119) | | | | | |
Subtotal Almonds1 | | $ | 6,121 | | | 2,851 | | | $ | 2.13 | | | | $ | 3,100 | | | 1,322 | | | $ | 2.21 | | | | $ | 3,021 | | | 1,529 | | | $ | (0.08) | |
| PISTACHIOS (lbs.) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current year crop | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | $ | 3,462 | | | 1,615 | | | $ | 2.14 | | | | $ | (3,462) | | | (1,615) | | | $ | (2.14) | |
| Prior crop years | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Prior crop price adjustment | | 873 | | | | | | | | 365 | | | | | | | | 508 | | | | | |
| Crop insurance | | 1,577 | | | | | | | | 466 | | | | | | | | 1,111 | | | | | |
Subtotal Pistachios1 | | $ | 2,450 | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | $ | 4,293 | | | 1,615 | | | $ | 2.14 | | | | $ | (1,843) | | | (1,615) | | | $ | (2.14) | |
| WINE GRAPES (tons) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current year crop | | $ | 3,470 | | | 10 | | | $ | 347.00 | | | | $ | 2,850 | | | 9 | | | $ | 316.67 | | | | $ | 620 | | | 1 | | | $ | 30.33 | |
| Crop insurance | | — | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | — | | | | | |
| Subtotal Wine Grapes | | $ | 3,470 | | | 10 | | | $ | 347.00 | | | | $ | 2,850 | | | 9 | | | $ | 316.67 | | | | $ | 620 | | | 1 | | | $ | 30.33 | |
| Other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Hay | | $ | 587 | | | | | | | | $ | 408 | | | | | | | | $ | 179 | | | | | |
| Other farming revenues | | 373 | | | | | | | | 388 | | | | | | | | (15) | | | | | |
| Total farming revenues | | $ | 13,001 | | | | | | | | $ | 11,039 | | | | | | | | $ | 1,962 | | | | | |
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1 Average price calculation reflects sale of almond and pistachio crops during the calendar reported year exclusive of any price adjustments. |
2 Almond and pistachio units are presented in thousands of pounds while wine grapes are presented in thousands of tons. |
2022 Operational Highlights:
•During 2022, farming segment revenues increased $1,962,000, or 18%, from $11,039,000 in 2021 to $13,001,000 in 2022. The factors contributing to this increase are as follows:
◦Almond revenues increased $3,021,000 due to an increase in pounds sold in 2022 when compared to 2021. See table above for details of quantity sold.
◦Pistachio revenues decreased $1,843,000 because the 2022 crop did not bear any fruit due to a very mild winter, which limited the number of optimum chill hours (temperatures below 42 degrees for an extended period of time), which impacts the trees' ability to produce fruit. Pistachio revenues in 2022 comprised primarily of insurance proceeds and prior year crop bonuses.
◦Wine grape revenues increased $620,000 due to favorable wine grape pricing and yields.
•During 2022, farming segment expenses increased $5,695,000, or 40%, from $14,116,000 in 2021 to $19,811,000 in 2022. The increase is largely attributed to a 1,529,000-pound increase in almond sales, inclusive of a $1,050,000 write-down in the carrying value for the Company's 2022 almond crop driven by an increase in costs due to high water expense, the impact of inflation to cultural costs, and the impact of low pricing in the almond market. Labor costs also continued to increase throughout 2022.
For further discussion of the farming operations, refer to Item 1 “Business—Farming Operations.”
Ranch Operations
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| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Ranch operations revenue | | | | | | |
Game management and other 1 | | $ | 2,884 | | | $ | 2,912 | | | $ | 2,744 | |
| Grazing | | 1,623 | | | 1,194 | | | 1,367 | |
| Total ranch operations revenues | | $ | 4,507 | | | $ | 4,106 | | | $ | 4,111 | |
| Total ranch operations expenses | | $ | 5,043 | | | $ | 5,024 | | | $ | 4,679 | |
| Operating loss from ranch operations | | $ | (536) | | | $ | (918) | | | $ | (568) | |
1 Game management and other revenues consist of revenues from hunting, filming, high desert hunt club (a premier upland bird hunting club), and other ancillary activities. |
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2023 Operational Highlights:
•Revenues from ranch operations increased $401,000, or 10%, from $4,106,000 in 2022 to $4,507,000 in 2023. This is primarily attributed to an increase in grazing lease revenues due to improved pasture levels as a result of 2023 winter rains, which allowed for more cattle grazing on Company's land.
•Ranch operations expenses were $5,043,000 in 2023, which stayed consistent when compared to $5,024,000 in 2022.
2022 Operational Highlights:
•Revenues from ranch operations decreased $5,000, or 0%, from $4,111,000 in 2021 to $4,106,000 in 2022, which is primarily attributed to an increase in hunting and membership revenues of $167,000 offset by a decline in grazing revenues of $172,000 resulting from a drought clause that resulted from having fewer cattle grazing on the Company's land. The increase in game management revenues is partially attributed to a 30% price increase in some of our more premium guided hunt offerings when compared to prior year.
•Ranch operations expenses increased $345,000, or 7%, to $5,024,000 in 2022 from $4,679,000 in 2021. The increase is primarily attributed to increases in repairs and maintenance of $206,000, insurance of $57,000, and other services of $55,000.
Other Income
Total other income increased by $697,000, or 40%, from $1,722,000 in 2022 to $2,419,000 in 2023. Investment income recognized on marketable securities increased by $1,923,000 due to an increase in average funds invested and higher market interest rate in 2023 compared with 2022. This increase is offset by a decrease of $1,226,000 in other income mainly due to an absence of long-term deferred gains from the sale of the 18-19 West joint venture.
Total other income increased $1,501,000, or 679%, from $221,000 in 2021 to $1,722,000 in 2022. In 2022, the Company had a higher average investment in marketable securities resulting in a $577,000 increase in interest income. In addition, the Company received excess distributions and recognized long-term deferred gains, as a result of the sale of the 18-19 West joint venture of $1,140,000.
Corporate Expenses
Corporate general and administrative costs increased $173,000, or 1.8%, to $9,872,000 during 2023 when compared to $9,699,000 in 2022. The increase is primarily attributable to higher salary and stock compensation expense recognized during the period, offset by lower professional service expense.
Corporate general and administrative costs decreased $144,000, or 1.5%, to $9,699,000 during 2022 when compared to $9,843,000 in 2021. The decrease is attributed to a $78,000 decrease in depreciation, a $44,000 decrease in insurance expense, and a $19,000 decrease in charitable contributions.
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures is an important and growing component of our commercial/industrial activities and in the future, equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures can become a significant part of our operations within the resort/residential segment. We continue to use joint ventures to advance our development projects at TRCC. This allows us to combine our resources with other real estate companies and gain greater access to capital, share in the risks of real estate developments, and share in the operating expenses. More importantly, it allows us to better manage the deployment of our capital and increase our leasing portfolio.
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| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Equity in earnings (loss) | | | | | |
| Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC | $ | 6,288 | | | $ | 8,526 | | | $ | 4,957 | |
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| 18-19 West, LLC | — | | | (31) | | | 5,206 | |
| TRCC/Rock Outlet Center, LLC | (1,786) | | | (1,569) | | | (1,443) | |
| TRC-MRC 1, LLC | 596 | | | 21 | | | (7) | |
| TRC-MRC 2, LLC | 1,386 | | | 692 | | | 634 | |
| TRC-MRC 3, LLC | 323 | | | 297 | | | (144) | |
| TRC-MRC 4, LLC | 166 | | | (184) | | | (1) | |
| TRC-MRC 5, LLC | (105) | | | — | | | — | |
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, net | $ | 6,868 | | | $ | 7,752 | | | $ | 9,202 | |
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2023 Operational Highlights:
During 2023, equity in earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $884,000, or 11%, to $6,868,000 when compared to $7,752,000 in 2022.
•The Petro Travel Plaza equity in earnings decreased $2,238,000 or 26% when compared to 2022, which is largely attributable to lower fuel margins in 2023, we don't expect this drop in fuel margins to continue in 2024.
•The above decrease is partially offset by increases in equity in earnings of TRC-MRC1, LLC and TRC-MRC2, LLC joint ventures, mainly attributable to a combination of new leases at higher rental rates and rent escalations. Moreover, the lease within the TRC-MRC4, LLC joint venture commenced in late 2022, bringing on a new revenue stream for the Company.
2022 Operational Highlights:
During 2022, equity in earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $1,450,000, or 16%, to $7,752,000 when compared to $9,202,000 in 2021.
•The 18-19 West LLC joint venture had a purchase option in place with a third-party to purchase lots l8 and 19 at a price of $15,213,000. In November 2021, the third-party exercised the land option and purchased the land from the joint venture for $15,213,000, the Company recognized $5,206,000 in equity in earnings from this land sale.
•The Petro Travel Plaza equity in earnings increased $3,569,000 when compared to 2021, this increase is largely due to improved fuel margins; fuel margins improved 42% in 2022 when compared to 2021.
Income Taxes
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the Company's net income tax expense was $2,323,000 compared to $7,393,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. These amounts represent effective income tax rates of approximately 42% and 32% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was higher than the federal statutory rate in the United States, as a result of permanent differences arising from stock compensation and non-deductible compensation under Section 162(m) of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had income tax receivable of $1,245,000 and $636,000, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, we had net deferred tax liabilities of $8,269,000 compared to $7,180,000 as of December 31, 2022. Our largest deferred tax assets were made up of temporary differences related to the deferred gains, pension adjustments, interest rate swap, capitalization of costs, and stock compensation. Deferred tax liabilities consist of joint venture differences, depreciation, deferred gains, interest rate swap, and stock compensation. Due to the nature of most of our deferred tax assets, we believe they will be used in future years and an allowance is not necessary.
The Company classifies interest and penalties incurred on tax payments as income tax expenses. The Company made income tax payments of $2,564,000 in 2023 and $8,237,000 in 2022. The Company received refunds of $0 in 2023 and $1,410,000 in 2022.
For more details, see Note 12. (Income Taxes), of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flow and Liquidity
Our financial position allows us to pursue our strategies of continued development of TRCC, funding of operating activities, land entitlement, development, and conservation. Accordingly, we have established well-defined priorities for our available cash, including investing in core operating segments to achieve profitable future growth. We have historically funded our operations with cash flows from operating activities, investment proceeds, and short-term borrowings from our bank credit facilities. In the past, we have also issued common stock and used the proceeds for capital investment activities.
To enhance shareholder value, we will continue to make investments in our real estate segments to secure land entitlement approvals, build infrastructure for our developments, invest in to be leased assets, ensure adequate future water supplies, and provide funds for general land development activities. Within our farming segment, we will make investments as needed to improve efficiency and add capacity to its operations when it is profitable to do so.
Our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled approximately $64,463,000 at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $8,100,000, or 11%, from the corresponding amount at the end of 2022.
The following table summarizes the cash flow activities for the following years ended December 31:
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| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Operating activities | | $ | 13,655 | | | $ | 8,531 | | | $ | 2,816 | |
| Investing activities | | $ | (14,002) | | | $ | (1,891) | | | $ | (14,652) | |
| Financing activities | | $ | (6,865) | | | $ | (4,419) | | | $ | (6,086) | |
Cash flows provided by operating activities are primarily dependent upon the rental rates of our leases, the collectability of rent and recovery of operating expenses from our tenants, distributions from joint ventures, the success of our crops and commodity prices within our mineral resources segment.
During 2023, our operations generated $13,655,000 in cash primarily through joint venture distributions. The distributions from joint ventures is largely attributed to changes in loan covenants that allowed additional cash to be distributed in 2023.
During 2022, our operations generated $8,531,000 in cash, primarily through joint venture distributions and receivable collections.
During 2023, investing activities used $14,002,000, which was largely attributed to capital expenditures of $21,328,000 used primarily for real estate development. Of the $21,328,000, we spent $2,111,000 on permitting efforts for MV, $4,341,000 on litigation defense for Centennial, and $1,436,000 on permitting efforts for Grapevine. At TRCC, we primarily used $7,815,000 to develop road and water infrastructures. All real estate capital expenditures are inclusive of capitalized interest, payroll and overhead. Lastly, our farming segment had cash outlays of $4,870,000 for cultural and water costs tied to crops not yet in production, developing new almond orchards, grape vineyards, and replacing old farm equipment. Additionally, our mineral resources segment spent $6,034,000 to acquire water for use as needed and for future residential development activity. We also contributed $4,500,000 to our unconsolidated joint ventures during the year. Lastly, the Company reinvested $132,317,000 into marketable securities. The increase in investment activities is due to the short-term nature of our marketable securities and the reinvestment of maturities until the cash is needed for operational and development activities. Offsetting cash outlays were maturities on marketable securities of $134,083,000, distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures of $10,978,000, proceeds from water sales of $1,324,000 and proceeds from the interest rate swap settlement of $3,715,000.
During 2022, investing activities used $1,891,000, which was largely attributed to capital expenditures of $22,602,000 used primarily for real estate development. Of the $22,602,000, we spent $2,491,000 on permitting efforts for MV, $3,598,000 on litigation defense for Centennial, and $1,164,000 on permitting efforts for Grapevine. At TRCC, we primarily used $8,933,000 to expand the roads at TRCC. All real estate capital expenditures are inclusive of capitalized interest, payroll and overhead. Our farming segment had cash outlays of $5,915,000 for cultural and water costs tied to crops not yet in production, developing new almond orchards, grape vineyards, and replacing old farm equipment. Our mineral resources segment spent $988,000 to acquire water for use as needed and for future residential development activity. Lastly, the Company reinvested $63,882,000 into marketable securities. Offsetting cash outlays were maturities on marketable securities of $41,135,000, net proceeds from land sales of $24,950,000, distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures of $8,166,000, proceeds from water sales of $6,180,000, and CFD reimbursements of $5,950,000.
Our estimated capital investment for 2024 is primarily related to our real estate projects as it was in 2023. These estimated investments include approximately $58,925,000 of development costs at TRCC-East. Of that amount $42,520,000 is to support the Terra Vista at Tejon multi-family project phase 1 development and $16,405,000 for road infrastructures, water treatment system improvements, and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant for future anticipated absorption. We expect to possibly invest up to $9,949,000 for entitlement and permitting activities, predevelopment activities and land planning design at MV and Grapevine and litigation defense and supplemental recirculated environmental impact report preparation for Centennial. The timing of these investments is dependent on our coordination efforts with Los Angeles County regarding litigation defense for Centennial, permitting activities for Grapevine, and design, civil engineering, land planning and design, for MV. Our plans also include $6,684,000 for payment of annual water inventory and water related investments. We are also investing approximately $3,068,000 to continue a farm redevelopment program, and $501,000 in the normal replacement of operating equipment, such as ranch equipment, and vehicles.
We capitalize interest cost as a cost of the project only during the period for which activities necessary to prepare an asset for its intended use are ongoing, provided that expenditures for the asset have been made and interest cost has been incurred. Capitalized interest for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, of $3,098,000 and $2,294,000, respectively, is classified in real estate development. We also capitalized payroll costs related to development, pre-construction, and construction projects, which aggregated $2,270,000 and $2,387,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. As noted above, these costs are included in the above investment numbers.
During 2023, financing activities used $6,865,000, which is comprised of long-term debt repayments of $50,357,000 and tax payments on vested stock grants of $3,353,000. This was partially offset by borrowings from the new line-of-credit facility of $47,942,000.
During 2022, financing activities used $4,419,000, which is comprised of long-term debt repayments of $51,708,000 and tax payments on vested stock grants of $2,733,000. This was partially offset by the issuance of new debt of $49,080,000.
It is difficult to accurately predict cash flows due to the nature of our businesses and fluctuating economic conditions. Our earnings and cash flows will be affected from period to period by the commodity nature of our farming and mineral operations, the timing of sales and leases of property within our development projects, and the beginning of development within our residential projects. The timing of sales and leases within our development projects is difficult to predict due to the time necessary to complete the development process and negotiate sales or lease contracts. Often, the timing aspect of land development can lead to particular years or periods having more or less earnings than comparable periods. Based on our experience, we believe we will have adequate cash flows, cash balances, and availability on our line of credit over the next twelve months to fund internal operations. As we move forward with the completion of the litigation, permitting and engineering design for our master planned communities and prepare to move into the development stage, we may need to
secure additional funding through either the issuance of equity and/or by securing other forms of financing such as joint ventures equity and debt financing.
Capital Structure and Financial Condition
At December 31, 2023, total capitalization at book value was $531,038,000 consisting of $47,942,000 of debt and $483,096,000 of equity, resulting in a debt-to-total-capitalization ratio of approximately 9.0%, representing a decrease when compared to the debt-to-total-capitalization ratio of 9.5% at December 31, 2022.
On November 17, 2023, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with AgWest Farm Credit, PCA, as administrative agent and letter of credit intermediary (Administrative Agent), and certain other lenders (the Credit Agreement Lenders), collectively, the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility provides TRC with (i) a revolving credit line (RCL) in the amount of $160,000,000 and (ii) the option for TRC to utilize a letter of credit sub-facility in the amount of $15,000,000 (LOC Sub-Facility). The LOC Sub-Facility is part of, and not in addition to, the RCL. As further summarized below, the RCL requires interest only payments and has a maturity date of January 1, 2029.
