UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM10-K
| |
|
|
| þ |
|
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 |
OR
| |
|
|
| o |
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
For the transition period from to |
Commission File No. 0-11174
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| |
|
|
NEW YORK
(State of other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
|
|
14-1160510
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
| |
|
|
47 Main Street, Warwick, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
|
10990
(Zip Code) |
| |
|
|
| Registrants telephone, including area code
|
|
(845) 986-8080 |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
| |
|
|
| |
|
Name of Each Exchange |
| Title of Each Class |
|
on Which Registered |
Common Shares ($.01 Par Value)
|
|
NASDAQ |
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 o NO þ
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is
not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark if registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The number of shares of Warwick Valley Telephone Company Common Shares outstanding as of September
26, 2005 was 5,351,780. The aggregate market value of Warwick Valley Telephone Company Common
Shares as of June 30, 2005 held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the Common Shares were
sold on June 30, 2005 was $130,743,985.
Part I.
Item 1. BUSINESS.
GENERAL
Warwick Valley Telephone Company (the Company) was incorporated in New York on January 16,
1902 and is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in New Jersey. The Companys
executive offices are located at 47 Main Street, Warwick, New York 10990 (Tel. No. 845-986-8080).
The Companys 10-K, 10-Qs, 8-Ks and amendments are available free of charge on the Companys
website HTTP://wvtc.com as soon as reasonably practical after filing with the Securities Exchange
Commission. (This web site address is for information only and is not intended to be an active
link or to incorporate any web site information into this document.)
The Company provides telephone service to customers (28,412 access lines) in the contiguous
towns of Warwick, Goshen and Wallkill, New York, and the townships of West Milford and Vernon, New
Jersey. The Companys service area is primarily rural and has an estimated population of 50,000.
The dollar amounts in this Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K is presented in
thousands, except for share, per share amounts and executive
compensation.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Warwick Valley Telephone Companys segments are strategic business units that offer different
products and services and are managed as telephone and online services. We evaluate the
performance of the segments based upon factors such as revenue growth, expense containment, market
share and operating income.
Operating Segments
Telephone
The telephone segment provides landline telecommunications services including local, network
access, long distance, messaging and directory services. The telephone segment generated revenues
from external customers of $20,765, $21,950 and $21,217 and operating income of $1,395, $3,845 and
$5,115 in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The telephone segment had total assets after
intercompany eliminations of $59,114, $49,850 and $47,056 in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Services and Products
Local network services Local network services include traditional dial tone
primarily used to make or to receive voice, fax or analog modem calls from a residence or
business. The Companys local network services are regulated by the Federal Communication
Commission (FCC), New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) and New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities (NJBPU). Included under local network services are custom calling
services, such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, Voice Mail and other enhanced services. These
features allow users to display the number and/or name of callers, signal to the telephone
user that additional calls are coming in and send and receive voice messages. The sale of
telephone and other equipment does not constitute a material part of the Companys business
and is contained within local network services.
Network access services Network access services connect a customers telephone or
other equipment to the transmission facilities of other carriers that provide long distance
and other communications services.
Long distance services These services result from the transport of intraLATA
telecommunications traffic (traffic within the Companys Local Access and Transport Area) to
a destination that is outside of a local calling area. We also provide wire line interLATA
long distance (commonly known as traditional long distance service) to our customers.
Directory services Our directory service group publishes yellow and white page
directories and sells advertising in these directories.
Other services and sales These services relate to billing and collections provided
to other carriers, inside wire revenue, circuit revenue and reciprocal compensation.
3
The Company has installed advanced digital switching equipment in all of its exchanges and
fiber optic routes between central offices and to all neighboring telephone companies; it is
considering the construction of fiber optic routes in its Competitive Local Exchange Carrier
(CLEC) locations.
Within the telephone business unit, the Company has a wholly-owned subsidiary Warwick Valley
Long Distance, Inc. (WVLD). WVLD resells toll telephone services to the Companys subscribers
and has operated since 1993. WVLD operates in an extremely competitive marketplace with other
interexchange carriers. In spite of this competition, the Company offers toll service to
approximately 46% of its local exchange customers. During the past year, the Company has revised
its long distance plans in order to keep it competitive with the other interexchange carriers. As
a result, WVLD increased its subscriber base by 717 customers in 2004.
The Company began operating as a CLEC, in Middletown, New York in 1999, in Scotchtown, New
York in 2001 and Vernon, New Jersey in 2002. At the end of 2004, we had 1,825 CLEC customers, an
increase of 7% from the 2003 level of 1,699. In addition, broadband services are provided through
the interconnection of the Companys fiber optic network with Data Communications Group,
Inc.(DataNet) and Northeast Optical Networks.
Online
The Warwick Online (Online) segment provides high speed and dial-up Internet services, help
desk operations, and Video over VDSL. The Online segment generated revenues from external customers
of $6,913, $6,699 and $6,330 and operating losses of $(281), $(668) and $(4) in 2004, 2003 and
2002, respectively. The Online segment had total assets after intercompany eliminations of $9,652,
$9,883 and $7,914 in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Services and Products
Internet/Video services UltraLink (high speed DSL) and dial-up Internet services
allow a customer access to the Internet. The Company also provides a digital TV (Video)
product and is preparing to offer telephone service using the Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP), which it expects to launch by the end of 2005.
During 2004 Online continued the successful marketing of UltraLink. At December 31, 2004
there were 6,078 UltraLink customers, an increase of 959 or 19% over 2003. Our DSL coverage (100%
availability) and penetration levels are among the best in the nation when compared to the regional
Bell companies and other independent telephone companies. Online ended the year with a total of
8,843 dial-up customers, which represents a reduction of 3,995 customers, compared to year-end
2003. This reduction arises largely from customer migration from dial-up to high-speed
interconnections (DSL and cable modem), primarily locations outside the Companys service area,
where Online is unable to provide UltraLink.
Onlines Video product, introduced in 2002, had 2,304 subscribers as of December 31, 2004, an
increase of 642 customers to the subscriber base in 2004. The acceptance of the Video product by
our customers is a very important component of the Companys overall strategic plan. It enables
the Company to bundle voice, Video and data, the Triple Play, to its customers. The Companys
Video product offers over 140 digital channels at competitive prices; customer questions are
answered by a locally staffed help desk. Help desk services are marketed to other small telephone
companies who are interested in reducing costs through effective outsourcing. Additional products
offered by Online include banner advertising, domain name registration, web hosting and small
business network installation.
Other
The Company owns a 7.5% limited partnership interest in the Orange County Poughkeepsie
Limited Partnership (O-P). Verizon Wireless of the East, L.P. (Verizon) is the general partner
and the majority owner with an 85% interest. O-P provides wholesale cellular telephone service
throughout the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Metropolitan Service Area. Ongoing cash distributions
are made according to the needs of the business as determined by Verizon. Cash distributions from
O-P are used to fund expenditures in the Companys business segments as well as to pay portions of
the dividend on Common Shares to our shareholders.
4
The Company owned until October 2004 an 8.9% interest in DataNet. DataNet was formed in
2000 to build, market, and provide affordable, high speed, broadband fiber optic data communication
services throughout New York State. In October 2004, the Company sold 100% of its interest in
DataNet for $4,492. The Company received $3,603 in cash on the transaction date. The remainder of
the sales price, $889, was held in an escrow account to provide funds available to satisfy any
indemnification claim notices to DataNet subsequent to the transaction date through May 2005, at
which time that amount, plus interest, was remitted in full to the Company. The Company was liable
to indemnify the purchaser or any of its affiliates for any breach of a representation or warranty
made by the Company or failure to perform any covenant or agreed upon action, pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement.
The Company also owns 17% of Zefcom, LLC, d.b.a. Telispire, a consortium of small telephone
companies that resells the services of Sprint PCS under a private label. Zefcom is currently
redesigning its business strategy by aggressively marketing to large and small local exchange
carriers. In 2004, Zefcom received additional funding and signed two new contracts which are
intended to accelerate the addition of new customers. In addition, Zefcom is pursuing another
major wireless provider whose products may be sold in areas where Sprint PCS does not have wireless
coverage. The Company is closely monitoring the business progress that is being made by Zefcom
through its representation on Zefcoms Executive Operating Committee.
The Company owns a 25% interest in the Empire State Independent Network, LLC (EsiNet).
EsiNet represents a consortium of 13 independent telephone companies located in the upstate New
York region whose intent is to build a fiber optic network that will facilitate the delivery of
voice, video and data services to customers throughout that region. EsiNet was formed in March
2004 and is expected to have its first fiber ring fully operational by the end of 2005. In return
for its 25% interest, the Company committed to contribute a total of $950 in capital by April 1,
2005. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had contributed $713. On April 1, 2005 the Company
made the last required installment of $237 and fulfilled its capital funding obligation. In the
first quarter of 2005 the Company agreed to provide, if necessary, temporary bridge financing in
the amount of $1,250, to be repaid within two years or upon the securing of permanent bank
financing, if sooner. On March 31, 2005, this loan commitment expired with the Company not
executing the bridge loan. On June 22, 2005, EsiNet received a commitment from the Rural
Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC) for a 10 year secured term loan in the amount of $6,750,
subject to the delivery of satisfactory credit documentation to RTFC and to the satisfaction of all
conditions precedent to closing.
Major Customers
No customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated operating revenues in 2004, 2003,
and 2002.
COMPETITION
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act) created a nationwide structure in which
competition is allowed and encouraged between local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers,
competitive access providers, cable TV companies and other entities. The first markets of the
Company that were affected were those in New York and New Jersey in which regional toll service is
provided. Regional toll competition reduced the Companys revenues. The Company itself can
provide competitive local exchange telephone service, and has done so outside its franchised
territory.
The Company currently provides access to the national and international calling markets as
well as intrastate calling markets through all interested inter-exchange carriers, including WVLD.
Access to the remainder of the intrastate calling markets is provided by the Company as well as
other exchange carriers. WVLD, as an inter-exchange carrier, competes against all such other
carriers, including cellular telephone providers and Internet-based service providers.
The Companys territory is surrounded by the territories of Verizon Communications, Inc.,
Frontier A Citizens Communications Company and Sprint-United Telephone, all of which offer
residential and business telephone equipment. There are also several competitive telephone
companies located within a 30-mile radius of Warwick, New York, and Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) providers are beginning to offer service in the Companys franchised territory. The
Companys residential customers can purchase telephone sets (including cellular sets) and equipment
at other retail outlets that are not affiliated with the Company, both inside and outside the
Companys territory.
The Company is currently competing for local service through access lines with Frontier A
Citizens Communications Company in the Middletown, New York area, as well as with Sprint-United
Telephone in the Vernon, New Jersey area. The Company is reviewing plans to provide limited service
in other surrounding areas in both New York and New Jersey. There can be no assurances that the
Company will implement any such additional plans, or that other companies will not begin providing
competitive local exchange telephone service in the Companys franchise territory. Cablevision is
currently rolling out VoIP in Bethpage, New York and has launched VoIP in New Jersey. In addition, in the second half of 2004, Cablevision began to
compete with the Company in its historical footprint for its traditional access line customers by
offering a triple play package of voice, video and data.
5
The present market environment requires that Online compete both on the basis of service and
price. There are numerous competitors throughout Onlines market area whose services are available
to customers. During 2004, UltraLink increased its market penetration level, increasing the
number of subscribers by 19% while conversely, the number of customers for Onlines dial-up product
decreased approximately 31% due to the migration of customers to high speed Internet provided not
only by the Company itself but also by the competition, the latter primarily outside of our service
territory. Whether customer and pricing levels can be maintained depends, in part, on the actions
of existing competitors, the possible entry into the market of new competitors, the rate of
technological change and the level of demand for voice, video and data services.
In addition, our Video product, which was launched in April 2002, is competing against
entrenched cable companies including Service Electric Company (SE) and Cablevision, and satellite
television companies such as Direct TV and Dish Network.
On November 10, 2003 the FCC issued an order requiring intermodal portability (wire line to
wireless) in the top one hundred Metropolitan Service Areas by November 23, 2004 where the
requesting wireless carriers coverage area overlaps that of the local exchange carrier. As a
result, the Company was required to provide intermodal Local Number Portability (LNP) by May 24,
2004. LNP assists a competitor in obtaining our customers because it permits customers to keep
their current telephone number, even when they switch their telephone service from the Company to
another carrier. As of the end of the year, LNP had not posed a significant competitive risk
within the Companys service territory.
REGULATION
The Companys New York telephone service operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the
NYSPSC, and the Companys New Jersey telephone service operations to the jurisdiction of the NJBPU.
These two bodies have regulatory authority over the Companys local exchange operations with
respect to rates, facilities, services, reports, issuance of securities and other matters such as
corporate restructuring. As a result, the Companys ability to respond quickly to changing market
conditions or to implement a new business organization can be limited by the necessity of obtaining
regulatory reviews or responding to interrogatories which can slow down or even prevent the desired
transaction. Interstate toll and access services are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC. The
Company receives reimbursement from carriers in the form of charges for providing carriers access
to and from the Companys local network. The Video business operates in accordance with guidelines
established by NYSPSC, the NJBPU, and the FCC as well as the municipalities where the Company
provides services.
The 1996 Act opened local telecommunications markets to competition, preempting state and
local laws to the extent that they prevented competitive entry into a market. The 1996 Act allows
states to retain the authority to preserve universal service, protect public safety and welfare,
ensure quality of service, protect consumers and mediate and arbitrate disputes involving
interconnection agreements between carriers. The 1996 Act generally requires local carriers to
interconnect with other carriers, unbundle their services at wholesale rates, permit resale of
their services, enable collocation of equipment, provide LNP and dialing parity, provide access to
poles, ducts, conduits and rights-ofway, and complete calls originating by competing carriers
under termination agreements.
In 2003 the FCC issued an order which essentially kept in place the 1996 Act regulatory regime
with respect to Unbundled Network Elements Platform (UNEP) competition, allowed authority for the
states to implement UNEP competition and pricing and eliminated a
previous requirement of ILECs to
share their high-speed lines with competitors. Although the Federal court reversed some parts of
the FCCs order, including the delegation to the states to implement UNEP competition and pricing,
the line sharing provisions of the order were upheld. On February 4, 2005, the FCC released
permanent rules governing UNEPs. Although it is expected that portions of these new rules will be
appealed, the Company cannot predict the impact of any appeal. However the Company believes that
there will be minimal effect on its ILEC operations because the FCCs impairment thresholds are at
a level beyond the Companys demographics and it does not currently have UNEP competition in its
markets.
Pursuant to FCC requirements, the Company was once obligated to make contributions to a
long-term support fund of the National Exchange Carrier Association. On January 1, 1998, a new
funding mechanism went into effect, pursuant to which all carriers contribute to a Universal
Service Fund (the USF) established by the FCC to cover high-cost areas, low-income customers,
schools, libraries and rural health care providers. The Companys obligation to this fund was $229
and $246 in 2004 and 2003, respectively. Periodic cost studies conducted by the Company and filed
with Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) determine the amount of annual contributions
made by the Company to the USF. Management, based upon recent cost studies, does not currently expect that the amount contributed by the Company to the USF will
change significantly in upcoming periods.
6
Also as of January 1, 1998, the Company began receiving substantial funds from USAC. As a
result of the FCC order establishing the USF, all local exchange carriers were required to reduce
access charges billed to toll carriers. To offset this revenue reduction, the high cost portion of
the USF is provided by payments monthly to carriers satisfying the characteristics set forth in the
order. The Company meets those characteristics and received $2,093 and $2,752 in 2004 and 2003,
respectively. The USF is under pressure as ILECs lose access lines and competitors seek to receive
monies from the USF. The rules surrounding the eligibility of competitors to receive funds from
the USF are expected to be clarified by the Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service in 2005.
The result may increase pressure on the USF, while changes in the funding and/or payout rules of
USF might further reduce the Companys subsidized revenues. In addition, in June 2005, the FCC
launched a broad inquiry into the management, administration and oversight of the USF. The stated
goals of this inquiry are to improve the operation of the program for its beneficiaries and
contributors and to enhance program integrity.
The advent of VoIP services being provided by cable television and other companies has
heightened the need for Federal and State regulators to determine whether VoIP is subject to the
same regulatory and financial constraints as wire line telephone service. On November 9, 2004, the
FCC issued an order in response to a petition from Vonage declaring that Vonage-style VoIP services
were exempt from state telecommunications regulations. The FCC order applies to all VoIP offerings
provided over broadband services. However, this order did not clarify whether or under what terms
VoIP traffic may be subject to intercarrier compensation requirements; whether VoIP was subject to
state tax or commercial business regulations; or whether VoIP providers had to comply with
obligations related to 911 emergency calls, the USF of the Communications
Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). The FCC is addressing these issues
through its IP-Enabled Services Proceedings, which opened in February 2004. On June 3, 2005, the
FCC issued an order establishing rules requiring VoIP service providers to incorporate 911
emergency call capabilities for their customers as a standard feature of their services, rather
than an optional enhancement.
The FCC has decisions pending regarding the USF and inter-carrier compensation issues. The
sustainability of the USF and the possible requirement that VoIP providers participate in funding
Rural Carriers will affect and influence decisions to invest in new facilities. The same
considerations apply to the continuation of inter-carrier compensation, or access charges, which is
another element in the financial health of rural telephone companies. It was expected that the FCC
would address issues involving inter-carrier compensation, USF and internet telephony in 2005. On
February 10, 2005, the FCC adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) addressing
inter-carrier compensation. Proposed inter-carrier compensation changes, such as bill and keep
(under which switched access charges and reciprocal compensation would be reduced or eliminated),
could reduce the Companys access revenues.
In the Companys two New Jersey exchanges, intrastate toll revenues are retained by toll
carriers, of which the Company is one. The associated access charges are retained by the Company.
Revenues resulting from traffic between the Company, Verizon and Sprint are adjusted by charges
payable to each company for terminating traffic.
In addition to charging for access to and from the Companys local network, the Company bills
and collects charges for most interstate and intrastate toll messages carried on its facilities.
Interstate billing and collection services provided by the Company are not regulated. They are
provided under contract by the Company. Intrastate billing and collection remain partly regulated
in New York and fully regulated in New Jersey. The regulated services are provided under tariff.
Some carriers provide their own billing and collection services.
On June 29, 2005, the NYSPSC issued an Order Instituting Proceeding and Inviting Comments in
its Proceeding on Motion of the Commission on Issues Related to the Transition to Intermodal
Competition in the Provision of Telephone Services (Comp III). Comp III seeks to address the
state of competition, the impact competition is having on consumers and providers, and how these
changes will, or should, impact the New York regulatory model. On August 15, 2005 the New York
State Telephone Association (the NYSTA) on behalf of the Company and other New York State ILECs,
filed its comments in regards to Comp III with the NYSPSC. In making its case, the NYSTA asserted
that, primarily driven by new technologies like VoIP and digital cable television voice services,
intermodal competition has, within a relatively short period of time created strong competitive
alternatives to existing wireless and wire line services, and that ILECs need relief in the areas
of consumer protection, mergers, sales and acquisitions, service quality reporting, complaint
handling and flexible pricing.
The Company has filed a petition with the NYSPSC seeking approval to reorganize its corporate
structure in order to create a holding company that would separate its regulated local exchange
operations from its deregulated operations. Under this reorganization plan, corporate management
and administrative functions would remain at Warwick Valley Telephone Company, proposed to be
renamed WVT Communications Inc., which would become the unregulated holding company of a regulated local exchange subsidiary
(proposed to be named Warwick Valley Telephone Company) and other, unregulated subsidiaries.
