-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, SO42D0dY03b0yuY1JaSDTP2KoQkyGpk6kESk4a6+MzJmHbnw4M0mSStg6R0RwqPS oDLWk73uRhsV8WRBormpZQ== 0001193125-08-111509.txt : 20080512 0001193125-08-111509.hdr.sgml : 20080512 20080512160624 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-08-111509 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080512 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080512 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RURAL/METRO CORP /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000906326 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: LOCAL & SUBURBAN TRANSIT & INTERURBAN HWY PASSENGER TRAINS [4100] IRS NUMBER: 860746929 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-22056 FILM NUMBER: 08823465 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 9221 EAST VIA DE VENTURA CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85258 BUSINESS PHONE: 4806063886 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 9221 EAST VIA DE VENTURA CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85258 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RURAL METRO CORP /DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930528 10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008

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 0-22056

 

 

Rural/Metro Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   86-0746929

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

9221 East Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (480) 994-3886

 

 

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  x    No  ¨

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x

Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

There were 24,824,103 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding on May 6, 2008.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT

ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED

March 31, 2008

 

          Page
Part I. Financial Information   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements (unaudited):   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   3
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   4
  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit

   5
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   6
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    29

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks    62

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    62
Part II. Other Information   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    64

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    64

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    64

Item 6.

   Exhibits    66

Signatures

   67

 

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Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     March 31,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,877     $ 6,181  

Accounts receivable, net

     82,247       78,313  

Inventories

     8,381       8,782  

Deferred income taxes

     20,622       15,836  

Prepaid expenses and other

     15,301       18,273  
                

Total current assets

     140,428       127,385  

Property and equipment, net

     48,485       45,521  

Goodwill

     37,700       37,700  

Deferred income taxes

     53,629       67,309  

Insurance deposits

     2,085       1,868  

Other assets

     19,904       20,342  
                

Total assets

   $ 302,231     $ 300,125  
                

LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 18,692     $ 15,271  

Accrued liabilities

     57,640       54,153  

Deferred revenue

     22,037       24,959  

Current portion of long-term debt

     333       41  
                

Total current liabilities

     98,702       94,424  

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     281,760       280,081  

Other liabilities

     30,065       24,065  
                

Total liabilities

     410,527       398,570  
                

Minority interest

     2,500       2,104  
                

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 24,822,726 and 24,737,726 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively

     248       247  

Additional paid-in capital

     154,909       154,777  

Treasury stock, 96,246 shares at both March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007

     (1,239 )     (1,239 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     106       294  

Accumulated deficit

     (264,820 )     (254,628 )
                

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (110,796 )     (100,549 )
                

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 302,231     $ 300,125  
                

See accompanying notes

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Net revenue

   $ 125,800     $ 111,444     $ 361,647     $ 336,986  
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Payroll and employee benefits

     76,871       70,880       225,347       211,585  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,283       3,007       9,530       8,741  

Other operating expenses

     31,382       30,180       87,805       79,289  

Auto/general liability insurance expense

     4,064       3,952       10,008       11,465  

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

     10       (21 )     (1,293 )     (13 )

(Gain) on property insurance settlement

     (70 )     —         (70 )     —    
                                

Total operating expenses

     115,540       107,998       331,327       311,067  
                                

Operating income

     10,260       3,446       30,320       25,919  

Interest expense

     (7,988 )     (7,959 )     (23,748 )     (23,730 )

Interest income

     73       153       307       413  
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

     2,345       (4,360 )     6,879       2,602  

Income tax (provision) benefit

     (936 )     1,432       (3,439 )     (2,610 )

Minority interest

     (132 )     (284 )     (896 )     (1,258 )
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     1,277       (3,212 )     2,544       (1,266 )

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     192       382       90       1,433  
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,469     $ (2,830 )   $ 2,634     $ 167  
                                

Income (loss) per share:

        

Basic -

        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.05     $ (0.13 )   $ 0.10     $ (0.05 )

Income from discontinued operations

     0.01       0.02       0.01       0.06  
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 0.06     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.11     $ 0.01  
                                

Diluted -

        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.05     $ (0.13 )   $ 0.10     $ (0.05 )

Income from discontinued operations

     0.01       0.02       0.01       0.06  
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 0.06     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.11     $ 0.01  
                                

Average number of common shares outstanding - Basic

     24,823       24,632       24,775       24,574  
                                

Average number of common shares outstanding - Diluted

     24,948       24,632       24,947       24,574  
                                

See accompanying notes

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Number of
Shares
   Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   Treasury
Stock
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Total  

Balance at June 30, 2007

   24,737,726    $ 247    $ 154,777    $ (1,239 )   $ (254,628 )   $ 294     $ (100,549 )

Adjustment due to adoption of FIN 48 (Note 7)

   —        —        —        —         (12,826 )     —         (12,826 )

Issuance of common stock due to options exercised under Stock Option Plans

   85,000      1      57      —         —         —         58  

Tax benefit from options exercised under Stock Option Plans

   —        —        75      —         —         —         75  

Comprehensive income, net of tax:

                 

Net income

   —        —        —        —         2,634       —         2,634  

Adjustment to funded status of defined benefit plan, net of tax (Note 11)

   —        —        —        —         —         (188 )     (188 )
                       

Comprehensive income

                    2,446  
                                                   

Balance at March 31, 2008

   24,822,726    $ 248    $ 154,909    $ (1,239 )   $ (264,820 )   $ 106     $ (110,796 )
                                                   

See accompanying notes

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 2,634     $ 167  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -

    

Depreciation and amortization

     9,629       9,119  

Non-cash adjustments to insurance claims reserves

     (4,466 )     (3,200 )

Accretion of 12.75% Senior Discount Notes

     6,481       5,728  

Deferred income taxes

     1,949       2,701  

Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

     (75 )     (202 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     1,510       1,625  

Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment

     296       (675 )

Earnings of minority shareholder

     896       1,258  

Stock based compensation benefit

     —         (7 )

Proceeds from property insurance settlement

     (70 )     —    

Change in assets and liabilities -

    

Accounts receivable

     (3,934 )     207  

Inventories

     401       178  

Prepaid expenses and other

     3,213       (560 )

Insurance deposits

     (217 )     1,037  

Other assets

     (580 )     3,328  

Accounts payable

     1,571       347  

Accrued liabilities

     5,789       1,126  

Deferred revenue

     (2,922 )     177  

Other liabilities

     2,373       41  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     24,478       22,395  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of short-term investments

     (5,000 )     (15,550 )

Sales of short-term investments

     5,000       21,751  

Capital expenditures

     (10,545 )     (10,780 )

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

     22       748  

Proceeds from property insurance settlement

     70       —    
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,453 )     (3,831 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repayment of debt

     (8,905 )     (14,029 )

Issuance of debt

     3,800       —    

Cash paid for debt issuance costs

     (857 )     (666 )

Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

     75       202  

Issuance of common stock

     58       335  

Distributions to minority shareholders

     (500 )     (700 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (6,329 )     (14,858 )
                

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     7,696       3,706  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     6,181       3,041  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 13,877     $ 6,747  
                

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating activities:

    

Increase in accumulated deficit, other liabilities and decrease in deferred income taxes upon adoption of FIN 48

   $ 12,826     $ —    

Increase in other current assets and accrued liabilities for general liability insurance claim

     —         11,565  

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Property and equipment funded by liabilities

   $ 1,897     $ 44  

Note payable incurred for software licenses

     354       —    

See accompanying notes

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Description of Business

Rural/Metro Corporation, a Delaware corporation, along with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is a leading provider of both emergency and non-emergency medical ambulance services. These services are provided under contracts with governmental entities, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities and organizations. The Company also provides fire protection and related services on a subscription fee basis to residential and commercial property owners and under long-term contracts with fire districts, industrial sites and airports. These services consist primarily of fire suppression, fire prevention and first responder medical care.

Other Information

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full fiscal year.

The notes to the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented to enhance the understanding of the financial statements and do not necessarily represent complete disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, these consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 14, 2007.

Reclassifications of Financial Information

The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007 reflect certain reclassifications for discontinued operations as described in Note 10. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income (loss). In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to the June 30, 2007 Consolidated Balance Sheet and to the March 31, 2007 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in order to be comparable to the March 31, 2008 presentations.

(1) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 establishes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161, which expands and amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 133, is intended to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and its related interpretations and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Presently, the Company does not expect SFAS 161 to have any impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations, (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R), which replaces SFAS 141, Business Combinations, establishes accounting standards for all transactions or other events in which an entity (the acquirer) obtains control of one or more businesses (the acquiree) including mergers and combinations achieved without the transfer of consideration. SFAS 141(R) requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. In the event that the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeds the fair value of the consideration transferred plus any non-controlling interest (referred to as a “bargain purchase”), SFAS 141(R) requires the acquirer to recognize that excess in earnings as a gain attributable to the acquirer. In addition, SFAS 141(R) requires costs incurred to effect an acquisition to be recognized separately from the acquisition and requires the recognition of assets or liabilities arising from noncontractual contingencies as of the acquisition date only if it is more likely than not that they meet the definition of an asset or

 

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liability in FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements. SFAS 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008, which for the Company is the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. Presently, the Company does not expect SFAS 141(R) to have any impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 Amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest (currently referred to as minority interest) in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, SFAS 160 establishes a single method of accounting for changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation by requiring that ownership transactions not resulting in deconsolidation are accounted for as equity with no gain or loss recognition in the income statement. SFAS 160 also requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, which is the date the parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest in the subsidiary. SFAS 160, which is effective for the Company at the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, is to be applied prospectively upon adoption except for the presentation and disclosure provisions, which require retrospective application for all periods presented. The presentation provisions require that (1) the noncontrolling interest be reclassified to equity, (2) consolidated net income be adjusted to include the net income attributed to the noncontrolling interest and (3) consolidated comprehensive income be adjusted to include the comprehensive income attributed to the noncontrolling interest. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 160 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 provides companies with the option to measure eligible items, including many financial instruments at fair value at specified election dates. SFAS 159 requires disclosure of unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 159, if any, shall be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. SFAS 159 is effective for the Company at the beginning of the fiscal 2009 year. The Company has not determined whether it will elect the fair value measurement provisions for its long-term obligations, nor has the Company determined the impact of any future election.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosure about fair value measures required under other accounting pronouncements, but does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. SFAS 157 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

(2) Stock Based Compensation

On March 27, 2008, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2008 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2008 Plan”) for the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as awards to employees, executive officers, and non-employee directors. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had not granted any awards under the 2008 Plan. Refer to Note 13, “Subsequent Events”, for information on stock based awards granted after March 31, 2008.

In addition, at March 31, 2008, the Company had the Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan (the “1992 Plan”) and the 2000 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2000 Plan”). The 1992 Plan, which provided for the issuance of stock options to employees and non-employees, including executive officers and the Board of Directors, expired November 5, 2002. The 2000 Plan, which originally did not require approval by the Company’s stockholders, provided for the issuance of stock options to employees and non-employees, excluding executive officers and the Board of Directors. In November 2007, the 2000 Plan was modified to provide that no future option grants will be made pursuant to the 2000 Plan unless the Company’s stockholders approve an amendment to the 2000 Plan to permit future option grants. At March 31, 2008, the Company had 485,664 common shares that would have been available for issuance had the 2000 Plan not been amended.

The Company recognized $0 and $7,000 of stock based compensation benefit in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007. The Company did not recognize any stock-based compensation expense or benefit in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008. At March 31, 2008, there were no remaining unvested awards under any stock compensation plan. Upon an option grant, the fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and amortized to expense over the vesting period of the award. There were no stock based awards granted during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 or 2007.

 

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(3) Sale of Accounts Receivable

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company entered into two transactions to sell certain of its previously written-off self pay accounts receivables to an unrelated third party. The Company accounted for each transaction as a sale since they met the applicable criteria of SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. The resulting gains, which totaled $1,873,000, were equal to proceeds received since the Company had previously removed the receivables from the balance sheet upon concluding they would not be collected. Income from continuing operations and income (loss) from discontinued operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 includes $1,578,000 and $295,000, respectively, of gains recognized in connection with these sales. The gains associated with the Company’s continuing operations are included within (gain) loss on sale of assets in the consolidated statement of operations. The proceeds received in connection with these transactions are a component of cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2008.

(4) Accrued Severance

At March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively in accrued severance benefits pursuant to an employment agreement with the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer. Approximately $1.1 million is included in payroll and employee benefits expense in the consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2007.

(5) General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Plans

General Liability

The Company maintains insurance policies for comprehensive automobile liability and professional liability (referred to collectively as “general liability”). These policies are typically renewed annually. Management periodically reviews its general liability claim reserves and engages its independent actuaries bi-annually to assist with the assessment of reserve adequacy. The Company adjusts its claim reserves with an associated charge or credit to expense as new information on the underlying claims are obtained.

Since June 2005, the Company has had a self-insured retention which covers the first $2.0 million per occurrence for auto related claims and the first $2.0 million per occurrence for general liability claims with aggregate retentions of $7.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively. In addition, the Company has an umbrella policy which provides excess coverage over the stated limits. For policy periods prior to June 2005, the Company also has self-insured retentions with varying levels of coverage based on the applicable policy year. The Company engaged its independent actuaries during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and 2007 to perform updated valuations of its related claim reserves. Based on these analyses, the Company reduced its general liability claim reserves by $1.9 million and $0.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The related benefit is reflected in auto/general liability insurance expense for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

In 2004, an individual filed suit against the Company in the Superior Court of New Jersey for injuries that were allegedly sustained as a result of negligence on the part of the Company. The case went to trial on March 26, 2007, and on April 4, 2007, a jury awarded the plaintiff compensatory damages totaling $12.1 million including prejudgment interest totaling $0.5 million. The Company has filed a motion to appeal. The Company believes it is adequately covered under an automobile liability insurance program for the 2003-2004 policy year. The Company recorded an additional liability of $11.6 million at March 31, 2007 for the difference between the award and the self-insured deductible with an offsetting receivable of $11.6 million representing the amount due from the insurer. The liability is classified as a component of accrued liabilities and the offsetting receivable is classified as a component of prepaid expenses and other on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007.

