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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from  _____  to  _____

Commission file number 000-18516

 
graphic
  

ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
51-0002090
--------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

664 Churchmans Road, Newark, Delaware 19702
------------------------------------------------------------------
Address of principal executive offices

(302) 453 – 6900
-----------------------------------------------------------
Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol (s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
ARTNA
The Nasdaq Stock Market


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

☑
Yes
□
No
  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data file required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

☑
Yes
□
No
  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large Accelerated Filer □
Accelerated Filer ☐
Non-accelerated Filer ☑
Smaller Reporting Company ☒
Emerging Growth Company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act ).

☐
Yes
☑
No
  

As of November 3, 2023, 9,395,545 shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock and 881,452 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q

-
    
         
-
  
Page(s)
         
     
3
         
     
4
         
     
5 - 6
         
     
7 - 8
         
     
 9 - 26
         
-
  
26 - 35
         
-
  
36
         
-
  
36
         
      Part II
-
  
36
         
-
  
36
         
-
  
36
         
-
  
37
         
   
37
         
   
37
         
   
37
         
-
  
38
 -
        
   Signatures
        


2
Table of Contents



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
(In thousands)

ASSETS
  
September 30, 2023
    
December 31, 2022
  
Utility plant, at original cost (less accumulated depreciation - 2023 - $181,235; 2022 - $172,954)
  
$
705,949
    
$
668,031
  
Current assets
                
Cash and cash equivalents
    
6,458
      
1,309
  
Accounts and other receivables (less provision for expected credit loss - 2023 - $356; 2022 - $416)
    
10,488
      
13,511
  
Income tax receivable
    
2,908
      
1,632
  
Unbilled operating revenues
    
1,946
      
1,586
  
Materials and supplies
    
5,487
      
4,702
  
Prepaid property taxes
    
3,374
      
2,186
  
Prepaid expenses and other
    
3,285
      
2,878
  
Total current assets
    
33,946
      
27,804
  
Other assets
                
Non-utility property (less accumulated depreciation - 2023 - $1,040; 2022 - $990)
    
3,708
      
3,740
  
Other deferred assets
    
8,506
      
10,536
  
Goodwill
    
1,939
      
1,939
  
   Operating lease right of use assets
    
498
      
467
  
Total other assets
    
14,651
      
16,682
  
Regulatory assets, net
    
7,265
      
7,274
  
Total Assets
  
$
761,811
    
$
719,791
  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                
Stockholders' equity
                
Common stock
  
$
10,277
    
$
9,502
  
Preferred stock
    
—
      
—
  
Additional paid-in capital
    
143,076
      
107,143
  
Retained earnings
    
76,240
      
71,286
  
Total stockholders' equity
    
229,593
      
187,931
  
Long-term debt, net of current portion
    
175,875
      
175,619
  
     
405,468
      
363,550
  
Current liabilities
                
Lines of credit
    
—
      
20,174
  
Current portion of long-term debt
    
2,219
      
2,003
  
Accounts payable
    
8,430
      
10,929
  
Accrued expenses
    
4,638
      
4,246
  
Overdraft payable
    
5,052
      
43
  
Accrued interest
    
1,833
      
989
  
Income taxes payable
    
25
      
6
  
Customer and other deposits
    
2,749
      
2,489
  
Other
    
2,230
      
3,190
  
Total current liabilities
    
27,176
      
44,069
  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
    
     
 
                 
Deferred credits and other liabilities
                
Net advances for construction
    
3,258
      
3,686
  
Operating lease liabilities
    
492
      
466
  
Regulatory liabilities
    
25,827
      
28,721
  
Deferred investment tax credits
    
427
      
439
  
Deferred income taxes
    
58,229
      
54,552
  
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
    
88,233
      
87,864
  
                 
Net contributions in aid of construction
    
240,934
      
224,308
  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  
$
761,811
    
$
719,791
  
See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3
Table of Contents


ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
    
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
  
   
2023
    
2022
    
2023
    
2022
  
Operating revenues
                        
Water sales
  
$
21,642
    
$
21,702
    
$
60,294
    
$
59,567
  
Other utility operating revenue
    
3,235
      
2,841
      
9,083
      
8,281
  
Non-utility operating revenue
    
1,693
      
2,039
      
4,940
      
5,932
  
Total Operating Revenues
    
26,570
      
26,582
      
74,317
      
73,780
  
                                 
Operating expenses
                                
Utility operating expenses
    
11,590
      
10,428
      
34,488
      
30,994
  
Non-utility operating expenses
    
1,122
      
1,570
      
3,328
      
4,418
  
Depreciation and amortization
    
3,444
      
3,210
      
9,882
      
9,350
  
State and federal income taxes
    
2,249
      
1,834
      
5,156
      
4,978
  
Property and other taxes
    
1,504
      
1,458
      
4,531
      
4,371
  
Total Operating Expenses
    
19,909
      
18,500
      
57,385
      
54,111
  
                                 
Operating income
    
6,661
      
8,082
      
16,932
      
19,669
  
                                 
Other income, net
                                
   Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC)
    
647
      
393
      
1,693
      
898
  
 Miscellaneous (expense) income
    
(35
)
    
(101
)
    
1,554
      
1,311
  
                                 
Income before interest charges
    
7,273
      
8,374
      
20,179
      
21,878
  
                                 
Interest charges
    
2,202
      
2,230
      
6,960
      
6,205
  
                                 
Net income applicable to common stock
  
$
5,071
    
$
6,144
    
$
13,219
    
$
15,673
  
                                 
Income per common share:
                                
Basic
  
$
0.49
    
$
0.65
    
$
1.33
    
$
1.66
  
Diluted
  
$
0.49
    
$
0.65
    
$
1.33
    
$
1.65
  
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                                
Basic
    
10,276
      
9,477
      
9,929
      
9,451
  
Diluted
    
10,279
      
9,492
      
9,933
      
9,473
  
                                 
Cash dividends per share of common stock
  
$
0.2840
    
$
0.2729
    
$
0.8464
    
$
0.8133
  

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

4
Table of Contents


ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited
(In thousands)

 
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
  
   
2023
    
2022
  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
            
Net income
  
$
13,219
    
$
15,673
  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                
Depreciation and amortization
    
9,882
      
9,350
  
Deferred income taxes, net
    
3,665
      
1,582
  
Stock compensation
    
185
      
162
  
AFUDC, equity portion
    
(1,040
)
    
(612
)
                 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
                
Accounts and other receivables, net of provision for expected credit loss
    
3,023
      
(3,402
)
Income tax receivable
    
(1,276
)
    
1,401
  
Unbilled operating revenues
    
(360
)
    
(547
)
Materials and supplies
    
(785
)
    
(572
)
Income tax payable
    
19
      
1,096
  
Prepaid property taxes
    
(1,188
)
    
(138
)
Prepaid expenses and other
    
(407
)
    
(62
)
Other deferred assets
    
2,004
      
(5,477
)
Regulatory assets
    
(76
)
    
280
  
Regulatory liabilities
    
(2,988
)
    
9,651
  
Accounts payable
    
(829
)
    
(4,086
)
Accrued expenses
    
156
      
(791
)
Accrued interest
    
844
      
445
  
Deposits and other
    
(688
)
    
1,097
  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    
23,360
      
25,050
  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                
Capital expenditures (net of AFUDC, equity portion)
    
(48,838
)
    
(36,660
)
Investment in acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    
—
      
(6,341
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
    
76
      
49
  
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    
(48,762
)
    
(42,952
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                
Net (repayments) under lines of credit agreements
    
(20,174
)
    
(17,303
)
Increase in overdraft payable
    
5,009
      
99
  
Net advances and contributions in aid of construction
    
16,986
      
11,576
  
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    
36,840
      
1,705
  
Issuance of long-term debt
    
1,978
      
30,828
  
Equity issuance costs
    
(317
)
    
—
  
Dividends paid
    
(8,265
)
    
(7,677
)
Deferred debt issuance costs
    
—
      
(120
)
Principal repayments of long-term debt
    
(1,506
)
    
(1,190
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    
30,551
      
17,918
  
                 
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    
5,149
      
16
  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
    
1,309
      
92
  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  
$
6,458
    
$
108
  

5
Table of Contents

ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONTINUED
Unaudited
(In thousands)

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activity:
        
Utility plant received as construction advances and contributions
$
2,307
$
4,407
Change in amounts included in accounts payable, accrued payables and other related to capital expenditures
  
1,451
  
1,574
         
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
        
Interest paid
$
6,116
$
5,760
Income taxes paid
$
3,476
$
1,431
         
         
Purchase price allocation of investment in acquisitions:
        
Utility plant
$
—
$
34,234
Cash
  
—
  
280
Goodwill
  
—
  
2,983
Other assets
  
—
  
1,033
Total assets
  
—
  
38,530
Less:
        
Liabilities
  
—
  
3,852
Future contractual obligation payable to seller
  
—
  
1,569
   Contributions in aid of construction
  
—
  
26,488
Cash paid for acquisitions
  
—
  
6,621
Cash received from acquisitions
  
—
  
280
Net cash paid for acquisitions
$
—
$
6,341

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

6
Table of Contents


ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Unaudited
(In thousands)

 
  
Common Shares Outstanding Class A Non-Voting (1) (3) (4)
    
Common Shares Outstanding Class B Voting (2)
    
$1 Par Value Class A Non-Voting
    
$1 Par Value Class B Voting
    
Additional Paid-in Capital
    
Retained Earnings
    
Total
  
 
                                          
Balance as of December 31, 2021
    
8,532
      
881
    
$
8,532
    
$
881
    
$
104,989
    
$
63,607
    
$
178,009
  
Net income
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
4,483
      
4,483
  
Cash dividends declared
                                                        
Common stock
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
(2,518
)
    
(2,518
)
Issuance of common stock
                                                        
Dividend reinvestment plan
    
2
      
—
      
2
      
—
      
87
      
—
      
89
  
Employee stock options and awards(4)
    
23
      
—
      
23
      
—
      
475
      
—
      
498
  
Employee Retirement Plan(3)
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
  
Balance as of March 31, 2022
    
8,557
      
881
      
8,557
      
881
      
105,551
      
65,572
      
180,561
  
Net income
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
5,046
      
5,046
  
Cash dividends declared
                                                        
Common stock
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
(5,159
)
    
(5,159
)
Issuance of common stock
                                                        
Dividend reinvestment plan
    
2
      
—
      
2
      
—
      
97
      
—
      
99
  
Employee stock options and awards(4)
    
19
      
—
      
19
      
—
      
336
      
—
      
355
  
Employee Retirement Plan(3)
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
  
Balance as of June 30, 2022
    
8,578
      
881
      
8,578
      
881
      
105,984
      
65,459
      
180,902
  
Net income
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
6,144
      
6,144
  
Cash dividends declared
                                                        
Common stock
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
  
Issuance of common stock
                                                        
Dividend reinvestment plan
    
2
      
—
      
2
      
—
      
87
      
—
      
89
  
Employee stock options and awards(4)
    
30
      
—
      
30
      
—
      
708
      
—
      
738
  
Employee Retirement Plan(3)
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
  
Balance as of September 30, 2022
    
8,610
      
881
      
8,610
      
881
      
106,779
      
71,603
      
187,873
  

 
Common Shares Outstanding Class A Non-Voting (1) (3) (4)
 
Common Shares Outstanding Class B Voting (2)
 
$1 Par Value Class A Non-Voting
 
$1 Par Value Class B Voting
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2022
  
8,621
 
 
881
 
$
8,621
 
$
881
 
$
107,143
 
$
71,286
 
$
187,931
Net income
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
3,705
 
 
3,705
Cash dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
Common stock
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(2,646)
  
 
(2,646)
Issuance of common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend reinvestment plan
 
2
 
 
—
 
 
2
 
 
—
 
 
91
 
 
—
 
 
93
Employee stock options and awards(4)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
56
 
 
—
 
 
56
Employee Retirement Plan(3)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
Balance as of March 31, 2023
  
8,623
    
881
    
8,623
    
881
    
107,290
    
72,345
    
189,139
Net income
  
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
4,443
    
4,443
Cash dividends declared
                                        
Common stock
  
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
(2,700)
    
(2,700)
Issuance of common stock
                                        
Public offering, net of costs
  
764
    
—
    
764
    
—
    
35,467
    
—
    
36,231
Dividend reinvestment plan
  
2
    
—
    
2
    
—
    
98
    
—
    
100
Employee stock options and awards(4)
  
5
    
—
    
5
    
—
    
55
    
—
    
60
Employee Retirement Plan(3)
  
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
Balance as of June 30, 2023
 
9,394
 
 
881
 
  
9,394
 
  
881
 
  
142,910
 
  
74,088
 
  
227,273
Net income
  
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
5,071
    
5,071
Cash dividends declared
                                        
Common stock
  
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
(2,919)
    
(2,919)
Issuance of common stock
                                        
Dividend reinvestment plan
  
2
    
—
    
2
    
—
    
101
    
—
    
103
Employee stock options and awards(4)
  
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
65
    
—
    
65
Employee Retirement Plan(3)
  
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
    
—
Balance as of September 30, 2023
  
9,396
    
881
    
9,396
    
881
    
143,076
    
76,240
    
229,593

(1)
At September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, Class A Common Stock had 15,000,000 shares authorized.  For the same periods, shares issued, inclusive of treasury shares, were 9,424,518 and 8,638,474, respectively.
(2)
At September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, Class B Common Stock had 1,040,000 shares authorized and 881,452 shares issued.
(3)
Artesian Resources Corporation registered 200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, subsequently adjusted for stock splits, available for purchase through the Company’s 401(k) retirement plan.
(4)
Under the Equity Compensation Plan, effective December 9, 2015, or the 2015 Plan, Artesian Resources Corporation authorized up to 331,500 shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance of grants in the form of stock options, stock units, dividend equivalents and other stock-based awards, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as discussed in the 2015 Plan. Includes stock compensation expense for September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022, See Note 6-Stock Compensation Plans.