Before the Company may complete this proposed reorganization plan, it must first obtain the
approval of the NYSPSC, the NJBPU and its shareholders. The Company is actively pursuing the
resolution of this petition before the two public service commissions.
7
Although O-P is an important component of the Companys revenues and value, the Company
continues to believe that the Company is primarily engaged in businesses other than investing,
reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and is therefore not required to register as
an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, changes in circumstances,
for example in the valuations of its assets and businesses, including O-P, or its effectiveness in
developing new services and businesses or maintaining existing activities, could result in the
possibility that the Company might need to restructure its assets or activities in order to remain
in compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
Although inflation has slowed in recent years, it is still a factor in our economy and the
Company continues to seek ways to mitigate its impact. To the extent permitted by competition or
regulation, the Company passes increased costs on to its customers by increasing sales prices over
time.
EMPLOYEES
As of September 4, 2005 the Company had 106 full-time and 23 part-time employees, including 89
non-management employees. 79 (68 full-time and 11 part-time) employees are represented by Local 503
of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The Company negotiated a new five
year agreement with its union members on May 1, 2003. Key provisions of the new contract were:
annual wage increases of 3.0% beginning May 1, 2003 and increasing to 3.5% as of May 1, 2007; the
capping of pension benefits; and increasing the Companys 401(k) match to 9% of gross wages for all
employees hired prior to May 1, 2003.
CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Form 10-K, including, without limitation, statements
containing the words believes, anticipates, intends, expects and words of similar import,
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or
industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others the
following: general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the geographic regions
in which the Company operates; industry capacity; demographic changes; existing governmental regulations
and changes in or the failure to comply with, governmental regulations; legislative proposals
relating to the businesses in which the Company operates; competition; or the loss of any significant ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.
Given these uncertainties, current and prospective investors should be cautioned in their reliance
on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such
factors or to publicly announce the results of any revision to any of the forward-looking
statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
Item 2. PROPERTIES.
The Company owns an approximately 22,000 square-foot building in Warwick, New York, which
houses its general offices, data processing equipment and the central office switch for the Warwick
exchange. In addition, the Company owns several smaller buildings which serve as office space,
workshops, storage space or garages, or which house switching equipment at the Companys other
exchanges. The Company also owns a building in Middletown, New York in order to support its
expanded dial tone operations in its Middletown exchange. The Company rents store space located in
Warwick, New York and Vernon, New Jersey. Both business segments share space in the Companys
various properties. Of the Companys investment in telephone plant in service, central office
equipment represents approximately 39.2%; connecting lines and related equipment 33.8%; telephone
instruments and related equipment 2.4%; land and buildings 3.9%; Internet equipment 7.6%; video
equipment 6.3%; and other plant equipment 6.8%.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The Company is not currently party nor is any of its property subject, to any material legal
proceedings.
8
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
No matter was submitted to a vote of shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2004.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
The following is a list of names, ages and background of our current executive officers, all
of whom serve until the next Annual Meeting of the Companys shareholders or termination of
employment, whichever is sooner. There are no family relationships among the Companys executive
officers:
Herbert Gareiss, Jr., 59, is President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Warwick Valley
Telephone Company. Mr. Gareiss joined the Company in June 1980 as assistant secretary/assistant
treasurer, and became vice president in 1990. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1999 and
became President in July 2004.
Michael Cutler, 55, is Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of Warwick
Valley Telephone Company. Mr Cutler, served from 2003 to January 2005 as Director of Finance of
Gibraltar Industries Corporation Hubbell Division. Prior to his current position, which he
assumed in January 2005, Mr. Cutler spent over 20 years in telecommunications, primarily with
SBC/Ameritech, a national telecommunications company providing voice, video and data services to
both business and residential customers.
Brenda A. Schadt, 60, is Vice President of Customer Service and Directory of Warwick Valley
Telephone Company. Mrs. Schadt began her career at the Company in June 1962 as an operator and has
worked throughout the Company, serving as data processing manager, customer service manager,
marketing manager and directory services manager. She was appointed Vice President in September
1999.
Part II.
|
|
|
| Item 5. |
|
MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS,
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. |
The Companys Common Shares currently trade on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
WWVYE. Shortly after the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Companys Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, the Common Shares are
expected to once again trade under the symbol WWVY. As of September 26, 2005 there were 629 Common
shareholders on record and 175 Preferred shareholders on record. The Company does not know the
number of beneficial owners. The Company has paid quarterly cash dividends on its Common Shares since April 1931 and paid
cash dividends semi-annually from July 1907 until December 1930. Quarterly cash dividends are
usually declared in February, May, August and November and are paid March 31, June 30, September 30
and December 20. Dividend payments are discussed further in Item 7 Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
No equity securities of the Company were sold during 2004 that were not registered under the
Securities Act of 1933.
Cash dividends paid per share for December 31 (in cents):
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter |
|
2004* |
|
|
2003 ** |
|
| |
First (March 31) |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
Second (June 30) |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
Third (September 30) |
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
Fourth (December 20) |
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
TOTAL |
|
$ |
0.98 |
|
|
$ |
0.70 |
|
|
|
|
| * |
|
Dividends paid in the fourth quarter of 2004 reflect a special dividend of $0.20 relating to
the Companys sale of its investment in DataNet. |
| |
| ** |
|
These numbers reflect the three-for-one stock split which took place in October 2003. |
9
The high and low bid prices for the Companys Common Shares on NASDAQ for the first, second, third
and fourth quarters of 2004 and 2003 were as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
QUARTER ENDED |
|
| |
|
March 31, 2004 |
|
|
June 30, 2004 |
|
|
September 30, 2004 |
|
|
December 31, 2004 |
|
| |
High |
|
$ |
25.60 |
|
|
$ |
21.47 |
|
|
$ |
23.76 |
|
|
$ |
22.72 |
|
Low |
|
$ |
25.51 |
|
|
$ |
20.57 |
|
|
$ |
23.76 |
|
|
$ |
22.46 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
QUARTER ENDED |
|
| |
|
March 31, 2003 |
|
|
June 30, 2003 |
|
|
September 30, 2003 |
|
|
December 31, 2003 * |
|
| |
High |
|
$ |
81.16 |
|
|
$ |
84.01 |
|
|
$ |
87.90 |
|
|
$ |
34.02 |
|
Low |
|
$ |
65.00 |
|
|
$ |
70.00 |
|
|
$ |
75.00 |
|
|
$ |
23.52 |
|
|
|
|
| * These numbers reflect the three-for-one stock split which took place in October 2003. |
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
($ in thousands except per share amounts) |
|
| For year ended December 31, |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2001 |
|
|
2000 |
|
| |
Selected financial data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating revenues |
|
$ |
27,678 |
|
|
$ |
28,649 |
|
|
$ |
27,547 |
|
|
$ |
27,418 |
|
|
$ |
26,606 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
$ |
26,564 |
|
|
$ |
25,472 |
|
|
$ |
22,436 |
|
|
$ |
20,792 |
|
|
$ |
19,054 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
8,928 |
|
|
$ |
7,730 |
|
|
$ |
7,632 |
|
|
$ |
7,234 |
|
|
$ |
6,956 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
68,766 |
|
|
$ |
59,733 |
|
|
$ |
54,970 |
|
|
$ |
48,157 |
|
|
$ |
42,474 |
|
Long term obligations |
|
$ |
10,251 |
|
|
$ |
6,926 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
4,000 |
|
|
$ |
4,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Share data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income per Common Share |
|
$ |
1.65 |
|
|
$ |
1.43 |
|
|
$ |
1.41 |
|
|
$ |
1.33 |
|
|
$ |
1.28 |
|
Cash dividends per Common Share * |
|
$ |
.98 |
|
|
$ |
.70 |
|
|
$ |
.58 |
|
|
$ |
.57 |
|
|
$ |
.52 |
|
* Dividends paid in the fourth quarter of 2004 reflect a special dividend of $0.20 relating
to the Companys sale of its investment in DataNet.
|
|
|
| Item 7. |
|
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. |
The Company operates in the communications services industry and provides telephone, directory
advertising services, Internet, Video and other services to its customers.
You should read this discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and
the accompanying notes. The presentation of dollar amounts in this discussion is in thousands
except for share and per-share amounts.
RESTATEMENT
The Company has restated the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as of and for the years
ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 to reclassify the cash distributions of earnings received from the
Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (O-P), an investment accounted for under the
equity method of accounting. These cash distributions were previously classified as investing
activities. However, because the cash distributions of O-P represent a return on our investment in
O-P, they should have been classified as operating activities. The restatement has resulted in
cash distributions from O-P of $10,125 and $6,000 for 2003 and 2002, respectively, being
reclassified, from Cash Flows from Investing Activities to Cash Flows from Operating Activities
in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. This restatement has no impact on the Companys Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, revenues,
expenses, net income, earnings per share in the Consolidated Statement of Net Income, or any
Consolidated Balance Sheet items. All amounts herein have been restated to reflect the above
mentioned corrections.
10
The following table presents the impact of the restatement:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
| |
|
As |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Previously |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previously |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Reported |
|
|
Adjustment |
|
|
As Restated |
|
|
Reported |
|
|
Adjustment |
|
|
As Restated |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from
Operating Activities |
|
$ |
5,939 |
|
|
$ |
10,125 |
|
|
$ |
16,064 |
|
|
$ |
8,690 |
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,690 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from
Investing Activities |
|
$ |
3,868 |
|
|
$ |
(10,125 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,257 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,961 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,961 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Increase in Cash
and Cash Equivalents |
|
$ |
4,076 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4,076 |
|
|
$ |
1,060 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,060 |
|
OVERVIEW
Operating revenues decreased by 3% in 2004 as compared to 2003. Primary contributors to the
decrease were lower network access service revenues mainly due to a reduction in local switching
support revenues received from the USF and the access charge reductions noted above, lower dial-up
revenues due to the continued loss of customers to competitors outside the Companys service area,
the continued decline in reciprocal compensation revenues from the Companys CLEC and decreases in
revenues derived from other non-regulated ancillary services, including circuit, billing and
collection and inside wire revenues. These operating revenue decreases were partially offset by
additional revenues generated in 2004 by our Video and DSL products, driven by the continued
expansion of the respective customer bases. Operating expenses increased largely due to additional
professional service fees associated with the Companys efforts to comply with the new requirements
of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the continued increase in Video content costs driven
by the growth in Video customers. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by
lower trunk line expenses due to lower capacity requirements and operating efficiencies achieved
through cost saving initiatives.
Operating revenues increased 4% in 2003 versus 2002 mainly due to increases in network access
service, directory, Video and DSL revenues, partially offset by a decline in dial-up and local
network service revenues. Operating expenses increased largely due to higher benefit costs and
video content costs, partially offset by lower trunk line expenses.
The Companys core businesses -Telephone and Online- continue to be fundamentally sound and
profitable businesses. Although operating income has declined over the past several years, such a
decline is due at least in part to the Companys repositioning itself in order to address
increasing competition and changing technology and to anticipate customer demands. The Company is
committed to increasing shareholder value through ongoing innovation and consistent effort to
develop and introduce new and profitable products and services.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Certain of these accounting
policies require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that could
materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and any
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. In the opinion of the Companys management, all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation
have been included.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly
owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in
the consolidated financial statements.
Our investments in the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (O-P), Zefcom, LLC
(Zefcom) and EsiNet, which was organized in March 2004, are accounted for under the equity method
of accounting. Our investment in Data Communications Group, Inc. (DataNet) was accounted for
under the cost method of accounting prior to its sale in October 2004.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles 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 date of the
financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period.
Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, depreciation expense, pension and postretirement expenses and income taxes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
11
The Companys rates are regulated by the FCC, the NYSPSC and the NJBPU and therefore the
Company reflects the effects of the ratemaking actions of these regulatory bodies in its financial
statements. Accordingly, the Company follows the accounting prescribed by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71 Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.
The Company periodically reviews the continued applicability of SFAS No. 71 based on the current
regulatory and competitive environment.
The rates that the Company charges to its customers for regulated services in New York were
established in its 1993 rate case with the NYSPSC. The rates the Company charges for its regulated
services in New Jersey were established in its 1972 rate case with the NJBPU. The Company has not
filed a rate case in New York or New Jersey since that time. If the Company should submit a rate
case with the NYSPSC or NJBPU in the future, it is uncertain what the outcome of the rate case
would be and how it would affect Companys results of operations and financial position.
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 104
Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. Telephone and Network access revenues are primarily
derived from usage of the Companys network and facilities, and are recognized as the corresponding
services are rendered to customers. Long distance revenue is recognized monthly as services are
provided. Directory advertising revenue is recorded ratably over the life of the directory,
generally one year. Revenue from Online services, which include DSL and Video, is recorded when the
services are rendered. Other service and sales revenue is recognized when services are provided or
the sales transactions are completed.
The Company records deferred taxes that arise from temporary differences resulting from
differences between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred
taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of the assets and
liabilities to which they relate. The Companys deferred taxes result principally from differences
in depreciation and in the accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefits. Investment
tax credits are amortized as a reduction to the provision for income taxes over the useful lives of
the assets that produced the credits.
The Company records property, plant and equipment at cost. Construction costs, labor and
applicable overhead related to installations and interest during construction are capitalized.
Costs of maintenance and repairs of property, plant and equipment are charged to operating expense.
The estimated useful life of support equipment (buildings, vehicles, computers, etc.) ranges from
approximately 3 to 19 years. The estimated useful life of Internet and Video equipment ranges from
5 to 15 years. The estimated useful life of communication and network equipment ranges from
approximately 10 to 15 years. The estimated useful life of buildings and other equipment ranges
from approximately 14 to 50 years. The calculation of depreciation expense is computed using the
straight line method. In accordance with regulatory accounting guidelines when units of property
are retired, sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, the gross book value
is charged to accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 2004 VS. 2003 ($ in thousands)
We will discuss factors that affected our overall results for the past two years. We will
also discuss our expected revenue and expense trends for 2005 in our Operating Environment and
Trends of the Business section.
Operating Revenues
Operating revenues decreased by $971 (or 3%) from $28,649 in 2003 to $27,678 in 2004. This
decrease was due primarily to a reduction in network access service revenues of $570 (or 6%) which
resulted largely from lower local switching support revenues received from the USF and to rate
reductions attributable to the implementation of a NYSPSC Order with an effective date of January
1,1999. The Company determined that it had not reduced traffic sensitive charges to inter-exchange
carriers as required. Accordingly, the Company restated its financial statements for all prior
periods affected to reduce revenue. Long distance network service revenues decreased $24 (or 1%)
in 2004 due to the continued decline in interstate interLATA volume as more customers use wireless
communications. Online service revenues increased $214 (or 3%) due primarily to increases of $519
(or 23%) in DSL revenues and $654 (or 82%) in Video revenues, resulting from the continued
expansion in 2004 of our customer base for these products (959 DSL and 642 Video additions to the
respective subscriber bases in 2004). These increases were offset by a decrease of $972 (or 27%)
in dial-up services due to customers primarily outside of our service territory migrating to other
high speed Internet providers. A decrease of $652 (or 23%) in other services and sales revenues
was the result of lower rates that were mandated by the FCC for reciprocal compensation and an
overall decrease in sale of other non-regulated ancillary services. Long distance sales increased
$43 (or 2%) due to the continued success of the new long distance plan
12
introduced in the second half of 2003, which added 717 subscribers to the
customer base in 2004. Local network service revenues were flat as access line losses were offset
by increased sales of additional calling features to existing customers. Directory advertising
sales were up slightly by $23 (or 2%) reflecting a continuing trend towards smaller incremental
increases in the demand for traditional directory ad pages.
The Companys operating revenues increased $1,102 (or 4%) from $27,547 in 2002 to $28,649 in
2003. The increase was due primarily to increased network access services, DSL, Video and directory
advertising revenues. These revenue increases were partially offset by lower local network service
revenue.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased $1,092 (or 4%) from $25,472 in 2003 to $26,564 in 2004. An
increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $369 (or 8%) reflected ongoing plant upgrades
to accommodate the growing demand for Internet based technologies such as DSL, Video and VoIP.
Other plant non-specific expenses increased $425 (or 15%) due primarily to Video content costs
incurred to service our growing Video subscriber base. Corporate operations expenses increased
$1,228 (or 27%) due mainly to professional and consulting fees associated with Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which relates to internal control over financial reporting. Partially
offsetting these increases were lower plant specific expenses of $421 (or 9%) and lower cost of
sales of $604 (or 24%) due primarily to lower trunk line costs, reflecting lower capacity
requirements and operating efficiencies resulting from ongoing cost control efforts.
Operating expenses increased $3,036 (or 14%) from $22,436 in 2002 to $25,472 in 2003.
Expenses increased mainly due to higher pension and postretirement expenses, video content costs,
depreciation costs, trunk line costs, material expenses and commercial insurance expenses.
Other Income (Expenses)
Other income (expenses) increased $3,965 (or 47%) in 2004 as compared to a $2,117 (or 34%)
increase in 2003. The increase in 2004 was primarily due to the Companys sale, in October 2004,
of its entire 8.9% interest in DataNet, resulting in a $2,490 pretax gain in 2004, as well as a
$1,358 increase in the Companys income from O-P. An additional gain from the sale of the
Companys interest in DataNet was recognized in May 2005 upon the release of a portion of the sales
proceeds that had been held in escrow. The increase in 2003 was mainly due to an increase of $1,814
in the Companys income from O-P. Income from O-P does not automatically result in a full cash
distribution to the Company; depending upon the business needs of O-P, some cash is usually kept by
the partnership for its operations. The increase in income from O-P is again due to strong call
volume. It should be noted that there is no guarantee that call volume will remain strong, that
expense allocations from the general partner will remain the same, or that the significant year
over year income increases will continue. Also affecting other income was the Companys share of
Zefcoms 2004 loss, which was $210 as compared to $232 in 2003 and also in 2004, the Companys
share of Esinets start up costs of $57 for the period from March 2004 (when EsiNet was formed)
through December 31, 2004.
SEGMENT RESULTS OVERVIEW
The telephone operations segment, which operates as a retail and wholesale seller of
communications services, accounted for approximately 75% of our consolidated operating revenues (a
decrease of 2% from the prior year). We provide landline telecommunications services, including
local networks, network access, long distance voice, customer premise equipment, private branch
exchange equipment and directory advertising services (yellow and white pages advertising and
electronic publishing).
During the last quarter of 2003, a significant marketing effort was undertaken to promote the
Companys long-distance product. The success of this marketing effort carried over to 2004,
resulting in the addition of 717 customers to the subscriber base. In the last quarter of 2003,
the Company experienced a reduction in trunk line requirements. This trend continued throughout
2004 and resulted in continued cost savings during the year.
The Online segment accounted for approximately 25% of our consolidated segment operating
revenues (an increase of 2% from the prior year). This segment provides high speed (DSL) and
dial-up Internet services, help desk operations and Video over VDSL (a digital TV product). The
launch of a new VoIP product is currently anticipated by the end of 2005.
During 2004 Onlines operating expenses decreased 2% as increases in depreciation and video
content costs were offset by savings achieved through better management of trunk line costs.
