Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Not applicable.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
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Item 2. Properties.
Source of Water Supply
The Company owns two impounding dams located in York and Springfield Townships adjoining the Borough of Jacobus to the south. The lower dam, the Lake
Williams Impounding Dam, creates a reservoir covering approximately 165 acres containing about 870 million gallons of water. The upper dam, the Lake Redman Impounding Dam, creates a reservoir covering approximately 290 acres containing about 1.3
billion gallons of water.
In addition to the two impounding dams, the Company owns a 15-mile pipeline from the Susquehanna River to Lake Redman that provides access to a supply of
an additional 12.0 million gallons per day, or MGD.
The Company also owns four satellite water systems in Adams County, Pennsylvania. The systems consist of nine groundwater wells capable of providing a
combined safe yield of approximately 597,000 gallons per day.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company's present average daily availability was 35.6 million gallons, and daily consumption was approximately 19.9 million
gallons.
Pumping Stations
The Company's main pumping station is located in Spring Garden Township on the south branch of the Codorus Creek about four miles downstream from the
Company's lower impounding dam. The pumping station presently houses pumping equipment consisting of electrically driven centrifugal pumps with a combined pumping capacity of 68.0 MGD. The pumping capacity is more than double peak requirements
and is designed to provide an ample safety margin in the event of pump or power failure. A large diesel backup generator is installed to provide power to the pumps in the event of an emergency. The untreated water is pumped approximately two miles
to the filtration plant through pipes owned by the Company.
The Susquehanna River Pumping Station is located on the western shore of the Susquehanna River several miles south of Wrightsville, PA. The pumping
station is equipped with vertical turbine pumps with a combined pumping capacity of 18 MGD. The pumping station pumps water from the Susquehanna River approximately 15 miles through a combination of 30 inch and 36 inch ductile iron main to the
Company’s upper impounding dam, located at Lake Redman.
The Lake Redman Pumping Station is located in York Township adjacent to Lake Redman. The pumping station is designed to provide a redundant source with
the capacity to pump 20 MGD of untreated water through a company-owned 36 inch force main approximately 3.5 miles to the filtration plant, meeting the Company’s daily consumption needs.
Treatment Facilities
The Company's water filtration plant is located in Spring Garden Township about one-half mile south of the City of York. Water at this plant is filtered
through twelve dual media filters having a rated capacity of 39.0 MGD, with a maximum supply of 42.0 MGD for short periods if necessary. Based on an average daily consumption in 2020 of approximately 19.9 million gallons, the Company believes the
pumping and filtering facilities are adequate to meet present and anticipated demands.
The Company’s sediment recycling facility is located adjacent to its water filtration plant. This state of the art facility employs cutting edge
technology to remove fine, suspended solids from untreated water. The Company estimates that through this energy-efficient, environmentally friendly process, approximately 600 tons of sediment will be removed annually, thereby improving the
quality of the Codorus Creek watershed.
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The Company has five wastewater treatment facilities located in three counties within south-central Pennsylvania. The wastewater treatment plants are
small, packaged, extended aeration activated sludge facilities with a combined average daily flow capacity of 235,000 gallons. With a projected maximum daily demand of 123,000 gallons, the plants’ flow paths offer both capacity and operational
redundancy for maintenance, high flow events, and potential growth.
Distribution and Collection
The distribution system of the Company has approximately 987 miles of water main lines which range in diameter from 2 inches to 36 inches. The
distribution system includes 31 booster stations and 34 standpipes and reservoirs capable of storing approximately 58.4 million gallons of potable water. All booster stations are equipped with at least two pumps for protection in case of
mechanical failure. Following a deliberate study of customer demand and pumping capacity, the Company installed standby generators at all critical booster stations to provide an alternate energy source or emergency power in the event of an
electric utility interruption.
The seven wastewater collection systems of the Company have a combined approximate 174,000 feet of 6 inch and 8 inch gravity collection mains and 15,000
feet of 6 inch pressure force main along with nine redundant sewage pumping stations.
Other Properties
The Company's distribution center and material and supplies warehouse are located in Springettsbury Township and are composed of three one-story concrete
block buildings aggregating 30,680 square feet.
The administrative and executive offices of the Company are located in one three-story and one two-story brick and masonry buildings, containing a total
of approximately 21,861 square feet, in the City of York, Pennsylvania.
All of the Company's properties described above are held in fee by the Company. There are no material encumbrances on such properties.
In 1976, the Company entered into a Joint Use and Park Management Agreement with York County under which the Company licensed use of certain of its lands
and waters for public park purposes for a period of 50 years. Under the agreement, York County has agreed not to erect a dam upstream on the East Branch of the Codorus Creek or otherwise obstruct the flow of the creek.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
There are no material legal proceedings involving the Company.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
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PART II
Market Information
The common stock of The York Water Company is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol YORW.
Shareholders of record (excluding individual participants in securities positions listings) as of December 31, 2020 numbered approximately 1,982.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The information required by this item with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is set forth in Part III, Item
12 of this Annual Report.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company
The Company did not repurchase any of its securities during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Not applicable.
(All dollar amounts are stated in thousands of dollars.)
Overview
The York Water Company (the “Company”) is the oldest investor-owned water utility in the United States, operated continuously since 1816. The Company
also owns and operates two wastewater collection systems and five wastewater collection and treatment systems. The Company is a purely regulated water and wastewater utility. Profitability is largely dependent on water revenues. Due to the size
of the Company and the limited geographic diversity of its service territory, weather conditions, particularly rainfall, economic, and market conditions can have an adverse effect on revenues. The Company experienced increased revenues in 2020
compared to 2019 primarily due to changes in consumption patterns, a rate increase effective March 1, 2019, and an increase in the number of customers, which were partially offset by lower revenues from the distribution system improvement charge,
or DSIC.
The Company’s business does not require large amounts of working capital and is not dependent on any single customer or a very few customers for a
material portion of its business. In 2020, operating revenue was derived from the following sources and in the following percentages: residential, 66%; commercial and industrial, 26%; and other, 8%, which is primarily from the provision for fire
service, but includes other water and wastewater service-related income. The diverse customer mix helps to reduce volatility in consumption.
