TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward-Looking Statements		3
PART I
Item 1.	Business	4
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	8
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	8
Item 2.	Properties	8
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	9
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	9
PART II
Item 5.	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	10
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	10
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation	10
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	20
Item 8.	Financial Statements	20
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	52
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	52
Item 9B.	Other Information	53
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	53
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	53
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	54
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	54
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	54
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	55
Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	60
Signatures		62

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

•	the amount and timing of rate increases and other regulatory matters including the recovery of costs recorded as regulatory assets;
•	expected profitability and results of operations;
•	trends;
•	goals, priorities and plans for, and cost of, growth and expansion;
•	strategic initiatives;
•	availability of water supply;
•	water usage by customers; and
•	the ability to pay dividends on common stock and the rate of those dividends.

The forward-looking statements in this Annual Report reflect what the Company currently anticipates will happen.  What actually happens could differ materially from what it currently anticipates will happen.  The Company does not intend to make a public announcement when forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are no longer accurate, whether as a result of new information, what actually happens in the future or for any other reason.  Important matters that may affect what will actually happen include, but are not limited to:

THE YORK WATER COMPANY

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

THE YORK WATER COMPANY

 

Balance Sheets

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

THE YORK WATER COMPANY

 

Statements of Income

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

THE YORK WATER COMPANY

Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

1.  Significant Accounting Policies

The primary business of The York Water Company, or the Company, is to impound, purify and distribute water.  The Company also owns and operates two wastewater collection systems and two wastewater collection and treatment systems.  The Company operates within its franchised territory located in York and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania, and is subject to regulation by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PPUC.

The following summarizes the significant accounting policies employed by The York Water Company.

Utility Plant and Depreciation

The cost of additions includes contracted cost, direct labor and fringe benefits, materials, overhead and, for certain utility plant, allowance for funds used during construction.  In accordance with regulatory accounting requirements, water and wastewater systems acquired are recorded at estimated original cost of utility plant when first devoted to utility service and the applicable depreciation is recorded to accumulated depreciation.  The difference between the estimated original cost less applicable accumulated depreciation, and the purchase price and acquisition costs is recorded as an acquisition adjustment within utility plant as permitted by the PPUC.  At December 31, 2019 and 2018, utility plant includes a net credit acquisition adjustment of $3,318 and $3,108, respectively.  For those amounts approved by the PPUC, the net acquisition adjustment is being amortized over the remaining life of the respective assets. Certain amounts are still awaiting approval from the PPUC before amortization will commence.  Amortization amounted to $61 and $58 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Upon normal retirement of depreciable property, the estimated or actual cost of the asset is credited to the utility plant account, and such amounts, together with the cost of removal less salvage value, are charged to the reserve for depreciation.  To the extent the Company recovers cost of removal or other retirement costs through rates after the retirement costs are incurred, a regulatory asset is reported.  Gains or losses from abnormal retirements are reflected in income currently.

The straight-line remaining life method is used to compute depreciation on utility plant cost, exclusive of land and land rights.  Annual provisions for depreciation of transportation and mechanical equipment included in utility plant are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives.  Such provisions are charged to clearing accounts and apportioned therefrom to operating expenses and other accounts in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts as prescribed by the PPUC.

The Company charges to maintenance expense the cost of repairs and replacements and renewals of minor items of property.  Maintenance of transportation equipment is charged to clearing accounts and apportioned therefrom in a manner similar to depreciation.  The cost of replacements, renewals and betterments of units of property is capitalized to the utility plant accounts.

The following remaining lives are used for financial reporting purposes:

The effective rate of depreciation was 2.29% in 2019 and 2.21% in 2018, on average utility plant, net of customers' advances and contributions. Larger depreciation provisions resulting from allowable accelerated methods are deducted for tax purposes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents except for those instruments earmarked to fund construction expenditures or repay long-term debt.

The Company periodically maintains cash balances in major financial institutions in excess of the federally insured limit by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  The Company has not experienced any losses and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at outstanding balances, less a reserve for doubtful accounts.  The reserve for doubtful accounts is established through provisions charged against income.  Accounts deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the reserve and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the reserve.  The reserve for doubtful accounts is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated.  Management's periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the reserve is based on past experience, agings of the receivables, adverse situations that may affect a customer's ability to pay, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors.  This evaluation is inherently subjective.  Unpaid balances remaining after the stated payment terms are considered past due.

Materials and Supplies Inventories

Materials and supplies inventories are stated at cost.  Costs are determined using the average cost method.

Note Receivable

Note receivable is recorded at cost and represents amounts due from a municipality for construction of water mains in their municipality.  Management, considering current information and events regarding the borrowers' ability to repay their obligations, considers a note to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the note agreement.  When a note is considered to be impaired, the carrying value of the note is written down.  The amount of the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the note's effective interest rate.

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Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

The Company is subject to the provisions of generally accepted accounting principles regarding rate-regulated entities.  The accounting standards provide for the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities as allowed by regulators for costs or credits that are reflected in current customer rates or are considered probable of being included in future rates.  The regulatory assets or liabilities are then relieved as the cost or credit is reflected in rates.  Regulatory assets represent costs that are expected to be fully recovered from customers in future rates while regulatory liabilities represent amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers in future rates.  These deferred costs have been excluded from the Company’s rate base and, therefore, no return is being earned on the unamortized balances.