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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NOTE 1 – GENERAL

Artesian Resources Corporation, or Artesian Resources, includes income from the earnings of all of our wholly owned subsidiaries. The terms "we", "our", "Artesian" and the "Company" as used herein refer to Artesian Resources and its subsidiaries.

DELAWARE REGULATED UTILITY SUBSIDIARIES

Artesian Water Company, Inc., or Artesian Water, distributes and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal and utility customers throughout the State of Delaware.  In addition, Artesian Water provides services to other water utilities, including operations and billing functions, and has contract operation agreements with private, municipal and state water providers.  Artesian Water also provides water for public and private fire protection to customers in our service territories.

In May 2022, Artesian Water completed its purchase of substantially all the water operating assets from the Town of Clayton, or Clayton, a Delaware municipality located in Kent County, Delaware.  This purchase agreement is discussed further in the “Strategic Direction and Recent Developments” section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc., or Artesian Wastewater, began providing wastewater services in Sussex County, Delaware in July 2005.  Artesian Wastewater is a regulated entity that owns wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure and provides wastewater services to customers in Delaware as a regulated public wastewater service company.

In January 2022, Artesian Wastewater acquired Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc.  Artesian Wastewater operates as the parent holding company of Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. dba Artesian Wastewater, or TESI.  TESI was incorporated in 2004 and is a regulated entity that owns wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure and provides wastewater services to customers in Sussex County, Delaware as a regulated public wastewater service company.  Artesian Wastewater purchased all of the stock of TESI from Middlesex Water Company, or Middlesex, for $6.4 million in cash and other consideration, including forgiveness of a $2.1 million note due from Middlesex.  This acquisition more than doubled the number of wastewater customers served by Artesian’s Delaware wastewater subsidiaries in Sussex County, Delaware and included all residents within the Town of Milton, Delaware.

MARYLAND REGULATED UTILITY SUBSIDIARIES

Artesian Water Maryland, Inc., or Artesian Water Maryland, began operations in August 2007. Artesian Water Maryland distributes and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers in Cecil County, Maryland.

Artesian Wastewater Maryland, Inc., or Artesian Wastewater Maryland, was incorporated on June 3, 2008 and is authorized and able to provide regulated wastewater services to customers in the State of Maryland.  It is currently not providing these services.

PENNSYLVANIA REGULATED UTILITY SUBSIDIARY

Artesian Water Pennsylvania, Inc., or Artesian Water Pennsylvania, began operations in 2002.  It provides water service to a residential community in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

OTHER NON-UTILITY  SUBSIDIARIES

We have two other subsidiaries, neither of which are regulated. They are Artesian Utility Development, Inc., or Artesian Utility, and Artesian Development Corporation, or Artesian Development. We also had a third subsidiary, Artesian Storm Water Services, Inc., or Artesian Storm Water, which was dissolved effective June 20, 2023.

Artesian Utility was formed in 1996 and designs and builds water and wastewater infrastructure and provides contract water and wastewater operation services on the Delmarva Peninsula to private, municipal and governmental institutions.  Artesian Utility also evaluates land parcels, provides recommendations to developers on the size of water or wastewater facilities and the type of technology that should be used for treatment at such facilities, and operates water and wastewater facilities in Delaware for municipal and governmental agencies.  Artesian Utility also contracts with developers and government agencies for design and construction of wastewater infrastructure throughout the Delmarva Peninsula.
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Artesian Utility currently operates wastewater treatment facilities for the Town of Middletown, in southern New Castle County, Delaware, or Middletown, under a 20-year contract that expires in July 2039.  Artesian Utility currently operates three wastewater treatment systems with a combined capacity of up to approximately 3.8 million gallons per day. The wastewater treatment facilities in Middletown provide reclaimed wastewater for use in spray irrigation on public and agricultural lands in the area.

Artesian Utility also offers three protection plans to customers, the Water Service Line Protection Plan, or WSLP Plan, the Sewer Service Line Protection Plan, or SSLP Plan, and the Internal Service Line Protection Plan, or ISLP Plan (collectively, SLP Plans).  The WSLP Plan covers all parts, material and labor required to repair or replace participating customers' leaking water service lines up to an annual limit. The SSLP Plan covers all parts, material and labor required to repair or replace participating customers' leaking or clogged sewer lines up to an annual limit.  The ISLP Plan enhances available coverage to include water and wastewater lines within customers' residences up to an annual limit.

Artesian Development is a real estate holding company that owns properties, including land approved for office buildings, a water treatment plant and wastewater facility, as well as property for current operations, including an office facility in Sussex County, Delaware.  The office facility consists of approximately 10,000 square feet of office space along with nearly 10,000 square feet of warehouse space.

Artesian Storm Water, incorporated in 2017, was formed to provide design, installation, maintenance and repair services related to existing or proposed storm water management systems in Delaware and the surrounding areas.  Artesian Storm Water elected to not seek new opportunities.  In May 2023, the Board of Directors of Artesian Storm Water unanimously approved its dissolution.  Also, in May 2023, the Board of Directors of Artesian Resources Corporation, the sole shareholder of Artesian Storm Water, unanimously approved the dissolution of Artesian Storm Water.  The Company filed a Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State, which became effective on June 20, 2023.

NOTE 2 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for Form 10-Q.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.  Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2022 as filed with the SEC on March 10, 2023.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Artesian Resources Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including its principal operating company, Artesian Water.  In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments (unless otherwise noted) necessary to present fairly the Company's balance sheet position as of September 30, 2023, the results of its operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, its cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 and the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.  The December 31, 2022 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from the Company’s December 31, 2022 audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures and notes normally provided in annual financial statements.

The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or for future periods.

Regulated Utility Accounting

The accounting records of Artesian Water, Artesian Wastewater, and, effective January 14, 2022, TESI are maintained in accordance with the uniform system of accounts as prescribed by the Delaware Public Service Commission, or the DEPSC.  The accounting records of Artesian Water Pennsylvania are maintained in accordance with the uniform system of accounts as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or the PAPUC.  The accounting records of Artesian Water Maryland and Artesian Wastewater Maryland are maintained in accordance with the uniform system of accounts as prescribed by the Maryland Public Service Commission, or the MDPSC.  Each of these subsidiaries follow the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, ASC Topic 980, which provide guidance for companies in regulated industries. These regulated subsidiaries account for the majority of our operating revenue. See Note 17 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of our segment information.
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Use of Estimates

The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions regarding the reported amounts of assets and liabilities including unbilled revenues, credit losses and reserves for bad debt, regulatory asset recovery, lease agreements, goodwill and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from management's estimates.

All additions to utility plant are recorded at cost.  Business combinations pursuant to ASC Topic 805 may result in a purchase price allocation and the acquired assets are required to be evaluated by the applicable regulatory agency.  Artesian Wastewater acquired TESI in January 2022 and Artesian Water purchased substantially all of the water operating assets from the Town of Clayton in May 2022.  On December 31, 2022, the fair value determinations for TESI and the water operating assets acquired from the Town of Clayton were finalized.  A third-party valuation specialist assisted with the valuation of the assets acquired.  

NOTE 3 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

Background

Artesian’s operating revenues are primarily attributable to contract services based upon regulated tariff rates approved by the DEPSC, the MDPSC, and the PAPUC.  Regulated tariff contract service revenues consist of water consumption, industrial wastewater services, fixed fees for water and wastewater services including customer and fire protection fees, service charges and Distribution System Improvement Charges, or DSIC, billed to customers at rates outlined in our tariffs that represent stand-alone selling prices.  Our non-tariff contract revenues, which are primarily non-utility revenues, consist of SLP Plan fees, water and wastewater contract operations, design and installation contract services, and wastewater inspection fees.  Other regulated operating revenue primarily consists of developer guarantee contributions for wastewater and rental income for antenna agreements, which are not considered in the scope of Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Tariff Contract Revenues

Artesian generates revenue from the sale of water to customers in Delaware, Cecil County, Maryland, and Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania once a customer requests service in our territory.  We recognize water consumption revenue at tariff rates on a cycle basis for the volume of water transferred to customers based upon meter readings for actual gallons of water consumed as well as unbilled amounts for estimated usage from the date of the last meter reading to the end of the accounting period.  As actual usage amounts are known based on recurring meter readings, adjustments are made to the unbilled estimates in the next billing cycle based on the actual results.  Estimates are made on an individual customer basis, based on one of three methods: the previous year’s consumption in the same period, the previous billing period’s consumption, or averaging. While actual usage for individual customers may differ materially from the estimate based on management judgments described above, we believe the overall total estimate of consumption and revenue for the fiscal period will not differ materially from actual billed consumption.  The majority of our water customers are billed for water consumed on a monthly basis, while the remaining customers are billed on a quarterly basis.  As a result, we record unbilled operating revenue (contract asset) for any estimated usage through the end of the accounting period that will be billed in the next monthly or quarterly billing cycle.

Artesian generates revenue from industrial wastewater services provided to a customer in Sussex County, Delaware.  We recognize industrial wastewater service revenue at a contract rate on a monthly basis for the volume of wastewater transferred to Artesian’s wastewater facilities based upon meter readings for actual gallons of wastewater transferred.  These services are invoiced at the end of every month based on the actual meter readings for that month, and therefore there is no contract asset or liability associated with this revenue.  The contract also provides for a minimum required volume of wastewater flow to our facility.  At each year end, any shortfall of the actual volume from the required minimum volume is billed to the industrial customer and recorded as revenue.  Additionally, if during the course of the year it is probable that the actual volume will not meet the minimum required volume, estimated revenue amounts would be recorded for the pro rata minimum volume, constrained for potential flow capacity that could occur in the remainder of the year. Any estimated revenue amounts are recorded as unbilled operating revenue (contract asset) through the end of the accounting period and will be billed at each year end for any shortfall of the actual volume from the required minimal volume.
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Artesian generates revenue from metered wastewater services provided to certain customers in Sussex County, Delaware.  We recognize metered wastewater services at tariff rates on a cycle basis for the volume of wastewater transferred to Artesian’s wastewater facilities based upon meter readings for actual gallons of water transferred, as well as unbilled amounts for estimated volume from the date of the last meter reading to the end of the accounting period.  As actual volume amounts are known based on recurring meter readings, adjustments are made to the unbilled estimates in the next billing cycle based on the actual results.  Estimates are made on an individual customer basis, based on one of three methods: the previous year’s volume in the same period, the previous billing period’s volume, or averaging. While actual usage for individual customers may differ materially from the estimate based on management judgments described above, we believe the overall total estimate of volume and revenue for the fiscal period will not differ materially from actual billed consumption.  The majority of these wastewater customers are billed for the volume of water transferred on a quarterly basis.  As a result, we record unbilled operating revenue (contract asset) for any estimated volume through the end of the accounting period that will be billed in the next quarterly cycle.