The Company seeks to grow revenues by increasing the volume of water sold through increases in the number of customers served, making timely and prudent
investments in infrastructure replacements, expansion and improvements, and timely filing for rate increases. The Company continuously looks for acquisition and expansion opportunities both within and outside its current service territory as well
as through contractual services and bulk water supply. The Company’s wastewater business provides additional opportunities to expand.
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The Company has entered into agreements with several municipalities to provide sewer billing and collection services. The Company also has a service
line protection program on a targeted basis. The Company continues to review and consider opportunities to expand both initiatives to further diversify the business.
In addition to increasing revenue, the Company consistently focuses on minimizing costs without sacrificing water quality or customer service. Paperless
billing, expanding online services, negotiation of favorable electric, banking, and other costs, as well as taking advantage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or the 2017 Tax Act, and the IRS tangible property regulations, or TPR, are examples
of the Company’s recent efforts to minimize costs.
Impact of COVID-19
In December 2019, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was reported. On March 6, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed an emergency
disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which was extended for an additional ninety days on June 3, 2020, September 1, 2020, and November 29, 2020. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a
pandemic. Developments in this area continue daily at the local, state, and national levels. The Company is taking steps, consistent with directions from local, state, and federal authorities, to mitigate known risks with the health and safety of
its employees and customers as its first priority.
The Company is an essential, life-sustaining business and has continued normal operations. The Company continues to monitor guidance from state and
local authorities and has made some modifications to its operations in order to comply with Pennsylvania’s guidelines. This includes implementing enhanced safety procedures in its lobby and when entering customers’ homes and businesses as well as
implementing social distancing practices such as halting unnecessary gatherings and travel. The Company has evaluated and re-prioritized some of its capital projects, but the restrictions are not expected to materially impede the Company’s ability
to complete its planned capital expenditures or acquisitions. The Company has not experienced any supply chain disruptions and continues to maintain relationships with its vendors to identify issues as early as possible. The Company believes it
has sufficient liquidity and access to the capital markets if needed.
As a water and wastewater utility, it is the Company’s mission to provide uninterrupted water and wastewater service. Due to the effect of COVID-19 on
the general public, in compliance with an order from the PPUC, the Company paused shut-off procedures for delinquent customers on March 13, 2020. In addition, the Company stopped billing late payment charges. These customers were billed at normal
tariff rates for the water they used, and wastewater service provided. Based on the October 8, 2020 order from the PPUC, the Company resumed normal shut-off procedures and began billing late payment charges for most customers in January 2021.
However, the Company will not terminate service and will waive late payment charges for certain “protected customers” as defined by the order.
The Company may continue to experience an increase in residential demand while commercial and industrial demand may decline based on many government,
commercial, and industrial concerns which have curtailed production, or limited capacity, due to government orders or in response to changing economic conditions, and simultaneously, many employees are now teleworking or have been laid off or
furloughed. The duration and magnitude of these changes is currently unknown and difficult to predict.
To date, there has been no material impact on the Company’s workforce, operations, financial performance, liquidity, or supply chain as a result of
COVID-19. However, the ultimate duration and severity of the pandemic or its effects on the economy, the capital and credit markets, or the Company’s workforce, customers, and suppliers, as well as governmental and regulatory responses, are
uncertain.
Performance Measures
Company management uses financial measures including operating revenues, net income, earnings per share and return on equity to evaluate its financial
performance. Additional statistical measures including number of customers, customer complaint rate, annual customer rates and the efficiency ratio are used to evaluate performance quality. These measures are calculated on a regular basis and
compared with historical information, budget and the other publicly-traded water and wastewater companies.
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The Company’s performance in 2020 was strong under the above measures. Operating revenues increased in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to changes in
consumption patterns, a rate increase effective March 1, 2019, and an increase in the number of customers. This increase was partially offset by the lower revenues from the DSIC. The increase in operating revenues offset the increases in
operating expenses. Other net expenses decreased primarily due to reduced interest expense and a non-recurring gain on life insurance. The Company incurred lower income taxes primarily due to a higher deduction for the tax benefit under the IRS
TPR. The overall effect was an increase in net income in 2020 over 2019 of 15.2% and a return on year end common equity of 11.6%, higher than the 2019 result of 10.7% and the five-year historical average of 10.8%.
The efficiency ratio, which is calculated as net income divided by revenues, is used by management to evaluate its ability to control expenses. Over the
five previous years, the Company’s ratio averaged 26.7%. In 2020, the ratio was higher than the average at 30.8% due primarily to lower income taxes than are included in the historical average. Management is confident that its ratio will compare
favorably to that of its peers. Management continues to look for ways to decrease expenses and increase efficiency as well as to file for rate increases promptly when needed.
2020 Compared with 2019
Net income for 2020 was $16,598, an increase of $2,196, or 15.2%, from net income of $14,402 for 2019. The primary contributing factors to the increase
were higher operating revenues and a gain on life insurance which were partially offset by higher operating expenses.
Operating revenues for the year increased $2,274, or 4.4%, from $51,578 for 2019 to $53,852 for 2020. The primary reasons for the increase were changes
in consumption patterns and a rate increase effective March 1, 2019. Total per capita consumption for 2020 was approximately 1.1% lower than the same period of last year. However, the Company experienced an increase in residential demand as many
employees are now teleworking or have been laid off or furloughed, while commercial and industrial demand declined based on many government, commercial, and industrial concerns which have curtailed production, or limited capacity, due to government
orders or in response to changing economic conditions. The Company reduced revenue by $1 in 2020 and $325 in 2019, by recording a regulatory liability for the benefit of the lower tax rate effective January 1, 2018 resulting from the enactment of
the 2017 Tax Act, which the Company agreed to give back to customers as part of the new rate order, including the gross-up of revenue necessary to return the effect of the temporary tax difference. Growth in the customer base also added to
revenues. The average number of water customers served in 2020 increased as compared to 2019 by 631 customers, from 68,288 to 68,919 customers. The average number of wastewater customers served in 2020 increased as compared to 2019 by 560
customers, from 2,519 to 3,079 customers, due to the recent acquisitions. The increased revenues were partially offset by a $249 decrease from a lower DSIC allowed by the PPUC. The DSIC reset to zero on March 1, 2019 when the rate order took
effect. In 2021, the Company expects revenues to show a modest increase due to an increase in the number of water and wastewater customers from acquisitions and growth within the Company’s service territory. The duration and severity of the
COVID-19 pandemic including any resulting economic slowdown or changes in consumption patterns could impact results. Other regulatory actions and weather patterns could also impact results.