Regulatory assets and liabilities are comprised of the following:

The regulatory asset for income taxes includes (a) deferred state income taxes related primarily to differences between book and tax depreciation expense, (b) deferred income taxes related to the differences that arise between specific asset improvement costs capitalized for book purposes and deducted as a repair expense for tax purposes, and (c) deferred income taxes associated with the gross-up of revenues related to the differences.  These assets are recognized for ratemaking purposes on a cash or flow-through basis and will be recovered in rates as they reverse.

Postretirement benefits include the difference between contributions and deferred pension expense and the underfunded status of the pension plans.  The underfunded status represents the difference between the projected benefit obligation and the fair market value of the assets.  This asset is expected to be recovered in future years as additional contributions are made or markets continue to generate positive returns.  The recovery period is dependent on contributions made to the plans, plan asset performance and the discount rate used to value the obligations.  The period is estimated at between 5 and 10 years.

The Company uses regulatory accounting treatment to defer the mark-to-market unrealized gains and losses on its interest rate swap to reflect that the gain or loss is included in the ratemaking formula when the transaction actually settles.  The value of the swap as of the balance sheet date is recorded as part of other deferred credits.  Realized gains or losses on the swap will be recorded as interest expense in the statement of income over its remaining term of 10 years.

Utility plant retirement costs represents costs already incurred for the removal of assets, which are expected to be recovered over a five-year period in rates, through depreciation expense.

The Company was granted approval by the PPUC to modify its tariff to replace lead customer-owned service lines that are discovered when the Company replaces its lead service lines over the remaining three years, and to include the cost of the annual replacement of up to 400 lead customer-owned service lines whenever they are discovered, regardless of the material used for the company-owned service line over nine years.  The tariff modification allows the Company to replace customer-owned service lines at its own initial cost and record the costs as a regulatory asset to be recovered in future base rates to customers.  The recovery period was established in the most recent rate order at four years beginning March 1, 2019.  The recovery period for the customer-owned lead service line replacements completed subsequent to the most recent rate order will begin after the next rate order.

Service life study expenses are deferred and amortized over their remaining life of three years.  Rate case filing expenses are deferred and amortized over their remaining life of two years.

Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or 2017 Tax Act, customers’ advances for construction and contributions in aid of construction are considered taxable income.  The Company’s tariff allows the Company to record these income taxes for inclusion in rate base.  This asset is recognized for ratemaking purposes on a cash or flow-through basis and will be recovered in rates as it reverses.

Under normalization rules applicable to public utility property included in the 2017 Tax Act, the excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation from lowering of the enacted federal statutory corporate tax rate is recorded as a regulatory liability.  The benefit will be given back to customers in rates over the remaining regulatory life of the property.

The regulatory liability for income taxes includes deferred taxes related to excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation, other postretirement benefits, customers’ advances for construction and contributions in aid of construction, and bad debts, as well as deferred investment tax credits.  These liabilities will be given back to customers in rates, as tax deductions occur over the next 1 to 50 years.

The regulatory liability for the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, tangible property regulations, or TPR, catch-up deduction represents the tax benefits realized on the Company’s 2014 income tax return for qualifying capital expenditures made prior to 2014.  The recovery period was established in the most recent rate order at 15 years beginning March 1, 2019.

Pursuant to a rate order approved by the PPUC, the Company has agreed to return the 2018 income tax savings pursuant to the 2017 Tax Act, the associated tax gross-up, and the excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation to customers as a reconcilable negative surcharge on bills.  The Company began giving back the liability over one year  beginning March 1, 2019.

Other Assets

Other assets consist mainly of the cash value of life insurance policies held as an investment by the Company for reimbursement of costs and benefits associated with its supplemental retirement and deferred compensation programs.

Deferred Debt Expense

Deferred debt expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related debt and is presented on the balance sheet as a direct reduction from long-term debt.

Customers' Advances for Construction

Customer advances are cash payments from developers, municipalities, customers or builders for construction of utility plant, and are refundable upon completion of construction, as operating revenues are earned.  If the Company loans funds for construction to the customer, the refund amount is credited to the note receivable rather than paid out in cash.  After all refunds to which the customer is entitled are made, any remaining balance is transferred to contributions in aid of construction.

Contributions in Aid of Construction

Contributions in Aid of Construction is composed of (i) direct, non-refundable contributions from developers, customers or builders for construction of water infrastructure and (ii) customer advances that have become non-refundable.  Contributions in aid of construction are deducted from the Company’s rate base, and therefore, no return is earned on property financed with contributions.  The PPUC requires that contributions received remain on the Company’s balance sheets indefinitely as a long-term liability.

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations.  The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is interest rate risk.  The Company utilizes an interest rate swap agreement to convert its variable-rate debt to a fixed rate.  Interest rate swaps are contracts in which a series of interest rate cash flows are exchanged over a prescribed period.  The notional amount on which the interest payments are based is not exchanged.  The Company has designated the interest rate swap agreement as a cash flow hedge, classified as a financial derivative used for non-trading activities.

The accounting standards regarding accounting for derivatives and hedging activities require companies to recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the balance sheets.  In accordance with the standards, the interest rate swap is recorded on the balance sheets in other deferred credits at fair value.