Upon closing of the Revolving Credit Facility, funds from the RCL were used to pay off and close out the existing Bank of America, N.A. Term Note and Revolving Line of Credit Note. The amount of this pay off was $47,078,564 plus accrued interest and fees on the Bank of America Term Note. The Company evaluated the debt exchange under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 470 and determined that the exchange should be treated as a debt extinguishment. Future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will be used for ongoing working capital requirements, including to fund future construction projects, farming and ranching operations, and other general corporate purposes.
To maintain availability of funds, undrawn amounts under the RCL will accrue an unused fee of 15 basis points per annum except that, for the LOC Sub-Facility, TRC will incur a fee of 2.00% per annum for each letter of credit issued to TRC. TRC’s ability to borrow/draw additional funds is subject to compliance with certain financial and other covenants, some of which are further described below, and the continuing accuracy of certain representations and warranties contained in the Revolving Credit Facility.
The interest rate per annum applicable to the Revolving Credit Facility is the one-month term SOFR plus an interest rate spread that is based on TRC’s consolidated net liabilities to equity ratio (NLER). The interest rate spread for the NLER has three tiers: (1) 2.75% if the NLER is 55% or more; (2) 2.5% if the NLER is between 35% and less than 55%; and (3) 2.25% if the NLER is less than 35%. The interest rate spread in the previous sentence may effectively be reduced by applying a patronage credit for TRC’s participation in the farm credit program, which patronage credit historically has been (for reference and information purposes only and not as a guarantee of future patronage credit) between 100-125 basis points. The patronage credit is paid annually by the Administrative Agent in the form of a dividend. As of December 31, 2023, the Company's NLER was in tier 3, or less than 35%, and the applicable interest rate spread was 2.25%.
The Revolving Credit Facility only requires the payment of interest during the term, at which point the full drawn amount, plus accrued interest, must be repaid by the maturity date if TRC has not earlier repaid the borrowed amount or extended the maturity date. The RCL may be repaid in part, or in full, by TRC at any time during the term without penalty. Certain events of default (as described in the Revolving Credit Facility) allow acceleration of repayment of borrowed funds, interest and other fees. The Revolving Credit Facility is unsecured, but the agreement provides the Administrative Agent a springing lien on TRC’s wholly owned, unencumbered assets, exclusive of assets subject to negative pledge, if one or more covenants is breached.
The Revolving Credit Facility requires compliance with three financial covenants: (a) total liabilities divided by tangible net worth not greater than 0.55 to 1.00 at each year end; (b) a debt service coverage ratio not less than 1.50 to 1.00 as of each year end on a rolling four quarter basis; and (c) a liquidity ratio not less than 2.00 to 1.00 at each year end.
The Revolving Credit Facility also contains customary negative covenants that limit the ability of the Company to, among other things, make capital expenditures, incur indebtedness and issue guaranties, consummate certain asset sales, acquisitions or mergers, make investments, pay dividends or repurchase stock, make a change in capital ownership, or incur liens on any assets.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary events of default, including: failure to make required payments; failure to comply with terms of the Credit Facility; bankruptcy and insolvency. The Credit Facility contains other customary terms and conditions, including representations and warranties, which are typical for credit facilities of this type.
At December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.
We expect that current and future capital resource requirements will be provided primarily from current cash and marketable securities, cash flow from ongoing operations, distributions from joint ventures, proceeds from the sale of developed and undeveloped land parcels, potential sales of assets, additional use of debt or drawdowns against our line of credit, proceeds from the reimbursement of public infrastructure costs through CFD bond debt (described below under “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”), or issuance of additional common stock.
In May 2022, we filed an updated shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that went effective in May 2022. Under the shelf registration statement, we may offer and sell in the future through one or more offerings not to exceed $200,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or any combination of the foregoing. The shelf registration allows for efficient and timely access to capital markets and, when combined with our other potential funding sources just noted, provides us with a variety of capital funding options that can then be used and appropriately matched to our funding needs.
As noted above, at December 31, 2023, we had $64,463,000 in cash and securities and as of the filing date of this Form 10-K, we had $108,615,000 available on credit lines to meet any short-term liquidity needs.
We continue to expect that substantial investments will be required in order to develop our land assets. In order to meet these capital requirements, we may need to secure additional debt financing and continue to renew our existing credit facilities. In addition to debt financing, we will use other capital alternatives, such as joint ventures with financial partners, sales of assets, and the issuance of common stock. We will use a combination of the above funding sources to properly match funding requirements with the assets or development project being funded. As we move into 2024, we will be evaluating various options for funding the potential start of development projects. There is no assurance that we can obtain financing or that we can obtain financing at favorable terms. We believe we have adequate capital resources to fund our cash needs and our capital investment requirements in the near-term, as described earlier in the cash flow and liquidity discussions.
Contractual Cash Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2023, to be paid over the next five years and beyond:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Payments Due by Period | | |
| ($ in thousands) | Total | | Less than a year | | 1-3 years | | 3-5 years | | More than 5 years | | |
| Contractual Obligations: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Estimated water payments | $ | 287,986 | | | $ | 13,107 | | | $ | 27,404 | | | $ | 29,072 | | | $ | 218,403 | | | |
| Revolving line-of-credit | 47,942 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 47,942 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash contract commitments | 17,462 | | | 13,323 | | | 2,550 | | | 518 | | | 1,071 | | | |
| Defined Benefit Plan | 5,196 | | | 374 | | | 975 | | | 996 | | | 2,851 | | | |
| SERP | 5,235 | | | 498 | | | 1,138 | | | 1,099 | | | 2,500 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 363,821 | | | $ | 27,302 | | | $ | 32,067 | | | $ | 31,685 | | | $ | 272,767 | | | |
The table above includes only those contracts that include fixed or minimum obligations. It does not include normal purchases, which are made in the ordinary course of business.
As discussed in Note 15 (Retirement Plans) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we have long-term liabilities for deferred employee compensation, including pension and supplemental retirement plans. Payments in the above table reflect estimates of future defined benefit plan contributions from the Company to the plan trust, estimates of payments to employees from the plan trust, and estimates of future payments to employees from the Company that are in the SERP program. During 2023, we made pension contributions of $165,000 and it is projected that we will make a similar contribution in 2024.
Our cash contract commitments consist of contracts in various stages of completion related to infrastructure development within our industrial developments and entitlement costs related to our industrial and residential development projects. Also, included in the cash contract commitments are estimated fees earned in 2014 by a consultant, related to the entitlement of the Grapevine Development Area. The Company exited a consulting contract in 2014 related to the Grapevine Development and is obligated to pay an earned incentive fee at the time of successful receipt of all project permits and entitlements and at a value measurement date five-years after entitlements have been achieved for Grapevine. The final amount of the incentive fees will not be finalized until the future payment dates. The Company believes that net savings from exiting the contract over this future time period will more than offset the incentive payment costs.
Estimated water payments include the Nickel water contract, which obligates us to purchase 6,693 acre-feet of water annually through 2044 and SWP contracts with Wheeler Ridge Maricopa Water Storage District, Tejon-Castac Water District, Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District, and Dudley-Ridge Water Storage District. These contracts for the supply of future water run through 2035. Please refer to Note 6 (Long-Term Water Assets) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding water assets.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table shows contingent obligations we have with respect to the CFDs.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period |
| ($ in thousands) | | Total | | < 1 year | | 2 -3 Years | | 4 -5 Years | | After 5 Years |
| Other Commercial Commitments: | | | | | | | | | | |
Standby letter of credit1 | | $ | 3,358 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,358 | | | $ | — | |
| Total other commercial commitments | | $ | 3,358 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,358 | | | $ | — | |
1 New letter of credit issued under AgWest LOC Sub-Facility in 2023. |
The TRPFFA is a joint powers authority formed by Kern County and TCWD to finance public infrastructure within our Kern County developments. TRPFFA created two CFD's, the West CFD and the East CFD. The West CFD has placed liens on 420 acres of land to secure payment of special taxes related to $19,540,000 of outstanding bond debt sold by TRPFFA for TRCC-West. The East CFD has placed liens on 1,931 acres of our land to secure payments of special taxes related to $72,055,000 of outstanding bond debt sold by TRPFFA for TRCC-East. At TRCC-West, the West CFD has no additional bond debt approved for issuance. At TRCC-East, the East CFD has approximately $44,035,000 of additional bond debt authorized by TRPFFA.
In connection with the sale of bonds, there is a standby letter of credit for $3,358,000 related to the issuance of East CFD bonds. The standby letter of credit is in place to provide additional credit enhancement and cover approximately two years' worth of interest on the outstanding bonds. This letter of credit will not be drawn upon unless the Company, as the largest landowner in the CFD, fails to make its property tax payments. As development occurs within TRCC-East, there is a mechanism in the bond documents to reduce the amount of the letter of credit. The Company believes that the letter of credit will never be drawn upon. This letter of credit is for a two-year period of time and will be renewed in two-year intervals as necessary. The annual cost related to the letter of credit is approximately $62,000. The assessment of each individual property sold or leased within each CFD is not determinable at this time because it is based on the current tax rate and the assessed value of the property at the time of sale or on its assessed value at the time it is leased to a third-party. Accordingly, the Company is not required to recognize an obligation at December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, aggregate outstanding debt of unconsolidated joint ventures was $208,030,000; $35,138,000 of this debt is attributed to a construction loan for our TRC-MRC 5 joint venture and $20,850,000 is attributable to the loan for TRCC/Rock Outlet joint venture. These two loans are 100% guaranteed at December 31, 2023. All other outstanding debt attributed to our joint ventures have met their respective debt covenants hence not subject to an effective guarantee at December 31, 2023. We do not provide a guarantee on the $12,556,000 of debt related to our joint venture with TA/Petro.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, a non-GAAP financial measure, and is used by us and others as a supplemental measure of performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA to assess the performance of our core operations, for financial and operational decision making, and as a supplemental or additional means of evaluating period-to-period comparisons on a consistent basis. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as EBITDA, excluding stock compensation expense. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides investors relevant and useful information because it permits investors to view income from our operations on an unleveraged basis, before the effects of taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock compensation expense. By excluding interest expense and income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA allow investors to measure our performance independent of our capital structure and indebtedness and, therefore, allow for a more meaningful comparison of our performance to that of other companies, both in the real estate industry and in other industries. We believe that excluding charges related to share-based compensation facilitates a comparison of our operations across periods and among other companies without the variances caused by different valuation methodologies, the volatility of the expense (which depends on market forces outside our control), and the assumptions and the variety of award types that a company can use. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as measures of our performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our historical cash expenditures or future cash requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments. While EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are relevant and widely used measures of performance, they do not represent net income or cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP. Further, our computation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year-Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Net income | $ | 3,265 | | | $ | 15,810 | | | $ | 5,342 | |
| Net income (loss) attributed to non-controlling interest | — | | | 2 | | | (6) | |
| | | | | |
| Interest, net | | | | | |
| Consolidated interest income | (2,557) | | | (634) | | | (57) | |
| Our share of interest expense from unconsolidated joint ventures | 4,879 | | | 2,974 | | | 1,708 | |
| Total interest, net | 2,322 | | | 2,340 | | | 1,651 | |
| Income tax expense | 2,323 | | | 7,393 | | | 3,821 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | | | |
| Consolidated | 4,806 | | | 4,628 | | | 4,594 | |
| Our share of depreciation and amortization from unconsolidated joint ventures | 5,418 | | | 4,618 | | | 4,639 | |
| Total depreciation and amortization | 10,224 | | | 9,246 | | | 9,233 | |
| EBITDA | 18,134 | | | 34,787 | | | 20,053 | |
| Stock compensation expense | 3,252 | | | 2,877 | | | 4,271 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 21,386 | | | $ | 37,664 | | | $ | 24,324 | |
Net operating income (NOI) is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as operating income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, excluding general and administrative expenses, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and gain or loss on sales of real estate. We believe NOI provides useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations because it primarily reflects those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level. Therefore, we believe NOI is a useful measure for evaluating the operating performance of our real estate assets.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | Year-Ended December 31, |
| Net operating income | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Pastoria Energy Facility | $ | 5,231 | | | $ | 4,846 | | | $ | 4,355 | |
| TRCC | 1,296 | | | 1,185 | | | 1,250 | |
| Communication leases | 1,070 | | | 1,001 | | | 940 | |
| Other commercial leases | 631 | | | 616 | | | 609 | |
| Total Commercial/Industrial net operating income | $ | 8,228 | | | $ | 7,648 | | | $ | 7,154 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year-Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Commercial/Industrial operating income | $ | 3,705 | | | $ | 24,159 | | | $ | 7,523 | |
| Plus: Commercial/Industrial depreciation and amortization | 468 | | | 455 | | | 463 | |
| Plus: General, administrative, cost of sales and other expenses | 7,130 | | | 15,491 | | | 10,950 | |
| Less: Other revenues including land sales | (3,075) | | | (32,457) | | | (11,782) | |
| Total Commercial/Industrial net operating income | $ | 8,228 | | | $ | 7,648 | | | $ | 7,154 | |
The Company utilizes NOI of unconsolidated joint ventures as a measure of financial or operating performance that is not specifically defined by GAAP. We believe NOI of unconsolidated joint ventures provides investors with additional information concerning operating performance of our unconsolidated joint ventures. We also use this measure internally to monitor the operating performance of our unconsolidated joint ventures. Our computation of this non-GAAP measure may not be the same as similar measures reported by other companies. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of the operating performance of our unconsolidated joint ventures or to cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of liquidity nor are they indicative of cash flows from operating and financial activities of our unconsolidated joint ventures.
The following schedule reconciles net income from unconsolidated joint ventures to NOI of unconsolidated joint ventures.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year-Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Net income of unconsolidated joint ventures | $ | 11,641 | | | $ | 12,662 | | | $ | 16,752 | |
| Plus: Interest expense of unconsolidated joint ventures | 9,587 | | | 5,834 | | | 4,926 | |
| Operating income of unconsolidated joint ventures | 21,228 | | | 18,496 | | | 21,678 | |
| Plus: Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | 10,246 | | | 8,648 | | | 8,720 | |
| Less: Profit from sale of land | — | | | — | | | (10,380) | |
| Net operating income of unconsolidated joint ventures | $ | 31,474 | | | $ | 27,144 | | | $ | 20,018 | |
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company due to adverse changes in financial or commodity market prices or rates. We are exposed to market risk in the areas of interest rates and commodity prices.
Financial Market Risks
Our exposure to financial market risks includes changes to interest rates and credit risks related to marketable securities, interest rates related to our outstanding indebtedness and trade receivables.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal, while at the same time maximizing yields and prudently managing risk. To achieve this objective and limit interest rate exposure, we limit our investments to securities with a maturity of less than five years and an investment grade rating from Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s. See Note 3 (Marketable Securities) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our current RCL has a $47,942,000 outstanding balance. The interest rate on this line of credit can float at a rate equal to one-month term SOFR plus 2.25%. During the term of this RCL (which matures in January 2029), the Company can borrow at any time and partially or wholly repay any outstanding borrowings and then re-borrow, as necessary outstanding balances.
Market risk related to our farming inventories ultimately depends on the value of almonds, grapes, and pistachios at the time of payment or sale. Credit risk related to our receivables depends upon the financial condition of our customers. Based on historical experience with our current customers, and periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial conditions, we believe our credit risk is minimal. Market risk related to our farming inventories is discussed below in the section pertaining to commodity price exposure.
The following tables provide information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The tables present our debt obligations and marketable securities and their related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates.
Interest Rate Sensitivity Financial Market Risks
Principal Amount by Expected Maturity
At December 31, 2023
(In thousands except percentage data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter | | Total | | Fair Value |
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Marketable securities | $32,576 | | $— | | $— | | $— | | $— | | $— | | $32,576 | | $32,556 |
| Weighted average interest rate | 5.27% | | —% | | —% | | —% | | —% | | —% | | 5.27% | | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revolving line-of-credit | $— | | $— | | $— | | $— | | $— | | $47,942 | | $47,942 | | $47,942 |
Weighted average interest rate1 | S+2.25% | | S+2.25% | | S+2.25% | | S+2.25% | | S+2.25% | | S+2.25% | | S+2.25% | | |
|
1The effective interest rate on this line of credit is SOFR plus a margin of 2.25%, and the rate was 7.59% as of December 31, 2023. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Rate Sensitivity Financial Market Risks
Principal Amount by Expected Maturity
At December 31, 2022
(In thousands except percentage data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | Thereafter | | Total | | Fair Value |
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Marketable securities | $32,652 | | $1,000 | | $— | | $— | | $— | | $— | | $33,652 | | $33,444 |
| Weighted average interest rate | 2.82% | | 5.20% | | —% | | —% | | —% | | —% | | 2.89% | | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Long-term debt ($4.75M note) | $265 | | $277 | | $289 | | $302 | | $315 | | $244 | | $1,692 | | $1,692 |
| Weighted average interest rate | 4.25% | | 4.25% | | 4.25% | | 4.25% | | 4.25% | | 4.25% | | 4.25% | | |
| Long-term debt ($49.1M note) | $1,513 | | $1,589 | | $1,669 | | $1,753 | | $1,840 | | $40,098 | | $48,462 | | $48,462 |
| Weighted average interest rate | 4.62% | | 4.62% | | 4.62% | | 4.62% | | 4.62% | | 4.62% | | 4.62% | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commodity Price Exposure
As of December 31, 2023, we have exposure to adverse price fluctuations associated with certain inventories and accounts receivable. Farming inventories consist of farming cultural and processing costs related to 2023 and 2022 crop production. The farming costs inventoried are recorded at actual costs incurred. Historically, these costs have been recovered each year when that year’s crop harvest has been sold.