Artesian generates fixed-fee revenue for water and wastewater services provided to customers once a customer requests service in our territory.  Our wastewater territory is located in Sussex County, Delaware.  We recognize revenue from these services on a ratable basis over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes all the benefits of the Company remaining ready to provide them water and wastewater service.  These contract services are billed either in advance or arrears at tariff rates on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis.  For contract services billed in arrears, we record unbilled operating revenue (contract asset) for any services through the end of the accounting period that will be billed in the next monthly or quarterly cycle.  For contract services billed in advance, we record deferred revenue (contract liability) and accounts receivable for any amounts for which we have a right to invoice but for which services have not been provided.  This deferred revenue is netted with unbilled operating revenue on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Artesian generates service charges primarily from non-payment fees, such as water shut-off and reconnection fees and finance charges.  These fees are billed and recognized as revenue at the point in time when our tariffs indicate the Company has the right to payment such as days past due have been reached or shut-offs and reconnections have been performed.  There is no contract asset or liability associated with these fees.

Artesian generates revenue from DSIC, which are surcharges applied to water customer tariff rates in Delaware related to specific types of water distribution system improvements.  This rate is calculated on a semi-annual basis based on an approved projected revenue requirement over the following six-month period.  This rate is adjusted up or down at the next DSIC filing to account for any differences between actual earned revenue and the projected revenue requirement.  Since DSIC revenue is a surcharge applied to tariff rates, we recognize DSIC revenue based on the same guidelines as noted above depending on whether the surcharge was applied to consumption revenue or fixed-fee revenue.

Accounts receivable related to tariff contract revenues are typically due within 25 days of invoicing. A provision for expected credit loss is calculated as a percentage of total associated revenues based upon historical trends and adjusted for current conditions.  We mitigate our exposure to credit losses by discontinuing services in the event of non-payment; accordingly, the related provision for expected credit loss and associated bad debt expense has not been significant.

Non-tariff Contract Revenues

Artesian generates SLP Plan revenue once a customer requests service to cover all parts, materials and labor required to repair or replace leaking water service lines, leaking or clogged sewer lines, or water and wastewater lines within the customer’s residence, up to an annual limit.  We recognize revenue from these services on a ratable basis over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes all the benefits of having service line protection services.  These contract services are billed in advance on a monthly or quarterly basis.  As a result, we record deferred revenue (contract liability) and accounts receivable for any amounts for which we have a right to invoice but for which services have not been provided.  Accounts receivable from SLP Plan customers are typically due within 25 days of invoicing.  A provision for expected credit loss is calculated as a percentage of total SLP Plan contract revenue.  We mitigate our exposure to credit losses by discontinuing services in the event of non-payment; accordingly, the related provision for expected credit loss and associated bad debt expense has not been significant.
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Artesian generates contract operation revenue from water and wastewater operation services provided to customers.  We recognize revenue from these operation contracts, which consist primarily of monthly operation and maintenance services, over time as customers receive and consume the benefits of such services performed. The majority of these services are invoiced in advance at the beginning of every month and are typically due within 30 days, and therefore there is no contract asset or liability associated with most of these revenues.  We have one operation contract that was paid in advance resulting in a contract liability for services that have not yet been provided.  A provision for expected credit loss is provided based on a periodic analysis of individual account balances, including an evaluation of days outstanding, payment history, recent payment trends, and our assessment of our customers’ creditworthiness.  The related provision for expected credit loss and associated bad debt expense has not been significant.

Artesian generates design and installation revenue for services related to the design and construction of wastewater infrastructure for a state agency under contract.  We recognize revenue from these services over time as services are performed using the percentage-of-completion method based on an input method of incurred costs (cost-to-cost).  These services are invoiced at the end of every month based on incurred costs to date.  As of September 30, 2023, there is no associated contract asset or liability.  There is no provision for expected credit loss or bad debt expense associated with this revenue.

Artesian generates inspection fee revenue for inspection services related to onsite wastewater collection systems installed by developers of new communities.  These fees are paid by developers in advance when a service is requested for a new phase of a development.  Inspection fee revenue is recognized on a per lot basis once the inspection of the infrastructure that serves each lot is completed.  As a result, we record deferred revenue (contract liability) for any amounts related to infrastructure not yet inspected.  There are no accounts receivable,  provision for expected credit loss or bad debt expense associated with inspection fee contracts.

Sales Tax

The majority of Artesian’s revenues are earned within the State of Delaware, where there is no sales tax.  Revenues earned in the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are related primarily to the sale of water by a public water utility and are exempt from sales tax.  Therefore, no sales tax is collected on revenues.

Disaggregated Revenues

The following table shows the Company’s revenues disaggregated by service type; all revenues are generated within a similar geographical location:

(in thousands)
  
Three months ended
September 30, 2023
    
Three months ended
September 30, 2022
    
Nine months ended
September 30, 2023
    
Nine months ended
September 30, 2022
  
Tariff Revenue
                        
     Consumption charges
  
$
13,681
    
$
13,927
    
$
37,064
    
$
36,676
  
     Fixed fees
    
8,299
      
7,924
      
24,365
      
23,452
  
     Service charges
    
169
      
156
      
523
      
449
  
     DSIC
    
1,403
      
1,406
      
3,922
      
3,870
  
     Metered wastewater services
    
183
      
193
      
435
      
462
  
     Industrial wastewater services
    
537
      
467
      
1,384
      
1,295
  
Total Tariff Revenue
  
$
24,272
    
$
24,073
    
$
67,693
    
$
66,204
  
                                 
Non-Tariff Revenue
                                
     Service line protection plans
  
$
1,441
    
$
1,224
    
$
4,176
    
$
3,662
  
     Contract operations
    
272
      
238
      
793
      
691
  
     Design and installation
    
28
      
621
      
150
      
1,723
  
     Inspection fees
    
138
      
127
      
325
      
234
  
Total Non-Tariff Revenue
  
$
1,879
    
$
2,210
    
$
5,444
    
$
6,310
  
Other Operating Revenue
  
$
419
    
$
299
    
$
1,180
    
$
1,266
  
Total Operating Revenue
  
$
26,570
    
$
26,582
    
$
74,317
    
$
73,780
  

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Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities

Our contract assets and liabilities consist of the following:

(in thousands)
  
September 30, 2023
    
December 31, 2022
    
December 31, 2021
  
                   
Contract Assets – Tariff
  
$
3,025
    
$
2,618
    
$
2,144
  
                         
Deferred Revenue
                        
     Deferred Revenue – Tariff
  
$
1,297
    
$
1,231
    
$
1,227
  
     Deferred Revenue – Non-Tariff
    
605
      
438
      
287
  
Total Deferred Revenue
  
$
1,902
    
$
1,669
    
$
1,514
  

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $1.2 million from amounts that were included in Deferred Revenue – Tariff at the beginning of the year and revenue of $0.3 million from amounts that were included in Deferred Revenue – Non- Tariff at the beginning of the year.

The changes in Contract Assets and Deferred Revenue are primarily due to normal timing differences between our performance and customer payments.

Remaining Performance Obligations

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Deferred Revenue – Tariff is recorded net of contract assets within Unbilled operating revenues and represents our remaining performance obligations for our fixed fee water and wastewater services, all of which are expected to be satisfied and associated revenue recognized in the next three months.

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Deferred Revenue – Non-Tariff is recorded within Other current liabilities and represents our remaining performance obligations for our SLP Plan services, contract water operation services and wastewater inspections, which are expected to be satisfied and associated revenue recognized within the next three months for the SLP revenue, approximately six years for the contract service revenue and one year for the inspection fee revenue.

NOTE 4 – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts. As set forth in a settlement agreement, Artesian Water will receive reimbursements from the Delaware Sand and Gravel Remedial Trust, or Trust, for Artesian Water’s past capital and operating costs, totaling approximately $10.0 million, related to the treatment costs associated with the release of contaminants from the Delaware Sand & Gravel Landfill Superfund Site, or Site, in groundwater that Artesian Water uses for public potable water supply.  Two installments for approximately $2.5 million each were paid in August 2022 and July 2023.  The remaining $5.0 million is due in two equal installments no later than July of 2024 and 2025.

A provision for expected credit loss is calculated as a percentage of total associated revenues based upon historical trends and adjusted for current conditions.  We mitigate our exposure to credit losses by discontinuing services in the event of non-payment; accordingly, the related provision for expected credit loss and associated bad debt expense has not been significant.  The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s accounts receivable balance:

 
September 30,
    
December 31,
    
December 31,
  
(in thousands)
  
2023
    
2022
    
2021
  
 
                  
Customer accounts receivable – water
  
$
6,246
    
$
5,981
    
$
5,986
  
Customer accounts receivable – wastewater
    
552
      
482
      
1,326
  
Settlement agreement receivable – short term
    
2,516
      
2,532
      
—
  
Miscellaneous accounts receivable
    
832
      
3,781
      
786
  
Developer receivable
    
698
      
1,151
      
698
  
 
    
10,844
      
13,927
      
8,796
  
Less: provision for expected credit loss
    
356
      
416
      
429
  
Net accounts receivable
  
$
10,488
    
$
13,511
    
$
8,367
  

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NOTE 5 – LEASES

The Company leases land and office equipment under operating leases from non-related parties.  Our leases have remaining lease terms of 5 years to 74 years, some of which include options to automatically extend the leases for up to 66 years and are included as part of the lease liability and right of use assets as we expect to exercise the options.  Payments made under operating leases are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.  The annual lease payments for the land operating leases increase each year either by the most recent increase in the Consumer Price Index or by 3%, as applicable based on the lease agreements.  Periodically, the annual lease payment for one operating land lease is determined based on the fair market value of the applicable parcel of land.  None of the operating leases contain contingent rent provisions.  The commencement date of all the operating leases is the earlier of the date we become legally obligated to make rent payments or the date we may exercise control over the use of the land or equipment.  The Company currently does not have any financing leases and does not have any lessor leases that require disclosure.

Management made certain assumptions related to the separation of lease and nonlease components and to the discount rate used when calculating the right of use asset and liability amounts for the operating leases.  As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rates for long-term and short-term agreements and apply the rates accordingly based on the term of the lease agreements to determine the present value of lease payments.

Rent expense for all operating leases, except those with terms of 12 months or less comprises:

 
(in thousands)
  
   
Three Months Ended
    
Nine Months Ended
  
   
September 30,
    
September 30,
  
   
2023
    
2022
    
2023
    
2022
  
                         
Minimum rentals
  
$
4
    
$
21
    
$
11
    
$
30
  
Contingent rentals
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
—
  
                                 
   
$
4
    
$
21
    
$
11
    
$
30
  

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:

 
  
(in thousands)
  
 
  
Nine Months Ended
    
Nine Months Ended
  
   
September 30, 2023
    
September 30, 2022
  
 
          
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
            
     Operating cash flows from operating leases
  
$
11
    
$
30
  
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
                
     Operating leases
  
$
498
    
$
444
  

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
 
  
(in thousands,
except lease term and discount rate)
  
 
  
September 30, 2023
    
December 31, 2022
  
 
            
Operating Leases:
            
     Operating lease right-of-use assets
  
$
498
    
$
467
  
                 
     Other current liabilities
  
$
9
      
2
  
     Operating lease liabilities
    
492
      
466
  
Total operating lease liabilities
  
$
501
    
$
468
  
                 
                 
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
                
     Operating leases
  
57 years
    
61 years
  
Weighted Average Discount Rate
                
     Operating leases
    
5.0
%
    
5.0
%

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Maturities of operating lease liabilities that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2023 are as follows:

 
  
(in thousands)
  
 
  
Operating Leases
  
Year
      
2024
  
$
34
  
2025
    
34
  
2026
    
34
  
2027
    
34
  
2028
    
31
  
Thereafter
    
1,401
  
Total undiscounted lease payments
  
$
1,568
  
Less effects of discounting
    
(1,067
)
Total lease liabilities recognized
  
$
501
  

As of September 30, 2023, we have not entered into operating or finance leases that will commence at a future date.