Workers’ Compensation

The Company maintains insurance policies for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability. The Company is required by law to maintain statutory limits of workers’ compensation insurance. These policies are typically renewed annually. Management periodically reviews its workers’ compensation claim reserves and engages its independent actuaries bi-annually to assist with the assessment of reserve adequacy. The Company adjusts its claim reserves with an associated charge or credit to expense as new information on the underlying claims are obtained. These adjustments may be reflected as changes to the Company’s reserve liabilities, insurance receivables or collateral deposit assets.

Since May 2005, the Company has had a self-insured workers compensation retention which covers the first $1.0 million per occurrence for the policy period May 2005 through April 2008 with an unlimited aggregate retention. For policy years prior to May 2002, the Company’s policy also included a per occurrence retention with no annual aggregate limit. The Company engaged its

 

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independent actuaries during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and 2007 to perform updated valuations of its related claim reserves. Based on these analyses, the Company reduced its workers’ compensation reserves by $1.9 million and $3.2 million during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The related benefit is reflected as a reduction to payroll and employee benefits expense for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

For the policy periods May 2002 through May 2005, the Company purchased workers compensation coverage under retrospectively rated policies whereby the related premiums are subject to adjustments at certain intervals based on subsequent review of actual losses incurred as well as payroll amounts. The Company engaged its independent actuaries during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and 2007 to perform updated valuations of the Company’s loss exposure for these policy periods. As a result of these valuations, the Company’s net loss exposure decreased $0.7 million and increased $0.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The change in loss exposure was recognized as a reduction to payroll and employee benefits expense and an increase to payroll and employee benefits expense for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The offset to these adjustments are reflected as changes to reserve liabilities, insurance receivables or collateral deposits depending on the applicable policy year.

(6) Long-term Debt

The following is a summary of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Senior Secured Term Loan B due March 2011

   $ 83,000     $ 88,000  

9.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due March 2015

     125,000       125,000  

12.75% Senior Discount Notes due March 2016

     73,436       66,954  

Other obligations, at varying rates from 5.96% to 14.64%, due through 2013

     657       168  
                

Long-term debt

     282,093       280,122  

Less: Current maturities

     (333 )     (41 )
                

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

   $ 281,760     $ 280,081  
                

The Senior Secured Term Loan B due March 2011 (the “Term Loan B”) bore interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum, through October 10, 2007 based on contractual periods from one to six months in length at the option of the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rural/Metro Operating Company, LLC (“Rural/Metro LLC”). Effective October 11, 2007 the Company entered into “Amendment No. 6” under the Term Loan B of its senior secured credit facilities (the “2005 Credit Facility”) and increased the interest rate to LIBOR plus 3.50%. At March 31, 2008, $63.0 million of the outstanding Term Loan B balance was under a LIBOR option six-month contract accruing interest at 8.31% per annum, while the remaining $20.0 million was under a LIBOR option three-month contract accruing interest at 6.66% per annum based on the interest rate contracts in effect at that time. At June 30, 2007, $80.0 million of the outstanding Term Loan B balance was under a LIBOR six-month contract accruing interest at 7.61% per annum, and the remaining $8.0 million outstanding debt balance was under a LIBOR option six-month contract accruing interest at 7.60% per annum based on the interest rate contracts in effect at that time.

The Company has capitalized $15.5 million of expenses associated with obtaining its outstanding debt and is amortizing these costs as interest expense over the terms of the respective agreements. Unamortized deferred financing costs were $8.6 million and $9.3 million at March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

On September 28, 2007, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rural/Metro LLC, made a $5.0 million unscheduled principal payment on its Term Loan B. There are no prepayment penalties or fees associated with the unscheduled principal payments. In connection with this unscheduled principal payment, the Company wrote-off $0.1 million of deferred financing costs during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Rural/Metro LLC has made inception-to-date unscheduled principal payments totaling $52.0 million, and may, from time to time, make additional unscheduled principal payments at its discretion. Refer to Note 13 “Subsequent Events” for information on the unscheduled principal payment made subsequent to March 31, 2008.

The Company, through Rural/Metro LLC, borrowed $1.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and $2.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 under the $20.0 million revolving credit facility of the 2005 Credit Facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The Company subsequently repaid its borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility and had no amounts outstanding under the $20.0 million Revolving Credit Facility at either March 31, 2008 or December 31, 2007 except for one $0.5 million letter of credit issued.

 

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At March 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $41.2 million, primarily in support of auto/general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance programs. The outstanding letters of credit at March 31, 2008 applicable to the Company’s $45.0 million Letter of Credit Facility totaled, $39.5 million with an additional $0.5 million issued under the Company’s $20.0 million Revolving Credit Facility which includes a letter of credit sub-line in the amount of $10.0 million with the balance in letters of credit supported by cash collateral.

The 2005 Credit Facility, the $125.0 million aggregate principal amount 9.875% senior subordinated notes due 2015 (the “Senior Subordinated Notes”) and the $93.5 million aggregate principal amount at maturity 12.75% senior discount notes due 2016 (the “Senior Discount Notes”) include various financial and non-financial covenants as well as quarterly and annual financial reporting obligations.

Specifically, the 2005 Credit Facility, as amended, requires Rural/Metro LLC and its subsidiaries to meet certain financial tests, including a maximum total leverage ratio, a minimum interest expense coverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The 2005 Credit Facility also contains covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers, prepayments of other indebtedness, liens and encumbrances, capital expenditures, business activities by the Company, as a holding company, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements.

The Company was in compliance with all of its covenants under its 2005 Credit Facility at March 31, 2008.

 

Financial

Covenant

 

Level Specified

in Agreement

 

Level Achieved for

Specified Period

  Level to be Achieved at
     

June 30, 2008

Debt leverage ratio

  <5.50   4.32   < 5.00

Interest expense coverage ratio

  > 1.75   2.31   > 1.90

Fixed charge coverage ratio

  > 1.00   1.26   > 1.00

Maintenance capital expenditure (1), (2)

  N/A   N/A   < $27.0 million

New business capital expenditure (2)

  N/A   N/A   < $4.0 million

 

(1) Maintenance capital expenditure refers to capital expenditures to maintain operations in existing markets.

(2)

Measured annually at June 30th.

Credit Facility Amendment

On October 11, 2007, the Company amended the 2005 Credit Facility (“Amendment No. 6”) to modify certain financial covenant requirements contained in the Credit Agreement, including total leverage ratio, interest expense coverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio. In addition, the Company’s margin over LIBOR increased from 2.25% to 3.50% for the term of the loan. In connection with Amendment No. 6, the Company paid $1.0 million in lender and administrative fees during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Of this amount, $0.9 million was capitalized and will be amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the 2005 Credit Facility. As part of Amendment No. 6, the Company obtained a waiver under the 2005 Credit Facility for any defaults relating to the restatement and the untimely filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2007.

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

The Senior Subordinated Notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations of Rural/Metro LLC and Rural/Metro (Delaware) Inc. (“Rural/Metro Inc”, collectively referred to as the “Senior Subordinated Notes Issuers”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the Company and substantially all of the current and future subsidiaries of Rural/Metro LLC, excluding Rural/Metro Inc. (the “Senior Subordinated Note Guarantors”).

The Company does not believe that the separate financial statements and related footnote disclosures concerning the Senior Subordinated Note Guarantors would provide any additional information that would be material to investors making an investment decision. Condensed consolidating financial information for the Parent, the Senior Subordinated Notes Issuers, the Senior Secured Note Guarantors and the Company’s remaining subsidiary (the “Non-Guarantor”) is presented in the following tables. The Non-Guarantor consists of the Company’s joint venture with the City of San Diego, San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, LLC, which is consolidated in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51. The accompanying Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31,

 

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2007 reflect certain reclassifications for discontinued operations as described in Note 10. In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to the June 30, 2007 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and to the March 31, 2007 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows in order to be comparable to the March 31, 2008 presentations.

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF MARCH 31, 2008

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    Parent     Senior Subordinated
Notes Issuers
  Senior
Subordinated Notes
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantor
    Eliminations     Rural/Metro
LLC - Consolidated
  Eliminations     Rural/Metro
Corporation
Consolidated
 
    Rural/Metro
LLC
  Rural/Metro
Inc.
           

ASSETS

                 

Current assets:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ —       $ —     $ —     $ 13,345     $ 532     $ —       $ 13,877   $ —       $ 13,877  

Accounts receivable, net

    —         —       —       73,343       8,904       —         82,247     —         82,247  

Inventories

    —         —       —       8,381       —         —         8,381     —         8,381  

Deferred income taxes

    —         —       —       20,622       —         —         20,622     —         20,622  

Prepaid expenses and other

    —         —       —       15,301       —         —         15,301     —         15,301  
                                                                 

Total current assets

    —         —       —       130,992       9,436       —         140,428     —         140,428  

Property and equipment, net

    —         —       —       48,283       202       —         48,485     —         48,485  

Goodwill

    —         —       —       37,700       —         —         37,700     —         37,700  

Deferred income taxes

    —         —       —       53,629       —         —         53,629     —         53,629  

Insurance deposits

    —         —       —       2,085       —         —         2,085     —         2,085  

Other assets

    1,560       7,054     —       10,765       525       —         18,344     —         19,904  

Due from (to) affiliates (1)

    —         78,818     125,000     (75,767 )     (3,051 )     (125,000 )     —       —         —    

Due from (to) Parent Company

    (54,786 )     54,786     —       —         —         —         54,786     —         —    

LLC investment in subsidiaries

    —         85,399     —       —         —         (85,399 )     —       —         —    

Parent Company investment in LLC

    15,866       —       —       —         —         —         —       (15,866 )     —    
                                                                 

Total assets

  $ (37,360 )   $ 226,057   $ 125,000   $ 207,687     $ 7,112     $ (210,399 )   $ 355,457   $ (15,866 )   $ 302,231  
                                                                 

LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

                 

Current liabilities:

                 

Accounts payable

  $ —       $ —     $ —     $ 17,239     $ 1,453     $ —       $ 18,692   $ —       $ 18,692  

Accrued liabilities

    —         2,191     —       54,786       663       —         57,640     —         57,640  

Deferred revenue

    —         —       —       22,037       —         —         22,037     —         22,037  

Current portion of long-term debt

    —         —       —       333       —         —         333     —         333  
                                                                 

Total current liabilities

    —         2,191     —       94,395       2,116       —         98,702     —         98,702  
                                                                 

Long-term debt,
net of current portion (1)

    73,436       208,000     125,000     324       —         (125,000 )     208,324     —         281,760  

Other liabilities

    —         —       —       30,065       —         —         30,065     —         30,065  
                                                                 

Total liabilities

    73,436       210,191     125,000     124,784       2,116       (125,000 )     337,091     —         410,527  
                                                                 

Minority interest

    —         —       —       —         —         2,500       2,500     —         2,500  
                                                                 

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

                 

Common stock

    248       —       —       90       —         (90 )     —       —         248  

Additional paid-in capital

    154,909       —       —       74,770       20       (74,790 )     —       —         154,909  

Treasury stock

    (1,239 )     —       —       —         —         —         —       —         (1,239 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    106       —       —       —         —         —         —       —         106  

Accumulated deficit

    (264,820 )     —       —       8,043       4,976       (13,019 )     —       —         (264,820 )

Member equity

    —         15,866     —       —         —         —         15,866     (15,866 )     —    
                                                                 

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    (110,796 )     15,866     —       82,903       4,996       (87,899 )     15,866     (15,866 )     (110,796 )
                                                                 

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

  $ (37,360 )   $ 226,057   $ 125,000   $ 207,687     $ 7,112     $ (210,399 )   $ 355,457   $ (15,866 )   $ 302,231  
                                                                 

 

Note: The sole purpose of Rural/Metro Inc. was to act as co-issuer of the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rural/Metro Inc. does not conduct any operations. The Balance Sheet for Rural/Metro Inc. at March 31, 2008 consists of equity and due to affiliates totaling an amount equal to $100.

(1) Senior Subordinated Notes interest expense has been allocated to Rural/Metro LLC only.

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF JUNE 30, 2007

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    Parent     Senior Subordinated
Notes Issuers
  Senior
Subordinated Notes
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantor
    Eliminations     Rural/Metro
LLC - Consolidated
  Eliminations     Rural/Metro
Corporation
Consolidated
 
    Rural/Metro
LLC
  Rural/Metro
Inc.
           