The Company uses regulatory accounting treatment rather than hedge accounting to defer the unrealized gains and losses on its interest rate swap.  These unrealized gains and losses are recorded as a regulatory asset.  Based on current ratemaking treatment, the Company expects the gains and losses to be recognized in rates and in interest expense as the swap settlements occur.  Swap settlements are recorded in the income statement with the hedged item as interest expense.  Swap settlements resulted in the reclassification from regulatory assets to interest expense of $221 in 2019 and $236 in 2018.  The overall swap result was a (gain) loss of $649 in 2019 and $(137) in 2018.  During the twelve months ending December 31, 2020, the Company expects to reclassify $268 (before tax) from regulatory assets to interest expense.

The interest rate swap will expire on October 1, 2029.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records compensation expense in the financial statements for stock-based awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards.  Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis, which is generally commensurate with the vesting term.  Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Income Taxes

Certain income and expense items are accounted for in different time periods for financial reporting than for income tax reporting purposes.

Deferred income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax credit carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  To the extent such income taxes increase or decrease future rates, an offsetting regulatory asset or liability has been recorded.

Investment tax credits have been deferred and are being amortized to income over the average estimated service lives of the related assets.  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, deferred investment tax credits amounted to $539 and $578, respectively.

The Company filed for a change in accounting method under the IRS TPR effective in 2014.  Under the change in accounting method, the Company is permitted to deduct the costs of certain asset improvements that were previously being capitalized and depreciated for tax purposes as an expense on its income tax return.  The Company was permitted to make this deduction for prior years (the “catch-up deduction”) and each year going forward, beginning with 2014 (the “ongoing deduction”).  After receiving approval from the PPUC in its most recent rate order, the Company began to recognize the catch-up deduction, recorded as a regulatory liability, over 15 years beginning March 1, 2019.   The ongoing deduction results in a reduction in the effective income tax rate, a net reduction in income tax expense, and a reduction in the amount of income taxes currently payable.  The catch-up deduction resulted in a decrease in current income taxes payable and an increase to regulatory liabilities.  Both the ongoing and catch-up deductions resulted in increases to deferred tax liabilities and regulatory assets representing the appropriate book and tax basis difference on capital additions.

The 2017 Tax Act, among other things, reduces the federal statutory corporate tax rate for tax years beginning in 2018 from 34% to 21%, eliminates certain deductions, and eliminates bonus depreciation on qualified water and wastewater property.  This resulted in the remeasurement of the federal portion of the Company’s deferred taxes as of December 31, 2017 to the 21% rate.  The effect was recognized in income for the year ended December 31, 2017 for all deferred tax assets and liabilities except accelerated depreciation.  Under normalization rules applicable to public utility property included in the 2017 Tax Act, the excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation is recorded as a regulatory liability.  The regulatory liability is a temporary difference so a deferred tax asset is recorded including the gross-up of revenue necessary to return, in rates, the effect of the temporary difference.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) represents the estimated cost of funds used for construction purposes during the period of construction.  These costs are reflected as non-cash income during the construction period and as an addition to the cost of plant constructed.  AFUDC includes the net cost of borrowed funds and a rate of return on other funds.  The PPUC approved rate of 10.04% was applied for 2019 and 2018.  AFUDC is recovered through water and wastewater rates as utility plant is depreciated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which replaces the existing guidance in Accounting Standard Codification 840 – Leases.  This ASU requires a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee would account for leases as finance leases or operating leases.  Both finance leases and operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability.  For finance leases, the lessee would recognize interest expense and amortization of the right-of-use asset, and for operating leases, the lessee would recognize a straight-line total lease expense.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2019.  The Company did not identify any material leases under this standard, and therefore the adoption did not have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

2.  Acquisitions

On August 29, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of the wastewater collection assets of the Jacobus Borough Sewer Authority in York County, Pennsylvania.  The Company began operating the existing collection facilities on August 30, 2019.  The acquisition resulted in the addition of approximately 700 wastewater customers with purchase price and acquisition cost of approximately $2,112, which is less than the depreciated original cost of the assets.  The Company recorded a negative acquisition adjustment of approximately $271 and will seek approval from the PPUC to amortize the acquisition adjustment over the remaining life of the acquired assets.  This acquisition is immaterial to Company results.

3.  Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets

Accounts receivable and contract assets are summarized in the following table:

Differences in timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections result in receivables and contract assets.  Generally, billing occurs subsequent to revenue recognition, resulting in a contract asset reported as unbilled revenue on the balance sheet.  The Company does not receive advances or deposits from customers before revenue is recognized so no contract liabilities are reported.  Accounts receivable are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional and are presented separately on the balance sheet.  The changes in accounts receivable – customers and in unbilled revenue were primarily due to normal timing difference between performance and the customer’s payments.

4.  Note Receivable and Customers' Advances for Construction

The Company entered into an agreement with a municipality to extend water service into a previously formed water district.  The Company loaned funds to the municipality to cover the costs related to the project.  The municipality concurrently advanced these funds back to the Company in the form of customers' advances for construction.  The municipality is required by enacted ordinance to charge application fees and water revenue surcharges (fees) to customers connected to the system, which are remitted to the Company.  The note principal and the related customer advance are reduced periodically as operating revenues are earned by the Company from customers connected to the system and refunds of the advance are made.  There is no due date for the notes or expiration date for the advance.