NOTE 6 – STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

On December 9, 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2015 Equity Compensation Plan, or the 2015 Plan, that replaced the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, or the 2005 Plan, which expired on May 24, 2015. The 2015 Plan provides that grants may be in any of the following forms: incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents and other stock-based awards. The 2015 Plan is administered and interpreted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, or the Committee.  The Committee has the authority to determine the individuals to whom grants will be made under the 2015 Plan, determine the type, size and terms of the grants, determine the time when grants will be made and the duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period (subject to the limitations of the 2015 Plan) and deal with any other matters arising under the 2015 Plan. The Committee presently consists of three directors, each of whom is a non-employee director of the Company. All of the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible for grants under the 2015 Plan. Non-employee directors of the Company are also eligible to receive grants under the 2015 Plan. 

Compensation expense, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 of approximately $69,000 and $185,000, respectively, was recorded for restricted stock awards issued in May 2022 and May 2023.  Compensation expense, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 of approximately $57,000 and $162,000, respectively, was recorded for restricted stock awards issued in May 2021 and May 2022.  Costs were determined based on the fair value on the dates of the awards and those costs were charged to income over the service periods associated with the awards.

There was no stock compensation cost capitalized as part of an asset.

On May 9, 2023, 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, or Class A Stock, were granted as restricted stock awards.  The fair value per share was $54.88, the closing price of the Class A Stock as recorded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 9, 2023.  Prior to their release date, these restricted stock awards may be subject to forfeiture in the event of the recipient’s termination of service.

On May 3, 2022, 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, or Class A Stock, were granted as restricted stock awards.  The fair value per share was $45.58, the closing price of the Class A Stock as recorded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 3, 2022.  Prior to their release date, these restricted stock awards were subject to forfeiture in the event of the recipient’s termination of service.
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The following summary reflects changes in the shares of Class A Stock underlying options and restricted stock awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

 
Options
    
Restricted Awards
  
   
Option Shares
    
Weighted Average Exercise Price
    
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Yrs.)
    
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
    
Outstanding Restricted Stock Awards
    
Weighted Average
Grant Date
FairValue
  
Plan options/restricted stock awards
                                    
Outstanding at January 1, 2023
    
6,750
    
$
21.86
          
$
248
      
5,000
    
$
45.58
  
Granted
    
—
      
—
            
—
      
5,000
      
54.88
  
Exercised/vested and released
    
—
      
—
            
—
      
(5,000
)
    
45.58
  
Expired/cancelled
    
—
      
—
            
—
      
—
      
—
  
Outstanding at September 30, 2023
    
6,750
    
$
21.86
      
0.602
    
$
136
      
5,000
    
$
54.88
  
                                                 
Exercisable/vested at September 30, 2023
    
6,750
    
$
21.86
      
0.602
    
$
136
      
—
      
—
  

There were no options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

There were no unvested option shares outstanding under the 2015 Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

As of September 30, 2023, there were no unrecognized expenses related to non-vested option shares granted under the 2015 Plan.  

As of September 30, 2023, there was $166,000 total unrecognized expenses related to non-vested awards of restricted shares awarded under the 2015 Plan.  The cost will be recognized over 0.61 years, the remaining vesting period for the restricted stock awards.

NOTE 7 – OTHER DEFERRED ASSETS

The investment in CoBank, ACB, or CoBank, which is a cooperative bank, is related to certain outstanding First Mortgage Bonds and is a required investment in the bank based on the underlying long-term debt agreements. The settlement agreement receivable is related to the long-term portion of reimbursements due in years 2024 and 2025 as further discussed in Note 4 - Accounts Receivable.

(in thousands)
September 30, 2023
  
December 31, 2022
 
 
 
 
Investment in CoBank
$5,882
 
$5,351
Settlement agreement receivable-long term
2,496
  
4,991
Other deferred assets
128
 
194
 
$8,506
 
$10,536

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NOTE 8 – REGULATORY ASSETS

The FASB ASC Topic 980 stipulates generally accepted accounting principles for companies whose rates are established or subject to approvals by a third-party regulatory agency. Certain expenses are recoverable through rates charged to our customers, without a return on investment, and are deferred and amortized during future periods using various methods as permitted by the DEPSC, MDPSC, and PAPUC.

The deferred income taxes will be amortized over future years as the tax effects of temporary differences that previously flowed through to our customers are reversed.

Debt related costs include debt issuance costs and other debt related expense.  The DEPSC has approved deferred regulatory accounting treatment for issuance costs associated with Artesian Water’s First Mortgage bonds. Debt issuance costs and other debt related expenses are reviewed during Artesian Water’s rate applications as part of its cost of capital calculations.

Affiliated interest agreement deferred costs relate to the regulatory and administrative costs resulting from efforts necessary to secure water allocations in Artesian Water Pennsylvania’s territory for the provision of service to the surrounding area and interconnection to Artesian Water Pennsylvania’s affiliate regulated water utility Artesian Water.  These costs were specifically included for cost recovery pursuant to an Affiliated Interest Agreement between Artesian Water and Artesian Water Pennsylvania and were approved for recovery by the PAPUC and were reclassed from deferred costs to a regulatory asset in 2022. Amortization of these deferred costs will begin in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Regulatory expenses amortized on a straight-line basis are noted below:

Expense
Years Amortized
Deferred contract costs and other
5
Rate case studies
5
Delaware rate proceedings
2.5
Maryland rate proceedings
5
Debt related costs
 15 to 30 (based on term of related debt)
Deferred costs affiliated interest agreement
20
Goodwill (resulting from acquisition of Mountain Hill Water Company in 2008)
50
Deferred acquisition costs (resulting from purchase of water assets in Cecil County, Maryland in 2011 and Port Deposit, Maryland in 2010)
20
Franchise Costs (resulting from purchase of water assets in Cecil County, Maryland in 2011)
80

Regulatory assets, net of amortization, comprise:
  
   
(in thousands)
  
   
September 30, 2023
    
December 31, 2022
  
             
Deferred contract costs and other
  
$
221
    
$
227
  
Rate case studies
    
138
      
57
  
Rate proceedings
    
222
      
—
  
Deferred income taxes
    
449
      
465
  
Debt related costs
    
4,416
      
4,682
  
Deferred costs affiliated interest agreement
    
1,124
      
1,114
  
Goodwill
    
260
      
266
  
Deferred acquisition and franchise costs
    
435
      
463
  
   
$
7,265
    
$
7,274
  

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NOTE 9 – REGULATORY LIABILITIES

FASB ASC Topic 980 stipulates generally accepted accounting principles for companies whose rates are established or subject to approvals by a third-party regulatory agency.  Certain obligations are deferred and/or amortized as determined by the DEPSC, MDPSC, and PAPUC.  Regulatory liabilities represent excess recovery of cost or other items that have been deferred because it is probable such amounts will be returned to customers through future regulated rates.

Utility plant retirement cost obligation consists of estimated costs related to the potential removal and replacement of facilities and equipment on the Company’s water and wastewater properties.  Effective January 1, 2012, as authorized by the DEPSC, when depreciable units of utility plant are retired, any cost associated with retirement, less any salvage value or proceeds received, is charged to a regulated retirement liability.  The annual amortization currently authorized by the DEPSC could be adjusted in future rate applications.

Deferred settlement refunds consist of reimbursements from the Delaware Sand and Gravel Remedial Trust for Artesian Water’s past capital and operating costs, totaling approximately $10.0 million, related to the treatment costs associated with the release of contaminants from the Delaware Sand & Gravel Landfill Superfund Site in groundwater that Artesian Water uses for public potable water supply, pursuant to the Settlement Agreement.  Two installments for approximately $2.5 million each were paid in August 2022 and July 2023.  The remaining $5.0 million is due in two equal installments no later than July of 2024 and 2025. Artesian Water received approval from the DEPSC in October 2022 to refund to its customers these reimbursements for past capital and operating costs.  The refund for the reimbursements will be applied to current and future customer bills in annual installments. The first two refunds occurred in October 2022 and August 2023. Future customer refunds will occur no later than August 2024 and August 2025.  The amount of the credit will be calculated by dividing the amount of the reimbursement by the number of eligible customers.  Beginning in 2022, Artesian Water began recording 2022 and future recovery of capital expenditures as Contributions in Aid of Construction and began recording expense recovery as an offset to operations and maintenance expense, with the intention that those recoveries will be available for inclusion and consideration in any future rate applications.  For a full discussion of the Settlement Agreement, refer to Note 18 - Legal Proceedings. 

Pursuant to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, on December 22, 2017, the Company adjusted its existing deferred income tax balances to reflect the decrease in the corporate income tax rate from 34% to 21% (see Note 12) resulting in a decrease in the net deferred income tax liability of $24.3 million, of which $22.8 million was reclassified to a regulatory liability related to Artesian Water and Artesian Water Maryland.  The regulatory liability amount is subject to certain Internal Revenue Service normalization rules that require the benefits to customers be spread over the remaining useful life of the underlying assets giving rise to the associated deferred income taxes.  On January 31, 2019, the DEPSC approved the amortization of the regulatory liability amount of $22.2 million over a period of 49.5 years beginning February 1, 2018, subject to audit at a later date. In May 2022, the Company received a rate order from the DEPSC instructing the Company to continue amortizing the liability over a period of 49.5 years, subject to review in the Company’s next base rate filing.  The MDPSC has not issued a final order on the regulatory liability amount of $0.6 million regarding the effects of the TCJA on Maryland customers.

Regulatory liabilities comprise:
  
 
  
(in thousands)
  
 
  
September 30, 2023
    
December 31, 2022
  
 
            
Utility plant retirement cost obligation
  
$
—
    
$
—
  
Deferred settlement refunds
    
4,991
      
7,487
  
Deferred income taxes (related to TCJA)
    
20,836
      
21,234
  
   
$
25,827
    
$
28,721
  

NOTE 10 – NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AND EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE

Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, the potentially dilutive effect of employee stock options and restricted stock awards.

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The following table summarizes the shares used in computing basic and diluted net income per share:

 
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
   
2023
    
2022
    
2023
    
2022
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation
    
10,276
      
9,477
      
9,929
      
9,451
  
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards
    
3
      
15
      
4
      
22
  
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation
    
10,279
      
9,492
      
9,933
      
9,473
  

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, no shares of restricted stock awards were excluded from the calculations of diluted net income per share.

The Company has 15,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Stock and 1,040,000 authorized shares of Class B Common Stock, or Class B Stock. As of September 30, 2023, 9,395,541 shares of Class A Stock and 881,452 shares of Class B Stock were issued and outstanding. As of September 30, 2022, 8,609,497 shares of Class A Stock and 881,452 shares of Class B Stock were issued and outstanding. The par value for both classes is $1.00 per share.

Equity per common share was $23.12 and $19.86 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. These amounts were computed by dividing common stockholders' equity by the number of weighted average shares of common stock outstanding on September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

NOTE 11 – REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS

Our water and wastewater utilities generate operating revenue from customers based on rates that are established by state public service commissions through a rate-setting process that may include public hearings, evidentiary hearings and the submission of evidence and testimony in support of the Company’s requested level of rates.

We are subject to regulation by the following state regulatory commissions:

• The DEPSC, regulates Artesian Water, Artesian Wastewater, and TESI.
• The MDPSC, regulates both Artesian Water Maryland and Artesian Wastewater Maryland.
• The PAPUC, regulates Artesian Water Pennsylvania.

Our water and wastewater utility operations are also subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, or Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act of 1972, or the Clean Water Act, and related state laws, and under federal and state regulations issued under these laws.  These laws and regulations establish criteria and standards for drinking water and for wastewater discharges.  Capital expenditures and operating costs required as a result of water quality standards and environmental requirements have been traditionally recognized by state regulatory commissions as appropriate for inclusion in establishing rates.