With respect to accounts receivable, the amount at risk relates primarily to farm crops. These receivables are recorded based on estimated final pricing. The final price is generally not known for several months following the close of our fiscal year. Of the $8,352,000 in outstanding receivables at December 31, 2023, $2,824,500 or 34% is at risk for changing prices. Over the previous three years, pistachio prices have fluctuated between $1.62 to $2.72.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The response to this Item is submitted in a separate section of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2023 in ensuring that all information required in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act was accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.
(b)Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
(c) Report of Management
See Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting following ITEM 15(a)(2) - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information as to our Executive Officers is set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K under “Information about our Executive Officers.” The other information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement to be filed by us with the SEC with respect to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will be found under the captions “The Election of Directors,” “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines,” “Corporate Governance Matters” and, if applicable, “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports.”
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement to be filed by us with the SEC with respect to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will be found under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” "Pay Ratio Disclosure," "Pay versus Performance," and “Compensation Committee Report.”
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
(a)Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Information required by this Item with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement to be filed by us with the SEC with respect to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will be found under the caption "Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
(b)Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans.
The following table shows aggregated information as of December 31, 2023 with respect to all of our compensation plans under which our equity securities were authorized for issuance. At December 31, 2023, we had, and we presently have, no other compensation contracts or arrangements for the issuance of any such equity securities and there were then, and continue to be, no compensation plans, contracts or arrangements which were not approved by our stockholders. More detailed information with respect to our compensation plans is included in Note 11 (Stock Compensation - Restricted Stock and Performance Share Grants) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity
compensation plans
approved by
security holders * | | Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding grants | | Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding grants | | Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a)) |
| | | (a) | | (b) | | (c) |
Restricted stock
grants and restricted
stock units at target
goal achievement | | 248,768 | | Final price determined
at time of vesting | | 1,010,131 |
* The Company does not use equity compensation plans that have not been approved by the security holders.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement to be filed by us with the SEC with respect to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will be found under the captions “Related Person Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Matters.”
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Our independent registered public accounting firm is DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP, Los Angeles, CA, PCAOB Auditor Firm ID: 34.
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement to be filed by us with the SEC with respect to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will be found under the caption "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm."
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) Documents filed as part of this report: | | Page Number |
| 1 | | | Consolidated Financial Statements: | | |
| | 1.1 | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | 1.2 | | | | |
| | 1.3 | | | | |
| | 1.4 | | | | |
| | 1.5 | | | | |
| | 1.6 | | | | |
| | 1.7 | | | | |
| 2 | | | Supplemental Financial Statement Schedules: | | |
| | None. | | |
| 3 | | | Exhibits: | | |
| | 3.1 | | | | FN 1 |
| | 3.2 | | | | FN 2 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | 4.3 | | | | FN 5 |
| | 4.4 | | | | FN 46 |
| | 4.5 | | | | FN 37 |
| | 10.1 | | Water Service Contract with Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District (without exhibits), amendments originally filed under Item 11 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K | | FN 6 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.7 | | | | FN 7 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.8 | | | | FN 7 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.9 | | | | FN 8 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 10.9(1) | | | | FN 7 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.10 | | | | | FN 9 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.10(1) | | | | FN 7 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.12 | | | | | FN 10 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.15 | | | | | FN 11 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.16 | | | | | FN 12 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.17 | | | | | FN 13 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.18 | | | | | FN 13 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.19 | | | | | FN 13 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.23 | | | | | FN 14 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.24 | | | | | FN 15 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.25 | | | | | FN 16 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.26 | | | | | FN 17 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.27 | | | | | FN 18 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.28 | | | | | FN 19 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.29 | | | | | FN 20 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 10.30 | | | | | FN 21 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.31 | | | | | FN 22 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.32 | | | | | FN 25 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.33 | | | | | FN 36 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.34 | | | | | FN 23 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.35 | | | | | FN 24 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.37 | | | | | FN 26 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.38 | | | | | FN 27 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.39 | | | | | FN 28 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.40 | | | | | FN 29 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.41 | | | | | FN 30 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.42 | | | | | FN 31 |
| | 10.43 | | | | | FN 32 |
| | | | | | |
| | 10.44 | | | | | FN 33 |
| | 10.45 | | | | | FN 34 |
| | 10.46 | | | | | FN 35 |
| | 10.47 | | | | | FN 38 |
| | 10.48 | | | | | FN 39 |
| | 10.49 | | | | | FN 40 |
| | 10.50 | | | | | FN 41 |
| | 10.51 | | | | | FN 42 |
| | 10.52 | | | | | FN 43 |
| | 10.53 | | | | | FN 44 |
| | 10.54 | | | | | FN 45 |
| | 21 | | | | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 23.1 | | | | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 23.2 | | | | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 31.1 | | | | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 31.2 | | | | | Filed herewith |
| | 31.3 | | | | | Filed herewith |
| | 32 | | | | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 97 | | | | Filed herewith |
| | 99.1 | | | | Filed herewith |
| | 101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document. | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 101.SCH | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 101.CAL | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 101.DEF | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 101.LAB | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 101.PRE | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | | Filed herewith |
| | | | | | |
| | 104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | | |
| | * | | Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement. | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| FN 1 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2021, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 2 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 24, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| | |
| | |
| FN 5 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 6 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) under Item 14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference. This Exhibit was not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in an electronic format. |
| FN 7 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) under Item 14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 8 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.9 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 9 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.10 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference |
| FN 10 | | This document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.16 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 11 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 12 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 13 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibits 10.21-10.23 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 14 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.24 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 15 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.28 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 16 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.25 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 17 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.26 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013, for the period ended March 31, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 18 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.27 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 19 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 20 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.29 to our Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 21 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.30 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 22 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibits 10.31 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| | | | | | | | |
| FN 23 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.34 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 24 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.35 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 25 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.32 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 26 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.37 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 27 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.38 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 28 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.39 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 29 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.40 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 30 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.41 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 31 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.42 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 32 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.43 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 33 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.44 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 34 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.45 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 35 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.46 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 36 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.33 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 37 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 333-231032) as Exhibit 4.6 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 25, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 38 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.47 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 39 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.48 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 40 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.49 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 41 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.50 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 42 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.51 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| | | | | | | | |
| FN 43 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.52 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 44 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.53 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 45 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 10.01 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on November 20, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference. |
| FN 46 | | This document, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (file number 1-07183) as Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference. |
(b) Exhibits. The exhibits being filed with this report are attached at the end of this report. |
(c) Financial Statement Schedules - The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this report. |
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | TEJON RANCH CO. |
| | | |
| March 6, 2024 | | | | By: | /s/ Gregory S. Bielli |
| Date | | | | | Gregory S. Bielli |
| | | | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| March 6, 2024 | | | | By: | /s/ Brett A. Brown |
| Date | | | | | Brett A. Brown |
| | | | | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | | (Principal Financial Officer) |
| | | |
| | | | | |
| March 6, 2024 | | | | By: | /s/ Robert D. Velasquez |
| Date | | | | | Robert D. Velasquez |
| | | | | Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer |
| | | | | (Principal Accounting Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| Name | | Capacity | | Date |
| | |
/s/ Steven A. Betts
Steven A. Betts | | Director | | March 6, 2024 |
| | |
/s/ Gregory S. Bielli
Gregory S. Bielli | | Director | | March 6, 2024 |
| | | | |
/s/ Anthony L. Leggio
Anthony L. Leggio | | Director | | March 6, 2024 |
| | |
/s/ Norman Metcalfe
Norman Metcalfe | | Director | | March 6, 2024 |
| | |
/s/ Frawn Morgan
Frawn Morgan | | Director | | March 6, 2024 |
| | | | |
/s/ Geoffrey Stack
Geoffrey Stack | | Director | | March 6, 2024 |
| | | | |
/s/ Daniel R. Tisch
Daniel R. Tisch | | Director | | March 6, 2024 |
| |
/s/ Michael H. Winer
Michael H. Winer | | Director | | March 6, 2024 |
Annual Report on Form 10-K
Item 8, Item 15(a) (1) and (2), (b) and (c)
List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
Financial Statements
Certain Exhibits
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Tejon Ranch Co.
Tejon Ranch, California
Form 10-K - Item 15(a)(1) and (2)
Tejon Ranch Co. and Subsidiaries
Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
ITEM 15(a)(1) - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following consolidated financial statements of Tejon Ranch Co. and subsidiaries are included in Item 8:
ITEM 15(a)(2) - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. As defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or supervised by, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is supported by written policies and procedures, that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In connection with the preparation of the Company’s annual financial statements, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management of the Company has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework), or COSO. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Based on this assessment, management did not identify any material weakness in the Company’s internal control, and management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Tejon Ranch Co.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tejon Ranch Co. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of the other auditors, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We did not audit the financial statements of the Company's equity method investee, Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC (“Petro”), for the year ended December 31, 2021. The accompanying financial statements include the Company’s equity earnings in Petro of $4,957,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Petro, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits and the report of the other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Real Estate — Real Estate Development - Refer to Notes 1 and 5 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s evaluation of real estate development for impairment involves an initial assessment of each real estate development to determine whether events or changes in circumstances exist that may indicate that the carrying amounts of a real estate development are no longer recoverable. Possible indications of impairment may include events or changes in circumstances affecting the entitlement process, government regulation, litigation, geographical demand for new housing, and market conditions related to pricing of new homes. When events or changes in circumstances exist that result in an indicator of impairment, the Company evaluates the real estate development for impairment by comparing future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated over the life of the real estate development to the respective carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the real estate development exceeds future undiscounted cash flows, an analysis is performed to determine the fair value of the asset.
The Company makes significant assumptions to evaluate each real estate development for possible indications of impairment. These assumptions include the identification of appropriate and comparable market prices, the consideration of changes to legal factors or the business climate, and assumptions surrounding continued positive cash flows and development costs. Considering that the planned development communities will be in a location that does not currently have many comparable homes, the Company must make assumptions surrounding the expected ability to sell the real estate assets at a price that is in excess of current accumulated costs. Further, the facts and circumstances utilized to make these assumptions may change from period to period. The real estate development balance was $337 million as of December 31, 2023. No impairment loss has been recognized on any real estate development for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We identified the determination of impairment indicators for real estate development as a critical audit matter due to the quantitative significance of real estate development and because of the assumptions management makes when determining whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred indicating that the carrying amounts of any real estate development may not be recoverable. This required a high degree of auditor judgment when performing audit procedures to evaluate whether management appropriately identified impairment indicators.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures evaluated the real estate development asset for possible indications of impairment including the following, among others:
•We evaluated the design and implementation of controls over management’s identification of circumstances that may indicate the carrying amounts of the real estate developments are no longer recoverable, including controls over management’s evaluation of the entitlement process, government regulation, litigation, geographical demand for new housing and market conditions related to pricing of new homes.
•We read and evaluated management’s documentation, including relevant accounting policies and information obtained by management from outside sources.
•We evaluated management’s impairment analysis by:
◦Testing the real estate development for possible indications of impairment, including searching for adverse asset-specific and/or market conditions by reviewing publicly available information on home values and land values in the surrounding regions of the development, periodicals and news information relating to the Southern California housing market, and other independent market data, including considerations of the demand for housing in the market and changes to comparable home prices
◦Obtaining letters from legal counsel and performing inquiries with the Company’s in-house legal counsel to evaluate any changes in the status of litigation matters affecting the development properties and the potential impact on the Company’s ability to recover the accumulated costs, including any relevant government regulations and/or other matters impacting the entitlement process.
◦Developing an independent expectation of impairment indicators and comparing such expectation to management’s analysis.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Los Angeles, California
March 6, 2024
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2019.
TEJON RANCH CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31 |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| ASSETS | | | |
| Current Assets: | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 31,907 | | | $ | 39,119 | |
| Marketable securities - available-for-sale | 32,556 | | | 33,444 | |
| Accounts receivable | 8,352 | | | 4,453 | |
| Inventories | 3,493 | | | 3,369 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,502 | | | 2,660 | |
| | | |
| Total current assets | 79,810 | | | 83,045 | |
| Real estate and improvements - held for lease, net | 16,609 | | | 16,940 | |
| Real estate development (includes $119,788 at December 31, 2023 and $115,221 at December 31, 2022, attributable to Centennial Founders, LLC, Note 17) | 337,257 | | | 321,293 | |
| Property and equipment, net | 53,985 | | | 52,980 | |
| Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures | 33,648 | | | 41,891 | |
| Net investment in water assets | 52,130 | | | 47,045 | |
| | | |
| Other assets | 4,084 | | | 3,597 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 577,523 | | | $ | 566,791 | |
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | |
| Current Liabilities: | | | |
| Trade accounts payable | 6,457 | | | 5,117 | |
| Accrued liabilities and other | 3,214 | | | 3,602 | |
| | | |
| Deferred income | 1,891 | | | 1,531 | |
| Current maturities of long-term debt | — | | | 1,779 | |
| Total current liabilities | 11,562 | | | 12,029 | |
| Long-term debt, less current portion | — | | | 48,161 | |
| Revolving line of credit | 47,942 | | | — | |
| Long-term deferred gains | 11,447 | | | 11,447 | |
| Deferred tax liability | 8,269 | | | 7,180 | |
| Other liabilities | 15,207 | | | 10,380 | |
| | | |
| Total liabilities | 94,427 | | | 89,197 | |
| Commitments and contingencies | | | |
| Equity: | | | |
| Tejon Ranch Co. Stockholders’ Equity | | | |
| Common stock, $0.50 par value per share: | | | |
| Authorized shares - 50,000,000 | | | |
| Issued and outstanding shares - 26,770,545 at December 31, 2023 and 26,541,553 at December 31, 2022 | 13,386 | | | 13,271 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | 345,609 | | | 345,344 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (171) | | | (2,028) | |
| Retained earnings | 108,908 | | | 105,643 | |
| Total Tejon Ranch Co. Stockholders’ Equity | 467,732 | | | 462,230 | |
| Non-controlling interest | 15,364 | | | 15,364 | |
| Total equity | 483,096 | | | 477,594 | |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 577,523 | | | $ | 566,791 | |
See accompanying notes.
TEJON RANCH CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended December 31 |
| | |
| | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
| Real Estate - commercial/industrial | | | | | $ | 11,758 | | | $ | 40,515 | | | $ | 19,476 | |
| Mineral resources | | | | | 14,524 | | | 21,595 | | | 20,987 | |
| Farming | | | | | 13,950 | | | 13,001 | | | 11,039 | |
| Ranch operations | | | | | 4,507 | | | 4,106 | | | 4,111 | |
| Total revenues | | | | | 44,739 | | | 79,217 | | | 55,613 | |
| Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
| Real Estate - commercial/industrial | | | | | 8,053 | | | 16,356 | | | 11,953 | |
| Real Estate - resort/residential | | | | | 1,528 | | | 1,629 | | | 1,723 | |
| Mineral resources | | | | | 8,685 | | | 12,969 | | | 13,559 | |
| Farming | | | | | 15,257 | | | 19,811 | | | 14,116 | |
| Ranch operations | | | | | 5,043 | | | 5,024 | | | 4,679 | |
| Corporate expenses | | | | | 9,872 | | | 9,699 | | | 9,843 | |
| Total expenses | | | | | 48,438 | | | 65,488 | | | 55,873 | |
| Operating (loss) income | | | | | (3,699) | | | 13,729 | | | (260) | |
| Other income: | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Investment income | | | | | 2,557 | | | 634 | | | 57 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Other (loss) income | | | | | (138) | | | 1,088 | | | 164 | |
| Total other income | | | | | 2,419 | | | 1,722 | | | 221 | |
| (Loss) income from operations before equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and income tax expense | | | | | (1,280) | | | 15,451 | | | (39) | |
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, net | | | | | 6,868 | | | 7,752 | | | 9,202 | |
| Income before income taxes | | | | | 5,588 | | | 23,203 | | | 9,163 | |
| Income tax expense | | | | | 2,323 | | | 7,393 | | | 3,821 | |
| Net income | | | | | 3,265 | | | 15,810 | | | 5,342 | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | | | | | — | | | 2 | | | (6) | |
| Net income attributable to common stockholders | | | | | $ | 3,265 | | | $ | 15,808 | | | $ | 5,348 | |
| Net income per share attributable to common stockholders, basic | | | | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.60 | | | $ | 0.20 | |
| Net income per share attributable to common stockholders, diluted | | | | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.59 | | | $ | 0.20 | |
See accompanying notes.
TEJON RANCH CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Year Ended December 31 |
| | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Net income | | | | | $ | 3,265 | | | $ | 15,810 | | | $ | 5,342 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities | | | | | 187 | | | (199) | | | (14) | |
| Benefit plan adjustments | | | | | 233 | | | (212) | | | 866 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| SERP liability adjustments | | | | | (127) | | | 1,430 | | | 331 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized interest rate swap gain | | | | | 2,285 | | | 5,641 | | | 2,841 | |
| Other comprehensive income before taxes | | | | | 2,578 | | | 6,660 | | | 4,024 | |
| Provision for income taxes related to other comprehensive income items | | | | | (721) | | | (1,866) | | | (1,126) | |
| Other comprehensive income | | | | | 1,857 | | | 4,794 | | | 2,898 | |
| Comprehensive income | | | | | 5,122 | | | 20,604 | | | 8,240 | |
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | | | | | — | | | 2 | | | (6) | |
| Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders | | | | | $ | 5,122 | | | $ | 20,602 | | | $ | 8,246 | |
See accompanying notes.