ASSETS

                 

Current assets:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ —       $ —     $ —     $ 5,565     $ 616     $ —       $ 6,181   $ —       $ 6,181  

Accounts receivable, net

    —         —       —       70,378       7,935       —         78,313     —         78,313  

Inventories

    —         —       —       8,782       —         —         8,782     —         8,782  

Deferred income taxes

    —         —       —       15,836       —         —         15,836     —         15,836  

Prepaid expenses and other

    —         4     —       18,269       —         —         18,273     —         18,273  
                                                                 

Total current assets

    —         4     —       118,830       8,551       —         127,385     —         127,385  

Property and equipment, net

    —         —       —       45,319       202       —         45,521     —         45,521  

Goodwill

    —         —       —       37,700       —         —         37,700     —         37,700  

Deferred income taxes

    —         —       —       67,309       —         —         67,309     —         67,309  

Insurance deposits

    —         —       —       1,868       —         —         1,868     —         1,868  

Other assets

    1,707       7,561     —       10,549       525       —         18,635     —         20,342  

Due from (to) affiliates (1)

    —         115,666     125,000     (112,534 )     (3,132 )     (125,000 )     —       —         —    

Due from (to) Parent Company

    (41,900 )     41,900     —       —         —         —         41,900     —         —    

LLC investment in subsidiaries

    —         59,588     —       —         —         (59,588 )     —       —         —    

Parent Company investment in LLC

    6,598       —       —       —         —         —         —       (6,598 )     —    
                                                                 

Total assets

  $ (33,595 )   $ 224,719   $ 125,000   $ 169,041     $ 6,146     $ (184,588 )   $ 340,318   $ (6,598 )   $ 300,125  
                                                                 

LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

                 

Current liabilities:

                 

Accounts payable

  $ —       $ —     $ —     $ 13,893     $ 1,378     $ —       $ 15,271   $ —       $ 15,271  

Accrued liabilities

    —         5,121     —       48,468       564       —         54,153     —         54,153  

Deferred revenue

    —         —       —       24,959       —         —         24,959     —         24,959  

Current portion of long-term debt

    —         —       —       41       —         —         41     —         41  
                                                                 

Total current liabilities

    —         5,121     —       87,361       1,942       —         94,424     —         94,424  
                                                                 

Long-term debt,
net of current portion (1)

    66,954       213,000     125,000     127       —         (125,000 )     213,127     —         280,081  

Other liabilities

    —         —       —       24,065       —         —         24,065     —         24,065  
                                                                 

Total liabilities

    66,954       218,121     125,000     111,553       1,942       (125,000 )     331,616     —         398,570  
                                                                 

Minority interest

    —         —       —       —         —         2,104       2,104     —         2,104  
                                                                 

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

                 

Common stock

    247       —       —       90       —         (90 )     —       —         247  

Additional paid-in capital

    154,777       —       —       74,770       20       (74,790 )     —       —         154,777  

Treasury stock

    (1,239 )     —       —       —         —         —         —       —         (1,239 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    294       —       —       —         —         —         —       —         294  

Accumulated deficit

    (254,628 )     —       —       (17,372 )     4,184       13,188       —       —         (254,628 )

Member equity

    —         6,598     —       —         —         —         6,598     (6,598 )     —    
                                                                 

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    (100,549 )     6,598     —       57,488       4,204       (61,692 )     6,598     (6,598 )     (100,549 )
                                                                 

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

  $ (33,595 )   $ 224,719   $ 125,000   $ 169,041     $ 6,146     $ (184,588 )   $ 340,318   $ (6,598 )   $ 300,125  
                                                                 

 

Note: The sole purpose of Rural/Metro Inc. was to act as co-issuer of the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rural/Metro Inc. does not conduct any operations. The Balance Sheet for Rural/Metro Inc. at June 30, 2007 consists of equity and due to affiliates totaling an amount equal to $100.

(1) Senior Subordinated Notes interest expense has been allocated to Rural/Metro LLC only.

 

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Table of Contents

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    Parent     Senior Subordinated
Notes Issuers
  Senior
Subordinated Notes
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantor
  Eliminations     Rural/Metro
LLC - Consolidated
    Eliminations     Rural Metro
Corporation
Consolidated
 
    Rural/Metro
LLC
    Rural/Metro
Inc.
           

Net revenue

  $ —       $ —       $ —     $ 122,487     $ 11,140   $ (7,827 )   $ 125,800     $ —       $ 125,800  
                                                                   

Operating expenses:

                 

Payroll and employee benefits

    —         —         —       76,847       24     —         76,871       —         76,871  

Depreciation and amortization

    —         —         —       3,282       1     —         3,283       —         3,283  

Other operating expenses

    —         —         —       28,487       10,722     (7,827 )     31,382       —         31,382  

Auto/general liability insurance expense

    —         —         —       3,936       128     —         4,064       —         4,064  

Loss on sale of assets

    —         —         —       10       —       —         10       —         10  

(Gain) on property insurance settlement

    —         —         —       (70 )     —       —         (70 )     —         (70 )
                                                                   

Total operating expenses

    —         —         —       112,492       10,875     (7,827 )     115,540       —         115,540  
                                                                   

Operating income

    —         —         —       9,995       265     —         10,260       —         10,260  

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    3,732       9,447       —       —         —       (9,447 )     —         (3,732 )     —    

Interest expense

    (2,263 )     (5,715 )     —       (10 )     —       —         (5,725 )     —         (7,988 )

Interest income

    —         —         —       73       —       —         73       —         73  
                                                                   

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

    1,469       3,732       —       10,058       265     (9,447 )     4,608       (3,732 )     2,345  

Income tax provision

    —         —         —       (936 )     —       —         (936 )     —         (936 )

Minority interest

    —         —         —       —         —       (132 )     (132 )     —         (132 )
                                                                   

Income from continuing operations

    1,469       3,732       —       9,122       265     (9,579 )     3,540       (3,732 )     1,277  

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    —         —         —       192       —       —         192       —         192  
                                                                   

Net income

  $ 1,469     $ 3,732     $ —     $ 9,314     $ 265   $ (9,579 )   $ 3,732     $ (3,732 )   $ 1,469  
                                                                   

 

Note: The sole purpose of Rural/Metro Inc. was to act as co-issuer of the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rural/Metro Inc. does not conduct any operations.

(1) Senior Subordinated Notes interest expense has been allocated to Rural/Metro LLC only.

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    Parent     Senior Subordinated
Notes Issuers
  Senior
Subordinated Notes
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantor
  Eliminations     Rural/Metro
LLC - Consolidated
    Eliminations   Rural Metro
Corporation
Consolidated
 
    Rural/Metro
LLC
    Rural/Metro
Inc.
           

Net revenue

  $ —       $ —       $ —     $ 108,576     $ 9,940   $ (7,072 )   $ 111,444     $ —     $ 111,444  
                                                                 

Operating expenses:

                 

Payroll and employee benefits

    —         —         —       70,857       23     —         70,880       —       70,880  

Depreciation and amortization

    —         —         —       3,006       1     —         3,007       —       3,007  

Other operating expenses

    —         —         —       28,022       9,230     (7,072 )     30,180       —       30,180  

Auto/general liability insurance expense

    —         —         —       3,828       124     —         3,952       —       3,952  

(Gain) on sale of assets

    —         —         —       (21 )     —       —         (21 )     —       (21 )
                                                                 

Total operating expenses

    —         —         —       105,692       9,378     (7,072 )     107,998       —       107,998  
                                                                 

Operating income

    —         —         —       2,884       562     —         3,446       —       3,446  

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    (825 )     5,065       —       —         —       (5,065 )     —         825     —    

Interest expense

    (2,005 )     (5,890 )     —       (64 )     —       —         (5,954 )     —       (7,959 )

Interest income

    —         —         —       146       7     —         153       —       153  
                                                                 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

    (2,830 )     (825 )     —       2,966       569     (5,065 )     (2,355 )     825     (4,360 )

Income tax benefit

    —         —         —       1,432       —       —         1,432       —       1,432  

Minority interest

    —         —         —       —         —       (284 )     (284 )     —       (284 )
                                                                 

Loss from continuing operations

    (2,830 )     (825 )     —       4,398       569     (5,349 )     (1,207 )     825     (3,212 )

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    —         —         —       382       —       —         382       —       382  
                                                                 

Net loss

  $ (2,830 )   $ (825 )   $ —     $ 4,780     $ 569   $ (5,349 )   $ (825 )   $ 825   $ (2,830 )
                                                                 

 

Note: The sole purpose of Rural/Metro Inc. was to act as co-issuer of the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rural/Metro Inc. does not conduct any operations.

(1) Senior Subordinated Notes interest expense has been allocated to Rural/Metro LLC only.

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    Parent     Senior Subordinated
Notes Issuers
  Senior
Subordinated Notes
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantor
  Eliminations     Rural/Metro
LLC - Consolidated
    Eliminations     Rural Metro
Corporation
Consolidated
 
    Rural/Metro
LLC
    Rural/Metro
Inc.
           

Net revenue

  $ —       $ —       $ —     $ 350,966     $ 32,848   $ (22,167 )   $ 361,647     $ —       $ 361,647  
                                                                   

Operating expenses:

                 

Payroll and employee benefits

    —         —         —       225,262       85     —         225,347       —         225,347  

Depreciation and amortization

    —         —         —       9,529       1     —         9,530       —         9,530  

Other operating expenses

    —         —         —       79,367       30,605     (22,167 )     87,805       —         87,805  

Auto/general liability insurance expense

    —         —         —       9,624       384     —         10,008       —         10,008  

(Gain) on sale of assets

    —         —         —       (1,293 )     —       —         (1,293 )     —         (1,293 )

(Gain) on property insurance settlement

    —         —         —       (70 )     —       —         (70 )     —         (70 )
                                                                   

Total operating expenses

    —         —         —       322,419       31,075     (22,167 )     331,327       —         331,327  
                                                                   

Operating income

    —         —         —       28,547       1,773     —         30,320       —         30,320  

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    9,267       26,311       —       —         —       (26,311 )     —         (9,267 )     —    

Interest expense

    (6,633 )     (17,044 )     —       (71 )     —       —         (17,115 )     —         (23,748 )

Interest income

    —         —         —       288       19     —         307       —         307  
                                                                   

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

    2,634       9,267       —       28,764       1,792     (26,311 )     13,512       (9,267 )     6,879  

Income tax provision

    —         —         —       (3,439 )     —       —         (3,439 )     —         (3,439 )

Minority interest

    —         —         —       —         —       (896 )     (896 )     —         (896 )
                                                                   

Income from continuing operations

    2,634       9,267       —       25,325       1,792     (27,207 )     9,177       (9,267 )     2,544  

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    —         —         —       90       —       —         90       —         90  
                                                                   

Net income

  $ 2,634     $ 9,267     $ —     $ 25,415     $ 1,792   $ (27,207 )   $ 9,267     $ (9,267 )   $ 2,634  
                                                                   

 

Note: The sole purpose of Rural/Metro Inc. was to act as co-issuer of the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rural/Metro Inc. does not conduct any operations.

(1) Senior Subordinated Notes interest expense has been allocated to Rural/Metro LLC only.

 

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Table of Contents

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    Parent     Senior Subordinated
Notes Issuers
  Senior
Subordinated Notes
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantor
  Eliminations     Rural/Metro
LLC - Consolidated
    Eliminations     Rural Metro
Corporation
Consolidated
 
    Rural/Metro
LLC
    Rural/Metro
Inc.
           

Net revenue

  $ —       $ —       $ —     $ 326,613     $ 30,593   $ (20,220 )   $ 336,986     $ —       $ 336,986  
                                                                   

Operating expenses:

                 

Payroll and employee benefits

    (7 )     —         —       211,522       70     —         211,592       —         211,585  

Depreciation and amortization

    —         —         —       8,739       2     —         8,741       —         8,741  

Other operating expenses

    —         —         —       71,838       27,671     (20,220 )     79,289       —         79,289  

Auto/general liability insurance expense

    —         —         —       11,093       372     —         11,465       —         11,465  

(Gain) on sale of assets

    —         —         —       (13 )     —       —         (13 )     —         (13 )
                                                                   

Total operating expenses

    (7 )     —         —       303,179       28,115     (20,220 )     311,074       —         311,067  
                                                                   

Operating income

    7       —         —       23,434       2,478     —         25,912       —         25,919  

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    6,035       23,727       —       —         —       (23,727 )     —         (6,035 )     —    

Interest expense

    (5,875 )     (17,692 )     —       (163 )     —       —         (17,855 )     —         (23,730 )

Interest income

    —         —         —       374       39     —         413       —         413  
                                                                   

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

    167       6,035       —       23,645       2,517     (23,727 )     8,470       (6,035 )     2,602  

Income tax provision

    —         —         —       (2,610 )     —       —         (2,610 )     —         (2,610 )

Minority interest

    —         —         —       —         —       (1,258 )     (1,258 )     —         (1,258 )
                                                                   

Loss from continuing operations

    167       6,035       —       21,035       2,517     (24,985 )     4,602       (6,035 )     (1,266 )

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    —         —         —       1,433       —       —         1,433       —         1,433  
                                                                   

Net income

  $ 167     $ 6,035     $ —     $ 22,468     $ 2,517   $ (24,985 )   $ 6,035     $ (6,035 )   $ 167  
                                                                   

 

Note: The sole purpose of Rural/Metro Inc. was to act as co-issuer of the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rural/Metro Inc. does not conduct any operations.

(1) Senior Subordinated Notes interest expense has been allocated to Rural/Metro LLC only.

 

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Table of Contents

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    Parent     Senior Subordinated
Notes Issuers
  Senior
Subordinated Notes
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantor
    Eliminations     Rural/Metro
LLC - Consolidated
    Eliminations     Rural Metro
Corporation
Consolidated
 
    Rural/Metro
LLC
    Rural/Metro
Inc.
           