Water and Wastewater Rates

Our regulated subsidiaries periodically seek rate increases to cover the cost of increased operating expenses, increased financing expenses due to additional investments in utility plant and other costs of doing business. In Delaware, utilities are permitted by law to place rates into effect, under bond, on a temporary basis pending completion of a rate increase proceeding.  Any DSIC rate in effect will be reset to zero upon implementation of a temporary increase in base rates charged to customers.  The first temporary increase may be up to the lesser of $2.5 million on an annual basis or 15% of gross water sales.  Should the rate case not be completed within seven months, by law, the utility may put the entire requested rate relief, up to 15% of gross water sales, in effect under bond until a final resolution is ordered and placed into effect.  If any such rates are found to be in excess of rates the DEPSC finds to be appropriate, the utility must refund customers the portion found to be in excess with interest.  The timing of our rate increase requests is therefore dependent upon the estimated cost of the administrative process in relation to the investments and expenses that we hope to recover through the rate increase.  We can provide no assurances that rate increase requests will be approved by applicable regulatory agencies and, if approved, we cannot guarantee that these rate increases will be granted in a timely or sufficient manner to cover the investments and expenses for which we initially sought the rate increase.
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On April 28, 2023, Artesian Water filed a request with the DEPSC to implement new rates to meet a requested increase in revenue of 23.84%, or approximately $17.5 million, on an annualized basis.  The actual effective increase is less than 23.84% since Artesian Water has been permitted to recover specific investments made in infrastructure through the assessment of a 7.50% DSIC.  Since the DSIC rate is set to zero when temporary rates are placed into effect, customers would experience an incremental increase of 16.34%, the net of the overall 23.84% increase less the DSIC rate of 7.50% currently in effect, if the requested increase is granted in full by the DEPSC.  The new rates are designed to support Artesian Water’s ongoing capital improvement program and to cover increased costs of operations, including chemicals and electricity for water treatment, water quality testing, fuel, taxes, interest, labor and benefits.  In accordance with applicable Delaware law, Artesian Water is permitted to implement a temporary base rate increase of 15% of gross water sales on an annual basis, or $2.5 million, whichever is lower, 60 days after the application is filed.  Since Artesian Water has DSIC surcharges in excess of the allowable temporary increase and imposing the temporary increase would require DSIC to be reset to zero, Artesian Water has elected not to request the initial temporary rate increase.  However, since the application is not expected to be resolved within the seven-month statutory timeframe, Artesian Water filed an interim rates application to place into effect on November 28, 2023 a temporary base rate increase of  15% of gross water sales on an annual basis and reduce the 7.5% DSIC rate to zero, subject to refund, until permanent rates are determined by the DEPSC.  Artesian Water’s last comprehensive application for an increase in base rate charges was filed in April 2014.

Other Proceedings

Delaware law permits water utilities to put into effect, on a semi-annual basis, increases related to specific types of distribution system improvements through a DSIC. This charge may be implemented by water utilities between general rate increase applications that normally recognize changes in a water utility's overall financial position. The DSIC approval process is less costly when compared to the approval process for general rate increase requests. The DSIC rate applied between base rate filings is capped at 7.50% of the amount billed to customers under otherwise applicable rates and charges, and the DSIC rate increase applied cannot exceed 5.0% within any 12-month period.

The following table summarizes (1) Artesian Water’s application with the DEPSC to collect DSIC rates and (2) the rate upon which eligible plant improvements are based:

Application Date
11/20/20
DEPSC Approval Date
12/14/20
Effective Date
01/01/21
Cumulative DSIC Rate
7.50%
Net Eligible Plant Improvements – Cumulative Dollars (in millions)
$43.1
Eligible Plant Improvements – Installed Beginning Date
10/01/2014
Eligible Plant Improvements – Installed Ending Date
04/30/2019

The rate reflects the eligible plant improvements installed through April 30, 2019.  The January 1, 2021 rate currently remains in effect and is subject to periodic audit by the DEPSC.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we earned approximately $1.4 million and $3.9 million in DSIC revenue, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we earned approximately $1.4 million and $3.9 million in DSIC revenue, respectively.

NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES

Deferred income taxes are provided in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740 on all differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the amounts at which they are carried in the consolidated financial statements based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company’s rate regulated subsidiaries recognize regulatory liabilities, to the extent considered in ratemaking, for deferred taxes provided in excess of the current statutory tax rate and regulatory assets for deferred taxes provided at rates less than the current statutory rate.  Such tax-related regulatory assets and liabilities are reported at the revenue requirement level and amortized to income as the related temporary differences reverse, generally over the lives of the related properties.
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Under FASB ASC Topic 740, an uncertain tax position represents our expected treatment of a tax position taken, or planned to be taken in the future, that has not been reflected in measuring income tax expense for financial reporting purposes.  The Company establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions based upon management's judgment as to the sustainability of these positions. These accounting estimates related to the uncertain tax position reserve require judgments to be made as to the sustainability of each uncertain tax position based on its technical merits. The Company believes its tax positions comply with applicable law and that it has adequately recorded reserves as required. However, to the extent the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the estimates recorded, the Company would then adjust its tax reserves or unrecognized tax benefits in the period that this information becomes known.  The statute of limitations for the 2018 tax returns lapsed during the third quarter of 2022, which resulted in the reversal of the reserve in the amount of approximately $212,000.  The Company has elected to recognize accrued interest (net of related tax benefits) and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of its income tax expense.  During the third quarter of 2022, the Company reversed approximately $10,000 in penalties and interest leaving a zero balance. Through the third quarter of 2023, the Company has accrued approximately $8,000 in penalties and interest related to positions taken on the 2022 corporate income tax return. The Company remains subject to examination by federal and state authorities for the tax years 2019 through 2022.

Investment tax credits were deferred through 1986 and are recognized as a reduction of deferred income tax expense over the estimated economic useful lives of the related assets.


NOTE 13 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

Current Assets and Liabilities

For those current assets and liabilities that are considered financial instruments, the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

Long-term Financial Liabilities

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, all of the Company's outstanding long-term debt interest rates were a fixed-rate.  The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is determined by discounting their future cash flows using current market interest rates on similar instruments with comparable maturities consistent with FASB ASC 825.  Under the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of the long-term debt in the table below is classified as Level 2 measurements.  Level 2 is valued using observable inputs other than quoted prices.  The fair values for long-term debt differ from the carrying values primarily due to interest rates that differ from the current market interest rates.  The carrying amount and fair value of Artesian Resources' long-term debt (including current portion) are shown below:

(in thousands)
      
   
September 30, 2023
    
December 31, 2022
  
Carrying amount
  
$
178,094
    
$
177,622
  
Estimated fair value
  
$
148,652
    
$
155,425
  

The fair value of Advances for Construction cannot be reasonably estimated due to the inability to estimate accurately the timing and amounts of future refunds expected to be paid over the life of the contracts.  Refund payments are based on the water sales to new customers in the particular development constructed.  The fair value of Advances for Construction would be less than the carrying amount because these financial instruments are non-interest bearing.

NOTE 14 – COMMON STOCK OFFERING

On May 23, 2023, the Company completed the sale of 695,650 shares of its Class A Stock, par value $1.00 per share, at a price to the public of $50 per share.  The net proceeds to the Company from the offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering costs, were approximately $33.0 million.  The Company  also granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 104,348 shares of Class A Stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. On June 16, 2023, the underwriter exercised its over-allotment option, to purchase 67,689 shares of Class A Stock at the public offering price.  The net proceeds to the Company resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering costs, were approximately $3.2 million. All of the shares of Class A Stock sold in the offering were offered by the Company.
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The proceeds from both the initial offering and the over-allotment option were used to repay short-term borrowings, including borrowings incurred under our lines of credit with Citizens Bank and CoBank, incurred primarily to finance capital expenditures, including investment in utility plant and equipment, and other general corporate purposes.

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

As part of the Company’s growth strategy, on January 14, 2022 Artesian Wastewater completed its agreement to acquire TESI, which provides regulated wastewater services in Delaware.  Artesian Wastewater purchased all of the stock of TESI from Middlesex Water Company for $6.4 million in cash and other consideration, including forgiveness of a $2.1 million note due from Middlesex, consisting of $3.1 million paid at closing. This acquisition more than doubled the number of wastewater customers served by Artesian in Sussex County, Delaware.  The acquisition is being accounted for as a business combination under ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”  The purchase price allocation is primarily attributed to intangible assets and utility plant assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective estimated fair values.  The acquisition method of accounting requires, among other things, that assets acquired, and liabilities assumed in a business purchase combination be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date.  The Company utilized a third-party valuation firm to assist with the fair value of the assets acquired.  A combination of methods was used to determine the reasonableness of the purchase price: the cost approach and the comparative sales (market) approach.  Given the majority of the net assets acquired were tangible utility plant assets and related contributions in aid of construction, the Company primarily utilized the cost approach to record the fair value of the assets as well as some of the assumed liabilities.  This approach values the underlying assets to derive market value based on the estimated replacement cost, adjusted for depreciation.  Real property was valued using the comparative sales approach.  Goodwill was recognized primarily as a result of expected synergies of operations and interconnections to our existing utility plant infrastructure.  Goodwill as a result of the transaction is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The TESI acquisition was approved by the DEPSC on October 27, 2021, subject to the DEPSC determining the appropriate ratemaking treatment of the acquisition price and the assets acquired in Artesian Wastewater’s next base rate case.

The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 related to the business acquired are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The table below sets forth the final purchase price allocation of this acquisition as of December 31, 2022.

(in thousands)
    
     
TESI
 
Utility plant
  
$
25,354
 
Cash
    
280
 
Goodwill
    
1,939
 
Other assets
    
1,033
 
Total assets
    
28,606
 
Less: Liabilities and contributions in aid of construction (CIAC)
      
 
   Liabilities
    
2,808
 
   CIAC
    
22,676
 
Net cash purchase price
  
$
3,122

Additionally, as part of the Company’s growth strategy, on May 26, 2022, Artesian Water completed its purchase of substantially all of the water system operating assets from the Town of Clayton, or Clayton, a Delaware municipality located in Kent County, Delaware, including Clayton’s exclusive franchise territory and the right to provide water service to Clayton’s existing customers, or the Clayton Water System.  The total purchase price was $5.0 million, less the current payoff amount of secured debt or debt associated with the Clayton Water System.  At closing, Artesian Water paid approximately $3.4 million of the total purchase price.  The remaining $1.6 million is payable in five equal annual installments on the anniversary date of the closing. The first installment payment was paid in May 2023.  Each annual installment is payable with interest at an annual rate of 2.0%. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under ASC Topic 805.  The purchase price allocation is $7.9 million of utility plant assets offset by $2.9 million of CIAC.  The Company utilized similar valuation methodologies to those described above.
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This transfer of Clayton’s exclusive franchise territory was approved by the DEPSC on April 20, 2022.  The DEPSC will determine the appropriate ratemaking treatment of the acquisition price and the assets acquired in Artesian Water’s next base rate case.  The pro forma effects of the business acquired are not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations based on estimated annual revenue of approximately $0.5 million related to customers acquired.

As of December 31, 2022, the fair value determinations for TESI and the water operating assets acquired from the Town of Clayton were finalized.

NOTE 16 – GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION OF CUSTOMERS

Artesian Water, Artesian Water Maryland and Artesian Water Pennsylvania provide water utility service to customers within their established service territory in all three counties of Delaware and in portions of Maryland and Pennsylvania, pursuant to rates filed with and approved by the DEPSC, the MDPSC and the PAPUC.  As of September 30, 2023, Artesian Water was serving approximately 95,600 customers, Artesian Water Maryland was serving approximately 2,600 customers and Artesian Water Pennsylvania was serving approximately 40 customers.

Artesian Wastewater and TESI provide wastewater utility service to customers within their established service territory in Sussex County, Delaware pursuant to rates filed with and approved by the DEPSC.  As of September 30, 2023, the number of wastewater customers served was approximately 8,000, including one large industrial customer.

NOTE 17 – BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s operating segments are comprised of its businesses which generate revenues and incur expenses, for which separate operational financial information is available and is regularly evaluated by management for the purpose of making operating decisions, assessing performance, and allocating resources.  The Company operates its businesses primarily through one reportable segment, the Regulated Utility segment.  The Regulated Utility segment is the largest component of the Company’s business and includes an aggregation of our five regulated utility subsidiaries that are in the business of providing regulated water and wastewater services on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Our regulated water utility services include treating, distributing, and selling water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal and utility customers throughout the State of Delaware and in Cecil County, Maryland and to a residential community in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Our regulated wastewater utility services include the treatment and disposal of wastewater for customers in Sussex County, Delaware.  The Company is subject to regulations as to its rates, services, and other matters by the states of Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania with respect to utility service within these states.

The Company also operates other non-utility businesses, primarily comprised of: Service Line Protection Plan services for water, sewer and internal plumbing; design, construction and engineering services; and contract services for the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems in Delaware and Maryland.  These non-utility businesses do not individually or in the aggregate meet the criteria for disclosure of a reportable segment in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and are collectively presented throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q within “Other” or “Non-utility”, which is consistent with how management assesses the results of these businesses.