TEJON RANCH CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In thousands, except shares outstanding)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common
Stock Shares
Outstanding | | Common
Stock | | Additional
Paid-In
Capital | | Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss | | Retained
Earnings | | Total
Stockholders'
Equity | | Non-controlling
Interest | | Total Equity |
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | 26,276,830 | | | $ | 13,137 | | | $ | 342,059 | | | $ | (9,720) | | | $ | 84,487 | | | $ | 429,963 | | | $ | 15,368 | | | $ | 445,331 | |
| Net income (loss) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,348 | | | 5,348 | | | (6) | | | 5,342 | |
| Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,898 | | | — | | | 2,898 | | | — | | | 2,898 | |
| Restricted stock issuance | 227,250 | | | 114 | | | (114) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Stock compensation | — | | | — | | | 4,731 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,731 | | | — | | | 4,731 | |
| Shares withheld for taxes and tax benefit of vested shares | (103,159) | | | (51) | | | (1,740) | | | — | | | — | | | (1,791) | | | — | | | (1,791) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | 26,400,921 | | | $ | 13,200 | | | $ | 344,936 | | | $ | (6,822) | | | $ | 89,835 | | | $ | 441,149 | | | $ | 15,362 | | | $ | 456,511 | |
| Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 15,808 | | | 15,808 | | | 2 | | | 15,810 | |
| Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4,794 | | | — | | | 4,794 | | | — | | | 4,794 | |
| Restricted stock issuance | 249,127 | | | 124 | | | (124) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Stock compensation | — | | | — | | | 3,212 | | | — | | | — | | | 3,212 | | | — | | | 3,212 | |
| Shares withheld for taxes and tax benefit of vested shares | (108,495) | | | (53) | | | (2,680) | | | — | | | — | | | (2,733) | | | — | | | (2,733) | |
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | 26,541,553 | | | $ | 13,271 | | | $ | 345,344 | | | $ | (2,028) | | | $ | 105,643 | | | $ | 462,230 | | | $ | 15,364 | | | $ | 477,594 | |
| Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3,265 | | | 3,265 | | | — | | | 3,265 | |
| Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,857 | | | — | | | 1,857 | | | — | | | 1,857 | |
| Restricted stock issuance | 446,969 | | | 224 | | | (225) | | | — | | | — | | | (1) | | | — | | | (1) | |
| Stock compensation | — | | | — | | | 3,734 | | | — | | | — | | | 3,734 | | | — | | | 3,734 | |
| Shares withheld for taxes and tax benefit of vested shares | (217,977) | | | (109) | | | (3,244) | | | — | | | — | | | (3,353) | | | — | | | (3,353) | |
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | 26,770,545 | | | $ | 13,386 | | | $ | 345,609 | | | $ | (171) | | | $ | 108,908 | | | $ | 467,732 | | | $ | 15,364 | | | $ | 483,096 | |
See accompanying notes.
TEJON RANCH CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Operating Activities | | | | | |
| Net income | $ | 3,265 | | | $ | 15,810 | | | $ | 5,342 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,806 | | | 4,628 | | | 4,594 | |
| Amortization of (discount) premium on marketable securities | (691) | | | 87 | | | 111 | |
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, net | (6,868) | | | (7,752) | | | (9,202) | |
| Non-cash retirement plan expense | 462 | | | 110 | | | 99 | |
| Loss (gain) on sale of real estate/assets | 6 | | | (1,140) | | | (12) | |
| Non-cash profits recognized from land contribution | — | | | (3,012) | | | (2,784) | |
Profit from water sale1 | (490) | | | (2,229) | | | (3,442) | |
| Profit from land sales | — | | | (18,372) | | | (3,139) | |
| Deferred income taxes | 1,121 | | | 2,865 | | | 1,134 | |
| Stock compensation expense | 3,252 | | | 2,877 | | | 4,271 | |
| Excess tax (benefit) loss of stock-based compensation | (723) | | | (105) | | | 48 | |
| Abandonment expense | 189 | | | 85 | | | — | |
| | | | | |
| Inventory write down | 423 | | | 1,050 | | — | |
| Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures | 13,511 | | | 11,793 | | | 5,892 | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids and other assets, net | (4,476) | | | 3,244 | | | (814) | |
| Current liabilities, net | (132) | | | (1,408) | | | 718 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 13,655 | | | 8,531 | | | 2,816 | |
| Investing Activities | | | | | |
| Maturities and sales of marketable securities | 134,083 | | | 41,135 | | | 6,249 | |
| Purchase of marketable securities | (132,317) | | | (63,882) | | | (14,586) | |
| Real estate and equipment expenditures | (21,328) | | | (22,602) | | | (20,879) | |
| | | | | |
| Reimbursement proceeds from Communities Facilities District | — | | | 5,950 | | | 135 | |
| Proceeds from sale of real estate/assets | 77 | | | — | | | 63 | |
| Proceeds from sale of land | — | | | 24,950 | | | 4,413 | |
| Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures | (4,500) | | | (800) | | | (2,900) | |
| | | | | |
| Distribution of equity from unconsolidated joint ventures | 10,978 | | | 8,166 | | | 5,734 | |
| Investments in long-term water assets | (6,034) | | | (988) | | | (2,415) | |
Proceeds from water sales1 | 1,324 | | | 6,180 | | | 9,534 | |
Interest rate swap settlement2 | 3,715 | | | — | | | — | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (14,002) | | | (1,891) | | | (14,652) | |
| Financing Activities | | | | | |
| Borrowings on line of credit | 47,942 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | |
| Borrowings of long-term debt | — | | | 49,080 | | | — | |
| Repayments of long-term debt | (50,357) | | | (51,708) | | | (4,295) | |
| Deferred financing costs | (1,097) | | | (181) | | | — | |
Interest rate swap settlement3 | — | | | 1,123 | | — | |
| Taxes on vested stock grants | (3,353) | | | (2,733) | | | (1,791) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (6,865) | | | (4,419) | | | (6,086) | |
| (Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (7,212) | | | 2,221 | | | (17,922) | |
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year | 39,619 | | | 37,398 | | | 55,320 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year | $ | 32,407 | | | $ | 39,619 | | | $ | 37,398 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Reconciliation to amounts on consolidated balance sheets: | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 31,907 | | | $ | 39,119 | | | $ | 36,195 | |
| Restricted cash (recorded in other assets) | 500 | | | 500 | | | 1,203 | |
| Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 32,407 | | | $ | 39,619 | | | $ | 37,398 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-cash investing activities | | | | | |
| Accrued capital and water expenditures included in current liabilities | $ | 2,091 | | | $ | 1,847 | | | $ | 1,342 | |
| | | | | |
| Contribution to unconsolidated joint venture | $ | — | | | $ | 8,501 | | | $ | 8,464 | |
| Long term deferred profit on land contribution | $ | — | | | $ | 3,012 | | | $ | 2,785 | |
| | | | | |
1In determining the classification of cash inflows and outflows related to water asset activity, the Company’s practices are supported by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 230-10-45-22, which provides that “Certain cash receipts and payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows…. If so, the appropriate classification shall depend on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source of cash flows for the item.” Also, at the 2006 American Institution of Certified Public Accountants Conference on Current SEC and PCAOB Developments, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC staff discussed that an entity should be consistent in how it classifies cash outflows and inflows related to an asset’s purchase and sale and noted that when cash flow classification is unclear, registrants must use judgment and analysis that considers the nature of the activity and the predominant source of cash flow for these items.
Given the nature of our water assets and the aforementioned authoritative guidance, the Company estimates the appropriate classification of water assets purchased based on the timing of the sale of the water. Water purchased in prior periods that was classified as investing was sold for $1.32 million in 2023, this cash inflow is appropriately classified in the Company’s investing activities. The profit of $0.5 million related to the water purchased in prior periods is appropriately being deducted from operating activities for the current period. The Company has and will continue to apply this methodology to water asset transactions that meet this fact pattern. |
|
2The Company had an interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America, N.A. to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in the floating interest rate tied to SOFR under the term note. The hedging relationship qualified as an effective cash flow hedge and was recorded at fair value. On October 23, 2023, the Company terminated the interest rate swap, and received a $3,715,000 cash termination fee from Bank of America, N.A. |
3The Company had an interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in the floating interest rate tied to the London Inter-Bank Rate, or LIBOR under a term note with Wells Fargo. The hedging relationship qualified as an effective cash flow hedge and was recorded at fair value. On June 27, 2022, the Company terminated the interest rate swap, and received a $1,123,000 cash termination fee from Wells Fargo. |
See accompanying notes.
Tejon Ranch Co. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company
Tejon Ranch Co. (the Company or Tejon) is a diversified real estate development and agribusiness company committed to responsibly using its land and resources to meet the housing, employment, and lifestyle needs of Californians. Current operations consist of land planning and entitlement, land development, commercial land sales and leasing, leasing of land for mineral royalties, water asset management and sales, grazing leases, and farming.
These activities are performed through five reporting segments:
•Real Estate - Commercial/Industrial
•Real Estate - Resort/Residential
•Mineral Resources
•Farming
•Ranch Operations
Tejon's prime asset is approximately 270,000 acres of contiguous, largely undeveloped land that, at its most southerly border, is 60 miles north of downtown Los Angeles and, at its most northerly border, is 15 miles east of Bakersfield. The Company creates value by securing entitlements for its land, facilitating infrastructure development, strategic land planning, monetization of land through development and sales, and conservation, in order to maximize the highest and best use for its land.
The Company is involved in eight joint ventures that own, develop, and operate real estate properties. The Company enters into joint ventures as a means to facilitate the development of portions of its land. The Company is also actively engaged in land planning, land entitlement, and conservation projects.
Any references to the number of acres, number of buildings, square footage, number of leases, occupancy, and any amounts derived from these values in the notes to the consolidated financial statements are unaudited.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and the accounts of all subsidiaries and investments in which a controlling interest is held by the Company. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount for cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Marketable Securities
The Company considers those investments not qualifying as cash equivalents, but which are readily marketable, to be marketable securities. The Company's investment portfolio is comprised of fixed income debt securities, which are classified as current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company classifies all marketable securities as available-for-sale. These are stated at fair value with the unrealized gains (losses), net of tax, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of changes in equity.
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
For joint ventures that the Company does not control, but over which it exercises significant influence, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's judgment with regard to its level of influence or control of an entity involves consideration of various factors, including the form of its ownership interest; its representation in the entity's governance; its ability to participate in policy-making decisions; and the rights of other investors to participate in the decision-making process, to replace the Company as manager, and/or to liquidate the venture. These ventures are recorded at cost and adjusted for equity in earnings (losses), contributions and distributions. Any difference between the carrying amount of these investments on the Company’s balance sheet and the underlying equity in net assets on the joint venture’s balance sheet is adjusted as the related underlying assets are depreciated, amortized, or sold. When the Company contributes land to a joint venture, it records the investment in the venture at fair value, regardless of whether the other investors in the venture contribute cash or property.
The Company generally allocates income and loss from an unconsolidated joint venture based on the venture's distribution priorities, which may be different from its stated ownership percentage.
The Company evaluates the recoverability of its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with accounting standards for equity investments by first reviewing each investment for any indicators of impairment. If indicators are present, the Company estimates the fair value of the investment. If the carrying value of the investment is greater than the estimated fair value, management makes an assessment of whether the impairment is “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” In making this assessment, management considers the following: (1) the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the entity, and (3) the Company’s intent and ability to retain its interest long enough for a recovery in market value. If management concludes that the impairment is "other than temporary," the Company reduces the investment to its estimated fair value.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board's authoritative guidance for fair value measurements of certain financial instruments. The guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the exchange (exit) price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Observable inputs are those which can be easily seen by market participants, while unobservable inputs are generally developed internally, utilizing management’s estimates and assumptions:
•Level 1 – Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
•Level 2 – Valuation is determined from quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or by model-based techniques in which all significant inputs are observable in the market.
•Level 3 – Valuation is derived from model-based techniques in which at least one significant input is unobservable and based on the Company's own estimates about the assumptions that market participants would use to value the asset or liability.
When available, the Company uses quoted market prices in active markets to determine fair value. The Company considers the principal market and nonperformance risk associated with counterparties when determining the fair value measurement. Fair value measurements are used on a recurring basis for marketable securities, investments within the pension plan and hedging instruments, if any.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other short-term liabilities approximate their fair value. Additionally, the fair value of the RCL approximates fair value considering factors such as the interest rate being variable and the estimated credit spread available in the market at the balance sheet date being comparable to the terms at origination.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
On June 30, 2022, the Company entered into a variable rate term note, or New Term Note, with Bank of America, N.A. and on the same day, the Company entered into a new interest rate swap agreement to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in the floating interest rate tied to SOFR under the New Term Note. The hedging relationship qualified as an effective cash flow hedge and was recorded at fair value. On October 23, 2023, the Company terminated its interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America, N.A., and received a $3,715,000 cash termination fee from Bank of America, N.A.
See Note 8 (Line of Credit and Long-Term Debt) and Note 10 (Interest Rate Swap) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail regarding this interest rate swap related to the Company's Credit Facility. The Company believes it is prudent at times to limit the variability of floating-rate interest payments and in the past has entered into interest rate swaps to manage those fluctuations.
The Company recognizes interest rate swap agreements as either an asset or liability on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, a company must designate the hedging instrument, based on the hedged exposure, as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. The interest rate swap agreement was considered a cash flow hedge because it was designed to match the terms of the Term Loan with Bank of America, N.A., as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the earnings effect of the hedged transactions in a cash flow hedge. This interest rate swap agreement will be evaluated based on whether it is deemed highly effective in reducing exposure to variable interest rates. The Company formally documents all relationships between interest rate swap agreements and hedged items, including the method for evaluating effectiveness and the risk strategy. The Company makes an assessment at the inception of each interest rate swap agreement and on a quarterly basis to determine whether these instruments are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows associated with the hedged items. If swaps qualify as highly effective, the changes in the fair values of the derivatives used as hedges would be reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, or AOCI. Amounts classified in AOCI will be reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. If swaps do not qualify as highly effective, the changes in fair values of derivatives used as hedges would be reflected in earnings.
The fair value of each interest rate swap agreement is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analyses on the expected cash flows of each derivative. These analyses reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and use observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities (also referred to as “significant other observable inputs”). The fair value of interest rate swap agreements is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The fair value calculation also includes an amount for risk of non-performance using “significant unobservable inputs,” such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default, which the Company has determined to be insignificant to the overall fair value of its interest rate swap agreement.
Variable Interest Entity
The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation. When the Company's interests are determined to be variable interests, the Company assesses whether the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. A primary beneficiary is defined as the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE, which could potentially be significant. The Company considers its variable interests as well as any variable interests of related parties in making this determination. Where both of these factors are present, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE. Where either one of these factors is not present, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and does not consolidate the VIE.
To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and second, identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE or have the right to unilaterally remove those decision makers are deemed to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE.
To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers all economic interests, including debt and equity investments, servicing fees, and other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment requires that the Company apply judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE. Factors considered in assessing significance include: the design of the VIE, including its capitalization structure; subordination of interests; payment priority; relative share of interests held across various classes within the VIE’s capital structure; and the reasons why the interests are held by the Company.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had two VIEs. One was consolidated in the financial statements while the other was not. See Note 17 (Investment in Unconsolidated and Consolidated Joint Ventures) to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Credit Risk
The Company grants credit in the course of operations to co-ops, wineries, nut marketing companies, and lessees of the Company’s facilities. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral.
Commercial revenues are derived primarily from lease rental payments and operating expense reimbursements. If client tenants fail to make rental payments under their lease, the Company's financial condition, and cash flows could be adversely affected. The Company assesses the risk of loss on accounts receivable and adjusts the allowance for doubtful accounts based on this risk assessment. We do so by applying historical loss rates to our accounts receivable aging schedule to estimate expected credit losses. We further adjusted expected credit losses for specifically identified and forecasted credit losses. Accounts are written off when they are deemed to be no longer collectible.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Pastoria Energy Facility, L.L.C., or PEF power plant lease generated approximately 11%, 6%, and 8% of total revenues, respectively. The Company had no other customers accounting for 5% or more of total revenues from operations.
The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in federally insured financial institutions. The account balances at these institutions periodically exceed FDIC insurance coverage and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. The Company believes that the risk is not significant.
Farm Inventories
Costs of bringing crops to harvest are inventoried when incurred. Such costs are expensed when the crops are sold. Expenses are computed and recognized on an average cost per pound or per ton basis, as appropriate. Costs incurred during the current year related to the next year’s crop are inventoried and carried in inventory until the matching crop is harvested and sold. Farm inventories held for sale are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated on the basis of cost, except for land acquired upon organization in 1936, which is stated on the basis carried by the Company’s predecessor. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various assets. The Company's property and equipment and their respective estimated useful lives are as follow:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Useful Life | | December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| Vineyards and orchards | | 20 | | $ | 68,274 | | | $ | 66,016 | |
| Machinery, furniture fixtures and other equipment | | 3 - 10 | | 21,668 | | | 20,895 | |
| Buildings and improvements | | 10 - 27.5 | | 9,185 | | | 8,946 | |
| Land and land improvements | | 15 | | 7,835 | | | 7,835 | |
| Development in process | | | | 5,079 | | | 4,942 | |
| | | | $ | 112,041 | | | $ | 108,634 | |
| Less: accumulated depreciation | | | | (58,056) | | | (55,654) | |
| | | | $ | 53,985 | | | $ | 52,980 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Long-Term Water Assets
Long-term purchased water contracts are in place with the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District and the Dudley-Ridge Water Storage District. These contracts provide the Company with the right to receive water over the term of the contracts that expire in 2035. The Company also purchased a contract that allows and requires it to purchase 6,693 acre-feet of water each year from the Nickel Family LLC. The initial term of this contract runs through 2044. The purchase price of these contracts is being amortized under the straight-line basis over their contractual lives. Water contracts with the Wheeler Ridge Maricopa Water Storage District and the Tejon-Castac Water District are also in place, but were entered into with each district at inception and not purchased later from third parties, and therefore do not have a related financial value on the books of the Company. As a result, there is no amortization expense related to these contracts.