Cash flows from operating activities:

                 

Net income

  $ 2,634     $ 9,267     $ —     $ 25,415     $ 1,792     $ (27,207 )   $ 9,267     $ (9,267 )   $ 2,634  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -

                 

Depreciation and amortization

    —         —         —       9,628       1       —         9,629       —         9,629  

Non-cash adjustments to insurance claims reserves

    —         —         —       (4,466 )     —         —         (4,466 )     —         (4,466 )

Accretion of 12.75% Senior Discount Notes

    6,481       —         —       —         —         —         —         —         6,481  

Deferred income taxes

    —         —         —       1,949       —         —         1,949       —         1,949  

Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

    (75 )     —         —       —         —         —         —         —         (75 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    148       1,362       —       —         —         —         1,362       —         1,510  

Loss on sale of property and equipment

    —         —         —       296       —         —         296       —         296  

Earnings of minority shareholder

    —         —         —       —         —         896       896       —         896  

Proceeds from property insurance settlement

    —         —         —       (70 )     —         —         (70 )     —         (70 )

Changes in assets and liabilities -

                 

Accounts receivable

    —         —         —       (2,964 )     (970 )     —         (3,934 )     —         (3,934 )

Inventories

    —         —         —       401       —         —         401       —         401  

Prepaid expenses and other

    —         4       —       3,209       —         —         3,213       —         3,213  

Insurance deposits

    —         —         —       (217 )     —         —         (217 )     —         (217 )

Other assets

    —         —         —       (580 )     —         —         (580 )     —         (580 )

Accounts payable

    —         —         —       1,496       75       —         1,571       —         1,571  

Accrued liabilities

    —         (2,929 )     —       8,619       99       —         5,789       —         5,789  

Deferred revenue

    —         —         —       (2,922 )     —         —         (2,922 )     —         (2,922 )

Other liabilities

    —         —         —       2,373       —         —         2,373       —         2,373  
                                                                     

Net cash provided by operating activities

    9,188       7,704       —       42,167       997       (26,311 )     24,557       (9,267 )     24,478  
                                                                     

Cash flows from investing activities:

                 

Purchases of short-term investments

    —         —         —       (5,000 )     —         —         (5,000 )     —         (5,000 )

Sales of short-term investments

    —         —         —       5,000       —         —         5,000       —         5,000  

Capital expenditures

    —         —         —       (10,545 )     —         —         (10,545 )     —         (10,545 )

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

    —         —         —       22       —         —         22       —         22  

Proceeds from property insurance settlement

    —         —         —       70       —         —         70       —         70  
                                                                     

Net cash used in investing activities

    —         —         —       (10,453 )     —         —         (10,453 )     —         (10,453 )
                                                                     

Cash flows from financing activities:

                 

Repayment of debt

    —         (8,800 )     —       (105 )     —         —         (8,905 )     —         (8,905 )

Issuance of debt

    —         3,800       —       —         —         —         3,800       —         3,800  

Cash paid for debt issuance costs

    —         (857 )     —       —         —         —         (857 )     —         (857 )

Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

    75       —         —       —         —         —         —         —         75  

Issuance of common stock

    58       —         —       —         —         —         —         —         58  

Distributions to minority shareholders

    —         —         —       —         (500 )     —         (500 )     —         (500 )

Distributions to Rural/Metro LLC

    —         500       —       —         (500 )     —         —         —         —    

Due to/from affiliates

    (9,321 )     (2,347 )     —       (23,829 )     (81 )     26,311       54       9,267       —    
                                                                     

Net cash used in financing activities

    (9,188 )     (7,704 )     —       (23,934 )     (1,081 )     26,311       (6,408 )     9,267       (6,329 )
                                                                     

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

    —         —         —       7,780       (84 )     —         7,696       —         7,696  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    —         —         —       5,565       616       —         6,181       —         6,181  
                                                                     

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ —       $ —       $ —     $ 13,345     $ 532     $ —       $ 13,877     $ —       $ 13,877  
                                                                     

 

Note: The sole purpose of Rural/Metro Inc. was to act as co-issuer of the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rural/Metro Inc. does not conduct any operations.

 

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RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    Parent     Senior Subordinated
Notes Issuers
  Senior
Subordinated Notes
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantor
    Eliminations     Rural/Metro
LLC - Consolidated
    Eliminations     Rural Metro
Corporation
Consolidated
 
    Rural/Metro
LLC
    Rural/Metro
Inc.
           

Cash flows from operating activities:

                 

Net income

  $ 167     $ 6,035     $ —     $ 22,468     $ 2,517     $ (24,985 )   $ 6,035     $ (6,035 )   $ 167  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -

                 

Depreciation and amortization

    —         —         —       9,117       2       —         9,119       —         9,119  

Non-cash adjustments to insurance claims reserves

    —         —         —       (3,200 )     —         —         (3,200 )     —         (3,200 )

Accretion of 12.75% Senior Discount Notes

    5,728       —         —       —         —         —         —         —         5,728  

Deferred income taxes

    —         —         —       2,701       —         —         2,701       —         2,701  

Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

    (202 )     —         —       —         —         —         —         —         (202 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    147       1,478       —       —         —         —         1,478       —         1,625  

(Gain) on sale of property and equipment

    —         —         —       (675 )     —         —         (675 )     —         (675 )

Earnings of minority shareholder

    —         —         —       —         —         1,258       1,258       —         1,258  

Stock based compensation benefit

    (7 )     —         —       —         —         —         —         —         (7 )

Changes in assets and liabilities -

                 

Accounts receivable

    —         —         —       1,420       (1,213 )     —         207       —         207  

Inventories

    —         —         —       178       —         —         178       —         178  

Prepaid expenses and other

    —         75       —       (639 )     4       —         (560 )     —         (560 )

Insurance deposits

    —         —         —       1,037       —         —         1,037       —         1,037  

Other assets

    —         —         —       3,328       —         —         3,328       —         3,328  

Accounts payable

    —         —         —       430       (83 )     —         347       —         347  

Accrued liabilities

    —         (3,091 )     —       3,942       275       —         1,126       —         1,126  

Deferred revenue

    —         —         —       177       —         —         177       —         177  

Other liabilities

    —         —         —       41       —         —         41       —         41  
                                                                     

Net cash provided by operating activities

    5,833       4,497       —       40,325       1,502       (23,727 )     22,597       (6,035 )     22,395  
                                                                     

Cash flows from investing activities:

                 

Purchases of short-term investments

    —         —         —       (15,550 )     —         —         (15,550 )     —         (15,550 )

Sales of short-term investments

    —         —         —       21,751       —         —         21,751       —         21,751  

Capital expenditures

    —         —         —       (10,780 )     —         —         (10,780 )     —         (10,780 )

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

    —         —         —       748       —         —         748       —         748  
                                                                     

Net cash used in investing activities

    —         —         —       (3,831 )     —         —         (3,831 )     —         (3,831 )
                                                                     

Cash flows from financing activities:

                 

Repayment of debt

    —         (14,000 )     —       (29 )     —         —         (14,029 )     —         (14,029 )

Cash paid for debt issuance costs

    —         (666 )     —       —         —         —         (666 )     —         (666 )

Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

    202       —         —       —         —         —         —         —         202  

Issuance of common stock

    335       —         —       —         —         —         —         —         335  

Distributions to minority shareholders

    —         —         —       —         (700 )     —         (700 )     —         (700 )

Distributions to Rural/Metro LLC

    —         700       —       —         (700 )     —         —         —         —    

Due to/from affiliates

    (6,370 )     9,469       —       (32,882 )     21       23,727       335       6,035       —    
                                                                     

Net cash used in financing activities

    (5,833 )     (4,497 )     —       (32,911 )     (1,379 )     23,727       (15,060 )     6,035       (14,858 )
                                                                     

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

    —         —         —       3,583       123       —         3,706       —         3,706  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    —         —         —       1,891       1,150       —         3,041       —         3,041  
                                                                     

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ —       $ —       $ —     $ 5,474     $ 1,273     $ —       $ 6,747     $ —       $ 6,747  
                                                                     

 

Note: The sole purpose of Rural/Metro Inc. was to act as co-issuer of the Senior Subordinated Notes. Rural/Metro Inc. does not conduct any operations.

 

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(7) Income Taxes

The following table shows the components of the income tax (provision) benefit (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Current income tax provision

   $ (332 )   $ (133 )   $ (1,550 )   $ (608 )

Deferred income tax (provision) benefit

     (744 )     1,420       (1,949 )     (2,701 )
                                

Total income tax (provision) benefit

   $ (1,076 )   $ 1,287     $ (3,499 )   $ (3,309 )
                                

Continuing operations (provision) benefit

   $ (936 )   $ 1,432     $ (3,439 )   $ (2,610 )

Discontinued operations provision

     (140 )     (145 )     (60 )     (699 )
                                

Total income tax (provision) benefit

   $ (1,076 )   $ 1,287     $ (3,499 )   $ (3,309 )
                                

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 for continuing operations was 39.9% and 50%, respectively, which differs from the federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily as a result of the portion of non-cash interest expense related to the Senior Discount Notes which is not deductible for income tax purposes, non-deductible executive compensation and state income taxes. The Company received income tax refunds of $53,000 during the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and made income tax payments of $0.8 million and $1.2 million respectively for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008. Income tax payments for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 are higher than income tax payments for the nine months ended March 31, 2007 primarily as a result of prior utilization or expiration of certain state net operating losses which results in a higher state tax payable.

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007 for continuing operations was 32.8% and 100.3%, respectively, which differs from the federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily as a result of the portion of non-cash interest expense related to the Senior Discount Notes which is not deductible for income tax purposes, non-deductible executive compensation, state income taxes, and certain adjustments to prior year tax provisions. The Company made cash payments for income taxes of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007, primarily consisting of federal alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes.

Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382, if the Company underwent an ownership change, the federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward limitations would impose an annual limit on the amount of the taxable income that may be offset by its NOL generated prior to the ownership change. If an ownership change were to occur, the Company may be unable to use a significant portion of its NOL to offset taxable income. See Part II, Item 1A below.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 as of July 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 resulted in a $12.8 million cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. As of the date of adoption, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits totaled approximately $34.1 million, $30.4 million of which would favorably impact our effective tax rate if subsequently recognized. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits totaling approximately $34.1 million, $30.4 million of which would favorably impact our effective tax rate if subsequently recognized.

The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties as of March 31, 2008 was approximately $1.3 million. Approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million of interest and penalties was recorded for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.

 

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The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to the following significant taxing jurisdictions: U.S. federal, Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, New York, Ohio and Tennessee. The Company has had net operating losses in various years for Federal purposes and for many states. The statute of limitations for a particular tax year for examination by the Internal Revenue Service is generally three years subsequent to the filing of the associated tax return. However, the Internal Revenue Service can adjust net operating loss carryovers up to three years subsequent to the last year in which the loss carryover is finally used. Accordingly, there are multiple years open to examination. The statute of limitations is generally three to four years for many of the states where the Company operates. The Company is currently not under income tax examination in any tax jurisdictions.

There has not been any change in the total amount of our unrecognized tax benefits since July 1, 2007. The Company does not anticipate a significant change in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.

(8) Earnings Per Share

Income (loss) from continuing operations per share assuming dilution is computed by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. Income (loss) from continuing operations per share assuming dilution is computed based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding after consideration of the dilutive effect of stock options.

A reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding utilized in the basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share computations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008    2007     2008    2007  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 1,277    $ (3,212 )   $ 2,544    $ (1,266 )

Average number of shares outstanding - Basic

     24,823      24,632       24,775      24,574  

Add: Incremental shares for dilutive effect of stock options

     125      —         172      —    
                              

Average number of shares outstanding - Diluted

     24,948      24,632       24,947      24,574  
                              

Income (loss) from continuing operations per share - Basic

   $ 0.05    $ (0.13 )   $ 0.10    $ (0.05 )
                              

Income (loss) from continuing operations per share - Diluted

   $ 0.05    $ (0.13 )   $ 0.10    $ (0.05 )
                              

Option shares with exercise prices above the average market prices of the Company’s common stock during the respective periods have been excluded from the calculation of diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share. Such options totaled 424,000 at March 31, 2008.

For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007, no shares of common stock underlying stock based awards were included in the computation of income (loss) from continuing operations per share assuming dilution because there was a loss from continuing operations.

 

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Table of Contents

(9) Segment Reporting

The Company has four regional reporting segments that correspond with the manner in which the associated operations are managed and evaluated by its chief operating decision maker. Although some of the Company’s operations do not align with the segments’ geographic designation, all operations have been structured to capitalize on management’s strengths. These segments comprise operations within the following areas:

 

Segment

  

Operations

Mid-Atlantic    New York, Northern Ohio, Pennsylvania
South    Alabama, California (fire), Florida (fire), Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, New Jersey (fire), Southern Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin
Southwest    Arizona (ambulance and fire), New Mexico, Oregon (fire)
West    California (ambulance), Central Florida (ambulance), Colorado, Oregon (ambulance), Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Washington

Each reporting segment provides ambulance services while the Company’s fire and other services are predominately in the South and Southwest segments. During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company determined that certain characteristics of its Georgia operations were more similar to the characteristics of operations residing in the Company’s South segment. Accordingly, the Company reorganized its operating segments and Georgia, formerly included in the Mid-Atlantic segment is now included in the South segment. As a result of this change, segment information for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007 has been reclassified to conform with the segment information for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008.

The accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements have also been followed in the preparation of the accompanying financial information for each reporting segment. For management purposes, the Company’s measure of segment profitability is defined as income from continuing operations before depreciation and amortization, interest, income taxes and minority interest. Additionally, corporate overhead allocations have been included within segment profits. Segment results presented below reflect continuing operations only. The prior period segment information has been restated to reflect the Georgia reclassification described above.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes segment information for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

 

     Mid-Atlantic    South    Southwest    West      Total

Three months ended March 31, 2008

              

Net revenues from external customers:

              

Ambulance services

   $ 21,304    $ 23,757    $ 35,736    $ 26,297      $ 107,094

Other services (1)

     880      6,444      11,089      293        18,706
                                    

Total net revenue

   $ 22,184    $ 30,201    $ 46,825    $ 26,590      $ 125,800
                                    

Segment profit from continuing operations

   $ 3,439    $ 2,428    $ 7,232    $ 444      $ 13,543

Three months ended March 31, 2007

              

Net revenues from external customers:

              

Ambulance services

   $ 20,741    $ 20,275    $ 31,183    $ 22,829      $ 95,028

Other services (1)

     911      5,832      9,747      (74 )      16,416
                                    

Total net revenue

   $ 21,652    $ 26,107    $ 40,930    $ 22,755      $ 111,444
                                    

Segment profit (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 2,033    $ 2,039    $ 2,754    $ (373 )    $ 6,453

Nine months ended March 31, 2008

              

Net revenues from external customers:

              

Ambulance services

   $ 62,623    $ 65,718    $ 100,569    $ 77,496      $ 306,406

Other services (1)

     2,913      18,456      32,762      1,110        55,241
                                    

Total net revenue

   $ 65,536    $ 84,174    $ 133,331    $ 78,606      $ 361,647
                                    

Segment profit from continuing operations

   $ 13,289    $ 6,148    $ 16,591    $ 3,822      $ 39,850

Nine months ended March 31, 2007

              

Net revenues from external customers:

              

Ambulance services

   $ 61,777    $ 58,456    $ 93,032    $ 74,272      $ 287,537

Other services (1)

     2,760      17,259      29,003      427        49,449
                                    

Total net revenue

   $ 64,537    $ 75,715    $ 122,035    $ 74,699      $ 336,986
                                    

Segment profit from continuing operations

   $ 10,345    $ 7,901    $ 10,609    $ 5,805      $ 34,660

 

(1) Other services consists of revenue generated from fire protection services; including master fire contract and subscription fire services, airport fire and rescue, home health care services, dispatch contracts, billing contracts and other miscellaneous forms of revenue.

 

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Table of Contents

The following is a reconciliation of segment profit to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Segment profit

   $ 13,543     $ 6,453     $ 39,850     $ 34,660  

Depreciation and amortization

     (3,283 )     (3,007 )     (9,530 )     (8,741 )

Interest expense

     (7,988 )     (7,959 )     (23,748 )     (23,730 )

Interest income

     73       153       307       413  
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

   $ 2,345     $ (4,360 )   $ 6,879     $ 2,602  
                                

Segment assets consist solely of accounts receivable since they are the only assets regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing segment performance. The following table summarizes segment asset information (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2008
   June 30,
2007

Mid-Atlantic

   $ 10,079    $ 11,659

South

     16,407      16,543

Southwest

     31,277      27,338

West

     24,484      22,773
             

Total segment assets

   $ 82,247    $ 78,313
             

The following table represents a reconciliation of segment assets to total assets (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2008
   June 30,
2007

Segment assets

   $ 82,247    $ 78,313

Cash and cash equivalents

     13,877      6,181

Inventories

     8,381      8,782

Prepaid expenses and other

     15,301      18,273

Deferred income taxes

     74,251      83,145

Property and equipment, net

     48,485      45,521

Goodwill

     37,700      37,700

Insurance deposits

     2,085      1,868

Other assets

     19,904      20,342
             

Total assets

   $ 302,231    $ 300,125
             

(10) Discontinued Operations

During fiscal 2008, the Company made the decision to exit four ambulance services markets in Dona Ana, New Mexico, Milton, Florida, Forsythe, Georgia and Baghdad, Arizona and two fire response markets in Paradise Valley, Arizona and Queen Creek, Arizona. Because the operations in these markets are considered separate components of the Company as defined by SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, their results of operations are reported within income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. Although the decision to exit these markets occurred in fiscal 2008, the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007 have been recast to reflect these operations as discontinued.

In addition to the recurring revenues and expenses associated with operations classified as discontinued, the Company recognized certain non-recurring pre-tax gains and losses during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 as described below.

 

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Table of Contents
   

As discussed in Note 3, during the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company recognized gains of $1,873,000 on the sale of certain previously written-off self pay accounts receivables of which $295,000 was included within income (loss) from discontinued operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2008. The gains associated with discontinued operations were allocated to the Company’s Mid-Atlantic, South, West and Southwest segments and were $2,000, $180,000, $86,000 and $27,000, respectively.

 

   

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company recorded an additional reserve in the amount of $729,000 for a change in estimate relating to the U.S. government’s review of reimbursement levels for certain patients in the Company’s Washington D.C. operations, which were discontinued during fiscal 2004. The impact of this additional reserve is included in the Mid-Atlantic segment’s income (loss) from discontinued operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2008. The total reserve for this issue was $1.0 million at March 31, 2008.

 

   

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company recognized a $0.6 million gain of nonrefundable fire subscription prepayments upon the termination of its contract in Queen Creek, Arizona, effective January 1, 2008. This gain is recorded in the Southwest segment income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008.

 

   

During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company recorded a $0.7 million gain due to the sale of a business license held by one of the Company’s subsidiaries. This gain is recorded in the South segment income (loss) from discontinued operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2007.

Income (loss) from discontinued operations excludes the allocation of certain shared services costs such as human resources, financial services, risk management and legal services, among others which are expected to continue. These ongoing services and related costs will be redirected to support new markets or for the expansion of existing service areas. Net revenue and income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, is shown by segment in the tables below (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
Net revenue:         

Mid-Atlantic

   $ 14     $ —       $ 14     $ —    

South

     44       1,446       1,425       4,253  

Southwest

     599       2,856       2,698       8,261  

West

     93       —         93       —    
                                

Net revenue from discontinued operations

   $ 750     $ 4,302     $ 4,230     $ 12,514  
                                
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
Income (loss):         

Mid-Atlantic

   $ (26 )   $ —       $ (427 )   $ —    

South

     (109 )     1       (134 )     537  

Southwest

     268       385       546       903  

West

     59       (4 )     105       (7 )
                                

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   $ 192     $ 382     $ 90     $ 1,433  
                                

Income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 is presented net of income tax expense of $140,000 and $60,000, respectively. Income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007 is presented net of income tax expense of $145,000 and $699,000 respectively.

(11) Defined Benefit Plan

The Company provides a defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”) covering eligible employees of one of its subsidiaries. This benefit is limited to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. Eligibility is achieved upon the completion of one year of service, with full vesting achieved after the completion of five years of service. The amount of benefit is determined using a two-part formula, one of which is based upon compensation and the other which is based upon a flat dollar amount.

 

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The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,     Nine Months Ended March 31,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Service cost

   $ 433     $ 370     $ 1,299     $ 1,108  

Interest cost

     51       23       155       69  

Expected return on plan assets

     (112 )     (60 )     (336 )     (178 )

Amortization of gain

     —         (1 )     —         (5 )
                                

Net periodic pension benefit cost

   $ 372     $ 332     $ 1,118     $ 994  
                                

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company updated the valuation of its projected benefit obligation at June 30, 2007 based on current census data. Due to changes in demographic experience caused by salary increases in excess of the assumed rate, the projected benefit obligation reported at June 30, 2007 was increased from $3.0 million to $3.3 million resulting in a $0.3 million decrease to the Plan’s funded status. The decrease in the Plan’s funded status was recognized in the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ deficit for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 as a $0.2 million reduction to other comprehensive income, net of a $0.1 million income tax benefit. The adjustment to other comprehensive income was offset by a $0.3 million decrease to noncurrent prepaid pension cost and a $0.1 million decrease in deferred tax liabilities.

The following table presents the assumptions used in the determination of net periodic benefit cost:

 

     2008     2007  

Discount rate

   6.26 %   6.48 %

Rate of increase in compensation levels

   4.00 %   4.00 %

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

   7.50 %   7.50 %

The Company contributed approximately $0.5 million and $1.9 million during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008, respectively and $0.6 million and $1.8 million during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007, respectively. The Company’s fiscal 2008 contributions are anticipated to approximate $2.6 million.

(12) Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is a party to, or otherwise involved in, lawsuits, claims, proceedings, investigations and other legal matters that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. The Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of any of these lawsuits, claims, proceedings, investigations and other legal matters which it is a party to, or otherwise involved in, due to, among other things, the inherent uncertainties of litigation, government investigations and proceedings and legal matters in general. The Company is also subject to requests and subpoenas for information in independent investigations. An unfavorable outcome in any of the lawsuits pending against the Company or in a government investigation or proceeding could result in substantial potential liabilities and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, these proceedings, and the Company’s actions in response to these proceedings, could result in substantial potential liabilities, additional defense and other costs, increase the Company’s indemnification obligations, divert management’s attention, and/or adversely affect the Company’s ability to execute its business and financial strategies.

The Company negotiated a settlement in connection with the U.S. government’s investigation into alleged discounts made in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute related to the Company’s discontinued operations in the State of Texas. Specifically, that certain of the Company’s contracts with medical facilities in effect in Texas prior to 2002 contained discounts in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. In connection with the settlement of the alleged conduct, the Company entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement (“CIA”), which is effective for a period of five years, beginning April 18, 2007. Pursuant to the CIA, the Company is required to maintain a compliance program that includes, among other things:

 

   

The appointment of a compliance officer and committee;

 

   

Training of employees nationwide;

 

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Enhancing procedures relating to certain of the Company’s contracting processes, including tracking contractual arrangements;

 

   

Review by an independent review organization; and

 

   

Reporting of certain reportable events.

These requirements are currently a part of the Company’s ongoing compliance program. Although this matter has been settled, there can be no assurances that other investigations or legal action related to these matters will not be pursued against the Company in other jurisdictions or for different time frames.

The Company is cooperating with an investigation by the U.S. government regarding the Company’s operations in the State of Ohio in connection with allegations of certain billing inaccuracies. Specifically, the government alleges that certain services performed in the years 1997 to 2001 did not meet Medicare medical necessity and reimbursement requirements. The government has examined sample records for each of the years stated above. The Company does not agree with the allegations and believes that there are errors in the sampling methodology performed by the government. Although the Company continues to disagree with the government’s allegations, the Company is engaged in settlement negotiations with the government and has made a preliminary offer of $1.3 million in exchange for a full release relating to the government’s allegations. Although there can be no assurances that a settlement agreement will be reached, any such settlement agreement would likely require the Company to make a substantial payment to the government and may require the Company to enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement. If a settlement is not reached, the government has indicated that it will pursue further civil action. At this time, it is not possible to predict the ultimate conclusion of this investigation.

Regulatory Compliance

The Company is subject to numerous laws and regulations of federal, state and local governments. These laws and regulations include, but are not necessarily limited to, matters such as licensure, accreditation, government healthcare program participation requirements, reimbursement for patient services and Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. Government activity is ongoing with respect to investigations and allegations concerning possible violations of fraud and abuse statutes and regulations by healthcare providers. The Company is from time to time subject to investigations relating to Medicare and Medicaid laws pertaining to its industry. The Company cooperates fully with the government agencies that conduct these investigations. See “Legal Proceedings” above. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in exclusion from government healthcare programs together with the imposition of significant fines and penalties, as well as significant repayments for patient services previously billed. In connection with the CIA, the Company is in the process of enhancing its compliance program as discussed above. Under the existing compliance program, the Company initiates its own investigations and conducts audits to examine compliance with various policies and regulations. Internal investigations or audits may result in significant repayment obligations for patient services previously billed. The Company believes that it is substantially in compliance with fraud and abuse statutes and their applicable governmental interpretation.

As previously discussed, the Company is subject to Medicare reviews and audits from time to time. During fiscal 2007, the Company appealed a determination made by a Medicare intermediary that certain claims for services provided in our Tennessee market were not reimbursable. As a result of such determination, $3.0 million was withheld from the Company in order to offset these alleged overpayments. In December 2007, an Administrative Law Judge in the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (the “ALJ”) ruled that certain of the disputed claims were reimbursable. As a result of the ruling, the intermediary was instructed to recalculate the alleged overpayment based on a revised error rate, which excludes the claims the ALJ determined were reimbursable. The Company adjusted its contractual allowance by $1.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 based on the Company’s own extrapolation. During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and pursuant to the recalculation, $1.3 million of the $3.0 million withheld was returned to the Company at which time the Company adjusted its previously established contractual allowance by $0.2 million.

The U.S. government reviewed reimbursement levels for certain patients in the Company’s Washington D.C. operations, which were discontinued during fiscal 2004. Specifically, the government alleged that certain services were not reimbursed at the appropriate level of service based on documentation reviewed by the U.S. government. Although the Company has not admitted any liability with respect to the claims, the Company is in settlement negotiations with the U.S. government. The total reserve for this matter was $1.0 million at March 31, 2008.

Management believes that reserves established for specific contingencies of $2.3 million and $3.5 million as of March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively, are adequate based on information currently available. The specific contingencies at March 31, 2008 include $1.3 million for the Ohio matter discussed above and $1.0 million for the Washington D.C. matter discussed above. The specific contingencies at June 30, 2007 primarily include $1.4 million for the Texas matter discussed above, $1.3 million for the Ohio matter discussed above, $0.6 million for a change in estimate relating to a level of service review and $0.2 million for the Washington D.C. matter discussed above. During the nine months ended March 31, 2008, the Company made full payment on remaining $1.4 million Texas obligation and the $0.6 million change in estimate associated with the level of service review.

 

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(13) Subsequent Events

Non-Employee Director Grant

In April 2008, pursuant to the Company’s 2008 Incentive Stock Plan, the Company granted 49,500 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company. Subject to continued service, the RSUs vest in three installments (3,000, 3,000 and 4,000 in the case of new directors, and 2,000, 2,000 and 2,500 in the case of existing directors) at the date of Company’s annual meeting of stockholders following fiscal years 2008 through 2010. The grant date fair value of the RSUs, which is approximately $0.1 million, is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the service period. The Company expects to recognize approximately $12,000 of stock-based compensation expense during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as a result of the RSU grants to the non-employee Directors.