Operating expenses for 2020 increased $1,629, or 5.9%, from $27,792 for 2019 to $29,421 for 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher expenses of
approximately $489 for depreciation, $355 for a higher provision for uncollectible accounts, $287 for wastewater treatment, and $219 for outside services. Also adding to the increase were expenses of $76 for water treatment chemicals and $66 for
purchased power. Other expenses increased by a net of $330. The increased expenses were partially offset by reduced expenses of $72 for health insurance, $71 for water treatment plant maintenance, and $50 for wages. In 2021, the Company expects
depreciation expense to continue to rise due to additional investment in utility plant, and other expenses to increase at a moderate rate as costs to treat water and wastewater and to maintain and extend the distribution and collection systems
continue to rise.
Interest on debt for 2020 decreased $417, or 8.1%, from $5,124 for 2019 to $4,707 for 2020. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest on
long-term debt due to the refinancing of various debt issues. The average debt outstanding under the lines of credit was $7,467 for 2020 and $5,070 for 2019. The weighted average interest rate on the lines of credit was 1.59% for 2020 and 3.47%
for 2019. Interest expense for 2021 is expected to be slightly higher due to additional long-term debt and continued borrowings under the line of credit.
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Allowance for funds used during construction increased $164, from $366 in 2019 to $530 in 2020 due to a higher volume of eligible construction.
Allowance for funds used during construction in 2021 is expected to increase based on a projected increase in the amount of eligible construction.
A non-recurring gain on life insurance of $515 was recorded in 2020 as a result of a death benefit from a life insurance policy. No similar gains are
anticipated in 2021.
Other income (expenses), net for 2020 reflects decreased expenses of $144 as compared to 2019. Lower retirement expenses of approximately $43 and higher
earnings on life insurance policies of approximately $42 were the primary reasons for the decrease. Other expenses decreased by a net of $78. Higher charitable contributions of $19 partially offset the decrease. In 2021, other income (expenses)
will be largely determined by the change in market returns and discount rates for retirement programs and related assets.
Income taxes for the 2020 decreased $222, or 9.9%, compared to 2019, due primarily to higher deductions from the IRS TPR partially offset by higher
taxable income. The Company’s effective tax rate was 10.8% for 2020 and 13.5% for 2019. The lower effective tax rate is primarily due to higher deductions from the TPR and a non-taxable gain on life insurance. The Company's effective tax rate
for 2021 will largely be determined by the level of eligible asset improvements expensed for tax purposes under TPR.
Rate Matters
See Note 10 to the Company’s financial statements included herein for a discussion of its rate matters.
The benefit from the implementation of the IRS TPR impacts the rate matters of the Company. The most recent rate order took into account the lower
income taxes which resulted from the implementation of the IRS TPR, as well as the lower income taxes from the 2017 Tax Act, effectively reducing the amount of revenue required and lowering the Company’s rate increase.
Acquisitions and Growth
See Note 2 to the Company’s financial statements included herein for a discussion of completed acquisitions included in financial results.
On October 8, 2013, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the wastewater collection and treatment assets of SYC WWTP, L.P. in Shrewsbury and
Springfield Townships, York County, Pennsylvania. On July 1, 2020, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the Albright Trailer Park water assets and wastewater collection assets of R.T. Barclay, Inc. in Springfield Township, York County,
Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisitions is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in 2021, at which time the Company will add approximately 90 combined wastewater customers and
approximately 60 water customers through an interconnection with its current water distribution system. The wastewater customers of the Albright Trailer Park are currently served by SYC WWTP, L.P. and the water customers are currently served by
the Company, each through a single customer connection to the park.
On March 4, 2019, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the wastewater collection assets of West Manheim Township in York County, Pennsylvania.
Completion of the acquisition is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in 2021 at which time the Company will add approximately 1,800 wastewater customers. These wastewater customers are
currently water customers of the Company.
On May 27, 2020, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the water assets and wastewater collection and treatment assets of Country View Manor
Community, LLC in Washington Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisition is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in 2021 at which time the Company will add
approximately 50 water and wastewater customers.
In total, these acquisitions are expected to be immaterial to Company results. The Company is also pursuing other bulk water contracts and acquisitions
in and around its service territory to help offset any further declines in per capita water consumption and to grow its business.
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On May 10, 2017, the Company signed an emergency interconnect agreement with Dallastown-Yoe Water Authority. The effectiveness of this agreement is
contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Approval is expected to be granted in 2021 at which time the Company will begin construction of a water main extension to a single point of interconnection and either
supply a minimum agreed upon amount of water to the authority, receive a payment in lieu of water, or provide water during an emergency, at current tariff rates.
Capital Expenditures
During 2020, the Company invested $32,123 in construction expenditures for routine items, the replacement of a standpipe, reimbursement to the developer
for its construction of the water and wastewater system of the Amblebrook development in Adams County, Pennsylvania upon approval from the PPUC to provide service, improvements to a raw water pumping station, expansion of a wastewater treatment
plant, as well as various replacements and improvements to infrastructure. In addition, the Company invested $1,176 in the acquisition of two wastewater systems. The Company replaced or relined approximately 56,000 feet of main in 2020. The
Company was able to fund construction expenditures using internally-generated funds, line of credit borrowings, proceeds from its stock purchase plans, and customer advances and contributions from developers, municipalities, customers, or
builders. See Notes 1, 4 and 5 to the Company’s financial statements included herein.