The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note 2 – Basis of Presentation.  The Regulated Utility segment includes inter-segment costs related to leased office space provided by one non-utility business, calculated on the lower of cost or market method, which are eliminated to reconcile to the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The Regulated Utility segment also allocates certain corporate costs to the non-utility businesses.  The measurement of depreciation, interest, and capital expenditures are predominately related to our Regulated Utility segment.  These amounts in our non-utility business are negligible and account for approximately less than 1% of consolidated amounts as of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.
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(in thousands)
      
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
    
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
   
2023
    
2022
    
2023
    
2022
  
Revenues:
                        
Regulated Utility
  
$
24,877
    
$
24,541
    
$
69,377
    
$
67,846
  
Other (non-utility)
    
1,747
      
2,074
      
5,101
      
6,034
  
Inter-segment elimination
    
(54
)
    
(33
)
    
(161
)
    
(100
)
Consolidated Revenues
  
$
26,570
    
$
26,582
    
$
74,317
    
$
73,780
  
                                 
Operating Income:
                                
Regulated Utility
  
$
6,387
    
$
7,784
    
$
16,104
    
$
18,647
  
Other (non-utility)
    
274
      
298
      
828
      
1,022
  
Consolidated Operating Income
  
$
6,661
    
$
8,082
    
$
16,932
    
$
19,669
  
                                 
Income Taxes:
                                
Regulated Utility
  
$
1,929
    
$
1,657
    
$
4,300
    
$
4,470
  
Other (non-utility)
    
320
      
177
      
856
      
508
  
Consolidated Income Taxes
  
$
2,249
    
$
1,834
    
$
5,156
    
$
4,978
  

 
September 30,
2023
    
December 31,
2022
  
Assets:
            
Regulated Utility
  
$
749,834
    
$
713,113
  
Other (non-utility)
    
11,977
      
6,678
  
Consolidated Assets
  
$
761,811
    
$
719,791
  


NOTE 18 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Periodically, we are involved in other proceedings or litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.  We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will materially affect our business, financial position or results of operations.  However, we cannot ensure that we will prevail in any litigation and, regardless of the outcome, may incur significant litigation expense and may have significant diversion of management attention.

On July 19, 2022, final judgment was entered by the United States District Court, or Court, for a Consent Decree between the Delaware Sand and Gravel Remedial Trust, or Trust, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or USEPA, that governs the implementation of Amendment No 2 to the USEPA’s 1988 Record of Decision for the Delaware Sand & Gravel Landfill Superfund Site, or Site, located in New Castle County, Delaware, issued on December 12, 2017, or ROD Amendment No. 2, confirming, among other things, the terms and conditions set forth in a Settlement Agreement upon which The Chemours Company FC, LLC, Hercules, LLC, Waste Management of Delaware, Inc., SC Holdings, Inc., Cytec Industries, Inc., Zeneca Inc., and Bayer CropScience Inc., collectively the Percentage Settlors, and the Trust, on one hand, and Artesian Water, on the other hand, have agreed to resolve certain of Artesian Water’s claims and issues relating to releases of contaminants from the Site.

ROD Amendment No. 2 sets forth the remedy for the contamination existing at and emanating from the Site, or the Remedy, to address a release of contaminants of concern and of emerging concern, or COC’s, from the Site into groundwater.  Artesian Water has found in groundwater that Artesian Water uses for public potable water supply certain COC’s that the Remedy is designed to address, as a result of which Artesian has incurred, and potentially will incur additional, capital and operating costs to treat the groundwater to meet applicable drinking water standards.  The Remedy includes requirements that are directly linked to Artesian’s continued operation of the treatment plant associated with groundwater around the Site.
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As set forth in the Settlement Agreement, Artesian Water shall have access to financial assurances that the Percentage Settlors have provided, or will provide, to the USEPA in connection with the Consent Decree governing the implementation of the Remedy.  In addition, the Trust shall reimburse Artesian Water for past capital and operating costs, totaling approximately $10.0 million. Two installments of approximately $2.5 million each were  paid in August 2022 and July 2023. The remaining $5.0 million is due in two equal installments no later than July of 2024 and 2025. In addition, the Trust shall reimburse Artesian Water for documented reasonable and necessary capital and operating costs after July 1, 2021 that Artesian Water incurs to treat Site-related COC’s.  Any reimbursements Artesian Water receives from the Trust shall be subject to final determination by the DEPSC as to the appropriate regulatory rate-making treatment.  Artesian Water received approval from the DEPSC in October 2022 to refund the reimbursements for past capital and operating costs to its customers.  The refund for the reimbursements will be applied to current and future customer bills in annual installments. The first two refunds occurred in October 2022 and August 2023. Future customer refunds will occur no later than August 2024 and August 2025.  The amount of the credit is calculated by dividing the amount of the reimbursement by the number of eligible customers.  Artesian Water will record 2022 and future recovery of capital expenditures as Contributions in Aid of Construction and will record expense recovery as an offset to operations and maintenance expense, with the intention that those recoveries will then be available for inclusion and consideration in any future rate applications.  The Trust’s reimbursement of such costs shall end if and when, based upon testing information from the Trust’s Remedy facilities and Artesian Water’s facilities, treatment of Site-related COC’s is no longer necessary for Artesian Water to meet the treatment levels that Artesian Water chooses to not exceed in water it distributes to the general public throughout its service territory to provide a margin of safety in complying with applicable drinking water standards. 

NOTE 19 – IMPACT OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

There was no new guidance issued by the FASB during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 that is applicable to the Company.


ITEM 2

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that express our "belief," "anticipation" or "expectation," as well as other statements that are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Statements regarding our goals, priorities, growth and expansion plans and expectation for our water and wastewater subsidiaries and non-regulated subsidiaries, customer base growth opportunities in Delaware and Cecil County, Maryland, our belief regarding the timing and results of our rate requests, our belief regarding our capacity to provide water services for the foreseeable future to our customers, our belief relating to our compliance and the cost to achieve compliance with relevant governmental regulations, our expectation of the timing of decisions by regulatory authorities, the impact of weather on our operations and the execution of our strategic initiatives, our expectation of the timing for construction on new projects, our expectation relating to the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements, contract operations opportunities, legal proceedings, our properties, deferred tax assets, adequacy of our available sources of financing, the expected recovery of expenses related to our long-term debt, our expectation to be in compliance with financial covenants in our debt instruments, our ability to refinance our debt as it comes due, our ability to adjust our debt level, interest rate, maturity schedule and structure, the timing and terms of renewals of our lines of credit, plans to increase our wastewater treatment operations, engineering services and other revenue streams less affected by weather, expected future contributions to our postretirement benefit plan, anticipated growth in our non-regulated division, the impact of recent acquisitions on our ability to expand and foster relationships, anticipated investments in certain of our facilities and systems and the sources of funding for such investments, and the sufficiency of internally generated funds and credit facilities to provide working capital and our liquidity needs are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  Words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates", "projects", "forecasts", "may", "should", variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Certain factors as discussed under Item 1A - Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, such as changes in weather, changes in our contractual obligations, changes in government policies, the timing and results of our rate requests, failure to receive regulatory approval, changes in economic and market conditions generally, and other matters could cause results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so and you should not rely on any forward-looking statement as a representation of the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

OVERVIEW

Our profitability is primarily attributable to the sale of water and wastewater services in our regulated utility business.  Our regulated utility segment comprised 93.4% of total operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 92.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.  Water sales are subject to seasonal fluctuations, particularly during summer when water demand may vary with rainfall and temperature.  In the event temperatures during the typically warmer months are cooler than expected, or rainfall is greater than expected, the demand for water may decrease and our revenues may be adversely affected.  We believe these effects of weather are short term and do not materially affect the execution of our strategic initiatives.  Our wastewater services provide a revenue stream that is not affected by these changes in weather patterns.  We continue to seek growth opportunities to provide wastewater services in Delaware and the surrounding areas.


Our profitability is also attributed to other non-utility business, such as various contract operations, water, sewer and internal SLP Plans and other services we provide.  Our contract operations, SLP Plans and other services also provide a revenue stream that is not affected by changes in weather patterns.  We also continue to explore and develop relationships with developers and municipalities in order to increase revenues from contract water and wastewater operations, wastewater management services, and design, construction and engineering services.  We plan to continue developing and expanding our contract operations and other services in a manner that complements our growth in water service to new customers.  Our anticipated growth in these areas is subject to changes in residential and commercial construction, which may be affected by interest rates, inflation and general housing and economic market conditions.  We anticipate continued growth in our non-utility subsidiaries due to our water, sewer, and internal SLP Plans.

Inflation

We are affected by inflation, most notably by the continually increasing costs required to maintain, improve and expand our service capability.  The cumulative effect of inflation results in significantly higher facility replacement costs as well as increased operating costs, which must be recovered from future cash flows.  Our ability to recover increases in investments in facilities and operating costs is dependent upon future rate increases, which are subject to approval by the applicable regulatory authority.  We can provide no assurances that any future rate increase request will be approved, and if approved, we cannot guarantee that any rate increase will be granted in a timely manner and/or will be sufficient in amount to cover costs for which we initially sought the rate increase.  The impact of inflation could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Materials and Supplies

We are highly dependent on the availability of essential materials and parts from our suppliers for expansion, construction and maintenance of our services.  The majority of the materials required for our water and wastewater utility business are typically under contract at fixed prices, however, supply chain issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in price increases and delays in procuring certain materials and equipment in 2021 and 2022.  We successfully minimized these delays with thorough planning and pre-ordering.  However, there is no assurance that our future financial results or business operations will not be negatively affected.

Regulated Water Subsidiaries

Artesian Water, Artesian Water Maryland and Artesian Water Pennsylvania provide water service to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal and utility customers.  Increases in the number of customers contribute to increases, or help to offset any intermittent decreases, in our operating revenue.  As of September 30, 2023, the number of metered water customers in Delaware increased approximately 1.3% compared to September 30, 2022.  The number of metered water customers in Maryland increased approximately 0.8% compared to September 30, 2022.  The number of metered water customers in Pennsylvania remained consistent compared to September 30, 2022.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, approximately 6.6 billion gallons of water were distributed in our Delaware systems and approximately 80.0 million gallons of water were distributed in our Maryland systems.
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On April 28, 2023, Artesian Water filed a request with the DEPSC to implement new rates to meet a requested increase in revenue of 23.84%, or approximately $17.5 million, on an annualized basis.  The actual effective increase is less than 23.84% since Artesian Water has been permitted to recover specific investments made in infrastructure through the assessment of a 7.50% DSIC.  Since the DSIC rate is set to zero when temporary rates are placed into effect, customers would experience an incremental increase of 16.34%, the net of the overall 23.84% increase less the DSIC rate of 7.50% currently in effect, if the requested increase is granted in full by the DEPSC.  Artesian Water filed an interim rates application to place into effect on November 28, 2023 a temporary base rate increase of 15% of gross water sales on an annual basis and reduce the 7.5% DSIC rate to zero, subject to refund, until permanent rates are determined by the DEPSC.  This is discussed further in Note 11 – Regulatory Proceedings.

Regulated Wastewater Subsidiaries

Artesian Wastewater and TESI own wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure and provide regulated wastewater services to customers in Sussex County, Delaware.  Artesian Wastewater Maryland is able to provide regulated wastewater services to customers in Maryland.  It is not currently providing these services in Maryland.  The majority of our residential and commercial wastewater customers are billed a flat monthly fee, and our large industrial wastewater customer is billed monthly based on wastewater flow, which contributes to providing a revenue stream unaffected by weather.  As of September 30, 2023, the number of Delaware wastewater customers increased approximately 7.6% compared to September 30, 2022.

Non-Utility Subsidiaries

Artesian Utility provides contract water and wastewater operation services to private, municipal, and governmental institutions.  Artesian Utility also offers three protection plans to customers, the WSLP Plan, the SSLP Plan, and the ISLP Plan.  SLP Plan customers are billed a flat monthly or quarterly rate, which contributes to providing a revenue stream unaffected by weather.  There has been consistent customer growth over the years.  As of September 30, 2023, the eligible customers enrolled in the WSLP Plan, the SSLP Plan and the ISLP Plan increased 4.2%, 2.9% and 6.8%, respectively, compared to September 30, 2022.  The non-utility customers enrolled in one of our three protection plans decreased 3.2%.