13
In 2003 and 2002 the telephone operating segment accounted for approximately 77% and the
Online segment accounted for 23% of consolidated operating revenues, respectively. During the last
quarter of 2003, a significant marketing effort was undertaken to promote the Companys
long-distance product, adding 187 new subscribers. In addition, 2003 was the first full year of
operation for the VDSL product introduced in April 2002. Accordingly additional costs were
incurred by the Online segment in 2002 associated with the continued roll out of this product.
For further segment information see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained
in Item 15a.
Telephone
Local network service- revenue remained relatively flat versus 2003. Revenue
declines resulting from a 4% decrease in access lines were offset by higher vertical
services sales revenues due to the successful marketing to our existing customers of add-on
features such as call waiting and voicemail. Our access line loss was due primarily to
customers eliminating their second and third lines. In addition, in the third quarter of
2004, Cablevision entered our New York market with a triple play package of voice, video and
data at a special introductory low rate in an effort to achieve market penetration.
Network access service- which includes end user, local switching support, switched
access and special access revenue categories, declined 6% compared to 2003. The decrease
was due primarily to lower local switch support revenues and to rate reductions mandated by
the NYSPSC.
Long distance service- which includes services resulting from the transport of
intraLATA (outside the local calling area) and interLATA (traditional long distance) calls
was relatively flat versus 2003. An increase in subscribers to the Companys long distance
plan was offset by the continued decline in intraLATA traffic due to fewer call minutes, the
increasing use of cell phones and the growing popularity of competing VoIP services such as
Vonage in 2004.
Directory advertising revenues- increased $23 (or 2%) over 2003 as increases in
regional ad page sales were offset by lower ad sales to local businesses. The Company expects
an industry trend towards a slowdown in the growth in the demand for traditional directory
ad pages to continue as more customers migrate to web based advertising. The Company is
also redirecting marketing efforts to grow this portion of the business.
Other service and sales revenues- which includes revenues from services related to
billing and collections provided to other carriers, inside wire revenue, circuit revenue and
reciprocal compensation decreased $652. Reciprocal compensation declined due to lower rates
that were mandated by the FCC and other ancillary revenues such as circuit, billing and
collection and inside wire declined due to lower customer demand for these products.
Telephone operations expenses increased $994 (or 5%) over 2003. The increase was mainly the
result of $653 in expenditures for professional fees associated with the activities necessary to
comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and higher cost of sales of
$281, mainly the result of higher trunk line expenses associated with the long distance business.
Other income (expenses) rose $3,965 (or 47%) over 2003 mainly due to a $2,490 gain from the
sale of the Companys interest in DataNet and higher income derived from the Companys share of the
net earnings of O-P. During the year, O-P experienced earnings growth of 15% over 2003 due to
higher access, usage and long distance revenues.
Online
Online revenues increased $214 (or 3%) over 2003 due to continued increases in the number of
DSL and Video customers. By the end of 2004, the Company had achieved approximately a 32%
penetration level of establishments passed for DSL customers, one of the highest penetrations in
the United States and had achieved a 23% year over year increase in revenue. Video customers
have been added at a steady rate as the Video product has been rolled out across our service
territory. Total Video revenue was up $654 (or 82%) over the prior year. In the fourth quarter of
2004, the Video roll-out was temporarily slowed to permit the Company the opportunity to study the
next generation of video technology currently available. While the Company continues to service
existing customers and add new subscribers within the existing video coverage area, technologies
are being reviewed that will provide the Company with the capability to expand the reach of its
video product to customers beyond the distance limitation of the current technology, as well as
allow the Company to offer enhanced features to subscribers such as video on demand. The Company
expects to resume the roll out of its video product by the end of 2005. Partially offsetting the
Video and DSL results was a decline in dial-up revenue of $972, (or 27%), which resulted from a
significant loss of customers outside of the Companys service territory to providers of higher speed services. The Company will probably continue to lose dial-up
customers outside of the Companys service territory where it is unable to provide higher speed DSL
services to them.
14
Online
expenses increased $120 (or 2%), as professional fees increased
mainly due to costs
associated with Section 404 compliance of $292, depreciation expenses of $324 directly
attributable to the continued expansion and upgrade of the Internet infrastructure to deliver the
Video and DSL product to an expanding customer base, and increases in Video content costs of $407,
also attributable to the expansion of the Video customer base, were offset by savings from lower
cost of sales of $907, resulting primarily from lower trunk line charges due to better management
of capacity in 2004 and lower costs for DSL modems and materials.
Investment in Zefcom
The Company has a 17% ownership interest in Zefcom. This investment was historically recorded
on the cost method of accounting. In 2003, Zefcom formed an Executive Operating Committee
consisting of representatives from three of the investors in Zefcom. The Operating Committees
responsibilities are to assist management as necessary in relations with consultants and
prospective investors, and in matters of finance. As a result, the Operating Committee exerts
significant influence over the financial and operating decisions of Zefcom. In 2003, the Companys
Chief Executive Officer was elected to this committee. Accordingly, the Company, through its
representation on this Operating Committee, began exerting significant influence on the financial
and operating decisions of Zefcom in the fourth quarter of 2003. As a result of this change, the
Company changed its accounting for the Zefcom investment from the cost method to the equity method
of accounting for the 2003 fiscal year. In accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, the Company, in 2003, also adjusted its prior period financial results to record its
17% investment in Zefcom as if it had been accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Zefcoms losses have been reflected in the Companys current and prior year financial statements.
In February 2004 Zefcom issued a 10% Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note (the Note) in the
amount of $1,000 which was purchased by a co-investor in the venture. At any time prior to January
1, 2008, the holder of the Note has the option, upon notice to Zefcom, to convert the Note into
ownership shares in the entity. To date, the co-investor has elected not to exercise this option.
Should the co-investor elect to convert the Note into ownership shares at some future date the
effect on the Companys ownership percentage in Zefcom would be a reduction from 17% to
approximately 11% to 11.5%, depending on the timing of the conversion.
Investment in EsiNet
In 2004, the Company acquired a 25% interest in EsiNet. EsiNet is a consortium of 13
independent telephone companies located in the upstate New York region that was formed in 2004 for
the purpose of building a fiber optic network to deliver voice, video and data services to
customers throughout the region. EsiNet was formed in March 2004 and should be fully operational
by the end of 2005. In return for its 25% interest, the Company committed to contribute a total of
$950 in capital by the end of the first quarter of 2005. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had
contributed $713. On April 1, 2005 the final contribution of $237 was made. In the first
quarter of 2005 the Company agreed to provide, if necessary, temporary bridge financing in the
amount of $1,250, to be repaid within two years or upon the securing of permanent bank financing,
if sooner. On March 31, 2005, this loan commitment expired with the Company not executing the
bridge loan. On June 22, 2005, EsiNet received a commitment from the Rural Telephone Finance
Cooperative (RTFC) for a 10 year secured term loan in the amount of $6,750, subject to the
delivery of satisfactory credit documentation to RTFC and to the satisfaction of all conditions
precedent to closing.
LIQUIDITY
The Company had $16,809 in cash and cash equivalents on hand at December 31, 2004. The
Company has a $4,000 line of credit with a bank, of which the entire amount remained unused at
December 31, 2004. Interest on the line of credit is at a variable rate and borrowings are on a
demand basis without restrictions. In addition, on February 18, 2003, the Company closed a
commitment with CoBank, ACB with respect to an $18,475 unsecured term credit facility at a variable
rate (approximately 3% for the period January 1 through December 31, 2004). Under conditions set
by the NYSPSC, the Company was allowed to use a portion of the proceeds from this loan to refinance
$4,000 of long-term debt and repay $3,000 under a line of credit. In February 2003, the Company
used $3,149 of the CoBank facility funds to repay the $3,000 line of credit, plus accrued interest,
and closing costs associated with the CoBank facility. The Company made an additional draw to
repay $4,000 in long-term debt that matured in December 2003. On September 30, 2004, the Company
borrowed an additional $5,000 to finance future capital expenditures. The proceeds were deposited
by CoBank on the Companys behalf in an interest bearing money market account. In October 2004,
the Company used $3,500 of the proceeds from the sale of DataNet to purchase a bank certificate of
deposit.
15
Cash from Operating Activities
The Companys primary source of funds continues to be cash generated from operations,
supplemented by cash distributions from O-P as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
The Companys cash distribution from O-P increased by approximately $1,650 (or 16%) to $11,775
during 2004, compared to $10,125 for 2003. O-Ps earnings are distributed to the Company on a
quarterly basis at the discretion of the general partner.
Cash from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures totaled $4,906, $6,261 and $8,399 for the years ended December 31, 2004,
2003 and 2002, respectively. Capital expenditures decreased $1,355 in 2004 versus 2003 reflecting
a temporary slowing of the Video expansion as the Company considers implementing the next
generation of video equipment, anticipated to occur by the end of 2005. This equipment is expected
to allow the Company to expand the reach of its Video product to potential customers in both its
existing and future markets and offer enhanced services like video on demand. Capital expenditures
decreased $2,138 in 2003 versus 2002 due to the absence, in 2003, of upfront cost associated with
the completion of construction of the video head end which is the delivery platform for the Video
product. Expenditures in 2003 were incurred primarily to build out the infrastructure to increase
the number of potential customers with access to the Video product. Additionally, the Company
also received $3,603 in cash proceeds from the sale of its investment in DataNet during the year
ended December 31, 2004.
Cash from Financing Activities
Dividends, declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, were $0.98 per share for the
year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to $0.70 and $0.58 in 2003 and 2002. Of the dividends paid
in respect to 2004, $0.20 per share represented a special dividend with respect to the sale of the
Companys interest in DataNet. The total amount of dividends paid by the Company as of December 31,
2004 on its common shares was $5,294 as compared to $3,781 in 2003 and $3,191 in 2002.
The Company had short-term lines of credit with one bank in 2004 and two banks in 2003 and
2002 which were utilized to assist in the funding of working capital requirements and capital
expenditures. Borrowings were short-term in nature and normally repaid from operating cash within
a year. As noted above, borrowings from one line of credit were paid in full in February 2003 out
of the proceeds from the CoBank transaction. As also noted above the CoBank facility expired on
September 30, 2004. At December 31, 2004 the Company had a single $4,000 unsecured line of credit
with its principal commercial bank, on which no balance was outstanding. On September 30, 2004 the
Company borrowed an additional $5,000 under the CoBank facility to finance future capital
expenditures. The outstanding principal is to be repaid in 32 consecutive quarters beginning in
October 2004. At December 31, 2004, the Company made a total of $380 in principal payments to
CoBank.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2004 the Company did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
16
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Below is a summary of the Companys material contractual obligations and commitments as of
December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Payments Due by Period |
|
| |
|
($ in thousands) |
|
| |
|
Less |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
than |
|
|
1-3 |
|
|
3-5 |
|
|
More than |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1 Year |
|
|
Years |
|
|
Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
Total |
|
| |
|
|
Long-term debt, including current maturities
(a) |
|
$ |
1,519 |
|
|
$ |
4,556 |
|
|
$ |
4,556 |
|
|
$ |
1,138 |
|
|
$ |
11,769 |
|
Interest expense (b) |
|
|
622 |
|
|
|
1,343 |
|
|
|
557 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
2,547 |
|
Operating leases (c) |
|
|
196 |
|
|
|
482 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
1,090 |
|
Trunk line agreements (d) |
|
|
636 |
|
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
927 |
|
Other long-term obligations (e) |
|
|
1,429 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,429 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual obligations and commitments |
|
$ |
4,402 |
|
|
$ |
6,672 |
|
|
$ |
5,463 |
|
|
$ |
1,225 |
|
|
$ |
17,762 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
|
Pursuant to the loan agreement, principal payments relating to long-term debt
commenced on October 2004 and will continue for 32 consecutive quarters until repaid in
full. |
| |
| (b) |
|
Longterm debt is at a variable rate. Interest payments are calculated based
upon a current interest rate of 5.75%. This rate is subject to fluctuation in the
future. |
| |
| (c) |
|
The Company leases tower space for transmission of content for its Video
product. In addition, the Company also leases office and parking space, and vehicles. |
| |
| (d) |
|
Represents contractual commitments, with a specified contract life, to purchase
access to trunk lines from other carriers for the transmission of voice, data and
video. |
| |
| (e) |
|
The Company is required to make minimum contributions to its pension and
postretirement plans. These amounts are not estimable for years after 2005. |
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT AND TRENDS OF THE BUSINESS
2005 Revenue Trends
For 2005 management expects current economic, competitive and regulatory trends to continue.
Access lines should continue to slowly decrease given recent competitive pressures from Cablevision
who recently began competing in our primary New York market and the continued migration to wireless
substitutes. Dial-up revenue loss should continue at approximately the same rate as in 2004 as
customers continue to migrate to DSL. The Company is working to offset such losses by continuing
to expand our DSL and Video customer base, capitalizing on opportunities that arise in our New York
and New Jersey CLEC territories, marketing our other new products, such as VoIP and 1-800 Service,
and offering new bundling packages. Long distance revenue should exhibit very modest growth from
new subscribers to our plan. Overall, management expects total consolidated revenue to be
approximately the same as in 2004.
2005 Expense Trends
In 2005, management expects retiree medical cost expense trends to continue roughly as in 2004.
This, along with an anticipated drop in the discount rate, will continue to exert upward pressure
on our postretirement benefit costs. On the other hand, in 2005, the Company expects to realize
cost savings from the freezing of the Non-Management Pension Plan in 2003 and the Management
Pension Plan in 2004.
Professional service fees will continue to rise in 2005 as the Company moves towards
compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
During 2003, the Company reached a five year agreement with the IBEW. As part of this
agreement, labor cost for our union employees will increase 3% in 2005 under the contract.
As a result of new agreements with various carriers, and better management of capacity
requirements, trunk line costs are expected to continue decreasing in 2005.
17
RISK FACTORS
The Company provides services to customers over access lines. If access lines decline, operating
results may be adversely affected.
The business generates revenues by delivering voice, video and data services over access
lines. The Company has and continues to experience access line losses due to competition from
wireless and broadband service providers. The Company may continue to experience access line
losses in its primary markets. The Companys inability to retain access lines could adversely
affect the business and results of operations.
The Company is subject to competition that may adversely impact it.
As an ILEC, the Company historically had little competition in its markets. As a direct
result of deregulation, the Company now faces direct competition in its traditional ILEC
territories by CLEC operations that offer comparable voice, video and data products. The primary
competitor in our market has brand recognition and financial, personnel, marketing and other
resources that are significantly greater than ours. In addition, consolidations and strategic
alliances presently occurring within the telecommunications industry as well as ongoing
technological innovation could affect our competitive position. The Company cannot predict the
number of competitors that will ultimately emerge, but increased competition from existing and new
entities could have an adverse effect on our business.
The Company may not be able to successfully integrate new technologies, respond effectively to
customer requirements or provide new services.
The communications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes in technology,
frequent new service offerings and a changing regulatory and economic environment. The Company
cannot predict the changes in our competitive position or profitability. Technological
developments may reduce the competitiveness of our networks and require significant expenditures of
capital to upgrade and or replace outdated technologies. In addition, new products and services
arising out of technological developments may reduce the attractiveness
of our products and services. If the Company fails to adapt successfully to technological changes
or obsolescence or fails to obtain access to important new technologies, the Company could lose
existing customers and fail to attract new customers. It is for this reason that the Company has
developed Video offerings and is planning to introduce a VoIP product. A key element to the
Companys long-term growth strategy is its ability to deliver new and enhanced products and
services to its customers. The successful delivery of new products and services is uncertain and
dependent on many factors. There is no guarantee that delivery of these services will generate the
anticipated increase in customers and revenues.
The Companys relationships with other communications companies are material to its operations.
The Company originates and terminates calls for long distance carriers and other interexchange
carriers over our network and for that service the Company receives payments for access charges.
These payments represent a significant portion of our revenues. Should theses carriers go bankrupt
or experience substantial financial difficulties, our inability to collect access charges from them
could have a significant negative impact on our business and results of operations. The success or
failure of EsiNet could have a material effect on the profitability of the Companys Video
services. The need for increased capital improvements to upgrade or expand its facilities or a
decrease in demand for its services could cause O-Ps profitability to decline and could thereby
reduce the income that the Company derives from those profits.
Although we have not completed our assessment of the design and operating effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting, we have identified material weaknesses in our internal
control over financial reporting that may prevent us from being able to accurately report our
financial results or prevent fraud, which could harm our business and operating results, the
trading price of our stock and our access to capital.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable and accurate financial
reports and prevent fraud. In addition, Section 404 under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires
that we assess, and our independent registered public accounting firm attest to, the design and
operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we cannot provide
reliable and accurate financial reports and prevent fraud, our business and operating results could
be harmed. In connection with our evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, which is
not complete, we identified material weaknesses, and may discover in the future, areas of our
internal control that need improvement. Our efforts regarding internal controls are discussed in
detail in this report under Item 9A, Controls and Procedures. We cannot be certain that any
remedial measures we take will ensure that we design, implement, and maintain adequate controls
over our financial processes and reporting in the future or will be
18
sufficient to address and
eliminate these material weaknesses. Remedying these material weaknesses that have been
identified, and any additional deficiencies, significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that
we or our independent registered public accounting firm may identify in the future, could require
us to incur additional costs, divert management resources or make other changes. We have not yet
remediated the material weaknesses in this report, as discussed in detail in this report under
Item 9A, Controls and Procedures. If we do not remedy these material weaknesses, we may be
required to report in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or in subsequent reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission that material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial
reporting continue to exist. Any delay or failure to design and implement new or improved controls,
or difficulties encountered in their implementation or operation, could harm our operating results,
cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations, or prevent us from providing reliable
and accurate financial reports or avoiding or detecting fraud. Disclosure of our material
weaknesses, any failure to remediate such material weaknesses in a timely fashion or having or
maintaining ineffective internal controls could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported
financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock and our
access to capital.
If the Company is unable to file its financial statements , it could be delisted by Nasdaq and our
stockholders could find it difficult to sell our common stock.
Our common stock currently trades on Nasdaq. Nasdaq requires companies to fulfill specific
requirements in order for their shares to continue to be listed, including the timely filing of
reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, our securities may be considered
for delisting if: the Company fails to complete its evaluation of internal controls and issue its
annual and quarterly reports by the prescribed deadlines, fails to remediate documented material
weaknesses in a timely manner and fails to develop and maintain effective controls and procedures.
All of the above could adversely affect Companys stock price and subject the Company to sanctions
by Nasdaq, or the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company is subject to significant regulations that could change in a manner that is adverse to
the Company interests, or could remain in effect in a fashion that impedes the Companys ability to
compete.
The Company operates in a heavily regulated industry. A significant portion of the Companys
revenues generally have been supported by regulations that provide for local and network access
revenues and USF funds. Laws and regulations applicable to the Company and its competitors have,
from time to time, been challenged in the courts, and could be changed by the FCC or state
regulators. Regulatory changes could adversely impact the rates the Company is permitted to charge
its customers, reduce payments to the Company from the USF or restrict the Companys ability to
effectively compete in the market place. Regulatory changes could also restrict the Companys
ability to secure new sources of capital and or grow through strategic acquisitions or alliances.
In addition, the failure of regulations to change in a manner that would establish an environment
in which the Company may compete on more even terms with its actual economic competitors could also
adversely affect the Companys profitability.