The Company anticipates construction and acquisition expenditures for 2021 and 2022 of approximately $36,000 and $40,000, respectively, exclusive of any
acquisitions not yet approved. In addition to routine transmission and distribution projects, a portion of the anticipated 2021 and 2022 expenditures will be for additional main extensions, dam improvements, an elevated water tank, an upgrade to
the enterprise software system, completion of a wastewater treatment plant, and various replacements of infrastructure. The Company intends to use primarily internally-generated funds for its anticipated 2021 and 2022 construction and fund the
remainder through line of credit borrowings, proceeds from its stock purchase plans and customer advances and contributions (see Note 1 to the Company’s financial statements included herein). Customer advances and contributions are expected to
account for between 5% and 10% of funding requirements in 2021 and 2022. Potential debt and equity offerings may be utilized if required. The Company believes it will have adequate credit facilities and access to the capital markets, if
necessary, during 2021 and 2022, to fund anticipated construction and acquisition expenditures.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash
The Company manages its cash through a cash management account that is directly connected to its line of credit. Excess cash generated automatically
pays down outstanding borrowings under the line of credit arrangement. If there are no outstanding borrowings, the cash is used as an earnings credit to reduce banking fees. Likewise, if additional funds are needed beyond what is generated
internally for payroll, to pay suppliers, to fund capital expenditures, or to pay debt service, funds are automatically borrowed under the line of credit. As of December 31, 2020, the Company borrowed $6,700 under its line of credit and incurred a
cash overdraft on its cash management account of $1,263. The cash management facility connected to the line of credit is expected to provide the necessary liquidity and funding for the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and
potential buybacks of stock for the foreseeable future.
Restricted Cash
The Company held $5,000 in restricted cash which was the bid deposit for a potential acquisition. The Company expects the $5,000 in restricted cash to
become unrestricted in the first quarter of 2021.
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Accounts Receivable
The accounts receivable balance tends to follow the change in revenues but is also affected by the timeliness of payments by customers and the level of
the reserve for doubtful accounts. In 2020, higher revenue as compared to 2019 and a weakening in the timeliness of payments resulted in an increase in accounts receivable – customers. A reserve is maintained at a level considered adequate to
provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated based on inactive accounts with outstanding balances. Management periodically evaluates the adequacy of the reserve based on past experience, agings of the receivables, adverse situations that
may affect a customer’s ability to pay, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. During 2020, management’s assessment included consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic along with past trends during times of economic instability and
regulations from the PPUC regarding customer turn-offs and collections, and determined an increase in its allowance for doubtful accounts was warranted. If the status of these factors deteriorates, the Company may incur additional expenses for
uncollectible accounts and experience a reduction in its internally-generated funds.
Internally-generated Funds
The amount of internally-generated funds available for operations and construction depends on the Company’s ability to obtain timely and adequate rate
relief, changes in regulations, customers’ water usage, weather conditions, customer growth and controlled expenses. In 2020, the Company generated $20,235 internally as compared to $18,881 in 2019. The increase from 2019 was primarily due to
higher net income and lower interest paid.
Credit Lines
Historically, the Company has borrowed $15,000 to $20,000 under its lines of credit before refinancing with long-term debt or equity capital. As of
December 31, 2020, the Company maintained an unsecured line of credit in the amount of $50,000 at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.05% with an unused commitment fee and an interest rate floor which matures September 2022. The Company had $6,700 in
outstanding borrowings under its line of credit as of December 31, 2020. The interest rate on line of credit borrowings as of December 31, 2020 was 1.30%. The Company expects to renew this line of credit as it matures under similar terms and
conditions.
The Company has taken steps to manage the risk of reduced credit availability. It has established a committed line of credit with an increase in the
total amount available and a 2-year revolving maturity that cannot be called on demand. There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to obtain sufficient lines of credit with favorable terms in the future. If the Company is unable to
obtain sufficient lines of credit or to refinance its line of credit borrowings with long-term debt or equity when necessary, it may have to eliminate or postpone capital expenditures. Management believes the Company will have adequate capacity
under its current line of credit to meet financing needs throughout 2021.
Long-term Debt
The Company’s loan agreements contain various covenants and restrictions. Management believes it is currently in compliance with all of these
restrictions. See Note 6 to the Company’s financial statements included herein for additional information regarding these restrictions.
On September 30, 2020, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with certain institutional investors relating to the private placement of
$30,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s senior notes. The senior notes bear interest at 3.24% per annum payable semiannually and mature on September 30, 2050. The senior notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the
Company. The Company received net proceeds, after deducting issuance costs, of approximately $29,838. The net proceeds were used to refinance the $6,500 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 10.05% Senior Notes, Series C, due September 30,
2020, to refinance line of credit borrowings incurred by the Company as interim financing for various capital projects, to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.
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The Company’s total long-term debt as a percentage of the total capitalization, defined as total common stockholders’ equity plus total long-term debt,
was 46.9% as of December 31, 2020, compared with 43.7% as of December 31, 2019. The Company expects to allow the debt percentage to trend upward until it approaches fifty percent before considering additional equity. A debt to total
capitalization ratio between forty-six and fifty percent has historically been acceptable to the PPUC in rate filings. Due to its ability to generate more cash internally, the Company has been able to keep its ratio below fifty percent. See Note
6 to the Company’s financial statements included herein for the details of its long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2020.
The variable rate lines of credit and the interest rate swap of the Company use the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) as a benchmark for
establishing the rates. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has announced that it intends to stop encouraging or compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR rates after 2021. This indicates
that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis is not guaranteed after 2021 and, based on the foregoing, it appears likely that LIBOR will be discontinued or modified by 2021. The Company’s line of credit agreement explicitly states that
another index may be used if LIBOR is discontinued or otherwise unavailable. The Company believes that it is implicit in its other agreements that a successor rate to LIBOR may be used. The Company is not yet aware what successor rate will be
used and therefore cannot estimate the impact to the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows, but it could include an increase in the cost of the variable rate indebtedness.
Income Taxes, Deferred Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions
The 2017 Tax Act, among other things, reduces the federal statutory corporate tax rate for tax years beginning in 2018 from 34% to 21%, eliminates
certain deductions, and eliminates bonus depreciation on qualified water and wastewater property.