Strategic Direction and Recent Developments

Our strategy is to increase customer growth, revenues, earnings and dividends by expanding our water, wastewater and SLP Plan services across the Delmarva Peninsula.  We remain focused on providing superior service to our customers and continuously seek ways to improve our efficiency and performance.  Our strategy has included a focus on building strategic partnerships with county governments, municipalities and developers.  By providing water and wastewater services, we believe we are positioned as the primary resource for developers and communities throughout the Delmarva Peninsula seeking to fill both needs simultaneously.  We believe we have a proven ability to acquire and integrate high growth, reputable entities, through which we have captured additional service territories that will serve as a base for future revenue.  We believe this experience presents a strong platform for further expansion and that our success to date also produces positive relationships and credibility with regulators, municipalities, developers and customers in both existing and prospective service areas.

In our regulated water subsidiaries, our strategy is to focus on a wide spectrum of activities, which include strategic acquisitions of existing systems, expanding certificated service area, identifying new and dependable sources of supply, developing the wells, treatment plants and delivery systems to supply water to customers and educating customers on the wise use of water.  Our strategy includes focused efforts to expand through strategic acquisitions and in new regions added to our Delaware service territory over the last 10 years.  We plan to expand our regulated water service area in the Cecil County designated growth corridor and to expand our business through the design, construction, operation, management and acquisition of additional water systems.  The expansion of our exclusive franchise areas elsewhere in Maryland and the award of contracts will similarly enhance our operations within the state.

Our ability to develop partnerships with various county governments, municipalities and developers has provided a number of opportunities.  In the last four years, we completed seven acquisitions including asset purchase agreements with municipal and developer/homeowner association operated systems.

We believe that Delaware's generally lower cost of living in the region and availability of development sites in relatively close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean in Sussex County have resulted, and will continue to result, in increases to our customer base.  Delaware’s lower property and income tax rate make it an attractive region for new home development and retirement communities.  Substantial portions of Delaware currently are not served by a public water system, which could also assist in an increase to our customer base as systems are added.
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On May 26, 2022, Artesian Water completed its purchase of substantially all of the water operating assets from the Town of Clayton, or Clayton, a Delaware municipality located in Kent County, Delaware, including Clayton’s exclusive franchise territory and the right to provide water service to Clayton’s existing customers, or the Clayton Water System.  The total purchase price was $5.0 million, less the current payoff amount of secured debt or debt associated with the Clayton Water System.  This transfer of Clayton’s exclusive franchise territory was approved by the DEPSC on April 20, 2022.

In our regulated wastewater subsidiaries, we foresee significant growth opportunities and will continue to seek strategic partnerships and relationships with developers and governmental agencies to complement existing agreements for the provision of wastewater service on the Delmarva Peninsula. There are numerous locations in Sussex County where Artesian Wastewater’s and Sussex County’s facilities are connected or integrated to allow for the movement and disposal of wastewater generated by one or the other’s system in a manner that most efficiently and cost effectively manages wastewater transmission, treatment and disposal.  In addition, Artesian Wastewater plans to utilize our larger regional wastewater facilities to expand service areas to new customers while transitioning our smaller treatment facilities into regional pump stations in order to gain additional efficiencies in the treatment and disposal of wastewater. We believe this will reduce operational costs at the smaller treatment facilities in the future because they will be converted from treatment and disposal plants to pump stations to assist with transitioning the flow of wastewater from one regional facility to another.  In addition, since closing the transaction with TESI noted below, Artesian’s Delaware wastewater subsidiaries are the sole regional regulated wastewater utilities in Delaware, which we believe will enable us to increase efficiencies in the treatment and disposal of wastewater and provide additional opportunities to expand our wastewater operations.

On January 14, 2022, Artesian Wastewater acquired TESI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Middlesex Water Company, or Middlesex, that provides regulated wastewater services in Delaware.  Artesian Wastewater purchased all of the stock of TESI from Middlesex for $6.4 million in cash and other consideration, including, forgiveness of a $2.1 million note due from Middlesex.  This acquisition more than doubled the number of wastewater customers served by Artesian in Sussex County, Delaware and included all residents in the Town of Milton.

The general need for increased capital investment in our water and wastewater systems is due to a combination of population growth, more protective water quality standards, aging infrastructure and acquisitions.  Our planned and budgeted capital improvements over the next three years include projects for water infrastructure improvements and expansion in both Delaware and Maryland and wastewater infrastructure improvements and expansion in Delaware.  The DEPSC and MDPSC have generally recognized the operating and capital costs associated with these improvements in setting water and wastewater rates for current customers and capacity charges for new customers.

In our non-utility subsidiaries, we continue pursuing opportunities to expand our contract operations.  Through Artesian Utility, we will seek to expand our contract design, engineering and construction services of water and wastewater facilities for developers, municipalities and other utilities.  We also anticipate continued growth due to our water, sewer and internal SLP Plans.  Artesian Development owns two nine-acre parcels of land, located in Sussex County, Delaware, which will allow for construction of a water treatment facility and wastewater treatment facility.

Results of Operations – Analysis of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022.

Operating Revenues

Revenues totaled $26.6 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

Other utility operating revenue increased approximately $0.4 million, or 13.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022.  This increase is primarily due to an increase in wastewater revenue associated with customer growth and an increase in the timing of industrial wastewater revenue.

Water sales revenue decreased $0.1 million, or 0.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022, primarily related to a decrease in overall water consumption related to the wetter weather pattern experienced during the summer months of 2023, partially offset by an increase in fixed fee charges related to customer growth. We realized 81.5% and 81.6% of our total operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively, from the sale of water.

Non-utility operating revenue decreased approximately $0.3 million, or 16.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022.  This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in contract service revenue related to a contract for the design and construction of wastewater infrastructure now nearing completion, partially offset by an increase in Service Line Protection Plan revenue.
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Operating Expenses

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and income taxes, increased $0.8 million, or 5.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.

Utility operating expenses increased $1.2 million, or 11.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022.  The net increase is primarily related to the following;

Payroll and employee benefit costs increased $0.4 million, primarily related to an increase in overall compensation, a decrease in capitalized payroll related to a 2022 software upgrade, and an increase in medical benefit premium costs.
Repair and maintenance costs increased $0.3 million, primarily associated with water treatment and distribution operations, including filter replacements costs, tank painting costs and a reimbursement from the Delaware Sand and Gravel Remedial Trust in the third quarter of 2022 for Artesian Water’s operating costs related to certain 2022 and 2021 treatment costs pursuant to a settlement agreement.
Administrative costs increased $0.3 million, primarily due to increases in computer system maintenance and subscription fees, as well as an increase in consulting fees.
Water treatment costs increased $0.1 million, primarily due to an increase in the cost and volume of chemicals used.

Non-utility operating expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 28.5%, primarily due to a decrease in costs associated with a wastewater infrastructure design and construction contract.

The ratio of operating expense, excluding depreciation and income taxes, to total revenue was 53.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 50.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.2 million, or 7.3%, primarily due to continued investment in utility plant providing supply, treatment, storage and distribution of water to customers and service to our wastewater customers.

Federal and state income tax expense increased $0.4 million, or 22.7%, primarily due to adjustments related to the application of net operating loss valuation allowances, partially offset by lower pre-tax income in 2023 compared to 2022 and a decrease in 2022 income tax expense related to stock options exercised in the third quarter of 2022, with no similar activity in 2023.


Other Income

Other income increased $0.3 million, primarily due to an increase in allowance for funds used during construction, or AFUDC, as a result of higher long-term construction activity subject to AFUDC for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.


Net Income

Net income applicable to common stock decreased $1.1 million, or 17.5%, due to the $1.4 million increase in Total Operating Expenses, offset by the $0.3 million increase in Other income, net.


Results of Operations – Analysis of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022.

Operating Revenues

Revenues totaled $74.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $0.5 million, or 0.7%, more than revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
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Other utility operating revenue increased approximately $0.8 million, or 9.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022.  This increase is primarily due to an increase in wastewater revenue associated with new customers and the timing of industrial wastewater revenue.

Water sales revenue increased $0.7 million, or 1.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from the corresponding period in 2022, primarily related to an increase in overall water consumption and an increase in fixed fee charges related to new customers.  This increase is partially offset by a one-time refund issued to customers within the Town of Frankford for a rate change retroactive to February 2022, as approved by the DEPSC in the first quarter of 2023, in accordance with the agreement for the purchase of Frankford’s water assets.  We realized 81.1% and 80.7% of our total operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively, from the sale of water.

Non-utility operating revenue decreased approximately $1.0 million, or 16.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022.  This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in contract service revenue related to a contract for the design and construction of wastewater infrastructure now nearing completion, partially offset by an increase in Service Line Protection Plan revenue.


Operating Expenses

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and income taxes, increased $2.6 million, or 6.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.

Utility operating expenses increased $3.5 million, or 11.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022.  The net increase is primarily related to the following;

Payroll and employee benefit costs increased $1.7 million, primarily related to an increase in overall compensation, an increase in the number of employees, a decrease in capitalized payroll related to a 2022 software upgrade and an increase in medical benefit premium costs.
Repair and maintenance costs increased $0.9 million, primarily associated with water treatment and distribution operations, including tank painting costs, and wastewater treatment and disposal operations, including a one-time acquisition adjustment related to TESI in 2022 and a reimbursement from the Delaware Sand and Gravel Remedial Trust in the third quarter of 2022 for Artesian Water’s operating costs related to certain 2021 treatment costs pursuant to a settlement agreement.
Administrative costs increased $0.8 million, primarily due to increases in computer system maintenance and subscription fees, consulting fees, legal fees, a one-time adjustment related to the TESI acquisition in 2022, and customer billing costs.
Water treatment costs increased $0.5 million, primarily due to an increase in the cost and volume of chemicals used.
Purchased power costs increased $0.2 million due to an increase in usage in wastewater and water operations.
Purchased water costs decreased $0.5 million, primarily related to a decrease of water purchased under contract, in which the minimum amount of water required to be purchased was reduced in July 2022.

Non-utility operating expenses decreased $1.1 million, or 24.7%, primarily due to a decrease in costs associated with a wastewater infrastructure design and construction contract.


Property and other taxes increased $0.2 million, or 3.6%, primarily due to an increase in utility plant subject to taxation and an increase in payroll taxes, related to increased payroll related expenses.  Property taxes are assessed on land, buildings and certain utility plant, which include the footage and size of pipe, hydrants and wells.

The ratio of operating expense, excluding depreciation and income taxes, to total revenue was 57.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 53.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.5 million, or 5.7%, primarily due to continued investment in utility plant providing supply, treatment, storage and distribution of water to customers and service to our wastewater customers.

Federal and state income tax expense increased $0.2 million, or 3.6%, primarily due to adjustments related to the application of net operating loss valuation allowances, partially offset by lower pre-tax income in 2023 compared to 2022 and a decrease in 2022 income tax expense related to stock options exercised in the first nine months of 2022, with no similar activity in 2023.
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Other Income

Other income increased $1.0 million, primarily due to a $0.8 million increase in allowance for funds used during construction, or AFUDC, as a result of higher long-term construction activity subject to AFUDC for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.  Miscellaneous income increased $0.2 million primarily related to an increase in the annual patronage refund from CoBank, ACB.  The primary refund calculation for both 2023 and 2022 was based on the average loan balance outstanding.

Interest Charges

Long-term debt interest expense increased $0.4 million, primarily related to an increase in long-term debt interest associated with the Series W First Mortgage Bond issued on April 29, 2022.  Short-term debt interest expense increased $0.3 million, primarily related to higher interest rates.  The average short-term interest rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 6.14% compared to 2.44% for the same period in 2022.


Net Income

Our net income applicable to common stock decreased $2.5 million, or 15.7%.  Total Operating Revenues increased $0.5 million and Other income, net increased $1.0 million, offset by a $3.3 million increase in Total Operating Expenses and $0.8 million increase in Interest charges.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

Our primary sources of liquidity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $23.4 million of cash provided by operating activities, $17.0 million in net contributions and advances from developers, which includes $3.6 million of grant funds from the State of Delaware, $2.0 million from the issuance of long-term debt and $36.5 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Class A Stock.  On May 23, 2023 and June 16, 2023, the Company completed the sale of 695,650 shares and 67,689 shares of its Class A Stock, respectively.  Cash flow from operating activities is primarily provided by our utility operations, and is impacted by the timeliness and adequacy of rate increases and changes in water consumption as a result of customer growth levels and year-to-year variations in weather conditions, particularly during the summer.  A significant part of our ability to maintain and meet our financial objectives is to ensure that our investments in utility plant and equipment are recovered in the rates charged to customers.  As such, from time to time, we file rate increase requests to recover increases in operating expenses and investments in utility plant and equipment.  See Note 11 – Regulatory Proceedings. We will continue to borrow on available lines of credit in order to satisfy current liquidity needs.  In addition, the Company has a long history of paying regular quarterly dividends as approved by our Board of Directors using net cash from operating activities.