The Company recorded interest income of $121 in 2019 and $105 in 2018.  The interest rate on the note outstanding is 7.5%.

Included in the accompanying balance sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were the following amounts related to this project.

The Company has other customers' advances for construction totaling $7,541 and $6,544 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

5.  Common Stock and Earnings Per Share

Net income of $14,402 and $13,376 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 respectively, is used to calculate both basic and diluted earnings per 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 plus potentially dilutive shares.  The dilutive effect of employee stock-based compensation is included in the computation of diluted net income per share.  The dilutive effect of stock-based compensation is calculated using the treasury stock method and expected proceeds upon exercise or issuance of the stock-based compensation.

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

Under the employee stock purchase plan, all full-time employees who have been employed at least ninety consecutive days may purchase shares of the Company's common stock limited to 10% of gross compensation.  The purchase price is 95% of the fair market value (as defined).  Shares issued during 2019 and 2018 were 3,914 and 5,187, respectively.  As of December 31, 2019, 61,725 authorized shares remain unissued under the plan.

The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase and Sale Plan (“the Plan”), which is available to both current shareholders and the general public.  On November 8, 2019, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to authorize an additional 157,000 shares and rollover the unissued 344,379 shares authorized under the 2016 Form S-3, for issuance under the new Prospectus for the Plan.  Under the optional dividend reinvestment portion of the Plan, holders of the Company's common stock may purchase additional shares instead of receiving cash dividends.  The purchase price is 95% of the fair market value (as defined).  Under the direct stock purchase portion of the Plan, purchases are made monthly at 100% of the stock’s fair market value, as defined in the new Prospectus.  The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on November 18, 2019.  Shares issued during 2019 and 2018 were 60,485 and 61,864, respectively.  As of December 31, 2019, 475,889 authorized shares remain unissued under the Plan.

On March 11, 2013, the Board of Directors, or the Board, authorized a share repurchase program granting the Company authority to repurchase up to 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time.  The stock repurchase program has no specific end date and the Company may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions.  The Company may suspend or discontinue the repurchase program at any time.  During both 2019 and 2018, the Company did not repurchase or retire any shares.  As of December 31, 2019, 618,004 shares remain available for repurchase.

6.  Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings

Long-term debt as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 is summarized in the following table:

Payments due by year as of December 31, 2019:

Payments due in 2021 include payback of the committed line of credit.  The committed line of credit is reviewed annually, and upon favorable outcome, would likely be extended for another year.  Payments due in 2021 also include potential payments of  $12,000 on the variable rate bonds (due 2029) which would only be payable if all bonds were tendered and could not be remarketed, or in the event the Company was unable to, or chose not to, renew the letter of credit backing the bonds.  There is currently no such indication of this happening.

Fixed Rate Long-Term Debt

The Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, or PEDFA, Series 2014 Bonds contained both optional and special redemption provisions.  Under the optional provisions, the Company could redeem all or a portion of the bonds on or after May 1, 2019. The Company redeemed these bonds on October 8, 2019.  Under the special provisions, representatives of deceased beneficial owners of the bonds had the right to request redemption prior to the stated maturity of all or part of their interest in the bonds beginning on or after May 1, 2014.  The Company was not obligated to redeem any individual interest exceeding $25, or aggregate interest exceeding $300, in any annual period.  In 2019 and 2018, no bonds were retired under these provisions.

On January 31, 2019, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with certain institutional investors relating to the private placement of $20,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s senior notes.  The senior notes bear interest at 4.54% per annum payable semiannually and mature on January 31, 2049.  The senior notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company.  The Company received net proceeds, after deducting issuance costs, of approximately $19,820.  The net proceeds were used to refinance the $11,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 10.17% Series A Senior Notes due February 1, 2019 and the 9.60% Series B Senior Notes due February 1, 2019, and to refinance line of credit borrowings incurred by the Company as interim financing for various capital projects of the Company.

On October 1, 2019, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with certain institutional investors relating to the private placement of $15,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s senior notes.  The senior notes bear interest at 3.23% per annum payable semiannually and mature on October 1, 2040.  The senior notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company.  The Company received net proceeds, after deducting issuance costs, of approximately $14,888.  The net proceeds were used to refinance the $15,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Monthly Senior Notes Series 2010A due October 1, 2040.

On October 8, 2019, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, or PEDFA, issued and sold $10,500 aggregate principal amount of PEDFA Exempt Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A of 2019, or the Series A Bonds, and $14,870 aggregate principal amount of PEDFA Exempt Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B of 2019, or the Series B Bonds, for the Company's benefit pursuant to the terms of a trust indenture, dated as of September 1, 2019, between the PEDFA and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, as trustee.  The PEDFA then loaned the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Series A and the Series B Bonds to the Company pursuant to a loan agreement dated as of September 1, 2019, between the Company and the PEDFA.  The Series A Bonds, and therefore the loan, bears interest at 3.00% per annum payable semiannually and the maturity date of the loan is October 1, 2036 subject to optional and mandatory redemption provisions.  The Series B Bonds, and therefore the loan, bears interest at 3.10% per annum payable semiannually and the maturity date of the loan is November 1, 2038 subject to optional and mandatory redemption provisions.  Amounts outstanding under the loan agreement are direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company.  The Company received net proceeds, after deducting issuance costs, of approximately $25,049.  The net proceeds were used to refinance the $10,500 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.75% York County Industrial Development Authority Revenue Bonds Series 2006 due October 1, 2036 and the $14,870 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.50% PEDFA Exempt Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds Series 2014 due November 1, 2038.