The Company filed for a change in accounting method under the IRS TPR effective in 2014. Under the change in accounting method, the Company is permitted
to deduct the costs of certain asset improvements that were previously being capitalized and depreciated for tax purposes as an expense on its income tax return. As a result of the ongoing deduction, the net income tax benefits of $1,720 and
$1,426 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, reduced income tax expense and flowed through to net income. The ongoing deduction results in a reduction in the effective income tax rate, a net reduction in income tax expense,
and a reduction in the amount of income taxes currently payable. It also results in increases to deferred tax liabilities and regulatory assets representing the appropriate book and tax basis difference on capital additions. The Company expects
to continue to expense these asset improvements in the future. The Company was permitted to make this deduction for prior years. As a result of the catch-up deduction, income tax benefits of $3,887 were deferred as a regulatory liability. After
receiving approval from the PPUC in its most recent rate order, the Company began to recognize the catch-up deduction, recorded as a regulatory liability, over 15 years beginning March 1, 2019. As a result, the Company recognized $259 and $216 in
income taxes during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company’s effective tax rate will largely be determined by the level of eligible asset improvements expensed for tax purposes that would have been
capitalized for tax purposes prior to the implementation of the TPR.
The Company has a substantial deferred income tax asset primarily due to the excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation from
the 2017 Tax Act and the differences between the book and tax balances of the customers’ advances for construction and contributions in aid of construction and deferred compensation plans. The Company does not believe a valuation allowance is
required due to the expected generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
The Company has seen an increase in its deferred income tax liability amounts primarily as a result of the accelerated depreciation deduction available
for federal tax purposes which creates differences between book and tax depreciation expense. The Company expects this trend to continue as it makes significant investments in capital expenditures subject to accelerated depreciation or TPR.
The Company has determined there are no uncertain tax positions that require recognition as of December 31, 2020. See Note 14 to the Company’s financial
statements included herein for additional details regarding income taxes.
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Common Stock
Common stockholders’ equity as a percent of the total capitalization was 53.1% as of December 31, 2020, compared with 56.3% as of December 31, 2019. The
ratio decreased in 2020 due to higher debt primarily from increased capital expenditures. The volume of share repurchases and higher debt from capital expenditures, among other things, could reduce this percentage in the future. It is the
Company’s intent to target a ratio between fifty and fifty-four percent.
Credit Rating
On April 9, 2020, Standard & Poor’s affirmed the Company’s credit rating at A-, with a stable outlook. The Company’s ability to maintain its credit
rating depends, among other things, on adequate and timely rate relief, which it has been successful in obtaining, its ability to fund capital expenditures in a balanced manner using both debt and equity and its ability to generate cash flow. In
2021, the Company’s objectives are to continue to maximize its funds provided by operations and maintain a strong capital structure in order to be able to attract capital.
Physical and Cyber Security
The Company maintains security measures at its facilities, and collaborates with federal, state, and local authorities, and industry trade associations
regarding information on possible threats and security measures for water and wastewater utility operations. The costs incurred are expected to be recoverable in water and wastewater rates and are not expected to have a material impact on its
business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The Company relies on information technology systems in connection with the operation of the business, especially with respect to customer service,
billing, accounting, and in some cases, the monitoring and operation of treatment, storage, and pumping facilities. In addition, the Company relies on these systems to track utility assets and to manage maintenance and construction projects,
materials and supplies, and human resource functions. The information technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from cyber security attacks or other cyber-related events, including, but not limited to, power loss, computer
systems failures, internet, telecommunications or data network failures, physical and electronic loss of data, computer viruses, intentional security breaches, hacking, denial of service actions, misappropriation of data, and similar events. In
some cases, administration of certain functions may be outsourced to third-party service providers that could also be targets of cyber security attacks. A loss of these systems, or major problems with the operation of these systems, could harm the
business, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company through the loss or compromise of customer, financial, employee, or operational data, disruption of billing, collections or normal field service activities, disruption of
electronic monitoring and control of operational systems, and delays in financial reporting and other normal management functions.
Possible impacts associated with a cyber security attack or other events may include remediation costs related to lost, stolen, or compromised data,
repairs to data processing systems, increased cyber security protection costs, adverse effects on our compliance with regulatory and environmental laws and regulation, including standards for drinking water, litigation, and reputational damage.
The Company has implemented processes, procedures, and controls to prevent or limit the effect of these possible events and maintains insurance to help
defray costs associated with cyber security attacks. The Company has not experienced a material impact on business or operations from these attacks. Although the Company does not believe its systems are at a materially greater risk of cyber
security attacks than other similar organizations and despite the implementation of robust security measures, the Company cannot provide assurance that the insurance will fully cover the costs of a cyber security event, and its robust security
measures do not guarantee that reputation and financial results will not be adversely affected by such an incident.
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Environmental Matters
The Company entered into a consent order agreement with the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection in December 2016 after the Company determined it exceeded the action level for lead as established by the Lead and Copper Rule, or LCR, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Company did not have an exceedance in any subsequent compliance test. Under the agreement, the Company committed to exceed the LCR replacement schedule by replacing
all of the remaining known company-owned lead service lines within four years from the agreement. The cost for these service line replacements was approximately $2,740 and $2,713 through December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is included in utility plant. As of December 31, 2020, all known company-owned lead service lines have been replaced. Any additional company-owned lead service
lines that are discovered will be replaced but are not expected to have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.
The Company was granted approval by the PPUC to modify its tariff to include the cost of the annual replacement of up to 400 lead customer-owned service
lines over nine years from the agreement. The tariff modification allows the Company to replace customer-owned service lines at its own initial cost. The Company will record the costs as a regulatory asset to be recovered in future base rates to
customers, over a four-year period. The cost for the customer-owned lead service line replacements was approximately $1,204 and $1,000 through December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is included as a regulatory asset. Based on its
experience, the Company estimates that lead customer-owned service lines replacements will cost $1,500. This estimate is subject to adjustment as more facts become available.