Although O-P is an important component of the Companys revenues and value, the Company
continues to believe that the Company is primarily engaged in businesses other than investing,
reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and is therefore not required to register as
an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, changes in circumstances,
for example in the valuations of its assets and businesses, including O-P, or its effectiveness in
developing new services and businesses or maintaining existing activities, could result in the
possibility that the Company might need to restructure its assets or activities in order to remain
in compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Item 7A. QUANTATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for any purposes or other financial
instruments for trading purposes. The Companys only assets exposed to market risk are its
interest bearing bank accounts, into which the Company deposits its excess operating funds on a
daily basis, the $5,000 of recently borrowed funds which CoBank has deposited in an interest
bearing money market account on the Companys behalf and a $3,500 Certificate Deposit currently
held with our primary commercial bank. In regards to its CoBank loan, the Company has the option
of choosing the following rate options: Weekly Quoted Variable Rate, Long-Term Fixed Quote and a
Libor Option. In 2004, the Weekly Quoted Variable Rate Option was selected and used to calculate
accrued interest on the loan. The Company does not believe that its exposure to interest rate risk
is material at the present time.
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
See Item 15(a) below for Index to Financial Information
19
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), that are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in
Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and
communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required public disclosure.
As of December 31, 2004, we carried out an assessment under the supervision of and with the
participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness
of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b). Although we have not yet completed our assessment of our internal
control over financial reporting, we have identified certain control deficiencies which are
material weaknesses. As of the date of this assessment, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer concluded as a result of these material weaknesses, our disclosure controls
and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2004.
In light of the fact that the financial information presented in Annual Report on Form 10-K
was prepared in the absence of our managements report on internal control over financial
reporting, we have performed additional analyses and other post-closing procedures including
reviewing all significant account balances and disclosures reflected in the consolidated financial
statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to ensure their completeness and accuracy.
Accordingly, we believe that the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results
of operations, and cash flows for all periods presented.
Since we have not completed our assessment of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting, this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes a report of our independent registered public
accounting firm disclaiming an opinion on managements assessment and the effectiveness of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. We intend to file an
amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K to include the report of management on internal
control over financial reporting and the associated report of our independent registered public
accounting firm as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act once we have completed our
assessment of internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public
accounting firm has completed its audit of our assessment and our internal control over financial
reporting.
Status of Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange
Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii)
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 management
and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have
a material effect on the interim or annual consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent
or detect misstatements. Also, 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.
We are in the process of evaluating the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. In performing our assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal
control over financial reporting, we are applying the criteria described in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO). However, we have not completed our assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal
control over financial reporting.
20
Although we have not completed our assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, we have identified certain control
deficiencies that represent material weaknesses at December 31, 2004. A material weakness is a
control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote
likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be
prevented or detected. The identified material weaknesses are discussed below. Additional material
weaknesses may be identified as we complete our assessment. The existence of one or more material
weaknesses at December 31, 2004 precludes us from concluding that the Companys internal control
over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2004, based on the criteria in the
Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO. Therefore, upon completion of our assessment, we will conclude in our Report
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in the amended Annual Report on Form 10-K that the
Companys internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2004.
Additionally we expect that the Companys independent registered public accounting firm will issue
an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2004 when the assessment is complete.
We have identified the following material weaknesses as of December 31, 2004 in the Companys
internal control over financial reporting:
| 1) |
|
The Company did not maintain an effective control environment. Specifically, the financial reporting organizational structure
was not adequate to support the activities of the Company. Furthermore, the information
technology infrastructure was not adequate to support the Companys financial accounting and
reporting responsibilities. This control deficiency contributed to the material weaknesses
described below. This control deficiency also contributed to the restatement of the Companys
2003 and 2002 annual consolidated financial statements and the interim consolidated financial statements for
the first quarter of 2004. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement
of accounts and disclosures, including those disclosed below, that would result in a material
misstatement to interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented
or detected. Accordingly, management determined that this control deficiency constitutes a
material weakness. |
| 2) |
|
The Company did not maintain a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level
of accounting knowledge, experience and training in the selection and application of generally
accepted accounting principles (GAAP) commensurate with the Companys financial reporting
requirements. Specifically, the Companys finance and accounting staff did not possess the
appropriate skills, training and experience in the application of GAAP to meet their
responsibilities. This control deficiency contributed to the individual material weaknesses
described in a) through c) below. |
| |
a) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of
service revenue and accounts receivable. Specifically, the Companys controls over the completeness and accuracy of: (i)
service activation and service order initiation; (ii) customer billing adjustments
including write-offs; (iii) development and maintenance of billing rates; and (iv) approval
and processing of customer payments, credits and other customer account applications were
not effective. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of the Companys 2003 and 2002
annual consolidated financial statements and the interim consolidated financial statements
for the first quarter of 2004 and audit adjustments to the 2004 annual consolidated
financial statements. |
| |
| |
b) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the accounting for equity-method
investments in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, the Company did not have effective
controls over the completeness and accuracy of recording its share of loss on an
equity investment, the recording of a gain on the disposition of an equity investment in
the appropriate period or the presentation of the related cash flows in the consolidated
financial statements. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement the Companys
2003 and 2002 annual consolidated financial statements and audit adjustments to
investments, deferred gains and gain on the sale of investments in the Companys 2004
annual consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
c) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the accounting for income taxes.
Specifically, the Company did not have effective controls over the completeness and
accuracy of the income tax basis and the financial reporting basis of assets and
liabilities for the determination of deferred income taxes and the related deferred tax
provision. In addition, the Company did not have controls over the completeness and
accuracy of current income taxes payable and the related provision. This control
deficiency resulted in audit adjustments to the Companys 2004 annual consolidated
financial statements.
|
21
Each of these control deficiencies could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned
accounts or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the interim or annual
consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly,
management has determined that each of the control deficiencies described above constitutes a
material weakness.
| 3) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the period-end financial reporting
process. Specifically, the Company lacked policies, procedures and controls for the
preparation and review of the interim and annual consolidated financial statements and
supporting schedules. This control deficiency contributed to the individual material
weaknesses described in a) through e) below. |
| |
a) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the preparation, review, and
approval of significant account reconciliations and journal entries. Specifically, the Company did not maintain
effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of supporting schedules and
underlying data for: (i) accounts payable; (ii) inventory and the related valuation
reserves; (iii) payroll expense and the related accruals; (iv) fixed assets and the related
depreciation accounts; and (v) debt and the related interest expense. This control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004 interim or
annual consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
b) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of
period-end accruals. Specifically, accounts payable and accrued expenses related to
utilities and professional fees were not timely identified and recorded in the proper
period. This control deficiency resulted in audit adjustments to the Companys 2004 annual
consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
c) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the period-end consolidation process.
Specifically, the Company lacked controls to ensure all required consolidation entries were
identified, analyzed and approved prior to being recorded in the consolidation schedules.
This control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004 interim or annual
consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
d) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the preparation and review of the
consolidated interim and annual financial statements. Specifically, the Company did not
have effective controls over the process for identifying and accumulating all required
supporting information to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying footnote disclosures and to ensure the balances
reported in the consolidated financial statements reconciled to the underlying supporting
schedules and analyses. This control deficiency resulted in audit adjustments to the 2004
annual consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
e) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over certain spreadsheets utilized in
the period-end financial reporting process. Specifically, the Company lacked effective
controls related to the completeness, accuracy, validity, and restricted access of
spreadsheets related to: (i) earnings per share; (ii) journal entries; (iii) revenue
and the related receivables; and (iv) payroll expense and the related accruals. This
control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004 interim or annual
consolidated financial statements. |
Each of these control deficiencies could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts
or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the interim or annual
consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly,
management has determined that each of the control deficiencies described above constitutes a
material weakness.
| 4) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over access to programs and data.
Specifically, certain of the Companys personnel had unrestricted access to various financial
application programs and data beyond the requirements of their individual job
responsibilities. Furthermore, there were no effective controls in place to monitor user
access. Additionally, the Companys automated controls were not effective for restricting
access to information technology modules for: (i) accounts payable; (ii) financial reporting;
(iii) payroll; (iv) inventory; (v) debt; (vi) fixed assets; (vii) investments; (viii) critical
spreadsheets; (ix) revenue; and (x) journal entries. Furthermore, inadequate system design
within the general ledger application permitted users to post adjustments to prior periods
without authorization. This control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004
interim or annual consolidated financial statements. However, this control deficiency could
result in a misstatement of accounts and disclosures, including those disclosed above, that
would result in a material misstatement to the interim or annual consolidated financial
statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management has determined
that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness. |
| 5) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over segregation of duties. Specifically,
certain key financial accounting and reporting personnel had incompatible duties that allowed
the creation, review, and processing of financial data |
22
| |
|
without independent review and
authorization for: (i) accounts payable; (ii) payroll; (iii) debt; (iv) fixed assets; (v)
investments; and (vi) inventory. This control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments
to the 2004 interim or annual consolidated financial statements. However, this control
deficiency could result in a misstatement of accounts and disclosures that would result in a
material misstatement to the interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would
not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management has determined that this control
deficiency constitutes a material weakness. |
Our
evaluation of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2004 is substantially complete. However,
as we finalize our assessment of control deficiencies we may
identify additional deficiencies and conclude that those deficiencies,
either individually or in combination with others, constitute one or more additional material weaknesses.
MANAGEMENTS REMEDIATION INITIATIVES
The Company is implementing enhancements and changes to its internal control over financial
reporting to provide reasonable assurance that errors and control deficiencies will not recur. For
the most part, these remediation initiatives began in 2005 and represent the Companys plan to
remediate the material weaknesses identified above, with some of the remediation plans impacting
only one material weakness, while other remediation plans will, after their implementation, remedy
several of the material weaknesses after their implementation.
| |
i. |
|
The Company recognizes the importance of the control environment as it sets the
overall tone for the organization and is the foundation for all other components of
internal control. Consequently, remediation programs have begun to eliminate the
material weaknesses related to the Companys control environment that is inclusive of
Information Technology General Controls (ITGC). The remediation programs that have
been initiated are as follows: |
| |
a) |
|
The Company has enhanced the competence of the organization by hiring
staff competent in accounting, regulatory affairs, and network operations. The
Company will continue to enhance its financial accounting and
reporting competencies by recruiting additional qualified
staff and further developing its existing staff by reinforcing
existing continuing education programs. In September, 2005, the Company
initiated the first phase of a reorganization to improve operating efficiencies and
financial reporting functionality. |
| |
| |
b) |
|
The Company recognizes the importance of its ITGC and their use as an
effective tool for managing and controlling processes that affect the financial
reporting process. Consequently, and to eliminate existing material weaknesses,
management has implemented procedures to enhance controls over the change management
process. Additionally, the Company is in the process of upgrading its overall
system security with final implementation scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2005.
Furthermore, the Company has issued an RFP for the purpose of simultaneously
upgrading its Operating Support System and integrating it with the Financial
Reporting system. The system is scheduled for implementation by the third quarter
of 2006, and through this automation, the Company will reduce the number of manual
controls that have been identified as material weaknesses and advance the
maturation of its control environment. |
| |
ii. |
|
The Company recognizes the importance of having staff with
the competencies
required for the accurate interpretation and application of generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP); for having effective internal controls
over financial reporting; and for
establishing the appropriate policies and procedures to assure timely, accurate, and reliable financial
information. Consequently management has initiated the following
remediation programs to address the identified material weaknesses: |
| |
a) |
|
The Company has been and continues to be in the process of remediating
those material weaknesses related to the inappropriate application of GAAP by: |
| |
i) |
|
Contracting with qualified telecommunications industry tax
specialists to
assist the company with its preparation, filing, and related accounting for all
elements of taxation at both the state and federal levels; |
| |
| |
ii) |
|
Hiring a new CFO in January 2005 and recruiting additional
financial resources to provide the appropriate level of accounting
competency; |
| |
| |
iii) |
|
Initiating the search to hire a qualified firm by the fourth
quarter of 2005 to establish an internal audit function that meets professional
standards; |
23
| |
iv) |
|
Establishing documented procedures to effectively manage the
Companys equity investments; and |
| |
| |
v) |
|
Improve the revenue recognition function at the Company by: |
| |
(1) |
|
Reorganizing and providing the appropriate training to
personnel responsible for managing the various revenue cycles; |
| |
| |
(2) |
|
Implementing the appropriate controls for the independent
review and approval of the processes related to service activation, customer
payments and applications, customer billing adjustments and write-offs,
service orders, or rates and the related financial reporting; |
| |
| |
(3) |
|
Contracting with a service provider to automate invoice
generation and distribution as well as collection and account application with
an implementation date scheduled for the fourth quarter 2005; and |
| |
| |
(4) |
|
Beginning the search for someone to fill the newly created
staff position Manager of Revenue Assurance. |
| |
b) |
|
The Company is in the process of remediating material weaknesses in its
internal controls related to the period-end financial reporting process that have
the potential of preventing the accurate preparation and review of the Companys
consolidated financial statements in future financial periods. The Companys
planned remediation includes: |
| |
i) |
|
Implementing processes and procedures to perform the necessary
analysis, critical review, approval, and reconciliation of journal entries and
account balances; |
| |
| |
ii) |
|
Establishing procedures for period end cut-offs, including, but
not limited to, identifying and recognizing all incurred liabilities; |
| |
| |
iii) |
|
Increasing supervisory review of the consolidation process in
anticipation of implementing an automated consolidation process by the first
quarter of 2006; |
| |
| |
iv) |
|
Contracting with a service provider to automate and integrate the
Payroll process with final implementation scheduled for October 2005; |
| |
| |
v) |
|
Establishing a Disclosure Committee composed of senior officers
with responsibility for overseeing the accuracy and timeliness of disclosures
made by the Company; and |
| |
| |
vi) |
|
In anticipation of an IT system conversion outlined in Section i(b)
above, and for those processes where automation will not occur, implementing
controls to ensure that spreadsheets used in the period-end financial reporting
process are appropriately managed. |
| |
iii. |
|
The Company recognizes the importance of segregating duties to maximize its
ability to detect and prevent fraud. The Companys remediation process for this
function includes the following: |
| |
a) |
|
Implementation of the new IT system as outlined in section i(b) above,
which is expected to address certain of the material weaknesses related to
improper segregation of duties in the current manual processes; and |
| |
| |
b) |
|
In anticipation of the implementation of the new IT system,
management is establishing
manual controls to segregate the duties associated with the creation, critical
review, approval, and reconciliation of transactions related to the financial
reporting process. |
| |
iv. |
|
The Company recognizes that only those personnel with the
appropriate authorization should have access to the programs and processes that
ultimately affect financial reporting. The Company is in the process of remediating
related material weaknesses by establishing and enforcing authorization procedures for
limiting access to those functions that have an affect on financial reporting. In
conjunction with the authorization process, the Company is
upgrading security in its IT system by electronically restricting access to only
authorized personnel. |
24
Part III.
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
The following is a list of the names, ages and backgrounds of our current Board of Directors
and nominees, all of whom serve until the expiration of their term and are subject to re-election
at the next Annual Meeting of the Companys shareholders following the expiration of their
respective terms.
Wisner H. Buckbee, 68, is Chairman of the Board and a Director since 1991. Mr. Buckbee has
been President of Wisner Farms, Inc. an operating dairy farm since before 2000.
Philip
S. Demarest, 69, has been a Director since 1964. Mr. Demarest served as Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Company at various times until his retirement in 1998.
Fred M. Knipp, 74, has been a Director since 1989. Mr. Knipp was President of the Company
from 1988 until his retirement in January of 2000.
Joseph E. Deluca, M.D., 54, has been a Director since 1993. Mr. Deluca is a physician and has
been President of Vernon Urgent Care Center in Vernon, NJ since before 2000.
Corinna Lewis, 66, has been a Director since 1994 and is a retired public relations
consultant.
Herbert Gareiss, Jr., 59, has been President of the Company since July 2004 and has been a
Director since 1998. Mr. Gareiss served as Assistant Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President of
the Company at various times between 1980 and the time he became President.
Robert
J. DeValentino, 62, has been a Director since 1998. Mr. DeValentino has been President
of Orange Regional Medical Center Foundation since 2003, and was President/Executive Director of
Arden Hill/Horton Healthcare Foundations from 2001 to 2003 and Executive Director of the Horton
Healthcare Foundation from 1998-2001. Prior to 1998, Mr. DeValentino held management positions
with Citizens Communications.
Rafael Collado, 51, has been a Director since 2003. Mr. Collado has been Chairman and CEO of
Phacil, Inc. an information technology company since 2000. Prior to 2000, Mr. Collado, was an
engineer and IT systems expert, specializing in the development of technologies for
telecommunications and IT industries.
Joseph
J. Morrow, 66, has been a Director since December 2004. Mr. Morrow is founder and
President of Morrow and Co., Inc., a proxy solicitation, corporate governance and strategic
consulting firm, and has been non-executive Chairman of the Board of North American Galvanizing
Coatings, Inc. since before 2000.
The Company has a separately designated Audit Committee established in accordance with Section
3(a) (58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The following Board members serve on the
Audit Committee: Philip S. Demarest, Fred Knipp, Wisner H. Buckbee, Corinna S. Lewis, Joseph E.
Deluca, Robert J. DeValentino, and Rafael Collado. Philip S. Demarest is the Chairman of the Audit
Committee; the Companys Board of Directors has determined that he is an audit committee financial
expert. The members of the Audit Committee are independent as that term is used in Item
7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Ethics and Values
The Company has a code of ethics that applies to all employees (including its principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, controller and persons performing similar
functions) and members of the Board of Directors and is based upon the philosophy that each
director and each executive officer will lead by example and foster a culture that emphasizes
trust, integrity, honesty, judgment, respect, managerial courage and responsibility. It is
expected that each director and every employee will act ethically at all times and adhere to the
policies, as well as the spirit of the code. The Company will provide to any shareholder a copy of
the code, without charge, upon written request to Zigmund Nowicki, Secretary, at Warwick Valley
Telephone Company, P.O. Box 592, Warwick, New York 10990.
25
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based
upon a review of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 submitted to the Company
during or with respect to calendar year 2004 and upon a review of the
records available to it, the Company believes that all such reports were filed
on time except for a Form 4 filed June 27, 2005 by Mr. Collado and except a
Form 5 filed February 14, 2005, and amended April 20,
2005, and a Form 4/A filed September 28, 2005, by Mrs.
Lewis.