Unscheduled Principal Payment under Term Loan B Credit Facility

On May 12, 2008, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rural/Metro LLC, made a $5.0 million unscheduled principal payment on its Term Loan B. In connection with this payment, the Company wrote-off approximately $0.1 million of deferred financing costs during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

Contract Activity

In May, 2008, the Company concluded its service to the City of Tempe, Arizona, as its exclusive 911 provider. The Company will continue to provide non-emergency services within the City of Tempe under various arrangements with local hospitals and healthcare facilities.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements, estimates, projections, guidance or outlook contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q including but not limited to this section containing Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our references to such words or phrases as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “plans”, “seeks”, “intends”, “will likely result”, “estimates”, “projects” or similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. We may also make forward looking statements in our earnings releases, earnings calls and other investor communications. We caution readers that such forward-looking statements, including those relating to the outcome of our ongoing efforts to remediate deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, our future business prospects, uncompensated care, working capital, accounts receivable collection, liquidity, cash flow, EBITDA, capital expenditures, insurance coverage and claim reserves, capital needs, future operating results and future compliance with covenants in our debt facilities or instruments, wherever they appear in this Quarterly Report or in other statements attributable to us, are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management about future results or events and, as such, involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those suggested by our forward-looking statements, including the risks set forth in full in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed, November 14, 2007 with the Commission and in Item 1A of Part II and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

Any or all forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report (and in any other public filings or statements we might make) may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. By their nature, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict or quantify. Accordingly, except to the extent required by applicable law, we undertake no duty to update the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report.

Rural/Metro Corporation is strictly a holding company. All services, operations and management functions are provided through its subsidiaries and affiliated entities. All references to “we,” “our,” “us,” or “Rural/Metro” refer to Rural/Metro Corporation and its predecessors, operating divisions, direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates. The website for Rural/Metro Corporation is located at www.ruralmetro.com. Information contained on the website, including any external information which is referenced or “linked” on our website, is not a part of this Quarterly Report.

This Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on November 14, 2007.

 

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Management’s Overview

Positive fundamental growth drivers within our industry remain strong. We continue to experience an increasing demand for our services evidenced by steady growth in net revenue and transport volume. Consolidated net revenue for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 increased $14.4 million (12.9%) and $24.7 million (7.3%), respectively, over the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007 primarily due to same service area growth. New contract revenues accounted for $1.1 million and $3.1 million of this net revenue growth for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008, respectively.

We continue to trend positively with respect to our ongoing efforts to reduce uncompensated care, decrease days sales outstanding, and increase ambulance subsidies to help offset uncompensated care related to uninsured patients and increased ambulance unit hour costs. Our net medical transport APC has continued to increase compared to the prior year.

Executive Summary

We provide ambulance services, which consist primarily of emergency and non-emergency medical services, to approximately 400 communities in 23 states within the United States. We provide these services under contracts with governmental entities, hospitals, nursing homes, other healthcare facilities and organizations. As of March 31, 2008, we had approximately 95 exclusive contracts to provide 911 emergency medical ambulance services and approximately 870 contracts to provide non-emergency medical ambulance and wheelchair services. For the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, approximately 44% and 43%, respectively, of our transports were generated from emergency 911 ambulance services. Non-emergency ambulance services, including critical care transfers, wheelchair transports and other interfacility transports, comprised 56% and 57% of our transports for the same period. Combined, the ambulance services generated 84.7% and 85.3% of net revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007. The remaining balance of net revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was generated from private fire protection services, airport fire and rescue, home healthcare services, and other services.

 

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Key Factors and Metrics We Use to Evaluate Our Operations

The key factors we use to evaluate our operations focus on the numbers of ambulance transports we take, the amount we expect to collect per transports and the cost we incur to provide these services.

The following is a summary of certain key operating statistics (EBITDA in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,    Nine Months Ended March 31,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Net Medical Transport APC (1)

   $ 349    $ 327    $ 349    $ 337

DSO (2)

     62      67      62      67

EBITDA (3)

   $ 13,411    $ 6,169    $ 38,954    $ 33,402

Medical Transports (4)

     285,114      271,129      819,379      794,286

Wheelchair Transports (5)

     21,346      21,180      59,338      64,459

 

(1) Net Medical Transport APC is defined as gross medical ambulance transport revenue less provisions for contractual allowances applicable to Medicare, Medicaid and other third-party payers and uncompensated care divided by medical transports from continuing operations. For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 the calculation excludes ($0.2) million and $1.7 million, respectively, of the effect of the alleged overpayment of Medicare claims in Tennessee.
(2) Days Sales Outstanding is calculated using the average accounts receivable balance on a rolling 13-month basis and net revenue on a rolling 12-month basis and has not been adjusted to eliminate discontinued operations.
(3) Defined as income from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. See the discussion of EBITDA at “Liquidity and Capital Resources – EBITDA”.
(4) Defined as emergency and non-emergency medical patient transports from continuing operations.
(5) Defined as non-emergency, non-medical patient transports from continuing operations.

 

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Factors Affecting Operating Results

Change in Net New Contracts

Our operating results are affected directly by the number of net new contracts we have in a period, reflecting the effects of both new contracts and contract expirations. We regularly bid for new contracts, frequently in a formal competitive bidding process that often requires written responses to a Request for Proposal, or RFP, and in any fiscal period, certain of our contracts will expire. We may elect not to seek extension or renewal of a contact, if we determine that we cannot do so on favorable terms. With respect to expiring contracts we would like to renew, we may be required to seek renewal through an RFP, and we may not be successful in retaining any such contracts, or retaining them on terms that are as favorable as present contact terms.

Ability to Effect Rate Increases

Our operating results are affected directly by the number of self-pay ambulance transport services we provide and associated lower collection rates experienced within this payer group. To offset higher costs of uncompensated care we may experience with the self-pay payer mix, we submit requests to increase commercial insurance rates to the state and local government agencies that regulate the rates we can charge for ambulance services. Our ability to negotiate rate increases on a timely basis to offset increases in uncompensated care may impact our operating performance.

Uncompensated Care

When we contract with municipal, county or other governing authorities as an exclusive provider of 911 emergency ambulance services, we are required to provide services to their citizens regardless of the ability or willingness of patients to pay. While we make every attempt to negotiate subsidies to support the level of medical service we provide, not all authorities will agree to provide such subsidies. As a result, we incur write-offs for uncompensated care in the normal course of providing ambulance services.

The following table shows the source of our uncompensated care write-offs as a percentage of total uncompensated care write-off’s:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,     Nine Months Ended March 31,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Commercial Insurance

   19 %   21 %   19 %   19 %

Co-Pay/Deductibles

   8 %   9 %   8 %   9 %

Medicare / Medicaid Denials

   9 %   16 %   10 %   15 %

Self-Pay

   64 %   54 %   63 %   57 %
                        

Total

   100 %   100 %   100 %   100 %
                        

The majority (63%), of our uncompensated care write-off’s are generated from self-pay accounts for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 with the balance of our uncompensated care write-offs being derived from; (1) commercial insurance (19%), (2) co-pay or deductibles (8%), and (3) Medicare or Medicaid denials (10%). These components are described in detail below;

Commercial Insurance: Certain commercial healthcare insurance programs do not feature a benefit for non-emergency ambulance services. In the event commercially insured patients are transported and their insurance companies subsequently inform us the transports were not covered services, the unpaid balances become self-pay accounts.

Co-pays/Deductibles: Co-pay and deductible amounts under Medicare and commercial insurance programs are the responsibility of the patient. Medicare co-pay and deductible levels have remained consistent when compared to the prior year; however, changes in employer-provided healthcare insurance coverage levels may result in higher co-pays and deductibles to the employee under commercial insurance programs. These co-pay and deductible amounts become self-pay accounts.

Medicare/Medicaid Denials: We make every effort to determine medical necessity prior to transporting a patient; however, there are times when Medicare, Medicaid or a commercial insurance provider may, on a retrospective review, deem the transport not medically necessary and deny reimbursement. In these cases, the unpaid balances become self-pay accounts.

 

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In terms of transport volume, the self-pay patients we transport who are uninsured or otherwise have no ability to pay for our services have decreased as a percent of our transport mix in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 to 10.8% as compared to 11.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2007.

Other factors that may, positively or negatively, impact the overall dollars associated with uncompensated care include: (1) rate increases and (2) changes in transport volumes among the payer groups.

 

  1. On a periodic basis, we evaluate our cost structure within each area we serve and, as appropriate, request rate increases. Ambulance rate increases generate additional revenue only from certain commercial insurance programs and self-pay patients, due to the fixed rates, co-pay amounts and deductibles of payers such as Medicare, Medicaid and certain commercial insurance. Rate increases applied to patients who are self-pay patients can compound an already challenging collection process. Increasing the dollars per transport on this payer group may in turn result in an increase in the uncompensated care.

 

  2. From quarter to quarter the number of patients we transport within each payer group can vary. This shift in payers, ‘payer mix’ shift, may increase or decrease the levels of uncompensated care. For instance, if we experience a shift from the Medicare payer group to the commercial insurance payer group we might expect to see a decrease in our uncompensated care write-offs due to a higher historical collection pattern associated with the commercial insurance payers.

Work Force Management

Our business strategy focuses on optimizing the deployment of our work force in order to meet contracted response times and otherwise maintain high levels of quality care and customer service. A key measure is our ability to efficiently and effectively manage labor resources and enhance operating results. Several factors may influence our labor management efforts, including our ability to maximize our mix of emergency and non-emergency ambulance business, significant wait times associated with emergency rooms that delay redeployment and market-specific shortages of qualified paramedics and emergency medical technicians which affect temporary wages. We also may experience increases in overtime and training wages due to growth in transport volume related to new contracts, expansion in existing markets and seasonal transport demand patterns.

 

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     2008     % of
Net Revenue
    2007     % of
Net Revenue
    $
Change
    %
Change
 

Net revenue

   $ 125,800     100.0 %   $ 111,444     100.0 %   $ 14,356     12.9 %
                        

Operating expenses:

            

Payroll and employee benefits

     76,871     61.1 %     70,880     63.6 %     5,991     8.5 %

Depreciation and amortization

     3,283     2.6 %     3,007     2.7 %     276     9.2 %

Other operating expenses

     31,382     24.9 %     30,180     27.1 %     1,202     4.0 %

Auto/general liability insurance expense

     4,064     3.2 %     3,952     3.5 %     112     2.8 %

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

     10     0.0 %     (21 )   (0.0 )%     31       #

(Gain) on property insurance settlement

     (70 )   (0.1 )%     —       0.0 %     (70 )     #
                        

Total operating expenses

     115,540     91.8 %     107,998     96.9 %     7,542     7.0 %
                        

Operating income

     10,260     8.2 %     3,446     3.1 %     6,814       #

Interest expense

     (7,988 )   (6.3 )%     (7,959 )   (7.1 )%     (29 )   (0.4 )%

Interest income

     73     0.1 %     153     0.1 %     (80 )   (52.3 )%
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

     2,345     1.9 %     (4,360 )   (3.9 )%     6,705       #

Income tax (provision) benefit

     (936 )   (0.7 )%     1,432     1.3 %     (2,368 )     #

Minority interest

     (132 )   (0.1 )%     (284 )   (0.3 )%     152     53.5 %
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     1,277     1.0 %     (3,212 )   (2.9 )%     4,489       #

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     192     0.2 %     382     0.3 %     (190 )   (49.7 )%
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,469     1.2 %   $ (2,830 )   (2.5 )%   $ 4,299       #
                        

Income (loss) per share:

            

Basic -

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.05       $ (0.13 )     $ 0.18    

Income from discontinued operations

     0.01         0.02         (0.01 )  
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 0.06       $ (0.11 )     $ 0.17    
                              

Diluted-

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.05       $ (0.13 )     $ 0.18    

Income from discontinued operations

     0.01         0.02         (0.01 )  
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 0.06       $ (0.11 )     $ 0.17    
                              

Average number of common shares outstanding - Basic

     24,823         24,632         191    
                              

Average number of common shares outstanding - Diluted

     24,948         24,632         316    
                              

 

# - Variances over 100% not displayed.

Our results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 reflect an increase in net revenue of $14.4 million, or 12.9% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007. The $4.3 million increase in net income is attributable to an increase of $4.5 million in income from continuing operations offset by a $0.2 million decrease from discontinued operations.

 

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Net Revenue

The following table shows a comparison of consolidated net revenue by business (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2008    2007    $
Change
   %
Change
 

Ambulance services

   $ 107,094    $ 95,028    $ 12,066    12.7 %

Other services

     18,706      16,416      2,290    13.9 %
                       

Total net revenue

   $ 125,800    $ 111,444    $ 14,356    12.9 %
                       

Ambulance Services

The $12.1 million increase in ambulance services revenue was primarily driven by a $9.8 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue, $1.1 million from new 911 and non-emergency contracts, $0.9 million in ambulance subsidies, and a $0.2 million positive reserve adjustment to contractual allowances pursuant to an alleged overpayment of Medicare claims in Tennessee for the period 2004 through 2005. The increase in same service area ambulance revenue included a $6.3 million increase in net medical transport APC and $3.5 million increase in medical transport growth.

Below we provide two tables with quarterly comparative transport data. The first table summarizes medical transport volume into same service area and new contracts, while the second table summarizes total transport volume into emergency, non-emergency and wheelchair.

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2008    2007    Transport
Change
   %
Change
 

Same service area medical transports

   281,808    271,129    10,679    3.9 %

New contract medical transports

   3,306    N/A    3,306      #
                 

Medical transports from continuing operations

   285,114    271,129    13,985    5.2 %
                 

 

# - Variances over 100% not displayed

Medical transportation volume increased 5.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2008. This increase was a result of same service area medical transport growth of 10,679 transports and new contract medical transport growth of 3,306 within the California, Missouri, Tennessee and Washington markets.

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2008    % of
Transports
    2007    %
Transports
    Transport
Change
   %
Change
 

Emergency medical transports

   133,014    43.4 %   126,037    43.1 %   6,977    5.5 %

Non-emergency medical transports

   152,100    49.6 %   145,092    49.7 %   7,008    4.8 %
                     

Total medical transports

   285,114    93.0 %   271,129    92.8 %   13,985    5.2 %

Wheelchair transports

   21,346    7.0 %   21,180    7.2 %   166    0.8 %
                     

Total transports from continuing operations

   306,460    100.0 %   292,309    100.0 %   14,151    4.8 %
                     

We have experienced our most significant increase in transports from the emergency 911 sector.