Dividends
During 2020, the Company's dividend payout ratios relative to net income and net cash provided by operating activities were 57.2% and 46.4%,
respectively. During 2019, the Company's dividend payout ratios relative to net income and net cash provided by operating activities were 63.1% and 47.6%, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Board of Directors increased the
dividend by 4.00% from $0.1802 per share to $0.1874 per share per quarter.
The Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend in the amount of $0.1874 per share at its January 2021 meeting. The dividend is payable on April
15, 2021 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2021. While the Company expects to maintain this dividend amount in 2021, future dividends will be dependent upon the Company’s earnings, financial condition, capital demands and other factors
and will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. See Note 6 to the Company’s financial statements included herein for restrictions on dividend payments.
Inflation
The Company is affected by inflation, most notably by the continually increasing costs incurred to maintain and expand its service capacity. The
cumulative effect of inflation results in significantly higher facility replacement costs which must be recovered from future cash flows. The ability of the Company to recover this increased investment in facilities is dependent upon future rate
increases, which are subject to approval by the PPUC. The Company can provide no assurances that its rate increases will be approved by the PPUC; and, if approved, the Company cannot guarantee that these rate increases will be granted in a timely
or sufficient manner to cover the investments and expenses for which the rate increase was sought.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The methods, estimates, and judgments the Company used in applying its accounting policies have a significant impact on the results reported in its
financial statements. The Company’s accounting policies require management to make subjective judgments because of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company’s most critical accounting estimates include:
regulatory assets and liabilities, revenue recognition, accounting for its pension plans, and income taxes.
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Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Generally accepted accounting principles define accounting standards for companies whose rates are established by or are subject to approval by an
independent third-party regulator. In accordance with the accounting standards, the Company defers costs and credits on its balance sheet as regulatory assets and liabilities when it is probable that these costs and credits will be recognized in
the rate-making process in a period different from when the costs and credits were incurred. These deferred amounts are then recognized in the statement of income in the period in which they are reflected in customer rates. If the Company later
finds that these assets and liabilities cannot be included in rate-making, they are adjusted appropriately. See Note 1 for additional details regarding regulatory assets and liabilities.
Revenue Recognition
Operating revenues include amounts billed to metered water and certain wastewater customers on a cycle basis and unbilled amounts based on both actual
and estimated usage from the latest meter reading to the end of the accounting period. Estimates are based on average daily usage for those particular customers. The unbilled revenue amount is recorded as a current asset on the balance sheet.
Actual results could differ from these estimates and would result in operating revenues being adjusted in the period in which the actual usage is known. Based on historical experience, the Company believes its estimate of unbilled revenues is
reasonable.
Pension Accounting
Accounting for defined benefit pension plans requires estimates of future compensation increases, mortality, the discount rate, and expected return on
plan assets as well as other variables. These variables are reviewed annually with the Company’s pension actuary. The Company used compensation increases of 2.5% to 3.0% in 2019 and 2020.
The Company adopted a new mortality table in 2019, the Pri-2012, using the white collar table for the administrative and general plan and the blue collar
table for the union plan, and the Company adopted the MP-2020 mortality improvement scale in 2020. Using the new mortality table slightly decreased the life expectancy of pension plan participants, resulting in a slight decrease to the pension
benefit obligation, and ultimately, an increase in the Company’s funded status of the plans.
The Company selected its December 31, 2020 and 2019 discount rates based on the FTSE Pension Liability Index. This index uses spot rates for durations
out to 30 years and matches them to expected disbursements from the plan over the long term. The Company believes this index most appropriately matches its pension obligations. The present values of the Company’s future pension obligations were
determined using a discount rate of 2.30% at December 31, 2020 and 3.10% at December 31, 2019.
Adopting a new mortality table that represents a change in life expectancy and choosing a different discount rate normally changes the amount of pension
expense and the corresponding liability. In the case of the Company, these items change its liability, but do not have an impact on its pension expense. The PPUC, in a previous rate settlement, agreed to grant recovery of the Company’s
contribution to the pension plans in customer rates. As a result, under the accounting standards regarding rate-regulated activities, expense in excess of the Company’s pension plan contribution can be deferred as a regulatory asset and expensed
as contributions are made to the plans and are recovered in customer rates. Therefore, these changes affect regulatory assets rather than pension expense.
The Company’s estimate of the expected return on plan assets is primarily based on the historic returns and projected future returns of the asset classes
represented in its plans. The target allocation of pension assets is 50% to 70% equity securities, 30% to 50% fixed income securities, and 0% to 10% cash reserves. The Company used 6.50% as its expected rate of return in 2019 and 2020. A
decrease in the expected pension return would normally cause an increase in pension expense; however due to the aforementioned rate settlement, the Company’s expense would continue to be equal to its contributions to the plans. The change would
instead be recorded in regulatory assets.
Lower discount rates and underperformance of assets could cause future required contributions and expense to increase substantially. If this were to
happen, the Company would have to consider changes to its pension plan benefits and possibly request additional recovery of expenses through increased rates charged to customers. See Note 11 to the Company’s financial statements included herein
for additional details regarding the pension plans.
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Income Taxes
The Company estimates the amount of income tax payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred income tax liabilities and assets that results
from estimating temporary differences resulting from the treatment of certain items, such as depreciation, for tax and financial statement reporting. Generally, these differences result in the recognition of a deferred tax asset or liability on
the balance sheet and require the Company to make judgments regarding the probability of the ultimate tax impact of the various transactions entered into. Based on these judgments, it may require tax reserves or valuation allowances on deferred
tax assets to reflect the expected realization of future tax benefits. The Company believes its determination of what qualifies as a repair expense tax deduction versus a capital cost as it relates to the IRS TPR ongoing and catch-up deductions is
consistent with the regulations. The Company also believes it has appropriately applied the provisions of the 2017 Tax Act including properly applying the accounting standards related to the 2017 Tax Act. Actual income taxes could vary from these
estimates and changes in these estimates could increase income tax expense in the period that these changes in estimates occur.