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Shown on the table below is information on the compensation for services rendered to the
Company in all capacities, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, paid by the
Company to those persons who were, at the end of the year ended December 31, 2004, the President of
the Company and the other executive officers of the Company (collectively, the Named Executives):
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
|
|
|
| Name and |
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
All Other |
|
| Principal Position |
|
|
Year |
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Compensation* |
|
| |
M. Lynn Pike |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
218,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,924 |
|
President and Director |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
216,365 |
|
|
$ |
11,748 |
|
|
$ |
21,401 |
|
January 2000 to June 2004 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
210,384 |
|
|
$ |
4,142 |
|
|
$ |
18,524 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbert Gareiss, Jr. |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
181,596 |
|
|
$ |
10,200 |
|
|
$ |
19,138 |
|
President and Director |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
169,448 |
|
|
$ |
9,046 |
|
|
$ |
21,695 |
|
June 2004 to Present |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
163,434 |
|
|
$ |
3,238 |
|
|
$ |
19,318 |
|
Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From 1990 to June 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Larry D. Drake |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
169,500 |
|
|
$ |
6,200 |
|
|
$ |
14,188 |
|
Vice President |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
167,865 |
|
|
$ |
7,381 |
|
|
$ |
13,182 |
|
August, 1998 to July 2005 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
161,884 |
|
|
$ |
3,209 |
|
|
$ |
11,781 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip A. Grybas |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
136,578 |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,628 |
|
Vice President and |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
167,865 |
|
|
$ |
9,031 |
|
|
$ |
10,846 |
|
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
161,884 |
|
|
$ |
3,209 |
|
|
$ |
11,507 |
|
August 2001 to October 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brenda A. Schadt |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
139,100 |
|
|
$ |
4,200 |
|
|
$ |
11,689 |
|
Vice President |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
137,760 |
|
|
$ |
6,298 |
|
|
$ |
10,783 |
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
132,384 |
|
|
$ |
2,642 |
|
|
$ |
6,640 |
|
|
|
|
| * All Other Compensation includes
Directors Fees, 401(k) Match, and premiums paid for Group Term Life Insurance. |
No amounts are shown that would constitute Other Annual Compensation since perquisites and other
personal benefits (the only relevant type of compensation to be shown under that category in the
case of the Company) did not exceed, for any Named Executive, 10 percent of the sum of that Named
Executives gross salary and bonus.
As
previously reported, in September 2005, the Company entered into an
agreement with Mr. Larry Drake, the Companys former Vice
President of Operations and Technology, whose position was phased out
on July 13, 2005. Mr. Drake will receive a separation
benefit of $98,863.97 and a supplemental separation benefit of
$153,962.29 and be permitted to retain certain office equipment and
related benefits.
26
Compensation of Directors
During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company paid Directors $450, and the Chairman
$675, for each regular, special or independent Directors meeting. In July of 2004, the Board
abolished the practice of paying fees to Company employees that are also Directors. During the year
ended December 31, 2004 fees paid to Directors for Board meetings totaled $68,625. Non-employee
Board committee members also receive $225 per committee meeting. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004, fees paid to Directors for Committee meetings aggregated $18,000. The Company
had no other compensation arrangements with employee or non-employee Directors during the year
ended December 31, 2004.
Management Retirement Plan
The Companys Management Retirement Plan (the Plan) covers all management employees over the
age of 21 who have completed one year of eligible service. The Plan benefits are fully vested after
five years of service. Normal retirement under the plan is at age 60. An employees accumulated
monthly retirement benefit equals either: (1) 2-1/2% times years of service times average monthly
earnings (maximum benefit not to exceed the lesser of 25% of average monthly earnings on a monthly
basis or $10,800 annually); or (2) 1% times years of service times average monthly earnings.
Average monthly earnings, for plan purposes, for the Named Executives who are entitled to receive plan benefits are as follows: Herbert
Gareiss, Jr. $16,668, Larry D. Drake $14,125, Brenda Schadt $11,592 and M. Lynn Pike $18,167.
Retirement benefits for
employees hired prior to December 1, 1985 are determined by using the calculation that results in
the highest amount. Retirement benefits for employees hired on or after December 1, 1985 are
calculated by using the second method. Twenty-four years of benefit service are currently credited
to Herbert Gareiss, Jr., six years of benefit service are currently credited to Larry D. Drake,
forty-two years of benefit service are currently credited to Brenda A. Schadt, and five years of
benefit service are currently credited to M. Lynn Pike. Mr. Grybas has no eligible benefit service
as a result of his departure from the Company prior to attaining five years of employment service.
Average monthly earnings equal the highest average earnings per month during any three consecutive
twelve-month periods within the last ten twelve-month periods immediately preceding retirement. The
Plan does not provide for any deductions for social security benefits received. If a management
participant has compensation over $200,000, any benefits due in excess of this limit would not be
payable from the qualified plan but in a non-qualified arrangement.
In November 2004, the Board approved managements recommendation to modify the Plan effective
February 28, 2005. As a result of this modification, the accrual of pension benefits for eligible
employees ceased as of that date, and the total accrued benefit earned to that point was increased by
25%. In addition, employees must have been employed for a minimum of one year in order to be
included in the Plan; therefore any management employee hired on or after March 1, 2004 is not
eligible for a pension under the Plan. The Board also removed the mandatory retirement requirement
for executives who reach age 65.
Annual benefits payable at age 60 to Plan participants are illustrated in the following table,
which reflects the 25% accrued benefit increase:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Average Annual Salary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| During Highest Paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Period of Three |
|
|
Annual Retirement Benefits |
|
| Consecutive Years |
|
|
Years of Benefit Service |
|
| |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
$130,000 |
|
|
8,125 |
|
|
|
16,250 |
|
|
|
24,375 |
|
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
|
48,750 |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
73,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$150,000 |
|
|
9,375 |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
28,125 |
|
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
56,250 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
84,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$170,000 |
|
|
10,625 |
|
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
31,875 |
|
|
|
42,500 |
|
|
|
63,750 |
|
|
|
85,000 |
|
|
|
95,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$190,000 |
|
|
11,875 |
|
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
35,625 |
|
|
|
47,500 |
|
|
|
71,250 |
|
|
|
95,000 |
|
|
|
106,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$210,000 |
|
|
13,125 |
|
|
|
26,250 |
|
|
|
39,375 |
|
|
|
52,500 |
|
|
|
78,750 |
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
|
|
118,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$230,000 |
|
|
14,375 |
|
|
|
28,750 |
|
|
|
43,125 |
|
|
|
57,500 |
|
|
|
86,250 |
|
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
129,375 |
|
27
REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE WITH RESPECT TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Compensations Philosophy and Policy
The Company believes that compensation should reward executives whose results enable the
Company to achieve its vision. To achieve this result, the Committee looks at the performance of
each executive, the Companys financial results and competitive needs. At present, no specific
financial goals are set that have to be achieved before any particular amount of compensation is
paid to any executive officer.
The Compensation Committee reviews all components of the CEOs and the other Named Executives
compensation, including the salary, bonus, and other individual or Company-wide benefit programs.
The Company generally does not grant its executive officers, equity-based
and other long-term incentive compensation such as stock options, restricted stock gains, stock
grants, deferred compensation, employment contracts, and change-in-control contracts. The Committee
believes that the combination of salary, bonus and certain benefits that Company offers are ample
to motivate key executives to enhance the strategic well being of the Company, to maximize
shareholder value, and to attract and retain the highest caliber executives. However, the Committee
reviews from time to time the incentives that may be necessary to attract or retain key executives
and may determine at any time to change its policies with regard to one or more of the types of
incentives described above.
Committee Process
At the first Committee meeting the CEOs proposed compensation is presented, reviewed and
analyzed in the context of all components of his compensation. Members then have additional time
between meetings to ask for additional information, and to raise and discuss further questions. The
discussion is continued at a second Committee meeting, after which a vote is taken. Once the
Compensation Committee has reached its decision, a recommendation is presented for approval at the
next Board meeting.
In the process of reviewing each component separately and in the aggregate, the Committee directs
the Companys Human Resource Department to prepare a schedule showing internal pay equity within
the Company. The schedule shows the relationship between management level compensation within the
Company (e.g. between the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer, and other Named Executives) and then
between the CEO and the next level of non-executive officer management. The comparison includes all
components of compensation as previously described both individually and in aggregate. In
addition, the committee annually reviews executive compensation amounts and plans offered at
companies of similar size and business focus within the telecommunications industry.
Committees Conclusion
Based on this review the Committee finds the CEOs and the other Named Executives total
compensation in the aggregate to be reasonable and not excessive. It should be noted that when the
Committee considered any component of the CEOs and other Named Executives total compensation, the
aggregate amounts and mix of all the components are taken into consideration in the Committees
decisions. The Committee believes that the relative difference between the CEO compensation and the
Companys other executives has not increased significantly over the past decade.
| |
|
|
|
|
Corinna S. Lewis |
|
|
Fred M. Knipp |
|
|
Robert J. DeValentino |
This
report of the Compensation Committee is issued over the names of the
Directors who were members of the Committee at the time the report was
prepared.
28
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
This graph shows, as a percentage, the Companys cumulative total shareholder return, assuming
reinvestment of dividends, compared against the Russell 2000, a widely regarded stock market index
representing 2000 small cap companies and a peer group consisting of D&E Communications, Inc.,
Hector Communications, Inc., Hickory Tech Corporation, North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc. and
Shenandoah Telecommunications. A variety of factors may be used in order to assess a corporations
performance. This Stock Price Performance Graph, which reflects the Companys total return against
the Russell 2000 and a peer group of telecommunications companies, reflects one such method. The
shareholder return values for the Company included in the graph for years ended 2000, 2001, 2002,
2003 and 2004 were established by using the closing price on the last days in December on which the
Companys Common Stock traded, which were December 26, 2000, December 31, 2001, December 31, 2002,
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
(Growth Chart Value of $100 Investment)
29
|
|
|
| Item 12. |
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS. |
The following table sets forth, as of September 26, 2005 certain information concerning shares
of the Companys capital stock held by: (i) each shareholder known by the Company to own
beneficially more than 5% of a class of the Companys outstanding equity securities (including
401(k) shares); (ii) each Director of the Company; (iii) each Named Executive (see Executive
Compensation for a list of their names); and (iv) all Directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Amount & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nature |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
of Beneficial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name of |
|
|
|
|
|
Ownership |
|
|
|
|
Percent |
| Beneficial Owner |
|
Address |
|
Title of Class |
|
(Shares) |
|
|
Notes |
|
of Class |
| |
Julia S. Barry |
|
20 Fairview Ave, Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
361,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
6.75 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julia S. Barry |
|
20 Fairview Ave, Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
5% Preferred |
|
|
143 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.86 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wisner H. Buckbee |
|
64B Upper Wisner Rd, Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
17,742 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.33 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wisner H. Buckbee |
|
64B Upper Wisner Rd, Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
5% Preferred |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.80 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rafael Collado |
|
4908 Windbrooke Ct., Virginia Beach, VA 23462 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph E. DeLuca, M.D. |
|
5 Stone Ridge Rd., Sussex, NJ 07461 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
0.13 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip S. Demarest |
|
10 Crescent Ave., Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
25,298 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
0.47 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip S. Demarest |
|
10 Crescent Ave., Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
5% Preferred |
|
|
10 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
0.20 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert J. De Valentino |
|
44 Jackson Ave., Middletown, NY 10940 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
1,900 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
0.04 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Larry D. Drake |
|
10 Patriot Way, Glenwood, NJ 07418 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbert Gareiss, Jr. |
|
267 Bellvale Lakes Rd., Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
41,212 |
|
|
1,3 |
|
|
0.77 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbert Gareiss, Jr. |
|
267 Bellvale Lakes Rd., Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
5% Preferred |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.28 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip A. Grybas |
|
6440 Fairway Ct., Auburn, CA 95602 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fred M. Knipp |
|
15 Almond Tree Lane, Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
42,779 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
0.80 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fred M. Knipp |
|
15 Almond Tree Lane, Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
5% Preferred |
|
|
85 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1.70 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corinna S. Lewis |
|
PO Box 318, Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
132,462 |
|
|
1,2 |
|
|
2.50 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corinna S. Lewis |
|
PO Box 318, Warwick, NY 10990 |
|
5% Preferred |
|
|
110 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
2.20 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph J. Morrow |
|
7 Close Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.06 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Lynn Pike |
|
7956 S. 90th East Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74133 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brenda A. Schadt |
|
164 Bushville Rd., Westown, NY 10998 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
18,576 |
|
|
1,3 |
|
|
0.35 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brenda A. Schadt |
|
164 Bushville Rd., Westown, NY 10998 |
|
5% Preferred |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.10 |
% |
Total Directors and Executive Officers as a group (13 persons): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
289,970 |
|
|
|
|
|
5.42 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Preferred Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
|
|
5.28 |
% |
|
|
|
| 1. |
|
Includes shares held by/with spouse and/or children |
| |
| 2. |
|
Mrs. Lewis is one of three trustees in two trusts which hold in aggregate 122,100 Common Shares for the benefit of someone other than Mrs. Lewis, and she disclaims
beneficial ownership of these securities. All decisions regarding any Company shares held by the Trusts have been delegated to the other trustees and their advisors, to be made without consultation with Mrs. Lewis.
|
| |
| 3. |
|
Includes shares indirectly held in the Companys 401(k) plan. |
| |
| 4. |
|
Mrs. Lewis is one of three trustees in two trusts which hold in aggregate 95, 5% Preferred
Shares for the benefit of someone other than Mrs. Lewis, and she disclaims beneficial ownership
of these securities. All decisions regarding any Company shares held by the Trusts have been delegated to the other trustees and their advisors, to be made without consultation with Mrs. Lewis. |
| |
| |
|
As of September 26, 2005, the only holder of more than 5% of the Companys Common Shares known to
the Company was Julia S. Barry , Warwick, NY 10990, who holds 361,020 shares (6.75%). |
30
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The Company paid approximately $247, $294 and $494 during 2004, 2003, and 2002 to John W.
Sanford & Son, Inc., the President and Chief Operating Officer of which is the brother of Corinna
S. Lewis, a Director of the Company. These amounts were paid as premiums on various insurance
policies maintained by the Company. The portion of these amounts that represents a commission to
John W. Sanford & Son, Inc. was less than $200. The Company believes that the transactions with
John W. Sanford & Son, Inc. are on terms as favorable as those available from unaffiliated third
parties.
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Audit Fees
For professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Companys annual
financial statements for 2004, reviews of the financial statements included in the Companys
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2004, and work
associated with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed the
Company fees in an aggregate amount of $1,189 in 2004 and $192 in 2003, respectively. No other
audit fees were paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The Audit Committee has concluded that the
provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the independence of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
For professional services rendered in connection with the review of the Companys restated
2003 Form 10-K/A, Bush & Germain, the Companys previous auditor, was paid $6. The fee for its
professional services rendered in connection with the review of the Companys quarterly statements
for March 31, 2003 on Form 10-Q was included in its fees for 2002. Audit fees paid to Bush &
Germain in 2002 totaled $36.
Tax Fees
For professional services rendered in connection with the Companys federal and state income
tax preparation for December 31, 2003, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP billed the Company $113. The
Company has not yet paid any fees related to 2004 tax compliance.
Audit Related Fees
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP billed the Company aggregate fees in the amount of $36 for
professional services rendered in connection with the 2003 Annual Report on Form 11-K of the
Companys 401(k) plan. In addition Bush & Germain, the plans previous auditors, billed the Company
$9 for their review of prior years financial information included in the 2003 Annual Report. Also,
WithumSmith+Brown, P.C. billed the Company $45 for services rendered in connection with the 2004 Annual
Report on 11-K of the Companys 401(k) plan and an audit of the Companys Non-management VEBA Plan.
The Audit Committee pre-approves all non-audit work performed for the Company by its
independent auditors. It considers each item of work individually and in advance of its
performance and does not currently have a pre-established set of criteria that could be applied to
such work without requiring separate consideration by the Audit Committee. No work was performed
for the Company pursuant to any waiver of pre-approval requirements. In determining whether to
approve a particular item of non-audit work, the Audit Committee considers all ways in which such
work could compromise or appear to compromise the independence of the Companys independent
auditors.
31
Part IV.
Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
| (a) |
|
The following items are filed as part of this Annual Report: |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Page |
1.
|
|
Financial Statements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP-December 31, 2004 and 2003
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
Report of Independent Auditor
Bush & Germain, PC-December 31, 2002
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Income-Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets-December 31, 2004 and 2003
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows-Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity-Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
44-60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
|
|
Financial Statement Schedules |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
Exhibits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Index to Exhibits
|
|
|
63 |
|
32
3. Exhibits
| |
|
|
|
|
| Exhibit No. |
|
Description of Exhibit |
|
Reference |
3(a)
|
|
Articles of Incorporation,
as amended
|
|
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3(i) to the Companys
Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for September 2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
3(b)
|
|
By-Laws
|
|
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3(b) to the Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-K
for 2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
4(a)
|
|
Form of Common Shares
Certificate, as amended
|
|
Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4 to the Companys
Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for September 2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
4(b)
|
|
CoBank Loan Agreement
|
|
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(d) to the Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-K
for 2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Warwick Valley Telephone Company
Code of Ethics
|
|
Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 14 to the
Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K for 2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
Significant Subsidiaries of Registrant
|
|
Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 21 to the
Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K for 2003 |
31.1
|
|
Rule 13a -14(a)/15d-14(a)
Certification signed by Herbert Gareiss, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Filed herewith |
|
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Rule 13a -14(a)/15d-14(a)
Certification signed by Michael Cutler
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Filed herewith |
|
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 signed
by Herbert Gareiss, Jr.-Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Filed herewith |
|
|
|
|
|
99
|
|
Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership
Financial Statements as of December 31, 2004
and 2003 and for the years ended December 31,
2004,
2003 and 2002
|
|
Filed herewith |
|
|
|
|
|
33
| |
|
|
|
|
| Exhibit No. |
|
Description of Exhibit |
|
Reference |
32.2
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 signed
by Michael Cutler-Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Filed herewith |
34
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY |
|
|
|
|
|
Dated:
September 30, 2005 |
|
/s/ Herbert Gareiss, Jr. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbert Gareiss, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities indicated and
on the 30th day of September, 2005.
| |
|
|
| Signature |
|
Title |
| |
| |
/s/
Michael Cutler |
|
Vice President and Treasurer |
| |
|
|
Michael Cutler
|
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
/s/ Fred M. Knipp
|
|
Director |
| |
|
|
Fred M. Knipp |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Wisner H. Buckbee
|
|
Director |
| |
|
|
Wisner H. Buckbee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
| |
|
|
Rafael Collado |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Joseph E. DeLuca
|
|
Director |
| |
|
|
Joseph E. DeLuca |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Philip S. Demarest
|
|
Director |
| |
|
|
Philip S. Demarest |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert J. DeValentino
|
|
Director |
| |
|
|
Robert J. DeValentino |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Corinna S. Lewis
|
|
Director |
| |
|
|
Corinna S. Lewis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
| |
|
|
Joseph J. Morrow |
|
|
35
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of Warwick Valley Telephone Company:
We were engaged to perform an integrated audit of Warwick Valley Telephone Companys 2004 consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2004 in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). We have audited the Companys 2004 and 2003 consolidated financial
statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, based on our audits of those
consolidated financial statements, is presented below. However, as explained more fully below, the
scope of our work was not sufficient to enable us to express, and we do not express, an opinion on
the effectiveness of Warwick Valley Telephone Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2004.
Consolidated Financial Statements
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders equity and cash
flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Warwick Valley Telephone
Company and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited
Partnership (the O-P Partnership), an investment that was reflected in the consolidated financial
statements using the equity method of accounting. The investment in O-P Partnership
represented 4% and 6% of total assets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and 81% and
79% of income before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The financial statements of O-P Partnership were audited by other auditors whose report thereon has
been furnished to us, and our opinion expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the amounts
included for O-P Partnership, is based solely on the report of the other auditors. We conducted
our audits of the Companys financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has restated its consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2003.
As disclosed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its accounting for
asset retirement costs as of January 1, 2003.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company has not reported on its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting. Because management did not report on its assessment, the scope of our work was not sufficient to enable us to express,
and we do not express, an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2004.