Contractual Allowances and Uncompensated Care

Contractual allowances applicable to Medicare, Medicaid and other third-party payers related to continuing operations, which are reflected as a reduction of gross ambulance services revenue, totaled $79.7 million and $75.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase of $3.9 million is primarily a result of rate increases, changes in payer mix, and changes in service level in certain markets and a $0.2 million positive reserve adjustment of Medicare claims in Tennessee for the period 2004 through 2005. Uncompensated care as a percentage of gross ambulance services revenue was 14.9% and 15.0% for the

 

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three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. An increase in transport volume associated with emergency response services coupled with denials for medical necessity, non-covered services, co-pays and deductibles have resulted in continued pressure on uncompensated care.

Both contractual allowances and uncompensated care are reflected as a reduction of gross ambulance services revenue. A reconciliation of gross ambulance services revenue to net ambulance services revenue is included in the table below (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2008     % of
Gross
    2007     % of
Gross
    $
Change
    %
Change
 

Gross ambulance services revenue

   $ 219,452     100.0 %   $ 200,874     100.0 %   $ 18,578     9.2 %

Contractual allowances

     (79,712 )   (36.3 )%     (75,759 )   (37.7 )%     (3,953 )   (5.2 )%

Uncompensated care

     (32,646 )   (14.9 )%     (30,087 )   (15.0 )%     (2,559 )   (8.5 )%
                              

Net ambulance services revenue

   $ 107,094     48.8 %   $ 95,028     47.3 %   $ 12,066     12.7 %
                              

Net Medical Transport APC

Net medical transports APC for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $349 compared to $327 for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The 6.7% increase reflects four drivers: increased transport rates, change in the levels of uncompensated care offset by a concentration of transport growth within the emergency response sector; and changes in the number of basic life support versus advance life support transports provided.

Other Services

The $2.3 million increase in other services revenue is primarily due to $1.6 million, or 16.7%, increase in fire subscription revenue, $0.3 million, or 6.7%, increase in master fire contract fees with the balance attributable to wildland fire revenue, dispatch services and home health care services.

Operating Expenses

Payroll and Employee Benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $76.9 million or 61.1% of net revenue, an increase of $6.0 million from $70.9 million, or 63.6% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $3.1 million increase from additional ambulance unit hours to meet more stringent service level requirements in our Tennessee, San Diego, California and Washington markets, $0.3 million due to annual cost of living adjustments and increased base wage rates to achieve optimum staffing levels, a $1.3 million increase in employee health insurance claims, and a $1.1 million increase in the management incentive program accrual compared to the prior year.

Depreciation and Amortization

The increase in depreciation and amortization is primarily due to additional capital expenditures during the quarter.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $31.4 million, or 24.9% of net revenue, an increase of $1.2 million from $30.2 million, or 27.1% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The increase is primarily due to a $0.9 million increase in fuel expense, $0.6 million increase related to the timing of operating expenses in the San Diego LLC operation, $0.4 million increase in operating supplies, $0.4 million increase in property lease expense, and $0.3 million increase in vehicle maintenance expense. These increases were offset by a $1.3 million medicare reserve contingency in the prior year.

 

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Auto/General Liability Insurance Expense

Auto/general liability insurance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $4.1 million, or 3.2% of net revenue, an increase of $0.1 million from $4.0 million, or 3.5% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior quarter.

Interest Expense

Interest expense has remained flat compared to prior year’s quarter due to the continued non-cash accretion of our Senior Discount Notes offset by lower interest expense associated with a lower Term B loan balance.

Income Tax Provision

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we recorded a $0.9 million income tax provision related to continuing operations resulting in an effective tax rate of 39.9%. This rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily as a result of increases for the portion of non-cash interest expense related to our Senior Discount Notes, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, non-deductible executive compensation, and state income taxes. Additionally, our effective tax rate includes a reduction related to income included in pretax income that is attributable to the minority interest in our joint venture with the City of San Diego.

We also recorded $0.1 million income tax provision related to discontinued operations during the three months ended March 31, 2008. The Company made income tax payments of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008.

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, we recorded a $1.4 million income tax benefit related to continuing operations resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.8%. This rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily as a result of increases for the portion of non-cash interest expense related to our Senior Discount Notes, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, non-deductible executive compensation, and state income taxes.

We also recorded $0.1 million in income tax provision related to discontinued operations during the three months ended March 31, 2007. The Company made income tax payments of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Minority Interest

Minority interest relates to the City of San Diego’s portion (50%) of the San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, LLC fiscal year-to-date net income.

Discontinued Operations

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we made the decision to exit an ambulance transportation market in Baghdad, Arizona and lost a fire response contract in Queen Creek, Arizona. The financial results of these service areas for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are included within income from discontinued operations.

Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $0.2 million and includes an income tax provision of $0.1 million. Income from discontinued operations before the income tax provision was due primarily to the recognition of $0.6 million of nonrefundable fire subscription prepayments upon the termination of our contract in Queen Creek, Arizona, effective January 1, 2008.

Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $0.4 million and includes an income tax provision of $0.1 million. Income from discontinued operations before the income tax provision was due primarily to operating income generated from our fire subscription services contract in Queen Creek, Arizona and to a lesser extent our 911 ambulance services contract in Baghdad, Arizona.

 

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Table of Contents

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007—Segments

Overview

We have four regional reporting segments that correspond with the manner in which our operations are managed and evaluated by our Chief Executive Officer. Although some of our operations do not align with the segments’ geographic designation, all operations have been structured to capitalize on management’s strengths. These segments comprise operations within the following areas:

 

Segment

  

Operations

Mid-Atlantic

   New York, Northern Ohio, Pennsylvania

South

  

Alabama, California (fire), Florida (fire), Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,

Missouri, North Dakota, New Jersey (fire), Southern Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin

Southwest

   Arizona (ambulance and fire), New Mexico, Oregon (fire)

West

  

California (ambulance), Central Florida (ambulance), Colorado, Oregon (ambulance),

Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Washington

Each reporting segment provides ambulance services while our other services are provided predominantly in the South and Southwest segments.

The accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements have also been followed in the preparation of the accompanying financial information for each reporting segment. For management purposes, segment profitability is defined as income from continuing operations before depreciation and amortization, interest, income taxes and minority interest. Additionally, corporate overhead allocations have been included within segment profits. Segment results presented below reflect continuing operations only.

The key drivers that impact net ambulance services revenues include transport volume, rates charged for such services, mix of payers, the acuity of the patients we transport, the mix of activity between emergency and non-emergency medical ambulance services, our ability to negotiate government subsidies as well as other competitive and market factors. The main drivers of other services revenue are fire subscription rates, number of subscribers, and master fire contracts. These drivers can vary significantly from market to market and can change over time.

 

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Mid-Atlantic

The following table presents financial results and key operating statistics for the Mid-Atlantic operations (in thousands, except medical transports, wheelchair transports, net medical transport APC and DSO):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
     2008     2007      

Net revenue

        

Ambulance services

   $ 21,304     $ 20,741     $ 563     2.7 %

Other services

     880       911       (31 )   (3.4 )%
                          

Total net revenue

   $ 22,184     $ 21,652     $ 532     2.5 %
                          

Segment profit

   $ 3,439     $ 2,033     $ 1,406     69.2 %

Segment profit margin

     15.5 %     9.4 %    

Medical transports

     62,484       64,075       (1,591 )   (2.5 )%

Wheelchair transports

     6,131       5,655       476     8.4 %

Net Medical Transport APC

   $ 332     $ 314     $ 18     5.7 %

DSO

     47       56       (9 )   (16.1 )%

Revenue

Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $22.2 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or 2.5% from $21.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue which included a $1.1 million increase in net medical transport APC, offset by $0.5 million decrease in medical transport growth. The decrease in medical transports of 1,591 (2.5%) reflects a high level of competition for non-emergency business within our Columbus, Ohio market which is driving transport volumes down.

Payroll and employee benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $12.2 million, or 55% of net revenue, compared to $12.0 million, or 55% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $0.2 million increase was primarily due to a $0.6 million increase due to annual cost of living and base wage rate increases offset by a $0.5 million decrease due to fewer ambulance unit hours.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, including auto/general liability expenses, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $4.8 million, or 22% of net revenue, compared to $6.3 million, or 29% of net revenue. The $1.5 million decrease is primarily due to a $1.3 million medicare reserve contingency in the prior year and a $0.4 million decrease in auto/general liability insurance expense.

In addition, corporate overhead allocations increased resulting from increased costs surrounding the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest.

 

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South

The following table presents financial results and key operating statistics for the South operations (in thousands, except medical transports, wheelchair transports, net medical transport APC, fire subscriptions and DSO):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
     2008     2007      

Net revenue

        

Ambulance services

   $ 23,757     $ 20,275     $ 3,482     17.2 %

Other services

     6,444       5,832       612     10.5 %
                          

Total net revenue

   $ 30,201     $ 26,107     $ 4,094     15.7 %
                          

Segment profit

   $ 2,428     $ 2,039     $ 389     19.1 %

Segment profit margin

     8.0 %     7.8 %    

Medical transports

     74,660       68,463       6,197     9.1 %

Wheelchair transports

     4,073       4,584       (511 )   (11.1 )%

Net Medical Transport APC

   $ 279     $ 266     $ 13     4.9 %

Fire subscriptions at period end

     34,018       34,325       (307 )   (0.9 )%

DSO

     54       62       (8 )   (12.9 )%

Revenue

Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $30.2 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 15.7% from $26.1 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to a $2.3 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue, a $0.6 million increase in ambulance subsidies, a $0.2 million increase related to new ambulance contracts in Missouri and Tennessee, and a $0.2 million positive reserve adjustment of Medicare claims in Tennessee for the period 2004 through 2005. The increase in same service area ambulance revenue included a $0.9 million increase in net medical transport APC and a $1.4 million increase in medical transport growth. The increase in medical transports of 6,197 (9.1%) was primarily due to growth in our Tennessee and Alabama markets. The decrease in wheelchair transports results from an ongoing strategic effort to outsource non-medically necessary transports, which are reimbursed at a significantly lower rate than medically necessary transports. Within other services revenue, master fire contracts increased $0.4 million.

Payroll and employee benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $18.7 million, or 62% of net revenue, compared to $16.1 million, or 61% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $2.6 million increase is primarily due to $2.6 million from additional ambulance unit hours to meet more stringent service level requirements in our Tennessee market and $0.3 million due to annual cost of living and base wage rate increases to achieve optimum staffing levels.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, including auto/general liability expenses, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $6.6 million, or 22% of net revenue compared to $6.2 million, or 24% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $0.4 million increase is primarily due to $0.3 million increase in fuel expense.

In addition, corporate overhead allocations increased resulting from increased costs surrounding the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest.

 

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Table of Contents

Southwest

The following table presents financial results and key operating statistics for the Southwest operations (in thousands, except medical transports, wheelchair transports, net medical transport APC, fire subscriptions and DSO):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
     2008     2007      

Net revenue

        

Ambulance services

   $ 35,736     $ 31,183     $ 4,553     14.6 %

Other services

     11,089       9,747       1,342     13.8 %
                          

Total net revenue

   $ 46,825     $ 40,930     $ 5,895     14.4 %
                          

Segment profit

   $ 7,232     $ 2,754     $ 4,478       #

Segment profit margin

     15.4 %     6.7 %    

Medical transports

     71,507       65,280       6,227     9.5 %

Wheelchair transports

     1,882       3,354       (1,472 )   (43.9 )%

Net Medical Transport APC

   $ 490     $ 470     $ 20     4.3 %

Fire subscriptions at period end

     86,341       84,939       1,402     1.7 %

DSO

     61       61       —       0.0 %

 

# - Variances over 100% not displayed

Revenue

Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $46.8 million, an increase of $5.9 million, or 14.4% from $40.9 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to a $4.4 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue and $0.2 million increase in ambulance subsidies. The increase in same service area ambulance revenue included a $2.9 million increase in medical transport growth and $1.5 million increase in net medical transport APC. The net increase in medical transports of 6,227 (9.5%) was due to growth in the Southern Arizona markets. The decrease in wheelchair transports results from an ongoing strategic effort to call screen non-contractually required non-medically necessary transports, which are reimbursed at a significantly lower rate than medically necessary transports. Other services revenue increased primarily due to $1.5 million in fire subscription revenue driven by higher subscription rates.

Payroll and employee benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $24.8 million, or 53% of net revenue, compared to $25.6 million, or 63% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $0.8 million decrease was primarily due to a $0.8 million decrease in sign on bonuses and administrative downsizing and a $0.2 million positive pension plan actuarial adjustment previously recorded on a consolidated basis. These decreases were offset by a $0.2 million increase due to increased ambulance unit hours.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, including auto/general liability expenses, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $10.9 million, or 23% of net revenue, compared to $9.8 million, or 24% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $1.1 million increase is primarily due to $0.6 million in operating supplies due to increased transports and $0.3 million in fuel expense.

In addition, corporate overhead allocations increased resulting from increased costs surrounding the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest.