Other critical accounting estimates are discussed in the Significant Accounting Policies Note to the Financial Statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
The Company does not use off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations that may have a material current or future effect on financial
condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or significant components of revenues or expenses. The Company does not use securitization of receivables or unconsolidated entities. For risk management
purposes, the Company uses a derivative financial instrument, an interest rate swap agreement discussed in Note 7 to the financial statements included herein. The Company does not engage in trading or other risk management activities, does not use
other derivative financial instruments for any purpose, has no material lease obligations, no guarantees and does not have material transactions involving related parties.
Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There are currently no recent accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a material impact to the Company’s financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Statements.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
The York Water Company
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of The York Water Company (the "Company") as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related statements of
income, common stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)2 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements. 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 audits to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits of the financial statements 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 provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be
communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no
critical audit matters.
/s/ Baker Tilly US, LLP (formerly known as Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP)
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2003.
York, Pennsylvania
March 9, 2021
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THE YORK WATER COMPANY
Balance Sheets
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
ASSETS
Plant acquisition adjustments (3,707 ) (3,318 )
OTHER PHYSICAL PROPERTY, net of accumulated depreciation
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents 2 2
Restricted cash 5,000 –
Recoverable income taxes 721 547
Materials and supplies inventories, at cost 1,010 1,007
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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THE YORK WATER COMPANY
Balance Sheets
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
PREFERRED STOCK, authorized 500,000 shares, no shares issued – –
LONG-TERM DEBT, excluding current portion 123,573 94,535
COMMITMENTS – –
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt – 6,500
Accrued compensation and benefits 1,417 1,247
Deferred regulatory liabilities 525 609
DEFERRED CREDITS:
Customers' advances for construction 10,326 7,844
Total Stockholders' Equity and Liabilities $ 406,957 $ 363,529
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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THE YORK WATER COMPANY
Statements of Income
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Depreciation and amortization 8,177 7,688
Taxes other than income taxes 1,205 1,200
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Allowance for funds used during construction 530 366
Gain on life insurance 515 –
Other income (expenses), net (791 ) (935 )
Basic Earnings Per Share $ 1.27 $ 1.11
Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 1.27 $ 1.11
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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THE YORK WATER COMPANY
Statements of Common Stockholders' Equity
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Common Stock Shares Common Stock Amount Retained Earnings Total
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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THE YORK WATER COMPANY
Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Gain on life insurance (515 ) –
Depreciation and amortization 8,177 7,688
Stock-based compensation 154 166
Increase in deferred income taxes 88 641
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (1,948 ) 282
Increase in recoverable income taxes (174 ) (547 )
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest and taxes 45 (228 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 20,235 18,881
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions of wastewater systems (1,176 ) (2,112 )
Cash received from surrender of life insurance policies 672 –
Net cash used in investing activities (32,627 ) (20,537 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of customer advances (419 ) (396 )
Debt issuance costs (162 ) (613 )
Repayments under short-term line of credit agreements – (1,000 )
Changes in cash overdraft position (121 ) 314
Net cash provided by financing activities 17,392 1,656
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 5,000 –
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 2 2
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 5,002 $ 2
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized $ 4,180 $ 4,821
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 $ 2
Restricted cash 5,000 –
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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Notes to Financial Statements
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies
The primary business of The York Water Company, or the Company, is to impound,
purify and distribute water. The Company also owns and operates two wastewater collection systems and five wastewater collection and treatment systems. The
Company operates within its franchised territory located in three counties within south-central Pennsylvania and is subject to regulation by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PPUC.
The following summarizes the significant accounting policies employed by The York Water Company.
Utility Plant and Depreciation
The cost of additions includes contracted cost, direct labor and fringe benefits, materials, overhead and, for certain utility plant, allowance for funds
used during construction. In accordance with regulatory accounting requirements, water and wastewater systems acquired are recorded at estimated original cost of utility plant when first devoted to utility service and the applicable depreciation is
recorded to accumulated depreciation. The difference between the estimated original cost less applicable accumulated depreciation, and the purchase price and acquisition costs is recorded as an acquisition adjustment within utility plant as
permitted by the PPUC. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, utility plant includes a net credit acquisition adjustment of $3,707 and $3,318, respectively. For those amounts approved by the PPUC, the net acquisition adjustment is being amortized over the
remaining life of the respective assets. Certain amounts are still awaiting approval from the PPUC before amortization will commence. Amortization amounted to $67 and $61 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Upon normal retirement of depreciable property, the estimated or actual cost of the asset is credited to the utility plant account, and such amounts,
together with the cost of removal less salvage value, are charged to the reserve for depreciation. To the extent the Company recovers cost of removal or other retirement costs through rates after the retirement costs are incurred, a regulatory asset
is reported. Gains or losses from abnormal retirements are reflected in income currently.
The straight-line remaining life method is used to compute depreciation on utility plant cost, exclusive of land and land rights. Annual provisions for
depreciation of transportation and mechanical equipment included in utility plant are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives. Such provisions are charged to clearing accounts and apportioned therefrom to operating
expenses and other accounts in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts as prescribed by the PPUC.
The Company charges to maintenance expense the cost of repairs and replacements and renewals of minor items of property. Maintenance of transportation
equipment is charged to clearing accounts and apportioned therefrom in a manner similar to depreciation. The cost of replacements, renewals and betterments of units of property is capitalized to the utility plant accounts.
The following remaining lives are used for financial reporting purposes:
December 31 Approximate range
Utility Plant Asset Category 2020 2019 of remaining lives
Operations structures, reservoirs and water tanks 65,617 63,530 9 – 58 years
Office, transportation and operating equipment 15,520 14,464 3 – 22 years
Land and other non-depreciable assets 3,478 3,393 –
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The effective rate of depreciation was 2.33% in 2020 and 2.29% in 2019, on average utility plant, net of customers’ advances and contributions. Larger
depreciation provisions resulting from allowable accelerated methods are deducted for tax purposes.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For the purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three
months or less to be cash equivalents except for those instruments earmarked to fund construction expenditures or repay long-term debt.
The Company periodically maintains cash balances in major financial institutions in excess of the federally insured limit by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC). The Company has not experienced any losses and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
The Company considers any cash account that it cannot access on demand due to contractual or legal reasons to be restricted cash.