Vineyards and Orchards
Costs of planting and developing vineyards and orchards are capitalized until the crops become commercially productive. Interest costs and depreciation of irrigation systems and trellis installations during the development stage are also capitalized. Revenues from crops earned during the development stage are netted against development costs. Depreciation commences when the crops become commercially productive.
At the time farm crops are harvested, contracted, and delivered to buyers and revenues can be estimated, revenues are recognized and any related inventoried costs are expensed, which traditionally occurs during the third and fourth quarters of each year. It is not unusual for portions of the Company's almond or pistachio crop to be sold in the year following the harvest. Orchard (almond and pistachio) revenues are based upon the contract settlement price or estimated selling price, whereas vineyard revenues are typically recognized at the contracted selling price. Estimated prices for orchard crops are based upon the quoted estimate of what the final market price will be by marketers and handlers of the orchard crops. These market price estimates are updated through the crop payment cycle as new information is received as to the final settlement price for the crop sold. These estimates are adjusted to actual upon receipt of final payment for the crop. This method of recognizing revenues on the sale of orchard crops is a standard practice within the agribusiness community. Adjustments for differences between estimates and actual revenues received are recorded during the period in which such amounts become known. The net effect of these adjustments had no impact on pistachio revenues in 2023, while increased pistachio revenues by $873,000 in 2022, and $365,000 in 2021. There were no pricing adjustments associated with the Company's almonds.
The Almond Board of California has the authority to require producers of almonds to withhold a portion of their annual production from the marketplace through a marketing order approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. At December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, no such withholding was mandated.
Common Stock Options and Grants
The Company accounts for stock incentive plans using the fair value method of accounting. The estimated fair value of the restricted stock grants and restricted stock units are expensed over the expected vesting period. For performance-based grants the Company makes estimates of the probable number of shares that will actually be granted based upon estimated ranges of success in meeting defined performance measures. An estimate for share forfeitures, based on historical forfeitures, are recorded on all grants. Periodically, the Company updates its estimates and reflects any changes to the estimate in the consolidated statements of operations.
Long-Lived Assets
On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews current activities and changes in the business conditions of all of its operating properties prior to and subsequent to the end of each quarter to determine the existence of any triggering events requiring an impairment analysis. If triggering events are identified, the Company reviews an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows for the properties, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration.
Long-lived assets to be held and used, including rental properties, construction in progress, or CIP, real estate held for development and intangibles, are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist that may indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset to be held and used is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment indicators or triggering events for long-lived assets to be held and used, including rental properties, CIP, real estate held for development, and intangibles, are assessed by project and include significant fluctuations in estimated net operating income, occupancy changes, significant near-term lease expirations, current and historical operating and/or cash flow losses, rental rates, and other market factors. The Company assesses the expected undiscounted cash flows based upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, available market information, current and historical operating results, known trends, current market/economic conditions that may affect the property, and assumptions about the use of the asset, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration. Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, a write-down is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value.
In addition, the Company accounts for long-lived assets to be disposed of at the lower of their carrying amounts or fair value less selling and disposal costs.
As of December 31, 2023, management of the Company believes that none of its long-lived assets were impaired.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenue is primarily derived from lease revenue from its rental portfolio, royalty revenue from mineral leases, sales of farm crops, sales of water, and land sales. The Company recognizes revenue by following the five-step model under ASC 606 to achieve the core principle that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The five-step model requires that the Company (i) identifies the contract with the customer, (ii) identifies the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determines the transaction price, including variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant future reversal will not occur, (iv) allocates the transaction price to the respective performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies the performance obligation.
Sales of Real Estate
The Company allocates the transaction price, on land sales with multiple performance obligations, to the performance obligations in proportion to their standalone selling prices (i.e., on a relative standalone selling price basis) and not total costs.
Sales of Easements
From time to time the Company sells easements over its land, and the easements are either in the form of rights of access granted for such things as utility corridors or are in the form of conservation easements that generally require the Company to divest its rights to commercially develop a portion of its land, but do not result in a change in ownership of the land or restrict the Company from continuing other revenue generating activities on the land. The Company recognizes easement sales revenue by following the five-step model under ASC 606.
Allocation of Costs Related to Land Sales and Leases
When the Company sells land within one of its real estate developments and has not completed all infrastructure development related to the total project, the Company estimates, at the time of sale, future costs of the development to determine the appropriate costs of sales for the sold land and the timing of recognition of the sale. In the calculation of cost of sales or allocations to leased land, the Company uses estimates and forecasts to determine total costs at completion of the development project. These estimates of final development costs can change as conditions in the market change and costs of construction change.
Royalty Income
Royalty revenues are contractually defined as to the percentage of royalty and are tied to production and market prices. The Company’s royalty arrangements generally require payment on a monthly basis with the payment based on the previous month’s activity. The Company accrues monthly royalty revenues based upon estimates and adjusts to actual as the Company receives payments.
Rental Income
Rental income from leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective lease terms. The Company classifies amounts currently recognized as income, and amounts expected to be received in later years, as deferred rent in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received currently, but recognized as income in future years, are classified in accrued liabilities and other, and deferred income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company commences recognition of rental income at the date the property is ready for its intended use, and the client tenant takes possession of, or controls the physical use of, the property.
During the term of each lease, the Company monitors the credit quality of its tenants by (i) reviewing the credit rating of tenants that are rated by a nationally recognized credit rating agency, (ii) reviewing financial statements of the tenants that are publicly available or that are required to be delivered to the Company pursuant to the applicable lease, (iii) monitoring news reports regarding its tenants and their respective businesses, and (iv) monitoring the timeliness of lease payments. For operating leases in which collectability of rental income is not considered probable, rental income is recognized on a cash basis and allowances are taken for those balances that we have reason to believe may be uncollectible in the period it is determined not to be probable of collection.
Environmental Expenditures
Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with the completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitment to a formal plan of action. No liabilities for environmental costs have been recorded at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s 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 financial statement dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from these estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements Effective in Future Periods
Business Combinations - Joint Venture Formations
In August 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2023-05, "Business Combinations - Joint Venture Formations." This ASU addresses the accounting for contributions made to a joint venture, upon formation, in a joint venture's separate financial statements. The pronouncement requires a joint venture to initially measure contributions at fair value upon formation, which is more relevant than the carrying amounts of the contributed net assets and would reduce equity method basis differences. The ASU is effective prospectively for all joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. This pronouncement is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Segment Reporting
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, "Segment Reporting - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures". This ASU requires quarterly disclosure of segment expenses if they are (i) significant to the segment, (ii) regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), and (iii) included in each reported measure of a segment’s profit or loss. In addition, this ASU requires an annual disclosure of the CODM’s title and a description of how the CODM uses the segment’s profit/loss measure to assess segment performance and to allocate resources. This ASU will be effective for the Company's annual report on Form 10-K beginning with the year ended December 31, 2024, and for subsequent quarterly and annual reports. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this ASU on Company's consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
Income taxes
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures". This ASU requires public business entities to disclose a tabular rate reconciliation of both percentages and reporting currency amounts on an annual basis. The ASU also requires disclosure of information on amount of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The pronouncement is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
2. EQUITY
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is based upon the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is based upon the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the weighted-average number of shares outstanding assuming the issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, warrants to purchase common stock, and the vesting of restricted stock grants per ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.”
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
| | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | |
| Common stock | | | | | 26,706,824 | | | 26,478,171 | | | 26,343,352 | |
| Common stock equivalents: stock options, grants | | | | | — | | | 174,748 | | | 70,662 | |
| Diluted shares outstanding | | | | | 26,706,824 | | | 26,652,919 | | | 26,414,014 | |
For the twelve-months ended December 31, 2023, 5,351 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the calculation of dilutive net income per share as the shares were antidilutive.
3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
ASC 320 “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities” requires that an enterprise classify all debt securities as either held-to-maturity, trading or available-for-sale. The Company has elected to classify its securities as available-for-sale and therefore is required to adjust securities to fair value at each reporting date. All costs and both realized and unrealized gains and losses on securities are determined on a specific identification basis. The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Marketable Securities: | Fair Value Hierarchy | | Cost | | Estimated Fair Value | | Cost | | Estimated Fair Value |
| Certificates of deposit | | | | | | | | | |
| with unrecognized losses for less than 12 months | | | $ | 174 | | | $ | 174 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| with unrecognized gains | | | 385 | | | 385 | | | — | | | — | |
| Total Certificates of deposit | Level 1 | | 559 | | | 559 | | | — | | | — | |
| U.S. Treasury and agency notes | | | | | | | | | |
| with unrecognized losses for less than 12 months | | | 13,797 | | | 13,787 | | | 13,916 | | | 13,832 | |
| with unrecognized losses for more than 12 months | | | — | | | — | | | 500 | | | 499 | |
| with unrecognized gains | | | 2,374 | | | 2,374 | | | 1,250 | | | 1,251 | |
| Total U.S. Treasury and agency notes | Level 2 | | 16,171 | | | 16,161 | | | 15,666 | | | 15,582 | |
| Corporate notes | | | | | | | | | |
| with unrecognized losses for less than 12 months | | | 15,598 | | | 15,587 | | | 17,236 | | | 17,112 | |
| with unrecognized losses for more than 12 months | | | — | | | — | | | 251 | | | 250 | |
| with unrecognized gains | | | 249 | | | 249 | | | 499 | | | 500 | |
| Total Corporate notes | Level 2 | | 15,847 | | | 15,836 | | | 17,986 | | | 17,862 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 32,577 | | | $ | 32,556 | | | $ | 33,652 | | | $ | 33,444 | |
The Company uses an allowance approach when recognizing credit loss for available-for-sale debt securities, measured as the difference between the security's amortized cost basis and the amount expected to be collected over the security's lifetime. Under this approach, at each reporting date, the Company records impairment related to credit losses through earnings offset with an allowance for credit losses, or ACL. At December 31, 2023 the Company has not recorded any credit losses.
At December 31, 2023, the fair market value of investment securities was $21,000 below the cost basis of securities. The Company’s gross unrealized holding losses equal $21,000. As of December 31, 2023, the adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss in consolidated equity for the temporary change in the value of securities reflects a decrease in the market value of available-for-sale securities of $187,000, which includes estimated taxes of $52,000.
The Company elected to exclude applicable accrued interest from both the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the available-for-sale debt securities, and separately present the accrued interest receivable balance per ASC Topic 326-30-50-3A. The accrued interest receivables balance totaled $279,000 as of December 31, 2023, and was included within the Prepaid expenses and other current assets line item of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable, as an allowance on possible uncollectible accrued interest is not warranted.
U.S. Treasury and agency notes
The unrealized losses on the Company's investments in U.S. Treasury and agency notes at December 31, 2023 were caused by relative changes in interest rates since the time of purchase. The contractual cash flows for these securities are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies. The unrealized losses on these debt security holdings are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality. As of December 31, 2023, the Company did not intend to sell these securities and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Company would be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis. Therefore, these investments did not require an ACL as of December 31, 2023.
Corporate notes
The unrealized losses on corporate notes are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality. The Company expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. As of December 31, 2023, the Company did not intend to sell these securities and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Company would be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis. Therefore, these investments did not require an ACL as of December 31, 2023.
The following tables summarize the maturities, at par, of marketable securities by year ($ in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | 2024 | | | | | | | | Total |
| Certificates of deposit | | | | | $ | 560 | | | | | | | | | $ | 560 | |
| U.S. Treasury and agency notes | | | | | $ | 16,212 | | | | | | | | | $ | 16,212 | |
| Corporate notes | | | | | 15,880 | | | | | | | | | 15,880 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | $ | 32,652 | | | | | | | | | $ | 32,652 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | | | | 2023 | | 2024 | | | | | | Total |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury and agency notes | | | | | 15,225 | | | 500 | | | | | | | 15,725 | |
| Corporate notes | | | | | 17,470 | | | 500 | | | | | | | 17,970 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | $ | 32,695 | | | $ | 1,000 | | | | | | | $ | 33,695 | |
The Company’s investments in corporate notes are with companies that have an investment grade rating from Standard & Poor’s.
4. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following at December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Farming inventories | | $ | 3,265 | | | $ | 3,078 | |
| Other | | 228 | | | 291 | |
| | $ | 3,493 | | | $ | 3,369 | |
Farming inventories consist of costs incurred during the current year related to next year’s crop along with unsold current year crop and farming chemicals.
5. REAL ESTATE
Real estate consisted of the following as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Real estate development | | | | |
| Mountain Village | | $ | 155,168 | | | $ | 153,156 | |
| Centennial | | 119,788 | | | 115,221 | |
| Grapevine | | 40,716 | | | 39,273 | |
| | | | |
| Tejon Ranch Commerce Center | | 21,585 | | | 13,643 | |
| Real estate development | | 337,257 | | | 321,293 | |
| | | | |
| Real estate and improvements - held for lease, net | | | | |
| Tejon Ranch Commerce Center | | 20,606 | | | 20,590 | |
| Real estate and improvements - held for lease, net | | 20,606 | | | 20,590 | |
| Less accumulated depreciation | | (3,997) | | | (3,650) | |
| Real estate and improvements - held for lease, net | | $ | 16,609 | | | $ | 16,940 | |
6. LONG-TERM WATER ASSETS
Long-term water assets consist of water and water contracts held for future use or sale. The water is held at cost, which includes the price paid for the water and the cost to pump and deliver the water from the California aqueduct into the water bank. Water is currently held in a water bank on Company land in southern Kern County and by TCWD in Kern Water Banks.
The Company has secured State Water Project, or SWP, entitlements under long-term SWP water contracts within the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District and the Dudley-Ridge Water District, totaling 3,444 acre-feet of SWP entitlement annually, subject to SWP allocations. These contracts extend through 2035 and have been transferred to AVEK for the Company's use in the Antelope Valley. In 2013, the Company acquired a contract to purchase water that obligates the Company to purchase 6,693 acre-feet of water each year from the Nickel Family, LLC, or Nickel, a California limited liability company that is located in Kern County.
The initial term of the water purchase agreement with Nickel runs to 2044 and includes a Company option to extend the contract for an additional 35 years. The purchase cost of water in 2023 was $928 per acre-foot. The purchase cost is subject to annual cost increases based on the greater of the consumer price index or 3%.
The water purchased above will ultimately be used in the development of the Company’s land for commercial/industrial real estate development, resort/residential real estate development, and farming. Interim uses may include the sale of portions of this water to third party users on an annual basis until this water is fully allocated to Company uses, as just described.
Water revenues and cost of sales were as follows as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | |
| Acre-Feet Sold | 5,145 | | | 10,400 | | | 13,651 | |
| | | | | |
| Revenues | $ | 8,033 | | | $ | 14,658 | | | $ | 15,523 | |
| Cost of sales | 5,220 | | | 9,549 | | | 10,669 | |
| Profit | $ | 2,813 | | | $ | 5,109 | | | $ | 4,854 | |
Costs assigned to water assets held for future use were as follows ($ in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| Banked water and water for future delivery | $ | 31,002 | | | $ | 23,855 | |
| Transferable water | 756 | | | 1,455 | |
| Total water held for future use at cost | $ | 31,758 | | | $ | 25,310 | |
Intangible Water Assets
The Company's carrying amounts of its purchased water contracts were as follows ($ in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| Costs | | Accumulated Depreciation | | Costs | | Accumulated Depreciation |
| Dudley-Ridge water rights | $ | 11,581 | | | $ | (6,272) | | | $ | 11,581 | | | $ | (5,790) | |
| Nickel water rights | 18,740 | | | (6,532) | | | 18,740 | | | (5,890) | |
| Tulare Lake Basin water rights | 6,479 | | | (3,624) | | | 6,479 | | | (3,386) | |
| $ | 36,800 | | | $ | (16,428) | | | $ | 36,800 | | | $ | (15,066) | |
| Net cost of purchased water contracts | 20,372 | | | | | 21,735 | | | |
| Total cost water held for future use | 31,758 | | | | | 25,310 | | | |
| Net investments in water assets | $ | 52,130 | | | | | $ | 47,045 | | | |
Water contracts with the Wheeler Ridge Maricopa Water Storage District, or WRMWSD, and the Tejon-Castac Water District, or TCWD, are also in place, but were entered into with each district at inception of the contract and not purchased later from third parties, and do not have a related financial value on the books of the Company. Therefore, there is no amortization expense related to these contracts. Total water resources, including both recurring and one-time usage are:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (in acre feet, unaudited) | December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| Water held for future use | | | |
| TCWD - Banked water owned by the Company | 65,005 | | | 52,554 | |
| Company water bank | 54,728 | | | 50,349 | |
| Transferable water | 1,000 | | | 2,548 | |
| Recharged project water | 6,590 | | | — | |
| Total water held for future use | 127,323 | | | 105,451 | |
| Purchased water contracts | | | |
| Water Contracts (Dudley-Ridge, Nickel and Tulare) | 10,137 | | | 10,137 | |
| WRMWSD - Contracts with Company | 15,547 | | | 15,547 | |
| TCWD - Contracts with Company | 5,749 | | | 5,749 | |
| Total purchased water contracts | 31,433 | | | 31,433 | |
| Total water held for future use and purchased water contracts | 158,756 | | | 136,884 | |
| | | |
Tejon Ranchcorp, or Ranchcorp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tejon Ranch Co., entered into a Water Supply Agreement with PEF in 2015. PEF is the current lessee under the power plant lease. Pursuant to the Water Supply Agreement, PEF may purchase from Ranchcorp up to 3,500 acre-feet of water per year from January 1, 2017 through July 31, 2030, with an option to extend the term by three additional five-year periods. PEF is under no obligation to purchase water from Ranchcorp in any year, but is required to pay Ranchcorp an annual option payment equal to 30% of the maximum annual payment. The price of the water under the Water Supply Agreement for 2023 was $1,261 per acre-foot of annual water, subject to 3% annual increases over the life of the contract. The Water Supply Agreement contains other customary terms and conditions, including representations and warranties, which are typical for agreements of this type. The Company's commitments to sell water can be met through current water assets.
7. ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER
Accrued liabilities and other consisted of the following as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Accrued vacation | $ | 657 | | | $ | 735 | |
| Accrued paid personal leave | 309 | | | 348 | |
| Accrued bonus | 1,962 | | | 2,280 | |
| Other | 286 | | | 239 | |
| $ | 3,214 | | | $ | 3,602 | |
8. LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Debt consisted of the following as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Revolving line-of-credit | $ | 47,942 | | | $ | — | |
| Notes payable | — | | | 50,154 | |
| | | |
| Total short-term and long-term debt | 47,942 | | | 50,154 | |
Less: current maturities of long-term debt and deferred loan costs1 | — | | | (1,993) | |
| | | |
| Long-term debt, less current portion | $ | 47,942 | | | $ | 48,161 | |
1The deferred loan costs for revolving line-of-credit as of December 31, 2023 were recorded under the caption Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
On November 17, 2023, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with AgWest Farm Credit, PCA and certain other lenders. The Revolving Credit Facility provides TRC an RCL in the amount of $160,000,000. The RCL requires interest only payments and has a maturity date of January 1, 2029. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance under the RCL was $47,942,000, and the interest rate was one-month term SOFR plus a margin of 2.25%.
Funds from the RCL were used to pay off and close out the existing Bank of America, N.A. Term Note and Revolving Line of Credit Note. The amount of this pay off was $47,078,564 plus accrued interest and fees on the Bank of America Term Note. The Company evaluated the debt exchange under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 470 and determined that the exchange should be treated as a debt extinguishment.
On June 30, 2022, the Company entered into a variable rate term note and an RLC with Bank of America, N.A, or collectively the New Credit Facility. The Term Loan provided a principal amount of $49,080,000 and a maturity date of June 30, 2032, which was used to pay off the existing Wells Fargo Term Note. The Company evaluated the debt exchange under ASC 470 and determined that the exchange should be treated as a debt extinguishment. The amount available of the RLC under the New Credit Facility was $40,607,000.
The Term Note had a $48,462,000 balance as of December 31, 2022. The interest rate per annum applicable to the Term Loan was the daily Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or SOFR, plus a margin of 1.55 percentage points. The interest rate for the term of the Term Note was fixed through the use of an interest rate swap at a rate of 4.62%. The Term Note requires monthly amortization payments pursuant to a schedule set forth in the Term Note, with the final outstanding principal amount due June 28, 2032. The Credit Facility was secured by the Company's farmland and farm assets, which, include equipment, crops and crop receivables; the PEF power plant lease and lease site; and related accounts and other rights to payment and inventory.
The following table summarizes debt maturities, outstanding indebtedness, and respective principal maturities as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | Stated Rate | | Effective Rate | | Maturity | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter | | Total |
Revolving line-of-credit 1 | S+2.25% | | 7.59% | | 1/1/2029 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 47,942 | | | 47,942 | |
| | | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 47,942 | | | $ | 47,942 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1The effective interest rate on this line of credit is SOFR plus a margin of 2.25%, and the rate was 7.59% as of December 31, 2023. |
9. OTHER LIABILITIES
Other liabilities consist of the following as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pension liability (See Note 15)1 | $ | — | | | $ | 38 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Supplemental executive retirement plan liability (See Note 15) | 6,124 | | | 6,186 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Excess joint venture distributions and other (See Note 17) | 9,083 | | | 4,156 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 15,207 | | | $ | 10,380 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1The Company's defined benefit retirement plan had an asset balance of $295,000 as of December 31, 2023 and was recorded under the caption Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
10. INTEREST RATE SWAP
On June 30, 2022, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A. On the same day, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in the floating interest rate tied to SOFR. The interest rate swap qualified as an effective cash flow hedge under the guidance of ASC 815. On December 31, 2022, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement was greater than its cost basis and as such is recorded within Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company had the following outstanding interest rate swap agreement designated as an interest rate cash flow hedge as of ($ in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 |
| Effective Date | | Maturity Date | | Fair Value Hierarchy | | Weighted Average Interest Pay Rate | | Fair Value | | Notional Amount |
| June 30, 2022 | | June 28, 2032 | | Level 2 | | 4.62% | | $1,430 | | $48,462 |
On October 23, 2023, the Company terminated the interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America, N.A., and received a $3,715,000 cash termination fee from Bank of America, N.A. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had no outstanding interest rate swap agreements.
11. STOCK COMPENSATION - RESTRICTED STOCK AND PERFORMANCE SHARE GRANTS
The Company’s stock incentive plans provide for the making of awards to employees based upon a service condition or through the achievement of performance-related objectives. The Company has issued three types of stock grant awards under these plans: restricted stock with service condition vesting; performance share grants that only vest upon the achievement of specified performance conditions, such as corporate cash flow goals or share price, or Performance Condition Grants; and performance share grants that include threshold, target, and maximum achievement levels based on the achievement of specific performance measures, or Performance Milestone Grants. Performance Condition Grants with market-based conditions are based on the achievement of a target share price. The share price used to calculate the grant date fair value for market-based awards is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Failure to achieve the target share price will result in the forfeiture of shares. Forfeiture of share awards with service conditions or performance-based restrictions will result in a reversal of previously recognized share-based compensation expense. Forfeiture of share awards with market-based restrictions does not result in a reversal of previously recognized share-based compensation expense.
The following is a summary of the Company's performance share grants with performance conditions as of the year ended December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | |
| Performance Share Grants with Performance Conditions |
| | |
| | |
| Target performance | | 191,849 | |
| Maximum performance | | 265,234 | |
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock grant activity, both time and performance unit grants, assuming target achievement for outstanding performance grants for the following twelve-month periods ended:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| Stock Grants Outstanding Beginning of the Year at Target Achievement | 234,899 | | | 683,645 | | | 840,307 | |
| New Stock Grants/Additional shares due to achievement in excess of target | 321,026 | | | 180,034 | | | 63,622 | |
| Vested Grants | (260,070) | | | (384,112) | | | (196,328) | |
| Expired/Forfeited Grants | (47,087) | | | (244,668) | | | (23,956) | |
| Stock Grants Outstanding End of Period at Target Achievement | 248,768 | | | 234,899 | | | 683,645 | |
The following is a summary of the assumptions used to determine the fair value of the Company's market-based Performance Condition Grants outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands except for share prices) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Grant date | | | 12/11/2020 | | 03/18/2021 | | 12/16/2021 | | 03/17/2022 | | 12/14/2022 | | 06/16/2023 | | 06/16/2023 |
| Vesting end | | | 12/31/2023 | | 03/18/2024 | | 12/16/2024 | | 03/17/2025 | | 12/14/2025 | | 12/31/2023 | | 12/31/2025 |
| Share price at target achievement | | | $17.07 | | $20.02 | | $21.58 | | $20.43 | | $21.99 | | $19.24 | | $20.72 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Expected volatility | | | 29.25% | | 30.30% | | 31.29% | | 31.54% | | 32.14% | | 27.09% | | 26.58% |
| Risk-free interest rate | | | 0.19% | | 0.33% | | 0.92% | | 2.13% | | 3.84% | | 5.2% | | 4.38% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Simulated Monte Carlo share price | | | $15.59 | | $18.82 | | $21.48 | | $21.75 | | $26.00 | | $13.18 | | $20.24 |
| Shares granted | | | 3,628 | | 10,905 | | 3,536 | | 13,338 | | 4,613 | | 33,035 | | 28,545 |
| Total fair value of award | | | $57 | | $205 | | $76 | | $290 | | $120 | | $435 | | $578 |
The unamortized cost associated with unvested stock grants and the weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized as of December 31, 2023 was $2,864,000 and 23 months, respectively. The fair value of restricted stock with time-based vesting features is based upon the Company’s share price on the date of grant and is expensed over the service period. Fair value of performance grants that cliff vest based on the achievement of performance conditions is based on the share price of the Company’s stock on the day of grant and is expensed over the performance period if it is probable that the award will vest. This fair value is expensed over the service period applicable to these grants. For performance grants that contain a range of shares from zero to maximum, the Company determines, based on historic and projected results, the probability of (1) achieving the performance objective, and (2) the level of achievement. Based on this information, the Company determines the number of awards probable of vesting and expenses the grant date fair value of such awards over the service period related to these grants. Because the ultimate vesting of all performance grants is tied to the achievement of a performance condition, the Company estimates whether the performance condition will be met and over what period of time. Ultimately, the Company adjusts compensation cost according to the actual outcome of the performance condition. Under the Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan, or NDSI Plan, each non-employee director, during the years presented, received his or her annual compensation in stock.
The following table summarizes stock compensation costs for the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, or the Employee 1998 Plan, and NDSI Plan for the following periods:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Employee 1998 Plan ($ in thousands): | | December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| Expensed | | $ | 2,731 | | | $ | 2,281 | | | $ | 3,742 | |
| Capitalized | | 482 | | | 335 | | | 460 | |
| | 3,213 | | | 2,616 | | | 4,202 | |
| NDSI Plan | | 521 | | | 596 | | | 529 | |
| | $ | 3,734 | | | $ | 3,212 | | | $ | 4,731 | |
12. INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes using ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” which is an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized differently in the financial statements and the tax returns. The provision for income taxes consists of the following at December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Total provision (benefit): | | $ | 2,323 | | | $ | 7,393 | | | $ | 3,821 | |
| Federal: | | | | | | |
| Current | | 1,371 | | | 3,330 | | | 1,960 | |
| Deferred | | 353 | | | 1,718 | | | 620 | |
| | 1,724 | | | 5,048 | | | 2,580 | |
| State: | | | | | | |
| Current | | 584 | | | 2,044 | | | 937 | |
| Deferred | | 15 | | | 301 | | | 304 | |
| | 599 | | | 2,345 | | | 1,241 | |
| | $ | 2,323 | | | $ | 7,393 | | | $ | 3,821 | |
In 2023, the Company’s effective tax rate varies from the statutory federal rate primarily due to permanent differences related to Section 162(m) limitations, state taxes and excess stock compensation expense. The Section 162(m) compensation deduction limitations occurred as a result of changes in tax law arising from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which first impacted the Company in 2020. A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes, with the amount computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21% in 2023, 2022 and 2021, is as follows for the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Income tax at statutory rate | | $ | 1,195 | | | $ | 4,869 | | | $ | 1,924 | |
| State income taxes, net of Federal benefit | | 578 | | | 1,851 | | | 802 | |
| Excess stock compensation (benefit) expense | | (501) | | | (147) | | | 34 | |
| Non-deductible compensation | | 1,302 | | | 1,008 | | | 539 | |
| Oil and mineral depletion | | (130) | | | (147) | | | (108) | |
| | | | | | |
| Permanent differences | | 9 | | | 10 | | | 26 | |
| Stock compensation true-up | | — | | | — | | | 641 | |
| Other | | (130) | | | (51) | | | (37) | |
| Provision for income taxes | | $ | 2,323 | | | $ | 7,393 | | | $ | 3,821 | |
| Effective tax rate | | 41.6 | % | | 31.9 | % | | 41.7 | % |
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows at December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Deferred income tax assets: | | | | |
| Accrued expenses | | $ | 293 | | | $ | 333 | |
| Deferred revenues | | 563 | | | 447 | |
| Capitalization of costs | | 1,218 | | | 1,280 | |
| Pension adjustment | | 1,921 | | | 1,940 | |
| Stock grant expense | | 1,048 | | | 1,364 | |
| State deferred taxes | | 355 | | | 555 | |
| Book deferred gains | | 2,127 | | | 2,127 | |
| Joint venture allocations | | 552 | | | 566 | |
| Provision for additional capitalized costs | | 699 | | | 699 | |
| Interest rate swap | | 1,444 | | | 335 | |
| Other | | 81 | | | 136 | |
| Total deferred income tax assets | | $ | 10,301 | | | $ | 9,782 | |
| Deferred income tax liabilities: | | | | |
| Deferred gains | | $ | 1,753 | | | $ | 1,753 | |
| Depreciation | | 4,766 | | | 4,492 | |
| Cost of sales allocations | | 872 | | | 872 | |
| Joint venture allocations | | 7,272 | | | 6,900 | |
| Capitalized stock compensation | | 1,202 | | | 1,058 | |
| Straight line rent | | 296 | | | 348 | |
| Prepaid expenses | | 369 | | | 318 | |
| State deferred taxes | | 96 | | | 96 | |
| Interest rate swap | | 1,444 | | | 762 | |
| Other | | 500 | | | 363 | |
| Total deferred income tax liabilities | | $ | 18,570 | | | $ | 16,962 | |
| Net deferred income tax (liability) | | $ | (8,269) | | | $ | (7,180) | |
| Allowance for deferred tax assets | | — | | | — | |
| Net deferred taxes | | $ | (8,269) | | | $ | (7,180) | |
Due to the nature of the Company's deferred tax assets, the Company believes they will be used through operations in future years and a valuation allowance is not necessary.
The Company made $2,564,000 in estimated tax payments in 2023 and $8,237,000 in 2022. The Company received tax refunds of $0 and $1,410,000 in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company evaluates its tax positions for all income tax items based on their technical merits to determine whether each position satisfies the “more likely than not to be sustained upon examination” test. The tax benefits are then measured as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative basis, that is “more likely than not” to be realized upon ultimate settlement. As a result of this evaluation, the Company determined there were no uncertain tax positions that required recognition and measurement for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 within the scope of ASC 740, "Income Taxes." Tax years from 2020 to 2022 and 2019 to 2022 remain available for examination by the Federal and California State taxing authorities, respectively.
13. LEASES
The Company is a lessor of certain property pursuant to various lease agreements having terms ranging up to 30 years. The Company generates rental income from right to use assets. The following is a summary of income from commercial rents included in commercial/industrial real estate revenues as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Base rent | | $ | 7,419 | | | $ | 6,893 | | | $ | 6,672 | |
| Percentage rent | | $ | 1,080 | | | $ | 918 | | | $ | 705 | |
Future minimum rental income on commercial, communication and right-of-way non-cancelable leases as of December 31, 2023 ($ in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter |
| $ | 7,193 | | | $ | 6,477 | | | $ | 5,874 | | | $ | 5,645 | | | $ | 5,297 | | | $ | 5,966 | |
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Water Contracts
The Company has secured water contracts that are encumbered by the Company's land. These water contracts require minimum annual payments, for which $13,107,000 is expected to be paid in 2024. For 2023, the Company has paid $10,704,000 for this water. These estimated water contract payments consist of SWP contracts with WRMWSD, TCWD, Tulare Lake Basin, Dudley-Ridge, and the Nickel water contract. The SWP contracts run through 2035 and the Nickel water contract runs through 2044, with an option to extend an additional 35 years. The Company's contractual obligation for future water payments was $287,986,000 as of December 31, 2023.
Contracts
The Company exited a consulting contract during the second quarter of 2014 related to the Grapevine Development, or Grapevine project, and is obligated to pay an earned incentive fee at the time of its successful receipt of litigated project entitlements and at a value measurement date five-years after litigated entitlements have been achieved for Grapevine. The final amount of the incentive fee will not be determined until the future payment dates. As of December 31, 2023, the Company believes the net savings resulting from exiting the contract during this future time period will more than offset the incentive payment costs.
Community Facilities Districts
The TRPFFA is a joint powers authority formed by Kern County and TCWD to finance public infrastructure within the Company’s Kern County developments. For the development of TRCC, TRPFFA has created two CFDs: the West CFD and the East CFD. The West CFD has placed liens on 420 acres of the Company’s land to secure payment of special taxes related to $19,540,000 of outstanding bond debt sold by TRPFFA for TRCC-West. The East CFD has placed liens on 1,931 acres of the Company’s land to secure payments of special taxes related to $72,055,000 of outstanding bond debt sold by TRPFFA for TRCC-East. At TRCC-West, the West CFD has no additional bond debt approved for issuance. At TRCC-East, the East CFD has approximately $44,035,000 of additional bond debt authorized by TRPFFA that can be sold in the future.