Variable Rate Long-Term Debt

On May 7, 2008, the PEDFA issued $12,000 aggregate principal amount of PEDFA Exempt Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A of 2008 (the "Series A Bonds") for the Company's benefit pursuant to the terms of a trust indenture, dated as of May 1, 2008, between the PEDFA and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, as trustee.  The PEDFA then loaned the proceeds of the offering of the Series A Bonds to the Company pursuant to a loan agreement, dated as of May 1, 2008, between the Company and the PEDFA.  The loan agreement provides for a $12,000 loan with a maturity date of October 1, 2029.  Amounts outstanding under the loan agreement are the Company’s direct general obligations.  The proceeds of the loan were used to redeem the PEDFA Exempt Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series B of 2004 (the “2004 Series B Bonds”).  The 2004 Series B Bonds were redeemed because the bonds were tendered and could not be remarketed due to the downgrade of the bond insurer’s credit rating.

Borrowings under the loan agreement bear interest at a variable rate as determined by PNC Capital Markets, as remarketing agent, on a periodic basis elected by the Company, which has currently elected that the interest rate be determined on a weekly basis.  The remarketing agent determines the interest rate based on the current market conditions in order to determine the lowest interest rate which would cause the Series A Bonds to have a market value equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon.  The variable interest rate under the loan agreement averaged 1.50% in 2019 and 1.46%  in 2018.  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the interest rate was 1.78% and 1.75%, respectively.

The holders of the $12,000 Series A Bonds may tender their bonds at any time.  When the bonds are tendered, they are subject to an annual remarketing agreement, pursuant to which a remarketing agent attempts to remarket the tendered bonds according to the terms of the indenture.  In order to keep variable interest rates down and to enhance the marketability of the Series A Bonds, the Company entered into a Reimbursement, Credit and Security Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association (“the Bank”) dated as of May 1, 2008.  This agreement provides for a direct pay letter of credit issued by the Bank to the trustee for the Series A Bonds.  The Bank is responsible for providing the trustee with funds for the timely payment of the principal and interest on the Series A Bonds and for the purchase price of the Series A Bonds that have been tendered or deemed tendered for purchase and have not been remarketed.  The Company’s responsibility is to reimburse the Bank the same day as regular interest payments are made, and within fourteen months for the purchase price of tendered bonds that have not been remarketed.  The reimbursement period for the principal is immediate at maturity, upon default by the Company, or if the Bank does not renew the Letter of Credit.  The current expiration date of the Letter of Credit is June 30, 2021.  It is reviewed annually for a potential extension of the expiration date.

The Company may elect to have the Series A Bonds redeemed, in whole or in part, on any date that interest is payable for a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.  The Series A Bonds are also subject to mandatory redemption for the same redemption price in the event that the IRS determines that the interest payable on the Series A Bonds is includable in gross income of the holders of the bonds for federal tax purposes.

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

In connection with the issuance of the PEDFA 2004 Series B Bonds, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a counterparty, in the notional principal amount of $12,000.  The Company elected to retain the swap agreement for the 2008 Series A Bonds.  Interest rate swap agreements derive their value from underlying interest rates.  These transactions involve both credit and market risk.  The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments, and the value of the derivative are based.  Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposure.  Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any.  Such difference, which represents the fair value of the swap, is reflected on the Company’s balance sheets.  See Note 7 for additional information regarding the fair value of the swap.

The interest rate swap will terminate on the maturity date of the 2008 Series A Bonds (which is the same date as the maturity date of the loan under the loan agreement), unless sooner terminated pursuant to its terms.  In the event the interest rate swap terminates prior to the maturity date of the 2008 Series A Bonds, either the Company or the swap counterparty may be required to make a termination payment to the other based on market conditions at such time.  The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty.  The Company controls the credit risk of its financial contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures, and does not expect the counterparty to default on its obligations.  Notwithstanding the terms of the swap agreement, the Company is ultimately obligated for all amounts due and payable under the loan agreement.

The interest rate swap agreement contains provisions that require the Company to maintain a credit rating of at least BBB- with Standard & Poor’s.  On April 5, 2019, Standard & Poor’s affirmed the Company’s credit rating at A-, with a stable outlook and adequate liquidity.  If the Company’s rating were to fall below this rating, it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparty to the derivative could request immediate payment if the derivative was in a liability position.  The Company’s interest rate swap was in a liability position as of December 31, 2019.  If a violation was triggered on December 31, 2019, the Company would have been required to pay the counterparty approximately $2,307.

The Company's interest rate swap agreement provides that it pays the counterparty a fixed interest rate of 3.16% on the notional amount of $12,000. In exchange, the counterparty pays the Company a floating interest rate (based on 59% of the U.S. Dollar one-month LIBOR rate) on the notional amount.  The floating interest rate paid to the Company is intended, over the term of the swap, to approximate the variable interest rate on the loan agreement and the interest rate paid to bondholders, thereby managing its exposure to fluctuations in prevailing interest rates.  The Company's net payment rate on the swap averaged 1.84% in 2019 and 1.97% in 2018.