A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results
in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial
statements will not be prevented or detected. Although management has not reported on its
assessment of the effectiveness of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, management has
identified the following material weaknesses as of December 31, 2004.
| 1) |
|
The Company did not maintain an effective control environment. Specifically, the financial reporting organizational structure
was not adequate to support the activities of the Company. Furthermore, the information
technology infrastructure was not adequate to support the Companys financial accounting and
reporting responsibilities. This control deficiency contributed to the material weaknesses
described below. This control deficiency also contributed to the restatement of |
36
| |
|
the Companys 2003 and 2002 annual consolidated financial statements and the interim consolidated financial statements for
the first quarter of 2004. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a
misstatement of accounts and disclosures, including those disclosed below, that would result
in a material misstatement to interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would
not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management determined that this control deficiency
constitutes a material weakness. |
| 2) |
|
The Company did not maintain a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level
of accounting knowledge, experience and training in the selection and application of generally
accepted accounting principles (GAAP) commensurate with the Companys financial reporting
requirements. Specifically, the Companys finance and accounting staff did not possess the
appropriate skills, training and experience in the application of GAAP to meet their
responsibilities. This control deficiency contributed to the individual material weaknesses
described in a) through c) below. |
| |
a) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of
service revenue and accounts receivable. Specifically, the Companys controls over the completeness and accuracy of: (i)
service activation and service order initiation; (ii) customer billing adjustments
including write-offs; (iii) development and maintenance of billing rates; and (iv) approval
and processing of customer payments, credits and other customer account applications were
not effective. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of the Companys 2003 and 2002 annual consolidated financial statements and the interim consolidated financial statements
for the first quarter of 2004 and audit adjustments to the 2004 annual consolidated
financial statements. |
| |
| |
b) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the accounting for equity-method
investments in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, the Company did not have effective
controls over the completeness and accuracy of recording its share of loss on an
equity investment, the recording of a gain on the disposition of an equity investment in
the appropriate period or the presentation of the related cash flows in the consolidated
financial statements. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement the Companys
2003 and 2002 annual consolidated financial statements and audit adjustments to
investments, deferred gains and gain on the sale of investments in the Companys 2004
annual consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
c) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the accounting for income taxes.
Specifically, the Company did not have effective controls over the completeness and
accuracy of the income tax basis and the financial reporting basis of assets and
liabilities for the determination of deferred income taxes and the related deferred tax
provision. In addition, the Company did not have controls over the completeness and
accuracy of current income taxes payable and the related provision. This control
deficiency resulted in audit adjustments to the Companys 2004 annual consolidated
financial statements. |
| |
|
Each of these control deficiencies could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts
or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the interim or annual
consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly,
management has determined that each of the control deficiencies described above constitutes a
material weakness. |
| |
| 3) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the period-end financial reporting
process. Specifically, the Company lacked policies, procedures and controls for the
preparation and review of the interim and annual consolidated financial statements and
supporting schedules. This control deficiency
contributed to the individual material weaknesses described in a) through e) below. |
| |
a) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the preparation, review, and
approval of significant account reconciliations and journal entries. Specifically, the Company did not maintain
effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of supporting schedules and
underlying data for: (i) accounts payable; (ii) inventory and the related valuation
reserves; (iii) payroll expense and the related accruals; (iv) fixed assets and the related
depreciation accounts; and (v) debt and the related interest expense. This control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004 interim or
annual consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
b) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of
period-end accruals. Specifically, accounts payable and accrued expenses related to
utilities and professional fees were not timely identified and recorded in the proper
period. This control deficiency resulted in audit adjustments to the Companys 2004 annual
consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
c) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the period-end consolidation process.
Specifically, the Company lacked controls to ensure all required consolidation entries were
identified, analyzed and approved prior to being recorded in the consolidation schedules.
This control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004 interim or annual
consolidated financial statements. |
37
| |
d) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over the preparation and review of the
consolidated interim and annual financial statements. Specifically, the Company did not
have effective controls over the process for identifying and accumulating all required
supporting information to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying footnote disclosures and to ensure the balances
reported in the consolidated financial statements reconciled to the underlying supporting
schedules and analyses. This control deficiency resulted in audit adjustments to the 2004
annual consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| |
e) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over certain spreadsheets utilized in
the period-end financial reporting process. Specifically, the Company lacked effective
controls related to the completeness, accuracy, validity, and restricted access of
spreadsheets related to: (i) earnings per share; (ii) journal entries; (iii) revenue
and the related receivables; and (iv) payroll expense and the related accruals. This
control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004 interim or annual
consolidated financial statements. |
| |
|
Each of these control deficiencies could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts
or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the interim or annual
consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly,
management has determined that each of the control deficiencies described above constitutes a
material weakness. |
| |
| 4) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over access to programs and data.
Specifically, certain of the Companys personnel had unrestricted access to various financial
application programs and data beyond the requirements of their individual job
responsibilities. Furthermore, there were no effective controls in place to monitor user
access. Additionally, the Companys automated controls were not effective for restricting
access to information technology modules for: (i) accounts payable; (ii) financial reporting;
(iii) payroll; (iv) inventory; (v) debt; (vi) fixed assets; (vii) investments; (viii) critical
spreadsheets; (ix) revenue; and (x) journal entries. Furthermore, inadequate system design
within the general ledger application permitted users to post adjustments to prior periods
without authorization. This control deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004
interim or annual consolidated financial statements. However, this control deficiency could
result in a misstatement of accounts and disclosures, including those disclosed above, that
would result in a material misstatement to the interim or annual consolidated financial
statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management has determined
that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness. |
| |
| 5) |
|
The Company did not maintain effective controls over segregation of duties. Specifically,
certain key financial accounting and reporting personnel had incompatible duties that allowed
the creation, review, and processing of financial data without independent review and
authorization for: (i) accounts payable; (ii)
payroll; (iii) debt; (iv) fixed assets; (v) investments; and (vi) inventory. This control
deficiency did not result in audit adjustments to the 2004 interim or annual consolidated
financial statements. However, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of
accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the interim or annual
consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly,
management has determined that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness. |
The existence of one or more material weaknesses as of December 31, 2004 would preclude a
conclusion that the Companys internal control over financial reporting was effective as of that date.
These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit
tests applied in our audit of the 2004 consolidated financial statements, and our disclaimer of
opinion regarding the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting does
not affect our opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
September 29, 2005
38
BUSH & GERMAIN, PC
Certified Public Accountants
901 Lodi Street
Syracuse, New York 13203
phone: (315) 424-1145
fax: (315) 424-1457
To The Board of Directors
Warwick Valley Telephone Company
P.O. Box 592
Warwick, New York 10990
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, shareholders equity and
cash flows of Warwick Valley Telephone Company for the year ended December 31, 2002. Our audit
also includes the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our
audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with U.S. generally accepted auditing standards. Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Warwick Valley Telephone Company for
the year ended December 31, 2002 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 2, the Company has restated its consolidated financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.
As disclosed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, Warwick Valley Telephone
Company adopted the equity method of accounting for one of its investments in 2003, which had
previously been recorded under the cost method.
/s/ Bush & Germain, P.C.
Syracuse, New York
January 30, 2003
39
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local network service |
|
$ |
4,070 |
|
|
$ |
4,075 |
|
|
$ |
4,140 |
|
Network access service |
|
|
9,284 |
|
|
|
9,854 |
|
|
|
9,134 |
|
Long distance services |
|
|
3,785 |
|
|
|
3,766 |
|
|
|
3,946 |
|
Directory advertising |
|
|
1,452 |
|
|
|
1,429 |
|
|
|
1,318 |
|
Online services |
|
|
6,913 |
|
|
|
6,699 |
|
|
|
6,330 |
|
Other services and sales |
|
|
2,174 |
|
|
|
2,826 |
|
|
|
2,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total operating revenues |
|
$ |
27,678 |
|
|
$ |
28,649 |
|
|
$ |
27,547 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant specific |
|
$ |
4,317 |
|
|
$ |
4,738 |
|
|
$ |
4,328 |
|
Plant non-specific: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation & amortization |
|
|
5,270 |
|
|
|
4,901 |
|
|
|
3,991 |
|
Other |
|
|
3,271 |
|
|
|
2,846 |
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
Customer operations |
|
|
4,698 |
|
|
|
4,483 |
|
|
|
4,203 |
|
Corporate operations |
|
|
5,790 |
|
|
|
4,562 |
|
|
|
3,887 |
|
Cost of services and sales |
|
|
1,866 |
|
|
|
2,470 |
|
|
|
2,242 |
|
Property, revenue and payroll taxes |
|
|
1,352 |
|
|
|
1,472 |
|
|
|
1,560 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total operating expenses |
|
$ |
26,564 |
|
|
$ |
25,472 |
|
|
$ |
22,436 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
$ |
1,114 |
|
|
$ |
3,177 |
|
|
$ |
5,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income (Expenses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income (expense), net of capitalized interest |
|
$ |
(292 |
) |
|
$ |
(414 |
) |
|
$ |
(344 |
) |
Income from equity method investments |
|
|
10,208 |
|
|
|
8,846 |
|
|
|
6,733 |
|
Gain on sale of investment |
|
|
2,490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other expense |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(80 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total other income |
|
$ |
12,391 |
|
|
$ |
8,426 |
|
|
$ |
6,309 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
$ |
13,505 |
|
|
$ |
11,603 |
|
|
$ |
11,420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income Taxes |
|
$ |
4,577 |
|
|
$ |
3,873 |
|
|
$ |
3,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income |
|
$ |
8,928 |
|
|
$ |
7,730 |
|
|
$ |
7,632 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Dividends |
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income Applicable to Common Stock |
|
$ |
8,903 |
|
|
$ |
7,705 |
|
|
$ |
7,607 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic & Diluted Earnings per Share of
Outstanding Common Stock |
|
$ |
1.65 |
|
|
$ |
1.43 |
|
|
$ |
1.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock
Outstanding |
|
|
5,401,498 |
|
|
|
5,400,873 |
|
|
|
5,408,484 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please
see the accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
40
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands except share amounts)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
16,809 |
|
|
$ |
5,717 |
|
Accounts receivable net of reserve for uncollectibles $148 and $508 in 2004 and 2003,
respectively |
|
|
3,317 |
|
|
|
3,420 |
|
Other accounts receivable |
|
|
954 |
|
|
|
273 |
|
Materials and supplies |
|
|
1,308 |
|
|
|
1,153 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
599 |
|
|
|
681 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
495 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Assets |
|
$ |
23,392 |
|
|
$ |
11,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
40,971 |
|
|
|
41,322 |
|
Unamortized debt issuance costs |
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
115 |
|
Intangible asset pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
744 |
|
Other deferred charges |
|
|
889 |
|
|
|
510 |
|
Investments |
|
|
3,411 |
|
|
|
5,303 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
$ |
68,766 |
|
|
$ |
59,733 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
813 |
|
|
$ |
1,559 |
|
Current maturities of long term debt |
|
|
1,519 |
|
|
|
223 |
|
Advance billing and payments |
|
|
255 |
|
|
|
247 |
|
Deferred gain on sale of investment |
|
|
889 |
|
|
|
|
|
Customer deposits |
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
Accrued taxes |
|
|
604 |
|
|
|
506 |
|
Pension and post retirement benefit obligations |
|
|
1,429 |
|
|
|
1,139 |
|
Accrued access billing |
|
|
827 |
|
|
|
694 |
|
Other accrued expenses |
|
|
1,729 |
|
|
|
1,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Current Liabilities |
|
$ |
8,221 |
|
|
$ |
5,755 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
10,251 |
|
|
|
6,926 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
4,141 |
|
|
|
4,119 |
|
Other liabilities and deferred credits |
|
|
607 |
|
|
|
536 |
|
Post retirement benefit obligations |
|
|
4,600 |
|
|
|
4,511 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities |
|
$ |
27,820 |
|
|
$ |
21,847 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred shares $100 par value; authorized and issued shares 5,000;
$0.01 par value authorized and unissued shares 10,000,000 |
|
$ |
500 |
|
|
$ |
500 |
|
Common stock $0.01 par value; authorized shares 10,000,000;
issued and outstanding 5,985,463 for December 31, 2004 and 5,984,883
for December 31, 2003 |
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
Treasury stock $0.01 par value, 583,683 shares issued and outstanding
as of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively |
|
|
(3,598 |
) |
|
|
(3,598 |
) |
Additional paid in capital |
|
|
3,487 |
|
|
|
3,473 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
(1,328 |
) |
|
|
(765 |
) |
Retained earnings |
|
|
41,825 |
|
|
|
38,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Shareholders Equity |
|
$ |
40,946 |
|
|
$ |
37,886 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
|
$ |
68,766 |
|
|
$ |
59,733 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please see accompanying notes, which are an intergral part of the consolidated financial statements.
41
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands )
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
(Restated) |
|
|
(Restated) |
|
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
8,928 |
|
|
$ |
7,730 |
|
|
$ |
7,632 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
5,270 |
|
|
|
4,901 |
|
|
|
3,991 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
1,285 |
|
Interest charged to construction |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
(238 |
) |
Income from equity method investments, net of distributions |
|
|
1,567 |
|
|
|
1,279 |
|
|
|
(733 |
) |
Gain on sale of investment |
|
|
(2,490 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase) Decrease in accounts receivable |
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
(294 |
) |
|
|
312 |
|
(Increase) Decrease in other receivables |
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
(615 |
) |
(Increase) Decrease in materials and supplies |
|
|
(155 |
) |
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
803 |
|
(Increase) Decrease in prepaid expenses |
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
(137 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
(Increase) Decrease in deferred charges |
|
|
(379 |
) |
|
|
(482 |
) |
|
|
171 |
|
Increase (Decrease) in accounts payable |
|
|
(746 |
) |
|
|
(523 |
) |
|
|
163 |
|
Increase (Decrease) in customers deposits |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
Increase (Decrease) in advance billing and payment |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Increase (Decrease) in accrued taxes |
|
|
98 |
|
|
|
458 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
Increase (Decrease) in pension and postretirement
benefit obligation |
|
|
560 |
|
|
|
1,856 |
|
|
|
1,014 |
|
Increase (Decrease) in other accrued expenses |
|
|
477 |
|
|
|
129 |
|
|
|
802 |
|
Increase (Decrease) in accrued access billing |
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
228 |
|
|
|
182 |
|
Increase
(Decrease) in other liabilities and deferred credits |
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
(89 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
13,786 |
|
|
$ |
16,064 |
|
|
$ |
14,690 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(4,906 |
) |
|
|
(6,261 |
) |
|
|
(8,399 |
) |
Interest charged to construction |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
Sale of investment |
|
|
3,603 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment contributions |
|
|
(713 |
) |
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
(800 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
$ |
(2,009 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,257 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,961 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments of notes payable |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(9,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,250 |
) |
Proceeds from issuance of long term debt |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
7,149 |
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of long term debt |
|
|
(380 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unamortized debt issuance |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(126 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Dividends(Common & Preferred) |
|
|
(5,319 |
) |
|
|
(3,806 |
) |
|
|
(3,216 |
) |
Sale of common stock |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Purchase of treasury stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(213 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
$ |
(685 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,731 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,669 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
11,092 |
|
|
|
4,076 |
|
|
|
1,060 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
|
|
5,717 |
|
|
|
1,641 |
|
|
|
581 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
|
$ |
16,809 |
|
|
$ |
5,717 |
|
|
$ |
1,641 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
$ |
207 |
|
|
$ |
459 |
|
|
$ |
589 |
|
Income tax |
|
$ |
4,210 |
|
|
$ |
2,690 |
|
|
$ |
2,585 |
|
Please see accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
42
WARWICK VALLEY TELEHONE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
($ in thousands except share amounts)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Treasury |
|
|
Treasury |
|
|
Preferred |
|
|
Preferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Stock |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Paid In |
|
|
Retained |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Loss |
|
|
Total |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2001 |
|
|
571,491 |
|
|
$ |
(3,385 |
) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
500 |
|
|
|
5,982,240 |
|
|
$ |
60 |
|
|
$ |
3,411 |
|
|
$ |
29,876 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
30,462 |
|
Net income for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,632 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,632 |
|
Minimum Pension Liability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(269 |
) |
|
|
(269 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,363 |
|
Dividends: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common ($0.58 per share) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,191 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,191 |
) |
Preferred ($5.00 per share) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Sale of Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
Purchase of Treasury Stock |
|
|
12,192 |
|
|
|
(213 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(213 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2002 |
|
|
583,683 |
|
|
$ |
(3,598 |
) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
500 |
|
|
|
5,982,810 |
|
|
$ |
60 |
|
|
$ |
3,421 |
|
|
$ |
34,292 |
|
|
$ |
(269 |
) |
|
$ |
34,406 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,730 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,730 |
|
Minimum Pension Liability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(496 |
) |
|
|
(496 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,234 |
|
Dividends: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common ($.70 per share) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,781 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,781 |
) |
Preferred ($5.00 per share) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Sale of Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,073 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2003 |
|
|
583,683 |
|
|
$ |
(3,598 |
) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
500 |
|
|
|
5,984,883 |
|
|
$ |
60 |
|
|
$ |
3,473 |
|
|
$ |
38,216 |
|
|
$ |
(765 |
) |
|
$ |
37,886 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,928 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,928 |
|
Minimum Pension Liability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(563 |
) |
|
|
(563 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,365 |
|
Dividends: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common ($.70 per share) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,294 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,294 |
) |
Preferred ($5.00 per share) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Sale of Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2004 |
|
|
583,683 |
|
|
$ |
(3,598 |
) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
500 |
|
|
|
5,985,463 |
|
|
$ |
60 |
|
|
$ |
3,487 |
|
|
$ |
41,825 |
|
|
$ |
(1,328 |
) |
|
$ |
40,946 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please see accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
43
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
Warwick Valley Telephone Company (the Company) provides communications services to customers
in the Towns of Warwick, Goshen, and Wallkill, New York and the Townships of Vernon and West
Milford, New Jersey. Its services include providing local, toll telephone service to residential
and business customers, access and billing and collection services to interexchange carriers,
Internet access and Video service.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly
owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in
the consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles 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 date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reported period. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to,
depreciation expense, pension and postretirement expenses and income taxes. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
Our investments in the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (O-P), Zefcom and the
Empire State Network (EsiNet) are accounted for under the equity method of accounting (See Note
8). Our other investment, Data Communications Group, Inc., (DataNet) which was sold in October
2004, was accounted for under the cost method of accounting.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts previously reported for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the
current year presentation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Such
reclassifications had no effect on the results of operations or shareholders equity as previously
recorded.
Regulated Accounting
The Companys rates are regulated by the FCC, the New York State Public Service Commission
(NYSPSC) and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and therefore the Company
reflects the effects of the ratemaking actions of these regulatory bodies in its financial
statements. Accordingly, the Company follows the accounting prescribed by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71 Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.
The Company periodically reviews the continued applicability of SFAS No. 71 based on the current
regulatory and competitive environment.
The rates that the Company charges to its customers for regulated services in New York were
established in its 1993 rate case with the NYSPSC. The rates the Company charges for its regulated
services in New Jersey were established in its 1972 rate case with the NJBPU. The Company has not
filed a rate case in New York or New Jersey since that time. If the Company should submit a rate
case with the NYSPSC or NJBPU in the future, it is uncertain as to what the outcome of the rate
case would be and how it would affect Companys results of operations and financial position.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 104
Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. Telephone and Network access revenues are primarily
derived from usage of the Companys network and facilities. Telephone and Network access revenues
are recognized as the corresponding services are rendered to customers. Long distance revenue is
recognized monthly as services are provided. Directory advertising revenue is recorded ratably
over the life of the directory.