In connection with the sale of the bonds, there is a standby letter of credit for $3,358,000 related to the issuance of East CFD bonds. The standby letter of credit is in place to provide additional credit enhancement and cover approximately two years of interest on the outstanding bonds. This letter of credit will not be drawn upon unless the Company, as the largest landowner in the CFD, fails to make its property tax payments. The Company believes that the letter of credit will never be drawn upon. The letter of credit is for two years and will be renewed in two-year intervals as necessary. The annual cost related to the letter of credit is approximately $67,000.
As a landowner in each CFD, the Company is obligated to pay its share of the special taxes assessed each year. The secured lands include both the TRCC-West and TRCC-East developments. Proceeds from the sale of West CFD bonds went to reimburse the Company for public infrastructure costs related to the TRCC-West development. As of December 31, 2023 there were no additional improvement funds remaining from West CFD bonds. There are $9,763,557 of additional improvement funds remaining within the East CFD bonds for reimbursement of public infrastructure costs during future years. During fiscal 2023, the Company paid approximately $2,775,000 in special taxes. As development continues to occur at TRCC, new owners of land and new lease tenants, through triple net leases, will bear an increasing portion of the assessed special tax. This amount could change in the future based on the amount of bonds outstanding and the amount of taxes paid by others. The assessment of each individual property sold or leased is not determinable at this time, because it is based on the current tax rate and the assessed value of the property at the time of sale or on its assessed value at the time it is leased to a third-party. Accordingly, the Company is not required to recognize an obligation on December 31, 2023.
Centennial
On April 30, 2019, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors granted final entitlement approval for the Centennial project. On May 15, 2019, Climate Resolve filed an action in Los Angeles Superior Court (the Climate Resolve Action), pursuant to CEQA and the California Planning and Zoning Law, against the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (collectively, LA County) concerning LA County’s granting of approvals for the Centennial project, including certification of the final EIR and related findings (Centennial EIR); approval of associated general plan amendments; adoption of associated zoning; adoption of the Centennial Specific Plan; approval of a subdivision map for financing purposes; and adoption of a development agreement, among other approvals (collectively, the Centennial Approvals). Separately, on May 28, 2019, the CBD and the CNPS filed an action in Los Angeles County Superior Court (the CBD/CNPS Action) against LA County; like the Climate Resolve Action, the CBD/CNPS Action also challenges the Centennial Approvals. The Company, its wholly owned subsidiary Tejon Ranchcorp, and CFL are named as real parties-in-interest in both the Climate Resolve Action and the CBD/CNPS Action.
The Climate Resolve Action and the CBD/CNPS Action collectively allege that LA County failed to properly follow the procedures and requirements of CEQA and the California Planning and Zoning Law. The Climate Resolve Action and the CBD/CNPS Action have been deemed “related” and, while not consolidated under court rules or the rules of civil procedure, the Los Angeles Superior Court judge (or Court) trying both cases determined during early trial management conferences to hold one set of hearings and issue one ruling on the matters as part of the adjudication. The Climate Resolve Action and CBD/CNPS Action seek to invalidate the Centennial Approvals and require LA County to revise the environmental documentation related to the Centennial project. The Court held three hearings for the CBD/CNPS Action and Climate Resolve Action on September 30, 2020, November 13, 2020, and January 8, 2021.
On April 5, 2021, the Court issued its decision denying the petition for writ of mandate by CBD/CNPS and granting the petition for writ of mandate filed by Climate Resolve. In granting Climate Resolve’s petition, the Court found three specific areas where the EIR for the project was lacking. The Court ruled that California’s Cap-and-Trade Program cannot be used as a compliance pathway for mitigating GHG impacts for the project and therefore further ruled that additional analysis will be required related to all feasible mitigation of GHG impacts. The Court also found that the EIR must provide additional analysis and explanation of how wildland fire risk on lands outside of the project site, posed by on-site ignition sources, is mitigated to less than significant. On April 19, 2021, CBD filed a motion for reconsideration with the Court on the denial of their petition for writ of mandate to be granted prevailing party status in the Climate Resolve Action (“Motion for Reconsideration”). The hearing on the Motion for Reconsideration, originally scheduled for August 13, 2021 was rescheduled to December 1, 2021 and further rescheduled as noted below.
On November 30, 2021, the Company, together with Ranchcorp and CFL, entered into a Settlement Agreement with Climate Resolve. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company has agreed: (1) to make Centennial a net zero GHG emissions project through various on-site and off-site measures including, but not limited to, installing electric vehicle chargers and establishing and funding incentive programs for the purchase of electric vehicles; (2) to fund certain on-site and off-site fire protection and prevention measures; and (3) to provide annual public reports and create an organization to monitor progress towards these commitments. The foregoing is only a summary of the material terms of the Settlement Agreement and does not purport to be a complete description of the rights and obligations of the parties thereunder and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Settlement Agreement. In exchange, Climate Resolve filed a request for dismissal of the Climate Resolve Action with prejudice from the Court. On December 3, 2021, the Court granted and entered Climate Resolve’s dismissal with prejudice concluding the Climate Resolve Action. On December 1, 2021, the Court continued CBD/CNPS Motion for Reconsideration to January 14, 2022, directing CBD/CNPS to evaluate the Settlement Agreement reached in the Climate Resolve Action to address issues surrounding remedies should CBD be granted prevailing party status in the Climate Resolve Action, and to evaluate the potential to settle or otherwise address CBD’s objections to the Centennial project. To that end, the Company met and conferred twice on January 4, 2022 and January 20, 2022. On January 14, 2022, the Court heard CBD/CNPS' Motion for Reconsideration and issued its decision granting CBD/CNPS prevailing party status in the Climate Resolve Action.
The Court set a tentative hearing date of February 25, 2022 concerning the entry of final judgment and awarding of appropriate remedies, which was continued several times in 2022 either on the Court's own motion or at the request of the parties and was ultimately set for hearing on October 26, 2022. At the October 26th hearing, the Court agreed to: (a) hear the Company’s Motion for Reconsideration as to the successful challenges Climate Resolve prevailed upon within the Climate Resolve Action and ordered the Parties to appear on December 14, 2022 to hear the Company’s Motion for Reconsideration and (b) rule on the entry of final judgment and setting of remedies at a February 17, 2023 hearing date.
At the December 14, 2022 hearing, the Court denied the Company’s Motion for Reconsideration (finding that the Company’s motion failed to support the statutory elements necessary to prevail on such motion). At the February 17, 2023 hearing, the Court took into submission the Parties’ legal briefs and oral arguments. On March 22, 2023, the Court decided in favor of CBD/CNPS when the Judge signed CBD/CNPS’s proposed form of judgment, which included a full rescission of the Centennial project approvals previously issued by Los Angeles County. On May 26, 2023, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the Superior Court, thereby appealing the Superior Court’s decision to the Second District of the California Court of Appeal. On June 27, 2023, CBD/CNPS cross-appealed the Superior Court’s ruling. During the appeal process the Superior Court’s order of the rescission of project approvals have been placed on hold.
As the Company’s options to reinstate the project approvals remain pending, the monetary value of any adverse decision, if any, cannot be estimated at this time.
Proceedings Incidental to Business
From time to time, the Company is involved in other proceedings incidental to its business, including actions relating to employee claims, real estate disputes, contractor disputes and grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies.
The outcome of these other proceedings is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows either individually or in the aggregate.
15. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company sponsors a defined benefit retirement plan, or Benefit Plan, that covers eligible employees hired prior to February 1, 2007. The benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s five-year final average salary. The accounting for the defined benefit plan requires the use of assumptions and estimates in order to calculate periodic benefit cost and the value of the plan's assets and benefit obligation. These assumptions include discount rates, investment returns, and projected salary increases, amongst others. The discount rates used in valuing the plan's benefits obligations were determined with reference to high quality corporate and government bonds that are appropriately matched to the duration of the plan's obligation.
Contributions are intended to provide for benefits attributable to service both to date and expected to be provided in the future. The Company funds the plan in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA. The Company in April 2017 froze the Benefit Plan as it relates to future benefit accruals for participants.
The following table sets forth changes in the plan's net benefit obligation and accumulated benefit information as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Change in benefit obligation - Pension | | | | |
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | | $ | 8,487 | | | $ | 11,310 | |
| | | | |
| Interest cost | | 416 | | | 312 | |
| Actuarial (gain)/loss assumption changes | | 168 | | | (2,780) | |
| Benefits paid | | (303) | | | (355) | |
| | | | |
| Benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation at end of year | | $ | 8,768 | | | $ | 8,487 | |
| | | | |
| Change in Plan Assets | | | | |
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | | $ | 8,449 | | | $ | 11,125 | |
| Actual return on plan assets | | 752 | | | (2,486) | |
| Employer contribution | | 165 | | | 165 | |
| Benefits/expenses paid | | (303) | | | (355) | |
| | | | |
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year | | $ | 9,063 | | | $ | 8,449 | |
| Funded status - asset (liability) | | $ | 295 | | | $ | (38) | |
| | | | | |
| Amounts recorded in equity | | | | |
| Net actuarial loss | | $ | 2,355 | | | $ | 2,588 | |
| | | | |
| Total amount recorded | | $ | 2,355 | | | $ | 2,588 | |
| Amount recorded, net of taxes | | $ | 1,696 | | | $ | 1,864 | |
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income include the following as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Net (gain) loss | | $ | (166) | | | $ | 259 | |
| Recognition of net actuarial loss | | (67) | | | (47) | |
| | | | |
| Total changes | | (233) | | | 212 | |
| Changes, net of taxes | | $ | (168) | | | $ | 154 | |
The Company expects to recognize the following amounts as a component of net periodic pension costs during the next fiscal year:
| | | | | |
| Expected return on plan assets | $ | 448 | |
| Interest cost | (416) | |
| Amortization of net gain/(loss) | (57) | |
| Net periodic pension benefit/(cost) | $ | (25) | |
At December 31, 2023, the Company had a long-term pension asset. At December 31, 2022, the Company had a long-term pension liability. For 2024, the Company is estimating that contributions to the pension plan will be approximately $165,000.
Based on actuarial estimates, it is expected that annual benefit payments from the pension trust will be as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter |
| $ | 374 | | | $ | 472 | | | $ | 503 | | | $ | 501 | | | $ | 495 | | | $ | 2,851 | |
The Benefit Plan’s current investment policy has an investment strategy in which the primary focus is to minimize the volatility of the funding ratio. This objective will result in a prescribed asset mix between "return seeking" assets (e.g. stocks) and a bond portfolio (e.g., long duration bonds) according to a pre-determined customized investment strategy based on the Plan's Funded Status as the primary input. This path will be used as a reference point as to the mix of assets, which by design will de-emphasize the return seeking portion as funded status improves. At December 31, 2023, the investment mix was approximately 99% debt and 1% money market funds. At December 31, 2022, the investment mix was approximately 21% equity, 78% debt and 1% money market funds. Equity investments consist of a combination of individual equity securities plus value funds, growth funds, large cap funds and international stock funds. Debt investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities and investment grade corporate debt. The weighted-average discount rate used in determining the periodic pension cost is 4.85% in 2023 and 5.00% in 2022. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 5.00% in 2023 and 5.00% in 2022. The long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on the historical returns within the plan and expectations for future returns. See the following table for fair value hierarchy by investment type at December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Fair Value Hierarchy | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Pension Plan Assets: | | | | | | |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | | Level 1 | | $ | 91 | | | $ | 113 | |
| Collective Funds | | Level 2 | | 8,972 | | | 8,336 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Fair value of plan assets | | | | $ | 9,063 | | | $ | 8,449 | |
Total pension and retirement expense was as follows for each of the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Cost components: | | | | | | |
| Interest cost | | $ | (416) | | | $ | (312) | | | $ | (291) | |
| Expected return on plan assets | | 418 | | | 553 | | | 752 | |
| Net amortization and deferral | | (67) | | | (47) | | | (74) | |
| | | | | | |
| Total net periodic pension earnings/(cost) | | $ | (65) | | | $ | 194 | | | $ | 387 | |
The Company has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, or SERP, to restore to executives designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors the full benefits under the pension plan that would otherwise be restricted by certain limitations now imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. The SERP is currently unfunded. The Company in April 2017 froze the SERP plan as it relates to the accrual of additional benefits.
The following SERP benefit information is as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Change in benefit obligation - SERP | | | | |
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | | $ | 6,186 | | | $ | 7,847 | |
| | | | |
| Interest cost | | 290 | | | 182 | |
| Actuarial gain/assumption changes | | 168 | | | (1,315) | |
| Benefits paid | | (520) | | | (528) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation at end of year | | 6,124 | | | 6,186 | |
| Funded status - liability | | $ | (6,124) | | | $ | (6,186) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Amounts recorded in stockholders’ equity | | | | |
| Net actuarial loss | | $ | 1,390 | | | $ | 1,263 | |
| | | | |
| Total amount recorded | | $ | 1,390 | | | $ | 1,263 | |
| Amount recorded, net of taxes | | $ | 1,001 | | | $ | 910 | |
Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for 2023 and 2022 included the following components:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Net loss (gain) | | $ | 167 | | | $ | (1,315) | |
| Recognition of net actuarial loss | | (40) | | | (115) | |
| | | | |
| Total changes | | $ | 127 | | | $ | (1,430) | |
| Changes, net of taxes | | $ | 91 | | | $ | (1,029) | |
The Company expects to recognize the following amounts as a component of net periodic pension costs during the next fiscal year ($ in thousands):
| | | | | |
| Interest cost | $ | (276) | |
| Amortization of net gain | (54) | |
| Net periodic pension earnings/(cost) | $ | (330) | |
Based on actuarial estimates, it is expected that annual SERP benefit payments will be as follows ($ in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter |
| $ | 498 | | | $ | 573 | | | $ | 565 | | | $ | 555 | | | $ | 544 | | | $ | 2,500 | |
The weighted-average discount rate used in determining the actuarial present value of projected benefits obligation was 4.70% for 2023 and 4.90% for 2022. Total pension and retirement expense was as follows for each of the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Cost components: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Interest cost | | $ | (291) | | | $ | (182) | | | $ | (163) | |
| Net amortization and other | | (40) | | | (114) | | | (125) | |
| Total net periodic pension cost | | $ | (331) | | | $ | (296) | | | $ | (288) | |
16. REPORTING SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION
The Company currently operates five reporting segments: commercial/industrial real estate development, resort/residential real estate development, mineral resources, farming, and ranch operations. For further details of the revenue components within each reporting segment, see Results of Operations by Segment in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
Information pertaining to operating results of the Company's reporting segments are as follows for each of the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Revenues | | | | | | |
| Real estate—commercial/industrial | | $ | 11,758 | | | $ | 40,515 | | | $ | 19,476 | |
| Mineral resources | | 14,524 | | | 21,595 | | | 20,987 | |
| Farming | | 13,950 | | | 13,001 | | | 11,039 | |
| Ranch operations | | 4,507 | | | 4,106 | | | 4,111 | |
| Segment revenues | | 44,739 | | | 79,217 | | | 55,613 | |
| Equity in unconsolidated joint ventures, net | | 6,868 | | | 7,752 | | | 9,202 | |
| | | | | | |
| Investment income | | 2,557 | | | 634 | | | 57 | |
| Total revenues and other income | | 54,164 | | | 87,603 | | | 64,872 | |
| Segment Profits (Losses) | | | | | | |
| Real estate—commercial/industrial | | 3,705 | | | 24,159 | | | 7,523 | |
| Real estate—resort/residential | | (1,528) | | | (1,629) | | | (1,723) | |
| Mineral resources | | 5,839 | | | 8,626 | | | 7,428 | |
| Farming | | (1,307) | | | (6,810) | | | (3,077) | |
| Ranch operations | | (536) | | | (918) | | | (568) | |
Segment profits (1) | | 6,173 | | | 23,428 | | | 9,583 | |
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, net | | 6,868 | | | 7,752 | | | 9,202 | |
| | | | | | |
| Investment income | | 2,557 | | | 634 | | | 57 | |
| Other (expense) income | | (138) | | | 1,088 | | | 164 | |
| Corporate expenses | | (9,872) | | | (9,699) | | | (9,843) | |
| Income from operations before income taxes | | $ | 5,588 | | | $ | 23,203 | | | $ | 9,163 | |
| | | | | | |
|
(1) Segment profits are revenues less operating expenses, excluding investment income and expense, corporate expenses, equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, and income taxes. |
Real Estate - Commercial/Industrial
Commercial revenue consists of land and building leases to tenants at the Company's commercial retail and industrial developments, base and percentage rents from the PEF power plant lease, communication tower rents, land sales, and payments from easement leases.
In 2023, the Company did not have any land sales.
In 2022, this operating segment had the following land sales:
•The first sale comprised of a 27.88-acre land parcel contributed with a fair value of $8,501,000 to TRC-MRC 5, LLC. The Company recognized revenues of $5,489,000 and deferred profit of $3,012,000 after applying the five-step revenue recognition model in accordance with ASC Topic 606 — Revenue From Contracts With Customers and ASC Topic 323, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures.
•58.0 acres of industrial land located at TRCC East to Nestlé for $22,000,000. The Company recognized land sales revenue of $19,627,000 and deferred revenues of $2,373,000 attributable to a performance obligation within the contract after applying the five-step revenue recognition model in accordance with ASC Topic 606 - Revenue From Contracts With Customers.