At December 31, 2020, the Company held $5,000 in restricted cash which was a bid deposit held in escrow for a potential acquisition. At December 31, 2019,
the Company held no restricted cash.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at outstanding balances, less a reserve for doubtful accounts. The reserve for doubtful accounts is established through
provisions charged against income. Accounts deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the reserve and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the reserve. The reserve for doubtful accounts is maintained at a level considered adequate to
provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the reserve is based on past experience, agings of the receivables, adverse situations that may affect a customer’s ability to pay, current
economic conditions, and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective. Unpaid balances remaining after the stated payment terms are considered past due.
Materials and Supplies Inventories
Materials and supplies inventories are stated at cost. Costs are determined using the average cost method.
Note Receivable
Note receivable is recorded at cost and represents amounts due from a municipality for construction of water mains in their municipality. Management,
considering current information and events regarding the borrowers’ ability to repay their obligations, considers a note to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms
of the note agreement. When a note is considered to be impaired, the carrying value of the note is written down. The amount of the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the note’s effective
interest rate.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
The Company is subject to the provisions of generally accepted accounting principles regarding rate-regulated entities. The accounting standards provide
for the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities as allowed by regulators for costs or credits that are reflected in current customer rates or are considered probable of being included in future rates. The regulatory assets or liabilities
are then relieved as the cost or credit is reflected in rates. Regulatory assets represent costs that are expected to be fully recovered from customers in future rates while regulatory liabilities represent amounts that are expected to be refunded
to customers in future rates. These deferred costs have been excluded from the Company’s rate base and, therefore, no return is being earned on the unamortized balances.
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Regulatory assets and liabilities are comprised of the following:
December 31 Remaining Recovery
Assets
Postretirement benefits – 365 -
Utility plant retirement costs 5,968 5,012 5 years
Customer-owned lead service line replacements 1,081 944 Various
Service life study expenses 8 13 2 years
Rate case filing expenses 121 225 1 year
Liabilities
Postretirement benefits 25 – Not yet known
Revenue reduction for tax rate change – 226 -
The regulatory asset for income taxes includes (a) deferred state income taxes related primarily to differences between book and tax depreciation expense,
(b) deferred income taxes related to the differences that arise between specific asset improvement costs capitalized for book purposes and deducted as a repair expense for tax purposes, and (c) deferred income taxes associated with the gross-up of
revenues related to the differences. These assets are recognized for ratemaking purposes on a cash or flow-through basis and will be recovered in rates as they reverse.
The Company uses regulatory accounting treatment to defer the mark-to-market unrealized gains and losses on its interest rate swap to reflect that the gain
or loss is included in the ratemaking formula when the transaction actually settles. The value of the swap as of the balance sheet date is recorded as part of other deferred credits. Realized gains or losses on the swap will be recorded as interest
expense in the statement of income over its remaining term of 9 years.
Utility plant retirement costs represents costs already incurred for the removal of assets, which are expected to be recovered over a five-year period in
rates, through depreciation expense.
The Company was granted approval by the PPUC to modify its tariff to replace lead customer-owned service lines that are discovered when the Company
replaces its lead service lines over the remaining three years, and to include the cost of the annual replacement of up to 400 lead customer-owned service lines whenever they are discovered, regardless of the material used for the company-owned
service line over nine years. The tariff modification allows the Company to replace customer-owned service lines at its own initial cost and record the costs as a regulatory asset to be recovered in future base rates to customers. The recovery
period was established in the most recent rate order at four years beginning March 1, 2019. The recovery period for the customer-owned lead service line replacements completed subsequent to the most recent rate order will begin after the next rate
order.
Service life study expenses are deferred and amortized over their remaining life of two years. Rate case filing expenses are deferred and amortized over
their remaining life of one year.
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Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or 2017 Tax Act, customers’ advances for construction and contributions in aid of construction are
considered taxable income. The Company’s tariff allows the Company to record these income taxes for inclusion in rate base. This asset is recognized for ratemaking purposes on a cash or flow-through basis and will be recovered in rates as it
reverses.
Under normalization rules applicable to public utility property included in the 2017 Tax Act, the excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated
depreciation from lowering of the enacted federal statutory corporate tax rate is recorded as a regulatory liability. The benefit will be given back to customers in rates over the remaining regulatory life of the property.
The regulatory liability for income taxes includes deferred taxes related to excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation, other
postretirement benefits, customers’ advances for construction and contributions in aid of construction, and bad debts, as well as deferred investment tax credits. These liabilities will be given back to customers in rates, as tax deductions occur
over the next 1 to 50 years.
The regulatory liability for the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, tangible property regulations, or TPR, catch-up deduction represents the tax benefits
realized on the Company’s 2014 income tax return for qualifying capital expenditures made prior to 2014. The period over which it will be given back to customers in rates was established in the most recent rate order at 15 years beginning March 1,
2019.
Postretirement benefits include the difference between contributions and deferred pension expense and the overfunded status of the pension plans. The
overfunded status represents the difference between the projected benefit obligation and the fair market value of the assets. This liability will change in future years based on the amount of contributions made and market returns. The liability
will be given back to customers in rates over some period determined by the PPUC in a future rate filing. Postretirement benefits was a regulatory asset as of December 31, 2019.
Pursuant to a rate order approved by the PPUC, the Company has agreed to return the 2018 income tax savings pursuant to the 2017 Tax Act, the associated
tax gross-up, and the excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation to customers as a reconcilable negative surcharge on bills. The Company began giving back the liability over one year beginning March 1, 2019 and was fully
returned to customers in 2020.
Other Assets
Other assets consist mainly of the cash value of life insurance policies held as an investment by the Company for reimbursement of costs and benefits
associated with its supplemental retirement and deferred compensation programs.
Deferred Debt Expense
Deferred debt expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related debt and is presented on the balance sheet as a direct reduction
from long-term debt.
Customers’ Advances for Construction
Customer advances are cash payments from developers, municipalities, customers, or builders for construction of utility plant, and are refundable upon