44
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
( $ in thousands except per share amounts)
Revenue from Online services, which include DSL and Video, is recorded when the services are
rendered. Other service and sales revenue is recognized when services are provided or the sales
transactions are completed.
Advertising and Promotional Costs
Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising and promotional
expenses were $389, $261 and $344 for 2004, 2003 and 2002 respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company records deferred taxes that arise from temporary differences resulting from
differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes
are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of the assets and
liabilities to which they relate. The Companys deferred taxes result principally from differences
in depreciation and in the accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefits. Investment
tax credits are amortized as a reduction to the provision for income taxes over the useful lives of
the assets that produced the credits.
Property, Plant and Equipment
The Company records property, plant and equipment at cost. Construction costs, labor and
related costs related to installations and interest during construction are capitalized. Costs of
maintenance and repairs of property, plant and equipment are charged to operating expense. The
estimated useful life of support equipment (buildings, vehicles, computers, etc.) ranges from
approximately 3 to 19 years. The estimated useful life of communication and network equipment
ranges from approximately 10 to 15 years. The estimated useful life of Internet and Video equipment
ranges from 5 to 15 years. The estimated useful life of buildings and other equipment ranges from
approximately 14 to 50 years. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight line method. In
accordance with regulatory accounting guidelines when units of property are retired, sold or
otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, the gross book value is charged to
accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity from the date of purchase
of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of money market
mutual funds. The Company places its cash with high credit quality financial institutions. These
balances, as reflected in the financial institutions records are insured in the U.S. Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation for up to $100. As of December 31, 2004 uninsured cash balances in the U.S.
aggregated to approximately $8,400 with two financial institutions.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans of similar terms,
the Company has determined that the carrying value of the long-term debt approximates fair value.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of
The Company reviews the recoverability of its long-lived assets on a periodic basis in order
to identify business conditions which may indicate a possible impairment. The assessment for
potential impairment is based primarily on the Companys ability to recover the carrying value of
its long-lived assets from expected future cash undiscounted cash flows. If total expected future
undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value amount of the assets, a loss is recognized
for the difference between the fair value (computed based upon the expected future discounted cash
flows) and the carrying value of the assets.
45
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
( $ in thousands except per share amounts)
Derivative Financial Instrument and Hedging Activities
As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had no derivative financial instrument and
hedging activities.
Note 2: Restatement
The Company has restated the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as of and for the years
ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 to reclassify the cash distributions of earnings received from the
Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (O-P), an investment accounted for under the
equity method of accounting. These cash distributions were previously classified as investing
activities. However, because the cash distributions of O-P represent a return on our investment in
O-P, they should have been classified as operating activities. The restatement has resulted in
cash distributions from O-P of $10,125 and $6,000 for 2003 and 2002, respectively, being
reclassified, from Cash Flows from Investing Activities to Cash Flows from Operating Activities
in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. This restatement has no impact on the Companys Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, revenues,
expenses, net income, earnings per share in the Consolidated Statement of Net Income, or any
Consolidated Balance Sheet items.
The following table presents the impact of the restatement:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
| |
|
As |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Previously |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previously |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Reported |
|
|
Adjustment |
|
|
As Restated |
|
|
Reported |
|
|
Adjustment |
|
|
As Restated |
|
Cash Flows from
Operating Activities |
|
$ |
5,939 |
|
|
$ |
10,125 |
|
|
$ |
16,064 |
|
|
$ |
8,690 |
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,690 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from
Investing Activities |
|
$ |
3,868 |
|
|
$ |
(10,125 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,257 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,961 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,961 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Increase in Cash
and Cash Equivalents |
|
$ |
4,076 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4,076 |
|
|
$ |
1,060 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,060 |
|
Note 3: Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Effective
January 1, 2004, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No.
(FIN) 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities, a revision to FIN 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities, which was issued in January 2003. Under FIN 46R, a
VIE must be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a
majority of the risk of loss from the VIEs activities or
entitled to receive a majority of the entitys residual returns
or both. FIN 46R requires disclosures about VIEs that a company is
not required to consolidate, but in which it has a significant
variable interest. As of December 31, 2004, FIN 46R did not
significantly impact the Companys operating results or financial position. The Company will continue to monitor the impact of FIN 46R on an ongoing basis.
46
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
( $ in thousands except per share amounts)
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations. SFAS No. 143 addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations
associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement
costs. This standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived
assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development, or normal use of the assets.
SFAS No. 143 requires that a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized when
incurred and reasonably estimable, recorded at fair value, and classified as a liability in the
balance sheet. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes the cost and
increases the carrying value of the related long-lived asset. The liability is then accreted to
its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful
life of the related asset. At the settlement date, the entity will settle the obligation for its
recorded amount and recognize a gain or loss upon settlement.
In June 2004, the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 03-1 The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary
Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. EITF Issue 03-1 establishes a common
approach to evaluating other-than-temporary impairment to investments in an effort to reduce the
ambiguity in impairment methodology found in APB Opinion No. 18, The Equity Method of Accounting
for Investments in Common Stock and FASB No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and
Equity Securities, which has resulted in inconsistent application. In September 2004, the FASB
issued FASB Staff Position EITF Issue 03-1-1, which deferred the effective date for the measurement
and recognition guidance clarified in EITF Issue 03-1 indefinitely; however, the disclosure requirements remain effective for fiscal years
ending after June 15, 2004. While the effective date for certain elements of EITF Issue 03-1 have
been deferred, the adoption of EITF Issue 03-1 when finalized in its current form is not expected
to have a material impact on the Companys financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs-an amendment of ARB No. 43,
Chapter 4. SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, Inventory Pricing, to
clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and
wasted material (spoilage), and is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2005. The standard requires that those items be recognized as
current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of so abnormal. In
addition, this standard requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of
conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The adoption of SFAS No.
151 did not impact on the Companys financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset
Retirement Obligations (FIN 47). FIN 47 clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement
obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, requiring
companies to recognize a liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation that may be
conditional on a future event if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The
Company does not expect that the adoption of FIN 47 will have a material impact on the Companys
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Companys rates are regulated by the FCC, NYSPSC, and the NJBPU and therefore, the Company
reflects the effects of the rate making actions of these regulatory bodies in its financial
statements. On December 20, 2003, the FCC notified by order that it would not adopt SFAS No. 143
since the FCC concluded that SFAS No.143 conflicted with the FCCs current accounting rules that
require telephone companies to accrue for asset retirement obligations through prescribed
depreciation rates.
The Company has concluded that it does not have an asset retirement obligation as defined by
SFAS No.143. The Company historically recorded cost of removals through depreciation rates and
accumulated depreciation. In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS No.143, the Company has
reclassified $583 and $505 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, from accumulated
depreciation to a regulatory liability for the cost of removal that the Company has recorded
through its historical depreciation rates.
47
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
( $ in thousands except per share amounts)
Note 4: Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of actual
weighted shares outstanding of 5,401,498, 5,400,873 and 5,408,484 (as adjusted for the 3-for-1
stock split that occurred in October 2003 as discussed in Note 12) for the years ended December 31,
2004, 2003 and 2002.
The Company did not have any Common Share equivalents as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.
Note 5: Comprehensive Loss
The Companys only component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of a
minimum pension liability for the years ended December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
| |
|
|
Minimum pension liability |
|
$ |
(871 |
) |
|
$ |
(767 |
) |
|
|
(408 |
) |
Related deferred income tax |
|
|
308 |
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(563 |
) |
|
$ |
(496 |
) |
|
|
(269 |
) |
| |
|
|
Note 6: Segment Information
Warwick Valley Telephone Companys segments are strategic business units that offer different
products and services and are managed as telephone and online services. We evaluate the
performance of the segments based upon factors such as revenue growth, expense containment, market
share and operating income.
The telephone segment provides landline telecommunications services, including local, network
access and long distance services and messaging, and yellow and white pages advertising and
electronic publishing.
The Online segment provides high speed and dial-up Internet services, help desk operations,
and Video over VDSL.
48
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
( $ in thousands except per share amounts)
Segment information for the years ended December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
| |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telephone |
|
$ |
22,728 |
|
|
$ |
23,892 |
|
|
$ |
23,601 |
|
Online |
|
|
6,913 |
|
|
|
6,699 |
|
|
|
6,330 |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
(1,963 |
) |
|
|
(1,942 |
) |
|
|
(2,384 |
) |
| |
|
|
Total revenues |
|
$ |
27,678 |
|
|
$ |
28,649 |
|
|
$ |
27,547 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telephone |
|
|
3,788 |
|
|
|
3,744 |
|
|
|
3,228 |
|
Online |
|
|
1,482 |
|
|
|
1,157 |
|
|
|
763 |
|
| |
|
|
Total depreciation and amortization |
|
$ |
5,270 |
|
|
$ |
4,901 |
|
|
$ |
3,991 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telephone |
|
|
1,687 |
|
|
|
3,845 |
|
|
|
5,115 |
|
Online |
|
|
(573 |
) |
|
|
(668 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
| |
|
|
Total operating income |
|
$ |
1,114 |
|
|
$ |
3,177 |
|
|
$ |
5,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense and income |
|
|
(292 |
) |
|
|
(414 |
) |
|
|
(344 |
) |
Income from equity method investments |
|
|
10,208 |
|
|
|
8,846 |
|
|
|
6,733 |
|
Gain on sale of investment |
|
|
2,490 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Other expense |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
| |
|
|
Income before taxes |
|
$ |
13,505 |
|
|
$ |
11,603 |
|
|
$ |
11,420 |
|
| |
|
|
Segment balance sheet information for the years ended December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telephone |
|
$ |
74,338 |
|
|
$ |
62,825 |
|
Online |
|
|
9,652 |
|
|
|
9,883 |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
(15,224 |
) |
|
|
(12,975 |
) |
| |
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
68,766 |
|
|
$ |
59,733 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telephone |
|
$ |
4,097 |
|
|
$ |
4,257 |
|
Online |
|
|
809 |
|
|
|
2,004 |
|
| |
|
|
Total capital expenditures |
|
$ |
4,906 |
|
|
$ |
6,261 |
|
| |
|
|
No single customer accounts for 10% or more of the Companys total revenues or accounts
receivable.
Note 7: Material and Supplies
Material and supplies are carried at average cost. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, material
and supplies consisted of the following:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Inventory for outside plant |
|
$ |
257 |
|
|
$ |
231 |
|
Inventory for inside plant |
|
|
672 |
|
|
|
472 |
|
Inventory for online plant |
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
Inventory of video equipment |
|
|
130 |
|
|
|
283 |
|
Inventory of equipment held for sale or lease |
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,308 |
|
|
$ |
1,153 |
|
| |
|
|
49
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
( $ in thousands except per share amounts)
Note 8: Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following for the years ended
December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land, buildings and other support equipment |
|
$ |
7,925 |
|
|
$ |
7,518 |
|
Network and communications plant |
|
|
30,699 |
|
|
|
27,273 |
|
Telephone plant |
|
|
24,985 |
|
|
|
23,747 |
|
Online plant |
|
|
10,252 |
|
|
|
9,513 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant in service |
|
$ |
73,861 |
|
|
$ |
68,051 |
|
Plant under construction |
|
|
391 |
|
|
|
1,467 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,252 |
|
|
|
69,518 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
33,281 |
|
|
|
28,196 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
$ |
40,971 |
|
|
$ |
41,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 9: Investments
Investments consisted of the following as of December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
Investment in O-P Partnership |
|
$ |
2,429 |
|
|
$ |
3,729 |
|
Investment in Data Communications Group,
Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,038 |
|
Investment in Zefcom |
|
|
326 |
|
|
|
536 |
|
Investment in EsiNet |
|
|
656 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,411 |
|
|
$ |
5,303 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership
The Company is a limited partner in Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (O-P) and
has a 7.5% limited partnership interest which is accounted for under the equity method of
accounting. The majority owner and general partner is Verizon Wireless of the East L.P.
50
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
The following summarizes O-Ps income statement for the years ended December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
163,367 |
|
|
$ |
144,643 |
|
Cellular service cost |
|
|
16,854 |
|
|
|
17,248 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
7,823 |
|
|
|
7,299 |
|
| |
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
138,690 |
|
|
|
120,096 |
|
Other income |
|
|
980 |
|
|
|
1,472 |
|
| |
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
139,670 |
|
|
$ |
121,568 |
|
| |
|
|
Company share of 7.5% |
|
|
10,475 |
|
|
|
9,117 |
|
| |
|
|
The
following summarizes O-Ps balance sheet for the years ended December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Current assets |
|
$ |
1,545 |
|
|
$ |
20,754 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
34,525 |
|
|
|
29,622 |
|
| |
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
36,070 |
|
|
$ |
50,376 |
|
| |
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
3,682 |
|
|
|
658 |
|
Partners capital |
|
|
32,388 |
|
|
|
49,718 |
|
| |
|
|
Total liabilities and partners capital |
|
$ |
36,070 |
|
|
$ |
50,376 |
|
| |
|
|
Investment in Data Communications Group
The Company owned until October 2004 an 8.9% interest in DataNet. DataNet was formed in
2000 to build, market, and provide affordable, high speed, broadband fiber optic data communication
services throughout New York State. In October 2004, the Company sold 100% of its interest in
DataNet for $4,492. The Company received $3,603 in cash on the transaction date. The remainder of
the sales price, $889, was held in an escrow account to provide funds available to satisfy any
indemnification claim notices to DataNet subsequent to the transaction date through May 2005, at
which time that amount, plus interest, was remitted in full to the Company. The Company was liable
to indemnify the purchaser or any of its affiliates for any breach of a representation or warranty
made by the Company or failure to perform any covenant or agreed upon action, pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement.
Investment in Zefcom
The Company has a 17% ownership interest in Zefcom. This investment was historically recorded
on the cost method of accounting. In 2003, Zefcom formed an Executive Operating Committee
consisting of representatives from three of the investors in Zefcom. The Operating Committees
responsibilities are to assist management as necessary in relations with consultants and
prospective investors, and in matters of finance. As a result, the Operating Committee exerts
significant influence over the financial and operating decisions of Zefcom. In 2003, the Companys
Chief Executive Officer was elected to this committee. Accordingly, the Company, through its
representation on this Operating Committee, began exerting significant influence on the financial
and operating decisions of Zefcom in the fourth quarter of 2003. As a result of this change, the
Company changed its accounting for the Zefcom investment from the cost method to the equity method
of accounting for the 2003 fiscal year. In accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, the Company, in 2003 also adjusted its prior period financial results to record its 17%
investment in Zefcom as if it had been accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
51
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
The Companys share of Zefcoms
losses have been reflected in the Companys current and prior year financial statements. In
February 2004, Zefcom issued a 10% Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note (the Note) in the
amount of $1,000 which was purchased by a co-investor in the venture. At any time prior to January
1, 2008, the holder of the Note has the option, upon notice to Zefcom, to convert the Note into
ownership shares in the entity. To date, the co-investor has elected not to exercise this option.
Should the co-investor elect to convert the Note into ownership shares at some future date, the
effect on the Companys ownership percentage in Zefcom would be a reduction from 17% to
approximately 11% to 11.5%, depending on the timing of the conversion.
Investment in EsiNet
The Company owns a 25% interest in EsiNet which represents a consortium of 13 independent
telephone companies located in the upstate New York region. EsiNet was formed in March 2004 to
build a fiber optic network that will facilitate the delivery of voice, video and data services to
customers throughout that region. EsiNet is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2005.
In return for a 25% interest, the Company has committed to contributing a total of $950 in capital
by April 1, 2005. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had contributed $713, and the remaining
$237 was funded on April 1, 2005. In the first quarter of 2005, the Company agreed to provide, if
necessary, temporary bridge financing in the amount of $1,250, to be repaid within two years or
upon the securing of permanent bank financing, if sooner. On March 31, 2005, this loan commitment
expired with the Company not executing the bridge loan. On June 22, 2005, EsiNet received a
commitment from the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC) for a 10 year secured term loan in
the amount of $6,750, subject to the delivery of satisfactory credit documentation to RTFC and to
the satisfaction of all conditions precedent to closing. The Companys share of EsiNet losses for
the period March 2004 (inception) through December 31, 2004 was $57.
Note 10: Debt Obligations
Debt obligations consisted of the following at December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Current maturing long-term debt CoBank |
|
$ |
1,519 |
|
|
$ |
223 |
|
CoBank, ACB unsecured credit facility |
|
|
10,251 |
|
|
|
6,926 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt obligation |
|
$ |
11,770 |
|
|
$ |
7,149 |
|
| |
|
|
The Company has an unsecured line of credit in the amount of $4,000 with Provident Bank.
Any borrowings under this line of credit are on a demand basis without restrictions, and at a
variable lending rate. The Company had no outstanding balance on this facility at December 31,
2004 or 2003.
On February 18, 2003, the Company closed a commitment with CoBank, ACB with respect to an
$18,475 unsecured term credit facility at a variable rate of interest. The ability of the Company
to draw against the commitment commenced on February 18, 2003 and continued until September 30,
2004. The loan remains outstanding until all indebtedness and obligations of the Company, under
the facility, have been paid or satisfied, but no later than July 2012 (the Maturity Date). The
unpaid principal balance accrues interest at an interest rate determined or selected by the
Company. The Company may select a variable rate option, a long-term fixed rate option or a LIBOR
option. The Company selected the variable rate option, and the average interest rate on borrowings
for the period January 1 through December 31, 2004 was approximately 3%. Interest is paid
quarterly each January, April, June and October. The Company also paid a commitment fee each quarter, prior to the expiration of the commitment period of 0.375% per annum on the
average daily unused portion of the commitment.
52
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
The outstanding principal is being repaid in 32
consecutive quarterly installments which started in October 2004, with the last such installment
due on the Maturity Date. On the Maturity Date, the amount of then unpaid principal plus accrued
interest and fees is due in full.
Future aggregate principal payments under this loan agreement are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
1,519 |
|
2006 |
|
|
1,519 |
|
2007 |
|
|
1,519 |
|
2008 |
|
|
1,519 |
|
2009 |
|
|
1,519 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
4,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Current |
|
|
1,519 |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term |
|
$ |
10,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
Under conditions set by the NYSPSC, the Company was allowed to use a portion of the proceeds
from this loan to refinance $4,000 of existing long-term debt and repay $3,000 under an existing
line of credit. The Company was permitted to use the remaining amount available under the facility
- $11,475 to finance capital expenditures and pay expenses and fees associated with borrowings
made under the facility. The Company was also permitted to re-borrow amounts repaid under the
facility until the expiration of the ability to draw upon the facility on September 30, 2004.
In February 2003, the Company used $3,149 of the credit facility funds to pay off an existing
$3,000 line of credit, plus accrued interest, and closing costs associated with the facility. The
Company made a second draw to repay $4,000 in long-term debt that matured in December 2003. On
September 30, 2004 prior to expiration, the Company borrowed an additional $5,000 to finance future
capital expenditures. In the interim, the proceeds were deposited by CoBank on the Companys
behalf in an interest bearing money market account.
Under the terms of the CoBank facility, the Company is required to comply with certain loan
covenants, which include but are not limited to the achievement of certain financial ratios, as set
forth in the agreement, as well as certain financial reporting requirements. As of December 31,
2004 the Company was not in default on any of these loan covenants. In connection with the late
filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company obtained waivers of the various relevant
financial reporting covenants as of December 31, 2004.