Investment in Plant and Systems

The primary focus of our investments is to continue to provide high quality reliable service to our growing service territory.  Capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2023 were $48.8 million compared to $36.7 million during the same period in 2022.  During the first nine months of 2023, we continued to focus our investment through our rehabilitation program for transmission and distribution facilities by replacing aging or deteriorating mains, installation of new mains, enhancing or improving existing treatment facilities, construction of new water storage tanks, and replacing aging wells and pumping equipment to better serve our customers.  Developers contributed $6.0 million of these total investments during the first nine months of 2023.

We depend on the availability of capital for expansion, construction and maintenance.  We rely on our sources of liquidity to finance our investments in utility plant and to meet our various payment obligations.  We estimate that future investments will be financed by our operations and external sources, including short-term borrowings under our revolving credit agreements discussed below. We expect to fund our activities for the next twelve months using our available cash balances, bank credit lines, projected cash generated from operations, state revolving fund loans and capital market financing.  We believe that internally generated funds along with existing credit facilities will be adequate to provide sufficient working capital to maintain normal operations and to meet our financing requirements.  However, because part of our business strategy is to expand through strategic acquisitions, we may seek additional debt financing or issue additional equity securities to finance future acquisitions or for other purposes.  There is no assurance that we will be able to secure funding on terms acceptable to us, or at all.  Our cash flows from operations are primarily derived from water sales revenues and may be materially affected by changes in water sales due to weather and the timing and extent of increases in rates approved by state public service commissions.
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Lines of Credit and Long-Term Debt

At September 30, 2023, Artesian Resources had a $40 million line of credit with Citizens Bank, or Citizens, which is available to all subsidiaries of Artesian Resources.  As of September 30, 2023, there was $40.0 million of available funds under this line of credit.  The previous interest rate for borrowings under this line was the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus 1.00%.  The LIBOR rate for USD currency was discontinued as of June 30, 2023.  As a result, effective May 20, 2022, this line of credit agreement was amended to replace LIBOR with the Daily Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or SOFR.  The interest rate is a one-month SOFR plus 10 basis points, or Term SOFR, plus an applicable margin of 0.85%, which was increased to 1.10% effective August 3, 2023.  Term SOFR cannot be less than 0.00%.  This is a demand line of credit and therefore the financial institution may demand payment for any outstanding amounts at any time.  The term of this line of credit expires on the earlier of May 20, 2024 or any date on which Citizens demands payment. The Company expects to renew this line of credit.

At September 30, 2023, Artesian Water had a $20 million line of credit with CoBank, ACB, or CoBank, that allows for the financing of operations for Artesian Water, with up to $10 million of this line available for the operations of Artesian Water Maryland.  As of September 30, 2023, there was $20.0 million of available funds under this line of credit.  The previous interest rate for borrowings under this line allowed the Company to select either LIBOR plus 1.50% or a weekly variable rate established by CoBank; the Company historically used the weekly variable interest rate.  In October 2022, this line of credit was amended to replace the previous interest rate options with a daily SOFR rate plus 1.45% option or a term SOFR rate plus 1.45% option that is locked in for either one or three months.  The term of this line of credit expires on October 31, 2024.  Artesian Water expects to renew this line of credit.


The Company’s material cash requirements include the following lines of credit commitments and contractual obligations:
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Material Cash Requirements
Payments Due by Period
In thousands
Less than
1 Year
 
1-3
Years
 
4-5
Years
 
After 5
Years
 
Total
First mortgage bonds (principal and interest)
$
7,902
 
$
15,714
 
$
40,610
 
$
204,564
  
$
268,790
State revolving fund loans (principal and interest)
 
964
  
 
1,906
 
 
1,704
 
 
7,636
 
 
12,210
Promissory note (principal and interest)
  
960
    
1,923
    
1,924
    
9,893
    
14,700
Asset purchase contractual obligation (principal and interest)
  
339
    
659
    
320
    
---
    
1,318
Lines of credit
  
---
    
---
    
---
    
---
    
---
Operating leases
 
34
 
 
68
  
 
65
 
 
1,401
 
 
1,568
Operating agreements
  
76
    
112
    
109
    
749
    
1,046
Unconditional purchase obligations
  
812
    
1,539
    
194
    
---
    
2,545
Tank painting contractual obligation
 
626
 
 
470
 
 
---
 
 
---
  
 
1,096
Total contractual cash obligations
$
11,713
  
$
22,391
 
$
44,926
  
$
224,243
 
$
303,273

Artesian’s long-term debt agreements and revolving lines of credit contain customary affirmative and negative covenants that are binding on us (which are in some cases subject to certain exceptions), including, but not limited to, restrictions on our ability to make certain loans and investments, guarantee certain obligations, enter into, or undertake, certain mergers, consolidations or acquisitions, transfer certain assets or change our business.  As of September 30, 2023, we were in compliance with these covenants.

Long-term debt obligations reflect the maturities of certain series of our first mortgage bonds, which we intend to refinance when due if not refinanced earlier.  One first mortgage bond is subject to redemption in a principal amount equal to $150,000 plus interest per calendar quarter.  The state revolving fund loan obligation and promissory note obligation have an amortizing mortgage payment payable over a 20-year period.  The first mortgage bonds, the state revolving fund loan and the promissory note have certain financial covenant provisions, the violation of which could result in default and require the obligation to be immediately repaid, including all interest.  We have not experienced conditions that would result in our default under these agreements.
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The asset purchase contractual obligation is related to the purchase of substantially all of the water operating assets from the Town of Clayton, or Clayton, in May 2022, by Artesian Water.  The total purchase price was $5.0 million.  At closing, Artesian Water paid approximately $3.4 million.  The remaining $1.6 million is payable in five equal annual installments on the anniversary date of the closing date.  Each annual installment is payable with interest at an annual rate of 2.0%.

In order to control purchased power cost, in February 2021, Artesian Water entered into an electric supply contract with MidAmerican that is effective from May 2021 to May 2025.  The fixed rate was lowered 5.6% starting in May 2021.  In February 2022, Artesian Water Maryland entered into an electric supply agreement with Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., effective from May 2022 through November 2025.  In January 2022, following the acquisition of Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. dba Artesian Wastewater, or TESI, assumed an electricity supply contract with WGL Energy that is effective through December 2024.  These fixed rate electric supply contracts are for normal purchases and are not derivative instruments.

Payments for unconditional purchase obligations reflect minimum water purchase obligations based on rates that are subject to change under an interconnection agreement with the Chester Water Authority.  The agreement is effective from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026, includes automatic five-year renewal terms, unless terminated by either party, and has a “take or pay” clause which required us to purchase water on a step-down schedule through July 5, 2022, and requires us to purchase a minimum of 0.5 million gallons per day.  In addition, payments for unconditional purchase obligations reflect minimum water purchase obligations based on a contract rate under our interconnection agreement with the Town of North East, which expires June 26, 2024.  The agreement includes two automatic five-year renewal terms, unless terminated by either party.

In April 2021, Artesian Water entered into a 3-year agreement with Worldwide Industries Corporation effective July 1, 2021 to paint elevated water storage tanks.  Pursuant to the agreement, the total expenditure for the three years was $1.2 million.  In September 2022, this agreement was amended to paint an additional elevated water storage tank and to extend the term of the agreement for an additional year.  Pursuant to the amended agreement, the total expenditure for the four years is $2.2 million.

Critical Accounting Estimates; Recent Accounting Pronouncements

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on the accounting policies used and disclosed in our 2022 consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and included as part of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.  The preparation of those financial statements required management to make assumptions and estimates that affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual amounts or results could differ from those based on such assumptions and estimates.

Our critical accounting estimates are described in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.  There have been no changes in our critical accounting estimates.  Our significant accounting policies are described in our notes to the 2022 consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Information concerning our implementation and the impact of recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB is included in the notes to our 2022 consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and also in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  We did not adopt any accounting policy in the first nine months of 2023 that had a material impact on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
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ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal course of business.  Our policy is to manage interest rates through the use of fixed rate long-term debt and, to a lesser extent, short-term debt.  The Company's exposure to interest rate risk related to existing fixed rate, long-term debt is due to the term of the majority of our First Mortgage Bonds and the term of the promissory note, which have final maturity dates ranging from 2028 to 2049, and interest rates ranging from 4.24% to 5.96%, which exposes the Company to interest rate risk as interest rates may drop below the existing fixed rate of the long-term debt prior to such debt’s maturity.  In addition, the Company has interest rate exposure on $60 million of variable rate lines of credit, with two banks.  As of September 30, 2023 there were not any outstanding balances on the lines of credit.  An increase in the variable interest rates has resulted and is expected to continue to result in an increase in the cost of borrowing on these variable rate lines of credit.  Also, changes in SOFR could affect our operating results and liquidity.  We are also exposed to market risk associated with changes in commodity prices.  Our risks associated with price increases in chemicals, electricity and other commodities are mitigated by our ability to recover our costs through rate increases to our customers.  We have also sought to mitigate future significant electric price increases by signing multi-year supply contracts at fixed prices.

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In addition, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective to achieve the foregoing objectives. A control system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the control system are met and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

(b) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Periodically, we are involved in other proceedings or litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.  We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will materially affect our business, financial position or results of operations.  However, we cannot ensure that we will prevail in any litigation and, regardless of the outcome, may incur significant litigation expense and may have significant diversion of management attention.  For a full discussion of our current legal proceedings or litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, refer to Note 18 - Legal Proceedings.

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in such Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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ITEM 2 – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 3 – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4 – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5 – OTHER INFORMATION

None of the Company’s directors or officers adopted, modified, or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023.


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ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
Description
   
Amended and Restated By-laws of Artesian Resources Corporation incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 23, 2020.
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company effective April 28, 2004 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004.
   
Amended and Restated Demand Line of Credit Agreement between Artesian Resources Corporation, and Citizens Bank, N.A. dated August 3, 2023. *
   
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a–14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a–14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).**
 
 
101.BAL
Inline XBRL Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)*
 
101.OPS
Inline XBRL Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)*
   
101.CSH
Inline XBRL Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)*
   
101.NTS
Inline XBRL Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)*
   
104
The cover page from Artesian Resources Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL (contained in exhibit 101).*
 
   
*   Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION

Date: November 7, 2023
By:
/s/ DIAN C. TAYLOR
 
 
 
Dian C. Taylor (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 7, 2023
By:
/s/ DAVID B. SPACHT
 
 
 
David B. Spacht (Principal Financial Officer)


*   Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith


39
EX-31.1 2 exhibit31-1.htm EXHIBIT 31.1


 
Exhibit 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Artesian Resources Corporation
required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended
 
I, Dian C. Taylor, certify that:
 
 
 
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023 of Artesian Resources Corporation;
 
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date:  November 7, 2023
    /s/ DIAN C. TAYLOR
 
Dian C. Taylor
 
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
EX-31.2 3 exhibit31-2.htm EXHIBIT 31.2




 
Exhibit 31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Artesian Resources Corporation
required by Rule 13a – 14 (a) under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended
 
I, David B. Spacht, certify that:
 
 
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023 of Artesian Resources Corporation;
 
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
Date: November 7, 2023
   /s/ DAVID B. SPACHT
 
David B. Spacht
 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
EX-32 4 exhibit32.htm EXHIBIT 32



 
Exhibit 32
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
I, Dian C. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, and David B. Spacht, Chief Financial Officer, of Artesian Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, based on our knowledge:
 
(1)
The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023 (the " Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78m(a) or Section 78o(d)), as amended; and
 
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company at the end of the period covered by the Report and results of operations of the Company for the period covered by the Report.
 
  
 
 
 
 
Date:  November 7, 2023
 
 
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
 
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   /s/ DIAN C. TAYLOR
 
 /s/ DAVID B. SPACHT
Dian C. Taylor
 
David B. Spacht
 
 
 
          These certifications accompany the Report to which they relate, are not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Report), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.