As of December 31, 2019, there was a spread of 75 basis points between the variable rate paid to bondholders and the variable rate received from the swap counterparty, which equated to an overall effective rate of 3.91% (including variable interest and swap payments).  As of December 31, 2018, there was a spread of 31 basis points which equated to an overall effective rate of 3.47% (including variable interest and swap payments).

Line of Credit Borrowings

As of December 31, 2019, the Company maintained unsecured lines of credit aggregating $41,500 with four banks.  The first line of credit, in the amount of $13,000, is a committed line of credit with a revolving 2-year maturity (currently May 2021) and carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.20%. The Company had $3,672 and $6,508 outstanding under this line of credit as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  The second line of credit, in the amount of $11,000, is a committed line of credit, which matures in May 2021 and carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.25%.  The third line of credit, in the amount of $7,500, is a committed line of credit, which matures in June 2021 and carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.15%. The Company had $4,000 and $2,000 outstanding under this line of credit as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The fourth line of credit, in the amount of $10,000, is a committed line of credit, which matures in September 2020 and carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.20%. The Company had $0 and $1,000 outstanding under this line of credit as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  Average borrowings outstanding under the lines of credit were $5,070 in 2019 and $7,206 in 2018. The average cost of borrowings under the lines of credit was 3.47% during 2019 and 3.20% during 2018. The weighted average interest rate on the line of credit borrowings was 2.92% as of December 31, 2019 and 3.60% as of December 31, 2018.

Debt Covenants and Restrictions

The terms of the debt agreements carry certain covenants and limit in some cases the Company's ability to borrow additional funds, to prepay its borrowings and include certain restrictions with respect to declaration and payment of cash dividends and the Company's acquisition of its stock.  Under the terms of the most restrictive agreements, the Company cannot borrow in excess of 60% of its utility plant, and cumulative payments for dividends and acquisition of stock since December 31, 1982 may not exceed $1,500 plus net income since that date.  As of December 31, 2019, none of the earnings retained in the business are restricted under these provisions.  The Company's debt is unsecured.  The Company's Pennvest Loan, which matured in 2019, was secured by $800 of receivables.

The Company's lines of credit require it to maintain a minimum equity to total capitalization ratio (defined as the sum of equity plus funded debt) and a minimum interest coverage ratio (defined as net income plus interest expense plus income tax expense divided by interest expense).  As of December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

7.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The accounting standards regarding fair value measurements establish a fair value hierarchy which indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market.  Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, commodity rates and yield curves.  Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s own judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company has recorded its interest rate swap liability at fair value in accordance with the standards.  The liability is recorded under the caption “Other deferred credits” on the balance sheets.  The table below illustrates the fair value of the interest rate swap as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Fair values are measured as the present value of all expected future cash flows based on the LIBOR-based swap yield curve as of the date of the valuation.  These inputs to this calculation are deemed to be Level 2 inputs.  The balance sheet carrying value reflects the Company's credit quality as of December 31, 2019.  The rate used in discounting all prospective cash flows anticipated to be made under this swap reflects a representation of the yield to maturity for 30-year debt on utilities rated A- as of December 31, 2019.  The use of the Company's credit quality resulted in a reduction in the swap liability of $59 as of December 31, 2019.  The fair value of the swap reflecting the Company's credit quality as of December 31, 2018 is shown in the table below.

The carrying amount of current assets and liabilities that are considered financial instruments approximates fair value as of the dates presented.  The Company's total long-term debt, with a carrying value of $104,042 at December 31, 2019, and $95,908 at December 31, 2018, had an estimated fair value of approximately $115,000 and $105,000, respectively.  The estimated fair value of debt was calculated using a discounted cash flow technique that incorporates a market interest yield curve with adjustments for duration and risk profile.  These inputs to this calculation are deemed to be Level 2 inputs.  The Company recognized its credit rating in determining the yield curve, and did not factor in third party credit enhancements including bond insurance on the 2006 York County Industrial Development Authority issue, which was terminated upon its refinance in 2019, and the letter of credit on the 2008 PEDFA Series A issue.

Customers' advances for construction and note receivable have carrying values at December 31, 2019 of $7,844 and $255, respectively.  At December 31, 2018, customers' advances for construction and note receivable had carrying values of $6,849 and $255, respectively.  The relative fair values of these amounts cannot be accurately estimated since the timing of future payment streams is dependent upon several factors, including new customer connections, customer consumption levels and future rate increases.

8.  Commitments

Based on its capital budget, the Company anticipates construction and acquisition expenditures for 2020 and 2021 of approximately $29,500 and $27,000, respectively, exclusive of any acquisitions not yet approved.  The Company plans to finance ongoing capital expenditures with internally-generated funds, borrowings against the Company’s lines of credit, proceeds from the issuance of common stock under its dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase and sale plan and ESPP, potential common stock or debt issues and customer advances and contributions.

As of December 31, 2019, approximately 31% of the Company's full time employees are under union contract.  The current contract was ratified in December 2017 and expires on April 30, 2020.  Management is currently preparing for negotiations with the union leadership.  The Company expects to reach an operationally and fiscally responsible agreement with no interruption of service.

The Company is involved in certain legal and administrative proceedings before various courts and governmental agencies concerning water service and other matters.  The Company expects that the ultimate disposition of these proceedings will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

9.  Revenue

The following table shows the Company’s revenues disaggregated by service and customer type.