53
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
Note 11: Income Taxes
The federal and state components of the provision for income taxes are presented in the
following table:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
| |
|
|
Provision for income tax: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
$ |
4,162 |
|
|
$ |
3,342 |
|
|
$ |
3,001 |
|
State and local |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
4,164 |
|
|
|
3,498 |
|
|
|
3,001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
$ |
397 |
|
|
$ |
358 |
|
|
$ |
787 |
|
State |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
375 |
|
|
|
787 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
$ |
4,577 |
|
|
$ |
3,873 |
|
|
$ |
3,788 |
|
| |
|
|
Deferred income tax liabilities are taxes the Company expects to pay in future periods.
Similarly, deferred income tax assets are recorded for expected reductions in taxes payable in
future periods. Deferred income taxes arise because of differences in the book and tax basis of
certain assets and liabilities.
Deferred income tax liabilities and assets consist of the following:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
At December 31, |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Deferred income tax assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee pensions and other benefits |
|
$ |
1,877 |
|
|
$ |
1,654 |
|
Other |
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
452 |
|
| |
|
|
Total deferred income tax assets |
|
|
2,269 |
|
|
|
2,106 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
$ |
5,854 |
|
|
$ |
5,579 |
|
Other |
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
151 |
|
| |
|
|
Total deferred income tax liabilities |
|
|
6,005 |
|
|
|
5,730 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Net deferred income tax liability |
|
$ |
3,736 |
|
|
$ |
3,624 |
|
| |
|
|
The difference between the United States Federal statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate
is primarily due to state taxes (net of the Federal benefit) and other nondeductable expenses.
The deferred tax asset related to employee pension includes amounts recorded for the years
ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 of $308 and $271, respectively, to reflect the tax impact of the
minimum pension liability recorded in other comprehensive income.
54
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
Note 12: Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company has two defined benefit pension plans covering all management and
non-management employees who are at least 21 years of age have completed one year of service
and, for the non-management plan, have been hired before May 1, 2003. Benefits are based on
years of service and the average of the employees three highest consecutive years base
compensation. The Companys policy is to fund the minimum required contribution disregarding
any credit balance arising from excess amounts contributed in the past. Per regulatory
requirements, the Company deferred $379, $483 and $128 for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
The amounts expensed were $875, $1,154 and $435 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003,
and 2002, respectively. In 2004, the Company instituted a benefit freeze for all eligible
employee covered by the Management Plan, resulting in a charge to pension expense of $657. In
2003, the Company instituted a benefit freeze for all eligible employees covered under the
Non-Management Plan, resulting in a charge of $675.
The Company sponsors a non-contributory, defined benefit postretirement medical benefit
plan that covers all employees that retire directly from active service on or after age 55 with
at least 10 years of service or after age 65 with at least 5 years of service. The projected
unit credit actuarial method was used in determining the cost of future benefits. The Companys
funding policy is to contribute the maximum allowed under current Internal Revenue Service
regulations. Assets of the plan are principally invested in the stock market and a money market
fund. The Company uses an annual measurement date of December 31 for all of its benefit plans.
The components of the pension and postretirement expense (credit) were as follows for the
years ended December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pension Benefits |
|
|
Postretirement Benefits |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
| |
|
|
Components of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Periodic Costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost |
|
$ |
297 |
|
|
$ |
420 |
|
|
$ |
397 |
|
|
$ |
189 |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
|
$ |
136 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
785 |
|
|
|
862 |
|
|
|
878 |
|
|
|
308 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
255 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(647 |
) |
|
|
(612 |
) |
|
|
(810 |
) |
|
|
(120 |
) |
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
(101 |
) |
Amortization of transition asset |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
Special termination benefits |
|
|
657 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Net curtailment loss (gain) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic (income) cost |
|
$ |
1,254 |
|
|
$ |
1,637 |
|
|
$ |
563 |
|
|
$ |
617 |
|
|
$ |
564 |
|
|
$ |
477 |
|
| |
|
|
55
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
The following table presents a summary of the projected benefit obligation and plan
assets of the plans at December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement |
|
| |
|
Pension Benefits |
|
|
Benefits |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Change In Benefit Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit obligation, beginning of year |
|
$ |
13,257 |
|
|
$ |
13,704 |
|
|
$ |
5,011 |
|
|
$ |
4,166 |
|
Benefits earned |
|
|
297 |
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
189 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
785 |
|
|
|
862 |
|
|
|
308 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
Actuarial losses |
|
|
495 |
|
|
|
658 |
|
|
|
349 |
|
|
|
478 |
|
Benefit payments |
|
|
(487 |
) |
|
|
(2,514 |
) |
|
|
(119 |
) |
|
|
(72 |
) |
Special termination (credits) benefits |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Curtailment losses |
|
|
(397 |
) |
|
|
(548 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit obligation, end of year |
|
$ |
13,950 |
|
|
$ |
13,257 |
|
|
$ |
5,738 |
|
|
$ |
5,011 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes In Fair Value of Plan Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets, beginning
of year |
|
$ |
7,838 |
|
|
$ |
8,896 |
|
|
$ |
1,478 |
|
|
$ |
1,204 |
|
Actual return on plan |
|
|
747 |
|
|
|
1,086 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
123 |
|
Employer contributions |
|
|
1,376 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
222 |
|
Benefits payments |
|
|
(487 |
) |
|
|
(2,514 |
) |
|
|
(119 |
) |
|
|
(71 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets, end of year |
|
$ |
9,474 |
|
|
$ |
7,838 |
|
|
$ |
1,649 |
|
|
$ |
1,478 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funded (unfunded benefit obligation) |
|
$ |
(4,476 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,419 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,089 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,533 |
) |
Unrecognized net loss (gain) |
|
|
2,046 |
|
|
|
2,123 |
|
|
|
2,765 |
|
|
|
2,573 |
|
Unrecognized transition asset |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
412 |
|
|
|
463 |
|
Unrecognized prior service cost (credits) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
744 |
|
|
|
(285 |
) |
|
|
(305 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost |
|
$ |
(2,430 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,552 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,197 |
) |
|
$ |
(802 |
) |
| |
|
|
The following table provides the amounts recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement |
|
| |
|
Pension Benefits |
|
|
Benefits |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
At December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued benefit cost |
|
$ |
(4,476 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,471 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,197 |
) |
|
$ |
(802 |
) |
Intangible asset |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
744 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
2,046 |
|
|
|
1,175 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amount recognized |
|
$ |
(2,430 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,552 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,197 |
) |
|
$ |
(802 |
) |
| |
|
|
56
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
Actuarial assumptions used to calculate the projected benefit obligation were as follows
for the years ended December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pension Benefits |
|
|
Postretirement Benefits |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Discount rate |
|
|
5.75 |
% |
|
|
6.25 |
% |
|
|
5.75% |
|
|
|
6.25% |
|
Expected return on plans |
|
|
8.00 |
% |
|
|
8.00 |
% |
|
|
8.00% |
|
|
|
8.00% |
|
Rate of compensation increase |
|
|
5.50 |
% |
|
|
5.50 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Healthcare cost trend |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.00 10.00% |
|
|
|
9.00 11.00% |
|
Actuarial assumptions used to calculate net periodic benefit cost were as follows for the years
ended December 31:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pension Benefits |
|
|
Postretirement Benefits |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Discount rate |
|
|
6.25 |
% |
|
|
6.75 |
% |
|
|
6.25% |
|
|
|
6.75% |
|
Expected return on assets |
|
|
8.00 |
% |
|
|
8.00 |
% |
|
|
8.00% |
|
|
|
8.00% |
|
Rate of compensation increase |
|
|
5.50 |
% |
|
|
5.50 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The rate of return assumption, currently 8%, estimates the portion of plan benefits that
will be derived from investment return and the portion that will come directly from Company
contributions. Accordingly, the Company, utilizing the investment policy described below,
strives to maintain an investment portfolio that generates annual returns from funds invested
consistent with achieving the projected long-term rate of return required for plan assets. The
investment policy followed by the Pension Plan Manager can be described as an Adaptive
approach that is essentially structured towards achieving a compromise between the static
long-term approach and the short-term opportunism of the dynamic or tactical approaches. The
objective is to modify asset allocations based on changing economic and financial market
conditions so as to capture the major position of excess returns and then shifts the priority
to risk containment after valuations become stretched.
The Companys pension plans had an unfunded accumulated benefit obligation of $4,476 as of
December 31, 2004. The accumulated benefit obligation of $13,950 at December 31, 2004 was in
excess of Plan assets by $9,474. The Companys postretirement plans had an unfunded
accumulated benefit obligation of $4,089 as of December 31, 2004. The accumulated benefit
obligation of $5,738 at December 31, 2004 was in excess of plan assets by $1,649.
The accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets and the Company
was required to record a minimum pension liability in the statement of financial position as of
December 31, 2004. The effect of this adjustment was a decrease in intangible assets of $744,
an increase in the pension liability of $127 and a charge to comprehensive loss of $871. The
amount of the intangible asset represented the prior service costs that had not yet been
recognized in net periodic pension expense. These are non-cash items and consequently have
been excluded from the consolidated statement of cash flows. 2004 pension expense was also
impacted by special termination benefits totaling $657 associated with the freezing of the
management pension plan. The increase in expense in 2004 for the postretirement health
benefits was due to the continued incremental rise in the health care trend rate and decline in
the discount rate which resulted in upward pressure on medical claim costs. These changes
reflect current market conditions regarding current market interest rates. The health care
cost trend rates (representing the assumed annual percentage increase in claim costs by year)
was 8.0 % for the pre-65 trend rate and 10.0% for the post-65 trend rate, which each of these
grading down to 5%, by 0.5% per year. The Companys most recent actuarial calculation
anticipates that this trend will continue on into 2005. An increase in the assumed health care
cost trend rate by one percentage point would increase the
57
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2004 approximately to
$1,132 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of postretirement expense
for the year then ended by approximately $103. A 1.0% decrease in the health care cost trend
rate would decrease these components to approximately $900 and by approximately $89,
respectively.
The Company also has a Defined Contribution 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan covering substantially
all employees. Under the plan, employees may contribute up to 100% of compensation not to exceed
the Company match subject to certain legal limitations. In 2004 the Company made a matching
contribution up to 9.0% of an eligible participants compensation for management, clerical and
plant employees. The Company contributed and expensed $563, $466 and $403 for the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
The Company has deferred compensation agreements in place for certain former officers which
become effective upon retirement. These non-qualified plans are not currently funded and a
liability representing the present value of future payments has been established, with balances of
$355 and $346 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Plan Assets
The pension plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2004 and 2003 by
assets category are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Plan Assets |
|
| |
|
at December 31, |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Equity securities |
|
|
63 |
% |
|
|
71 |
% |
Debt securities |
|
|
23 |
% |
|
|
24 |
% |
Short term investments |
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
| |
|
|
The postretirement benefit plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2004
and 2003, by assets category are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Plan Assets |
|
| |
|
at December 31, |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
Equity securities |
|
|
72 |
% |
|
|
72 |
% |
Short term investments |
|
|
28 |
% |
|
|
28 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
| |
|
|
In accordance with its contribution policy, the Company expects to contribute $1,208 to
its pension plan and $222 to its postretirement plan in 2005.
Benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be
paid as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pension |
|
|
Postretirement |
|
| |
|
Benefits |
|
|
Benefits |
|
| |
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
550 |
|
|
$ |
212 |
|
2006 |
|
|
636 |
|
|
|
246 |
|
2007 |
|
|
748 |
|
|
|
282 |
|
2008 |
|
|
810 |
|
|
|
294 |
|
2009 |
|
|
826 |
|
|
|
306 |
|
2010-14 |
|
|
4,466 |
|
|
|
1,997 |
|
In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003
(the Act) was signed into law. The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit under Medicare
(Medicare Part D) as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans
that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. The Company is
impacted by the Act since it sponsors a postretirement health care plan that provides prescription
drug benefits.
In May 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board released FASB Staff Position No. FAS
106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug,
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (FSP 106-2). FSP 106-2 states that if a company
concludes that its single-employer defined benefit postretirement health care plan provides a
drug benefit that is actuarially equivalent to the Medicare Part D benefit, the employer should recognize
58
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
the subsidy in the
measurement of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) under FAS 106, and
should account for this reduction in the APBO as an actuarial gain. If an employer amends its
plan to achieve actuarially equivalent drug benefits, therefore making the employer eligible for
the subsidy, the employer is required to consider the combined effect that the amendment and the
subsidy have on the APBO. If the combined effect is a decrease in the APBO, the net reduction is
accounted for as an actuarial gain. If the combined effect is an increase in the APBO, the net
increase is accounted for as a plan amendment.
The provisions of FSP 106-2 are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning
after June 15, 2004 for all public companies. If the effects of FSP 106-2, including the
subsidy, changes in participation rates, and changes in per capita claims costs, lead the
employer to conclude that the enactment of FSP 106-2 was not a significant event for its plan,
the effects should be incorporated in the valuation performed at the next measurement date
required by FAS 106. The regulations providing a firm definition of actuarial equivalence were
issued to the public on January 21, 2005. As of that date, the Company remeasured the APBO as of
January 21, 2005. The estimated impact of the new regulation is to reduce this annualized cost
to $532, and result in a savings to the Company of $84.
Note 13. Shareholders Equity
The Company has 10,000,000 authorized Common Shares at par value of $0.01 per share; 5,000
authorized Preferred Shares at par value $100 per share authorized; and 10,000,000 authorized
Preferred shares at par value $0.01 per share.
On April 25, 2003, the Company announced a three-for-one stock split of the Companys Common
Shares. Approval for the stock split was received from both the NYSPSC and the NJBPU on October 6,
2003, and the Shares were made available on October 13, 2003. Also, the Common shares were changed
from no par value to a par value, of $0.01 per share. As a result, the Common share amounts in
Shareholders Equity for all periods prior to the split were restated to reflect the stock split.
Also, additional paid-in capital, in the amounts of $3,473, $3,421 and $3,411 for the year ended
December 31, 2002 was recorded as a result of these events. In addition, earnings per share
amounts for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were restated for the stock split.
Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company currently has an operating lease to rent space on a tower to transmit
video content from its head end facility. The Company also leases vehicles for operations as
well as office space in Warwick, New York and Vernon, New Jersey. In addition, the Company
has entered into certain long-term agreements to access trunk lines from other carriers to
transmit voice, video and data. Total expense associated with these agreements was $881, $733
and $664 in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectviely.
The future aggregate commitment for minimum rentals as of December 31, 2004 is as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
832 |
|
2006 |
|
|
480 |
|
2007 |
|
|
151 |
|
2008 |
|
|
142 |
|
2009 |
|
|
113 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
299 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
2,017 |
|
|
|
|
|
From time to time, the Company is involved in various litigation relating to claims
arising out of the normal course of business. These claims are generally covered by insurance.
The Company is not currently subject to any litigation which singularly or in the aggregate
could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial
position or results of operations.
59
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
Note 15. Related Party Transactions
The Company paid approximately $247, $294 and $494 during 2004, 2003, and 2002 to John W.
Sanford & Son, Inc., whose President and Chief Operating Officer is the brother of Corinna S.
Lewis, a Director of the Company. These amounts were paid as premiums on various insurance
policies maintained by the Company. The portion of these amounts that represents a commission to
John W. Sanford & Son, Inc. was less than $200. The Company believes that the transactions with
John W. Sanford & Son, Inc. are on as favorable terms as those available from unaffiliated third
parties.
During 2004, Warwick Savings Bank was purchased and merged with Provident Bank. As a result,
Board of Director member, Fred M. Knipp, is no longer a trustee of the Warwick Savings Bank. The
Company now has its principal bank accounts and temporary investments with Provident Bank.
Note 16. Quarterly Information (unaudited)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Fiscal Year Quarters |
|
| |
|
($ in thousands) |
|
| |
|
First |
|
|
Second |
|
|
Third |
|
|
Fourth |
|
|
Total |
|
Year ended December 31, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
6,998 |
|
|
$ |
6,928 |
|
|
$ |
7,023 |
|
|
$ |
6,729 |
|
|
$ |
27,678 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
534 |
|
|
|
458 |
|
|
|
475 |
|
|
|
(353 |
) |
|
|
1,114 |
|
Net income |
|
|
1,858 |
|
|
|
2,010 |
|
|
|
2,152 |
|
|
|
2,908 |
|
|
|
8,928 |
|
Earnings per share |
|
|
.34 |
|
|
|
.37 |
|
|
|
.40 |
|
|
|
.54 |
|
|
|
1.65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
7,096 |
|
|
$ |
7,142 |
|
|
$ |
7,372 |
|
|
$ |
7,039 |
|
|
$ |
28,649 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
1,194 |
|
|
|
639 |
|
|
|
1,103 |
|
|
|
241 |
|
|
|
3,177 |
|
Net income |
|
|
1,927 |
|
|
|
1,885 |
|
|
|
2,249 |
|
|
|
1,669 |
|
|
|
7,730 |
|
Earnings per share |
|
|
.36 |
|
|
|
.35 |
|
|
|
.41 |
|
|
|
.31 |
|
|
|
1.43 |
|
As discussed in Note 13 and per share amounts were restated for the Company stock split.
Note 17. Subsequent Event
On May 20, 2005 the Company received a final payment in the amount of $909, representing
amounts previously held in escrow plus interest relating to the sale of the Companys interest
in DataNet in October 2004.
60
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on
Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule
To the Board of Directors
of
Warwick Valley Telephone Company:
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements, of managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting referred to in our report dated
September 29, 2005 appearing in the
2004 Annual Report to Shareholders of Warwick Valley Telephone Company also included an audit of
the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, this
financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth
therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
September 29, 2005
61
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
($ in thousands)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Column
A |
|
Column B |
|
|
Column C |
|
|
Column D |
|
|
Column E |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Additions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Balance at |
|
|
Charged to |
|
|
Charged to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
|
| |
|
Beginning |
|
|
Costs and |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
End |
|
| Description |
|
of Period |
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Deductions |
|
|
of Period |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
(Note a) |
|
|
(Note b) |
|
|
(Note c) |
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for
Uncollectible: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year 2004 |
|
$ |
508 |
|
|
$ |
120 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
567 |
|
|
$ |
148 |
|
Year 2003 |
|
$ |
428 |
|
|
$ |
146 |
|
|
$ |
102 |
|
|
$ |
168 |
|
|
$ |
508 |
|
Year 2002 |
|
$ |
65 |
|
|
$ |
465 |
|
|
$ |
42 |
|
|
$ |
144 |
|
|
$ |
428 |
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
|
Provision for uncollectible as stated in statements of income. |
| |
| (b) |
|
Amounts previously written off which were credited directly to this account when
recovered. |
| |
| (c) |
|
Amounts written off as uncollectible. |
62
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
EXHIBIT INDEX
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Exhibit No. |
|
Description of Exhibit |
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Rule 13a-14a/15d-14(a)
Certification signed by Herbert Gareiss, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Rule 13a-14a/15d-14(a)
Certification signed by Michael Cutler
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 signed
by Herbert Gareiss, Jr.-Chief Executive Officer.
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 signed
by Michael Cutler -Chief Financial Officer.
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
99 |
|
Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership
Financial Statements as of December 31, 2004 and 2003
and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
|
|
|
68 |
|
63