•12.3 acres of industrial land located at TRCC West to a third party for $4,680,000.
In 2021, the Company sold 17.1 acres of land to a third party for $4,655,000. The Company recognized land sales revenue of $4,355,000 and deferred $300,000 attributable to a performance obligation within the contract after applying the five-step revenue recognition model in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606 - Revenue From Contracts With Customers.
The following table summarizes revenues, expenses and operating income from this segment for each of the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Commercial revenues | $ | 11,758 | | | $ | 40,515 | | | $ | 19,476 | |
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures | 6,868 | | | 7,752 | | | 9,202 | |
| Commercial revenues and equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures | $ | 18,626 | | | $ | 48,267 | | | $ | 28,678 | |
| Commercial expenses | 8,053 | | | 16,356 | | | 11,953 | |
| Operating results from commercial and unconsolidated joint ventures | $ | 10,573 | | | $ | 31,911 | | | $ | 16,725 | |
| | | | | |
|
Real Estate - Resort/Residential
The resort/residential real estate development segment is actively involved in the land entitlement and development process internally and through joint venture entities. The segment produced losses of $1,528,000, $1,629,000, and $1,723,000 during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Mineral Resources
The mineral resources segment receives oil and mineral royalties from the exploration and development companies that extract or mine the natural resources from the Company's land along with revenue from water sales. The following table summarizes revenues, expenses and operating results from this segment for each of the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Mineral resources revenues | | $ | 14,524 | | | $ | 21,595 | | | $ | 20,987 | |
| Mineral resources expenses | | 8,685 | | | 12,969 | | | 13,559 | |
| Operating results from mineral resources | | $ | 5,839 | | | $ | 8,626 | | | $ | 7,428 | |
Farming
The farming segment produces revenues from the sale of wine grapes, almonds, pistachios and hay. The following table summarizes revenues, expenses and operating results from this segment for each of the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Farming revenues | | $ | 13,950 | | | $ | 13,001 | | | $ | 11,039 | |
| Farming expenses | | 15,257 | | | 19,811 | | | 14,116 | |
| Operating results from farming | | $ | (1,307) | | | $ | (6,810) | | | $ | (3,077) | |
| | | | | | |
Ranch Operations
Ranch operations consists of game management revenues and ancillary land uses, such as grazing leases and filming. The following table summarizes revenues, expenses and operating results from this segment for each of the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Ranch operations revenues | | $ | 4,507 | | | $ | 4,106 | | | $ | 4,111 | |
| Ranch operations expenses | | 5,043 | | | 5,024 | | | 4,679 | |
| Operating results from ranch operations | | $ | (536) | | | $ | (918) | | | $ | (568) | |
Information pertaining to assets of the Company’s reporting segments is as follows for each of the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Identifiable
Assets | | Depreciation and Amortization | | Capital
Expenditures |
| 2023 | | | | | | |
| Real estate - commercial/industrial | | $ | 73,105 | | | $ | 468 | | | $ | 7,815 | |
| Real estate - resort/residential | | 321,216 | | | 42 | | | 7,888 | |
| Mineral resources | | 52,068 | | | 1,374 | | | — | |
| Farming | | 52,094 | | | 2,097 | | | 4,870 | |
| Ranch operations | | 2,072 | | | 390 | | | 464 | |
| Corporate | | 76,968 | | | 435 | | | 291 | |
| Total | | $ | 577,523 | | | $ | 4,806 | | | $ | 21,328 | |
| 2022 | | | | | | |
| Real estate - commercial/industrial | | $ | 74,292 | | | $ | 455 | | | $ | 8,933 | |
| Real estate - resort/residential | | 312,956 | | | 30 | | | 7,253 | |
| Mineral resources | | 48,780 | | | 1,366 | | | — | |
| Farming | | 45,814 | | | 1,937 | | | 5,915 | |
| Ranch operations | | 1,945 | | | 439 | | | 305 | |
| Corporate | | 83,004 | | | 401 | | | 196 | |
| Total | | $ | 566,791 | | | $ | 4,628 | | | $ | 22,602 | |
| 2021 | | | | | | |
| Real estate - commercial/industrial | | $ | 82,397 | | | $ | 463 | | | $ | 4,906 | |
| Real estate - resort/residential | | 305,818 | | | 31 | | | 8,064 | |
| Mineral resources | | 52,440 | | | 1,368 | | | — | |
| Farming | | 47,160 | | | 1,789 | | | 7,416 | |
| Ranch operations | | 2,079 | | | 455 | | | 306 | |
| Corporate | | 56,142 | | | 488 | | | 187 | |
| Total | | $ | 546,036 | | | $ | 4,594 | | | $ | 20,879 | |
Identifiable assets by segment include both assets directly identified with those operations and an allocable share of jointly used assets. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, deferred income taxes, and land and buildings. Land is valued at cost for acquisitions since 1936. Land acquired in 1936, upon organization of the Company, is stated on the basis carried by the Company’s predecessor.
17. INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AND CONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES
The Company maintains investments in joint ventures. The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method of accounting, unless the venture is a variable interest entity, or VIE, and meets the requirements for consolidation. The Company’s investment in its unconsolidated joint ventures at December 31, 2023 was $33,648,000. The equity in the income of the unconsolidated joint ventures was $6,868,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The unconsolidated joint ventures have not been consolidated as of December 31, 2023, because the Company does not control the investments. The Company’s current joint ventures are as follows:
•Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC – TA/Petro is an unconsolidated joint venture with TravelCenters of America Inc. for the development and management of travel plazas and convenience stores. The Company has 50% voting rights and shares 60% of profit and losses in this joint venture. It houses multiple commercial eating establishments, as well as diesel and gasoline operations in TRCC. The Company does not control the investment due to it having only 50% voting rights, and because the partner in the joint venture is the managing partner and performs all of the day-to-day operations and has significant decision-making authority regarding key business components, such as fuel inventory and pricing at the facility. At December 31, 2023, the Company had an equity investment balance of $19,370,000 in this joint venture.
•Majestic Realty Co. – Majestic Realty Co., or Majestic, is a privately-held developer and owner of master planned business parks in the United States. The Company partnered with Majestic to form five active 50/50 joint ventures to acquire, develop, manage, and operate industrial real estate at TRCC. The partners have equal voting rights and equally share in the profit and loss of the joint venture. The Company and Majestic guarantee the performance of all outstanding debt. At December 31, 2023, the Company's investment in these joint ventures was $4,335,000.
◦On March 29, 2022, TRC-MRC 5 LLC was formed to pursue the development, construction, lease-up, and management of an approximately 446,400 square foot industrial building located within TRCC-East. The construction was financed by a $49,226,000 construction loan that had an outstanding balance of $35,138,000 as of December 31, 2023. The construction loan is individually and collectively guaranteed by the Company and Majestic. In December 2022, the Company contributed land with a fair value of $8,501,000 to TRC-MRC5, LLC. The total cost of the land was $2,477,000. The Company recognized profit of $3,012,000 and deferred profit of $3,012,000 after applying the five-step revenue recognition model in accordance with ASC Topic 606 - Revenue From Contracts With Customers and ASC Topic 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures. The construction of the building was completed in the fourth quarter of 2023. The joint venture has leased 100% of the rentable space.
◦On March 25, 2021, TRC-MRC 4 LLC was formed to pursue the development, construction, lease-up, and management of a 629,274 square foot industrial building located within TRCC-East. The construction of the building was completed in 2022, and the joint venture has leased 100% of the rentable space. The joint venture refinanced its construction loan in March 2023 with a promissory note. The note matures on March 1, 2033, and had an outstanding balance of $61,776,000 as of December 31, 2023. In June 2021, the Company contributed land with a fair value of $8,464,000 to TRC-MRC 4, LLC. The total cost of the land was $2,895,000. The Company recognized profit of $2,785,000 and deferred profit of $2,785,000. Since its inception, the Company has received excess distributions resulting in a deficit balance in its investment of $6,082,000. In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, the Company reclassified excess distributions to Other Liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company expects to continue to record equity in earnings as a debit to the investment account and if it were to become positive, the Company would reclassify the liability to an asset. If it becomes obvious that any excess distribution may not be returned (upon joint venture liquidation or otherwise), the Company will immediately recognize the liability as income.
◦In November 2018, TRC-MRC 3, LLC was formed to pursue the development, construction, leasing, and management of a 579,040 square foot industrial building on the Company's property at TRCC-East. TRC-MRC 3, LLC qualified as a VIE from inception, but the Company is not the primary beneficiary therefore does not consolidate TRC-MRC 3, LLC in its financial statements. The construction of the building was completed in 2019, and the joint venture has leased 100% of the rentable space to two tenants. In March 2019, the joint venture entered into a promissory note, with a financial institution to finance the construction of the building. The note matures on May 1, 2030 and had an outstanding principal balance of $33,627,000 as of December 31, 2023. On April 1, 2019, the Company contributed land with a fair value of $5,854,000 to TRC-MRC 3, LLC in accordance with the limited liability agreement. The Company's investment in this joint venture was $141,000 as of December 31, 2023.
◦In August 2016, the Company partnered with Majestic to form TRC-MRC 2, LLC to acquire, lease, and maintain a fully occupied warehouse at TRCC-West. The partnership acquired the 651,909 square foot building for $24,773,000 and was largely financed through a promissory note. The promissory note was refinanced on June 1, 2018 with a $25,240,000 promissory note. The note matures on July 1, 2028, and has an outstanding principal balance of $21,939,000 as of December 31, 2023. Since inception, the Company has received excess distributions resulting in a deficit balance of $1,562,000. In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, the Company reclassified excess distributions to Other Liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company will continue to record its equity in the net income as a debit to the investment account, and if it becomes positive, it will again be shown as an asset on the consolidated balance sheet. If it becomes obvious that any excess distribution may not be returned (upon joint venture liquidation or otherwise), the Company will recognize any balance classified as a liability as income.
◦In September 2016, TRC-MRC 1, LLC was formed to develop and operate an approximately 480,480 square foot industrial building at TRCC-East. The joint venture completed construction in 2017. Since inception of the joint venture, the Company has received excess distributions resulting in a deficit balance of $1,431,000. In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, the Company reclassified excess distributions to Other Liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company will continue to record its equity in the net income as a debit to the investment account, and if it becomes positive, it will again be shown as an asset on the consolidated balance sheet. If it becomes obvious that any excess distribution may not be returned (upon joint venture liquidation or otherwise), the Company will recognize any balance classified as a liability as income. The joint venture refinanced its construction loan in December 2018 with a mortgage loan. The original principal balance of the mortgage loan was $25,030,000, of which $22,144,000 was outstanding at December 31, 2023.
•TRCC/Rock Outlet Center LLC – This joint venture was formed in 2013 with Rockefeller Group Development Corporation, or Rockefeller. to develop, own, and manage a net leasable 326,000 square foot outlet center on land at TRCC-East. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s equity investment balance in this joint venture was $9,943,000. The Company controls 50% of the voting interests of TRCC/Rock Outlet Center LLC; thus, it does not control by voting interest alone. The Company is the named managing member. The managing member's responsibilities relate to the routine day-to-day activities of TRCC/Rock Outlet Center LLC. However, all operating decisions during the development period and ongoing operations, including the setting and monitoring of the budget, leasing, marketing, financing and selection of the contractor for any construction, are jointly made by both members of the joint venture. Therefore, the Company concluded that both members have significant participating rights that are sufficient to overcome the presumption of the Company controlling the joint venture through it being named the managing member. Therefore, the investment in TRCC/Rock Outlet Center LLC is being accounted for under the equity method. On August 16, 2023, the TRCC/Rock Outlet Center LLC joint venture successfully extended the maturity date of its term note with a financial institution to June 30, 2025. In connection with the loan extension, the joint venture also reduced the outstanding amount by $6,000,000. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of the term note was $20,850,000. The Company and Rockefeller guarantee the performance of the debt.
•Centennial Founders, LLC – CFL is a joint venture with TRI Pointe Homes to pursue the entitlement and development of land that the Company owns in Los Angeles County. At December 31, 2023, the Company owned 93.46% of CFL.
The Company’s investment balance in each of its unconsolidated joint ventures differs from its capital accounts in the respective joint ventures. The variance represents the difference between the cost basis of assets contributed by the Company and the agreed upon fair value of those assets.
Condensed balance sheet information and statement of operations of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows:
Balance Sheet Information as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Joint Venture | | TRC |
| Assets | | Borrowings | | Equity (Deficit) | | Investment In |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC | $ | 72,633 | | | $ | 84,225 | | | $ | (12,556) | | | $ | (13,318) | | | $ | 52,950 | | | $ | 63,069 | | | $ | 19,370 | | | $ | 25,441 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| TRCC/Rock Outlet Center, LLC | 58,040 | | | 59,196 | | | (20,850) | | | (27,707) | | | 35,535 | | | 30,684 | | | 9,943 | | | 7,279 | |
| TRC-MRC 1, LLC | 25,224 | | | 24,085 | | | (22,144) | | | (22,787) | | | 1,684 | | | 1,042 | | | — | | | — | |
| TRC-MRC 2, LLC | 18,882 | | | 18,398 | | | (21,939) | | | (22,612) | | | (2,597) | | | (3,939) | | | — | | | — | |
| TRC-MRC 3, LLC | 35,467 | | | 36,608 | | | (33,627) | | | (34,494) | | | 2,087 | | | 2,690 | | | 141 | | | 386 | |
| TRC-MRC 4, LLC | 49,964 | | | 50,497 | | | (61,776) | | | (40,130) | | | (12,192) | | | 8,974 | | | — | | | 4,485 | |
| TRC-MRC 5, LLC | 49,687 | | | 8,602 | | | (35,138) | | | — | | | 8,390 | | | — | | | 4,194 | | | 4,300 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | $ | 309,897 | | | $ | 281,611 | | | $ | (208,030) | | | $ | (161,048) | | | $ | 85,857 | | | $ | 102,520 | | | $ | 33,648 | | | $ | 41,891 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Centennial Founders, LLC | $ | 104,979 | | | $ | 102,984 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 104,753 | | | $ | 102,689 | | | Consolidated |
|
Condensed Statement of Operations Information as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Joint Venture | | TRC |
| Revenues | | Earnings (Loss) | | Equity in Earnings (Loss) |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC | $ | 162,614 | | | $ | 182,335 | | | $ | 137,090 | | | $ | 10,481 | | | $ | 14,210 | | | $ | 8,262 | | | $ | 6,288 | | | $ | 8,526 | | | $ | 4,957 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 18-19 West, LLC | — | | | — | | | 15,472 | | | — | | | (63) | | | 10,411 | | | — | | | (31) | | | 5,206 | |
TRCC/Rock Outlet Center, LLC1 | 6,391 | | | 6,065 | | | 5,642 | | | (3,571) | | | (3,139) | | | (2,885) | | | (1,786) | | | (1,569) | | | (1,443) | |
| TRC-MRC 1, LLC | 4,346 | | | 3,269 | | | 3,237 | | | 1,192 | | | 43 | | | (15) | | | 596 | | | 21 | | | (7) | |
| TRC-MRC 2, LLC | 5,860 | | | 4,085 | | | 4,024 | | | 2,772 | | | 1,384 | | | 1,268 | | | 1,386 | | | 692 | | | 634 | |
| TRC-MRC 3 LLC | 4,323 | | | 4,125 | | | 3,729 | | | 645 | | | 594 | | | (288) | | | 323 | | | 297 | | | (144) | |
| TRC-MRC 4, LLC | 7,281 | | | 595 | | | — | | | 332 | | | (367) | | | (1) | | | 166 | | | (184) | | | (1) | |
| TRC-MRC 5, LLC | — | | | — | | | — | | | (210) | | | — | | | — | | | (105) | | | — | | | — | |
| $ | 190,815 | | | $ | 200,474 | | | $ | 169,194 | | | $ | 11,641 | | | $ | 12,662 | | | $ | 16,752 | | | $ | 6,868 | | | $ | 7,752 | | | $ | 9,202 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Centennial Founders, LLC | $ | 267 | | | $ | 594 | | | $ | 409 | | | $ | (6) | | | $ | 28 | | | $ | (80) | | | Consolidated |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) Revenues for TRCC/Rock Outlet Center are presented net of non-cash tenant allowance amortization of $1.3 million, $1.2 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
|
18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
TCWD is a not-for-profit governmental entity, organized on December 28, 1965, pursuant to Division 13 of the Water Code, State of California. TCWD is a landowner voting district, which requires an elector, or voter, to be an owner of land located within the district. TCWD was organized to provide the water needs for future municipal and industrial development. The Company is the largest landowner and taxpayer within TCWD. The Company has a water service contract with TCWD that entitles it to receive all of TCWD’s State Water Project entitlement and all of TCWD’s banked water. TCWD is also entitled to make assessments of all taxpayers within the district, to the extent funds are required to cover expenses and to charge water users within the district for the use of water. From time to time, the Company transacts with TCWD in the ordinary course of business.
The Company has water contracts with WRMWSD for SWP water deliveries to its agricultural and municipal/industrial operations in the San Joaquin Valley. The terms of these contracts extend to 2035. Under the contracts, the Company is entitled to annual water for 5,496 acres of land, or 15,547 acre-feet of water, subject to SWP allocations. The Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer is one of nine directors at WRMWSD. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company paid $4,492,000 and $5,992,000 for these water contracts and related costs, respectively.