Utility Service

The Company provides utility service as a distinct and single performance obligation to each of its water and wastewater customers.  The transaction price is detailed in the tariff pursuant to an order by the PPUC and made publicly available.  There is no variable consideration and no free service, special rates, or subnormal charges to any customer.  Due to the fact that the contract includes a single performance obligation, no judgment is required to allocate the transaction price.  The performance obligation is satisfied over time through the continuous provision of utility service through a stand-ready obligation to perform and the transfer of water or the collection of wastewater through a series of distinct transactions that are identical in nature and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer.  The Company uses an output method to recognize the utility service revenue over time.  The stand-ready obligation is recognized through the passage of time in the form of a fixed charge and the transfer of water or the collection of wastewater is recognized at a per unit rate based on the actual or estimated flow through the meter.  Each customer is invoiced every month and the invoice is due within twenty days.  The utility service has no returns or warranties associated with it.  No revenue is recognized from performance obligations satisfied in prior periods and no performance obligations remain unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period.  A contract asset for unbilled revenue is recognized for the passage of time and the actual or estimated usage from the latest meter reading to the end of the accounting period.  The methodology is standardized and consistently applied to reduce bias and the need for judgment.

Billing and Revenue Collection Service

The Company provides billing and revenue collection service as distinct performance obligations to three municipalities within the service territory of the Company.  The municipalities provide wastewater service to their residents and the Company acts as the billing and revenue collection agent for the municipalities.  The transaction price is a fixed amount per bill prepared as established in the contract.  There is no variable consideration.  Due to the fact that both the billing performance obligation and the revenue collection performance obligation are materially complete by the end of the reporting period, the Company does not allocate the transaction price between the two performance obligations.  The performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time when the bills are sent as the municipalities receive all the benefits and bears all of the risk of non-collection at that time.  Each municipality is invoiced when the bills are complete and the invoice is due within thirty days.  The billing and revenue collection service has no returns or warranties associated with it.  No revenue is recognized from performance obligations satisfied in prior periods and no performance obligations remain unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period.

Collection Service

The Company provides collection service as a distinct and single performance obligation to several municipalities within the service territory of the Company.  The municipalities provide wastewater service to their residents.  If those residents are delinquent in paying for their wastewater service, the municipalities request that the Company post for and shut off the supply of water to the premises of those residents.  When the resident is no longer delinquent, the Company will restore water service to the premises.  The transaction price for each posting, each shut off, and each restoration is a fixed amount as established in the contract.  There is no variable consideration.  Due to the fact that the contract includes a single performance obligation, no judgment is required to allocate the transaction price.  The performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time when the posting, shut off, or restoration is completed as the municipalities receive all the benefits in the form of payment or no longer providing wastewater service.  Each municipality is invoiced periodically for the posting, shut offs, and restorations that have been completed since the last billing and the invoice is due within thirty days.  The collection service has no returns or warranties associated with it.  No revenue is recognized from performance obligations satisfied in prior periods and no performance obligations remain unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period.  A contract asset for unbilled revenue is recognized for postings, shut offs, and restorations that have been completed from the last billing to the end of the accounting period.

Service Line Protection Plan

The Company provides service line protection as a distinct and single performance obligation to current water customers that choose to participate.  The transaction price is detailed in the plan’s terms and conditions and made publicly available.  There is no variable consideration.  Due to the fact that the contract includes a single performance obligation, no judgment is required to allocate the transaction price.  The performance obligation is satisfied over time through the continuous provision of service line protection through a stand-ready obligation to perform.  The Company uses an output method to recognize the service line protection revenue over time.  The stand-ready obligation is recognized through the passage of time.  A customer has a choice to prepay for an entire year or to pay in advance each month.  The service line protection plan has no returns or extended warranties associated with it.  No revenue is recognized from performance obligations satisfied in prior periods and no material performance obligations remain unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period.

10.  Rate Matters

From time to time, the Company files applications for rate increases with the PPUC and is granted rate relief as a result of such requests.  The most recent rate request was filed by the Company on May 30, 2018, and sought an annual increase in water rates of $6,399 and an annual increase in wastewater rates of $289.  Effective March 1, 2019, the PPUC authorized an increase in water rates designed to produce approximately $3,361 in additional annual revenues and an increase in wastewater rates designed to produce approximately $289 in additional annual revenues.

As part of a rate order approved by the PPUC, the Company has agreed to return $2,117 to customers as a reconcilable negative surcharge on their bills generated from March 2019 through February 2020 for the benefit of the lower tax rate effective January 1, 2018 resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or 2017 Tax Act.  During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company increased its regulatory liability by reducing revenue by $325 and $1,600, respectively, including the gross-up of revenue necessary to return, in rates, the effect of this temporary tax difference, and reclassified $27 and $164, respectively, from excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation recorded at December 31, 2017.  During the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company returned negative surcharges of $1,891.

The PPUC permits water utilities to collect a distribution system improvement charge, or DSIC. The DSIC allows the Company to add a charge to customers' bills for qualified replacement costs of certain infrastructure without submitting a rate filing.  This surcharge mechanism typically adjusts periodically based on additional qualified capital expenditures completed or anticipated in a future period.  The DSIC is capped at 5% of base rates, and is reset to zero when new base rates that reflect the costs of those additions become effective or when a utility's earnings exceed a regulatory benchmark. The DSIC reset to zero when the new base rates took effect March 1, 2019.  The DSIC provided revenues of $249 in 2019 and $1,971 in 2018.  The DSIC is subject to audit by the PPUC.

11.  Employee Benefit Plans

Pensions

The Company maintains a general and administrative and a union-represented defined benefit pension plan covering all of its employees hired prior to May 1, 2010.  Employees hired after May 1, 2010 are eligible for an enhanced 401(k) plan rather than a defined benefit plan.  The benefits under the defined benefit plans are based upon years of service and compensation near retirement.  The Company amended its defined benefit pension plans in 2014, generally limiting the years of eligible service under the plans to 30 years. The Company's funding policy is to contribute annually the amount permitted by the PPUC to be collected from customers in rates, but in no case less than the minimum Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) required contribution.

The following table sets forth the plans' funded status as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.  The measurement of assets and obligations of the plans is as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The accounting standards require that the funded status of defined benefit pension plans be fully recognized on the balance sheets.  They also call for the unrecognized actuarial gain or loss, the unrecognized prior service cost and the unrecognized transition costs to be adjustments to shareholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income).  Due to a rate order granted by the PPUC, the Company is permitted under the accounting standards to defer the charges otherwise recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a regulatory asset.  Management believes these costs will be recovered in future rates charged to customers.  The asset for the funded status of the Company's pension plans as of  December 31, 2019 is recorded in "Other assets" on its balance sheets.  The liability for the funded status of the Company’s pension plans as of December 31, 2018 is recorded in “Deferred employee benefits” on its balance sheets.

In 2019, the plans recognized a significant actuarial loss.  The Company adopted the new mortality table (Pri-2012) and the new mortality improvement scale (MP-2019) but recognized a 100 basis point decrease in the discount rate. In 2018, the plans recognized a significant actuarial gain.  The Company adopted the new mortality improvement scale (MP-2018) and recognized a 60 basis point increase in the discount rate.  The Company uses the corridor method to amortize actuarial gains and losses.  Gains and losses over 10% of the greater of pension benefit obligation or the market value of assets are amortized over the average future service of plan participants expected to receive benefits.

Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in regulatory assets are as follows:

Amounts recognized in regulatory assets that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost consist of the following at December 31:

Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

Pension service cost is recorded in operating expenses.  All other components of net periodic pension cost are recorded as other pension costs in other income (expenses).

The rate-regulated adjustment set forth above is required in order to reflect pension expense for the Company in accordance with the method used in establishing water rates.  The Company is permitted by rate order of the PPUC to expense pension costs to the extent of contributions and defer the remaining expense to regulatory assets to be collected in rates at a later date as additional contributions are made.  During 2019, the deferral decreased by $2,131.

The estimated costs for the defined benefit pension plans relating to the December 31, 2019 balance sheet that will be amortized from regulatory assets into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year are as follows:

The Company plans to contribute $2,300 to the plans in 2020.

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in each of the next five years and the subsequent five years in the aggregate:

The following tables show the projected benefit obligation, the accumulated benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets as of December 31:

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31:

The selected long-term rate of return on plan assets was primarily based on the asset allocation of each of the plan's assets (approximately 50% to 70% equity securities and 30% to 50% fixed income securities).  Analysis of the historic returns of these asset classes and projections of expected future returns were considered in setting the long-term rate of return.

The investment objective of the Company's defined benefit pension plans is that of Growth and Income.  The weighted-average target asset allocations are 50% to 70% equity securities, 30% to 50% fixed income securities, and 0% to 10% reserves (cash and cash equivalents).  Within the equity category, the Company's target allocation is approximately 60-95% large cap, 0-25% mid cap, 0-10% small cap, 0-25% International Developed Nations, and 0-10% International Emerging Nations.  Within the fixed income category, its target allocation is approximately 15-55% U.S. Treasuries, 0–22% Federal Agency securities, 0-40% corporate bonds, 15-55% mortgage-backed securities, 0-20% international, and 0-20% high yield bonds.  The Company's investment performance objectives over a three to five-year period are to exceed the annual rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index by 3%, and to exceed the annualized total return of specified benchmarks applicable to the funds within the asset categories.

Further guidelines within equity securities include: (1) holdings in any one company cannot exceed 5% of the portfolio; (2) a minimum of 20 individual stocks must be included in the domestic stock portfolio; (3) a minimum of 30 individual stocks must be included in the international stock portfolio; (4) equity holdings in any one industry cannot exceed 20-25% of the portfolio; and (5) only U.S.-denominated currency securities are permitted.

Further guidelines for fixed income securities include: (1) fixed income holdings in a single issuer are limited to 5% of the portfolio; (2) acceptable investments include money market securities, U.S. Government and its agencies and sponsored entities' securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, corporate securities and mutual funds offering high yield bond portfolios; (3) purchases must be limited to investment grade or higher; (4) non-U.S. dollar denominated securities are not permissible; and (5) high risk derivatives are prohibited.

The fair values of the Company's pension plan assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 by asset category and fair value hierarchy level are as follows.  The majority of the valuations are based on quoted prices on active markets (Level 1), with the remaining valuations based on broker/dealer quotes, active market makers, models, and yield curves (Level 2).