 

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West

The following table presents financial results and key operating statistics for the West operations (in thousands, except medical transports, wheelchair transports, net medical transport APC and DSO):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
     2008     2007      

Net revenue

        

Ambulance services

   $ 26,297     $ 22,829     $ 3,468     15.2 %

Other services

     293       (74 )     367       #
                          

Total net revenue

   $ 26,590     $ 22,755     $ 3,835     16.9 %
                          

Segment profit (loss)

   $ 444     $ (373 )   $ 817       #

Segment profit margin

     1.7 %     (1.6 )%    

Medical transports

     76,463       73,311       3,152     4.3 %

Wheelchair transports

     9,260       7,587       1,673     22.1 %

Net Medical Transport APC

   $ 301     $ 268     $ 33     12.3 %

DSO

     85       92       (7 )   (7.6 )%

 

# - Variances over 100% not displayed

Revenue

Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $26.6 million, an increase of $3.8 million, or 16.9% from $22.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to a $0.9 million increase in new ambulance contract revenue in Washington and San Diego, California, and a $2.5 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue. The same service area ambulance revenue included $2.3 million increase in net medical transport APC and a $0.2 million increase in medical transport growth. The net increase in medical transports of 3,152 (4.3%) was due to growth in the San Diego, Pacific Northwest and Nebraska markets offset by a decline in Colorado as a result of the University of Colorado hospital system consolidating its campuses and reducing the volume of non-emergency transports. The increase in wheelchair transports reflects the increased volume in the Washington markets related to new contracts providing a compliment of services.

Payroll and employee benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $15.4 million, or 58% of net revenue, compared to $14.2 million, or 63% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $1.2 million increase is primarily due to a $0.8 million increase in ambulance unit hours due to the new contracts in our Washington and San Diego, California markets as well as a $0.4 million increase from annual base rate cost of living adjustments and competitive wages to achieve optimum staffing levels.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, including auto/general liability expenses, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $9.1 million, or 34% of net revenue, compared to $7.7 million, or 34% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $1.4 million increase is primarily due to $0.6 million increase related to the timing of operating expenses in the to San Diego LLC operation, $0.2 million increase in professional fees associated with response to RFP expenses, and $0.2 million in fuel expense.

In addition, corporate overhead allocations increased resulting from increased costs surrounding the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest.

 

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Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Nine Months Ended March 31, 2007

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For The Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     2008     % of
Net Revenue
    2007     % of
Net Revenue
    $
Change
    %
Change
 

Net revenue

   $ 361,647     100.0 %   $ 336,986     100.0 %   $ 24,661     7.3 %
                        

Operating expenses:

            

Payroll and employee benefits

     225,347     62.3 %     211,585     62.8 %     13,762     6.5 %

Depreciation and amortization

     9,530     2.6 %     8,741     2.6 %     789     9.0 %

Other operating expenses

     87,805     24.3 %     79,289     23.5 %     8,516     10.7 %

Auto/general liability insurance expense

     10,008     2.8 %     11,465     3.4 %     (1,457 )   (12.7 )%

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

     (1,293 )   (0.4 )%     (13 )   (0.0 )%     (1,280 )     #

(Gain) on property insurance settlement

     (70 )   (0.0 )%     —       0.0 %     (70 )     #
                        

Total operating expenses

     331,327     91.6 %     311,067     92.3 %     20,260     6.5 %
                        

Operating income

     30,320     8.4 %     25,919     7.7 %     4,401     17.0 %

Interest expense

     (23,748 )   (6.6 )%     (23,730 )   (7.0 )%     (18 )   (0.1 )%

Interest income

     307     0.1 %     413     0.1 %     (106 )   (25.7 )%
                        

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

     6,879     1.9 %     2,602     0.8 %     4,277       #

Income tax provision

     (3,439 )   (1.0 )%     (2,610 )   (0.8 )%     (829 )   (31.8 )%

Minority interest

     (896 )   (0.2 )%     (1,258 )   (0.4 )%     362     28.8 %
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     2,544     0.7 %     (1,266 )   (0.4 )%     3,810       #

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     90     0.0 %     1,433     0.4 %     (1,343 )   (93.7 )%
                        

Net income

   $ 2,634     0.7 %   $ 167     0.0 %   $ 2,467       #
                        

Income (loss) per share

            

Basic -

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.10       $ (0.05 )     $ 0.15    

Income from discontinued operations

     0.01         0.06         (0.05 )  
                              

Net income

   $ 0.11       $ 0.01       $ 0.10    
                              

Diluted-

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.10       $ (0.05 )     $ 0.15    

Income from discontinued operations

     0.01         0.06         (0.05 )  
                              

Net income

   $ 0.11       $ 0.01       $ 0.10    
                              

Average number of common shares outstanding - Basic

     24,775         24,574         201    
                              

Average number of common shares outstanding - Diluted

     24,947         24,574         373    
                              

 

# - Variances over 100% not displayed.

Our results for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 reflect an increase in net revenue of $24.7 million, or 7.3% compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2007. The $2.5 million increase in net income is attributable to an increase of $3.8 million in income from continuing operations offset by a $1.3 million decrease in income from discontinued operations.

 

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Table of Contents

Net Revenue

The following table shows a comparison of consolidated net revenue by business (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended March 31,  
     2008    2007    $
Change
   %
Change
 

Ambulance services

   $ 306,406    $ 287,537    $ 18,869    6.6 %

Other services

     55,241      49,449      5,792    11.7 %
                       

Total net revenue

   $ 361,647    $ 336,986    $ 24,661    7.3 %
                       

Ambulance Services

The $18.9 million increase in ambulance services revenue was driven by a $15.4 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue, $3.1 million from new 911 and non-emergency contracts, $2.3 million in ambulance subsidies, offset by a $1.7 million reserve to contractual allowances pursuant to an alleged overpayment of Medicare claims in Tennessee for the period 2004 through 2005 and a $0.6 million decrease in wheelchair services as a result of an ongoing strategic effort to outsource non-contractually required non-medically necessary transports, which are reimbursed at a significantly lower rate than medically necessary transports. The increase in same service area ambulance revenue included a $9.9 million increase in net medical transport APC and $5.5 million increase in medical transport growth.

Below we provide two tables with year-to-date comparative transport data. The first table summarizes medical transport volume into same service area and new contracts, while the second table summarizes total transport volume into emergency, non-emergency and wheelchair.

 

     Nine Months Ended March 31,  
     2008    2007    Transport
Change
   %
Change
 

Same service area medical transports

   810,567    794,286    16,281    2.0 %

New contract medical transports

   8,812    —      8,812      #
                 

Medical transports from continuing operations

   819,379    794,286    25,093    3.2 %
                 

 

# - Variances over 100% not displayed

Medical transportation volume increased 3.2% for the nine months ended March 31, 2008. This increase was a result of same service area medical transport growth of 16,281 transports and new contract medical transport growth of 8,812, within the California, Missouri, Tennessee and Washington markets.

 

     Nine Months Ended March 31,  
     2008    % of
Transports
    2007    % of
Transports
    Transport
Change
    %
Change
 

Emergency medical transports

   385,577    43.9 %   368,928    43.0 %   16,649     4.5 %

Non-emergency medical transports

   433,802    49.3 %   425,358    49.5 %   8,444     2.0 %
                      

Total medical transports

   819,379    93.2 %   794,286    92.5 %   25,093     3.2 %

Wheelchair transports

   59,338    6.8 %   64,459    7.5 %   (5,121 )   (7.9 )%
                      

Total transports from continuing operations

   878,717    100.0 %   858,745    100.0 %   19,972     2.3 %
                      

We have experienced our most significant increase in transports from the emergency 911 sector.

Contractual Allowances and Uncompensated Care

Contractual allowances applicable to Medicare, Medicaid and other third-party payers related to continuing operations, which are reflected as a reduction of gross ambulance services revenue, totaled $228.2 million and $207.5 million for the nine months ended

 

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March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase of $20.7 million is primarily a result of rate increases and changes in payer mix, and changes in service level in certain markets and a $1.7 million alleged overpayment of Medicare claims in Tennessee for the period 2004 through 2005. Uncompensated care as a percentage of gross ambulance services revenue was 14.8% and 14.3% for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. An increase in transport volume associated with emergency response services coupled with denials for medical necessity, non-covered services, co-pays and deductibles have resulted in a rise in uncompensated care.

Both contractual allowances and uncompensated care are reflected as a reduction of gross ambulance services revenue. A reconciliation of gross ambulance services revenue to net ambulance services revenue is included in the table below (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended March 31,  
     2008     % of
Gross
    2007     % of
Gross
    $
Change
    %
Change
 

Gross ambulance services revenue

   $ 627,561     100.0 %   $ 577,903     100.0 %   $ 49,658     8.6 %

Contractual allowances

     (228,198 )   (36.4 )%     (207,483 )   (35.9 )%     (20,715 )   (10.0 )%

Uncompensated care

     (92,957 )   (14.8 )%     (82,883 )   (14.3 )%     (10,074 )   (12.2 )%
                              

Net ambulance services revenue

   $ 306,406     48.8 %   $ 287,537     49.8 %   $ 18,869     6.6 %
                              

Net Medical Transport APC

Net medical transports APC for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was $349 compared to $337 for the nine months ended March 31, 2007. The 3.6% increase reflects four drivers: increased transport rates, change in the levels of uncompensated care offset by a concentration of transport growth within the emergency response sector; and changes in the number of basic life support versus advance life support transports provided.

Other Services

The $5.8 million increase in other services revenue is primarily due to $2.9 million, or 9.7%, increase in fire subscription revenue, $2.0 million, or 15.8%, increase in master fire contract fees, with the balance attributable to dispatch services and home health care services.

Operating Expenses

Payroll and Employee Benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $225.3 million or 62.3% of net revenue, an increase of $13.7 million from $211.6 million, or 62.8% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $8.1 million increase from additional ambulance unit hours to meet more stringent service level requirements in our Tennessee and California markets and new contracts in our Washington and San Diego, California markets, $2.0 million due to annual cost of living adjustments and increased base wage rates to achieve optimum staffing levels, a $1.7 million increase in the management incentive program accrual, a $1.3 million increase in employee health insurance claims and a $0.2 million decrease in the positive workers compensation actuarial claims adjustment as compared to prior year ($2.5 million recognized in December 2007 at the segment level compared to $2.7 million recognized in December 2006 at the consolidated level).

Depreciation and Amortization

The increase in depreciation and amortization is primarily due to additional capital expenditures during the year.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $87.8 million, or 24.3% of net revenue, an increase of $8.5 million from $79.3 million, or 23.5% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The increase is primarily due to a $2.8 million increase in professional fees related to tax, legal, and audit fees associated with the adoption of FIN 48, a financial statement restatement, and the review of Internal Revenue Code Section 382 matters, as well as expenses related to the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest, contract renewals, and responses to contract proposals and union negotiations. In addition, we recognized a $1.9 million increase in fuel expense, $1.4 million increase in vehicle maintenance expense, $1.2 million increase in property lease expenses, $1.0 million increase related to the timing of expenses in the San Diego LLC operation, $0.8 million increase in operating supplies, with the balance due to various administrative expenses. These increases were offset by a $1.3 million medicare reserve contingency in the prior year.

 

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Auto/General Liability Insurance Expense

Auto/general liability insurance expense for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $10.0 million, or 2.8% of net revenue, a decrease of $1.5 million from $11.5 million, or 3.4% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The decrease is due to $1.9 million positive actuarial claims adjustment recognized in December 2007 compared to a $0.4 million positive actuarial claims adjustment recognized in December 2006.

(Gain)/Loss on Sale of Assets

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into two transactions to sell certain of our previously written-off self pay accounts receivables to an unrelated third party. The resulting gains are divided between continuing and discontinuing operations at $1.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. These accounts receivable gains were slightly offset by the write-off of equipment removed from service.

Interest Expense

Interest expense has remained flat compared to prior year due to the continued non-cash accretion of our Senior Discount Notes offset by lower interest expense associated with a lower Term B loan balance.

Income Tax Provision

During the nine months ended March 31, 2008, we recorded a $3.4 million income tax provision related to continuing operations resulting in an effective tax rate of 50%. This rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily as a result of increases for the portion of non-cash interest expense related to our Senior Discount Notes, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, non-deductible executive compensation, and state income taxes. Additionally, our effective tax rate includes a reduction related to income included in pretax income that is attributable to the minority interest in our joint venture with the City of San Diego. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 differs from the effective tax rate for the year ended June 30, 2007 primarily as a result of lower pre-tax income for the year ended June 30, 2007.

We also recorded a $0.1 million income tax provision related to discontinued operations during the nine months ended March 31, 2008. The Company received income tax refunds of $53,000 during the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and made income tax payments of $1.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008.

During the nine months ended March 31, 2007, we recorded a $2.6 million income tax provision related to continuing operations resulting in an effective tax rate of 100.3%. This rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily as a result of increases for the portion of non-cash interest expense related to our Senior Discount Notes, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, non-deductible executive compensation, and state income taxes.

We also recorded $0.7 million in income tax provision related to discontinued operations during the nine months ended March 31, 2007. The Company made income tax payments of $0.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2007.

Minority Interest

Minority interest relates to the City of San Diego’s portion (50%) of the San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, LLC fiscal year-to-date net income.

Discontinued Operations

During fiscal 2008, we made the decision to exit four ambulance transportation markets and two fire response markets and, as a result, the financial results of these service areas for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are included in income from discontinued operations.

Income from discontinued operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was $0.1 million and includes an income tax provision of $0.1 million. Income from discontinued operations before the impact of the income tax provision was due primarily to the recognition of $0.6 million of nonrefundable fire subscription prepayments upon the termination of our contract in Queen Creek, Arizona, effective January 1, 2008 and a $0.3 million gain on the sale of certain previously written-off self pay accounts receivable offset by a $0.7 million reserve for a change in estimate relating to the U.S. government’s review of service levels provided to certain patients in our Washington D.C. operations, which were discontinued in fiscal 2004.

 

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Income from discontinued operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2007 was $1.4 million and includes an income tax provision of $0.7 million. Income from discontinued operations before the impact of the income tax provision was due primarily to operating income generated from our fire subscription services contract in Queen Creek, Arizona and a pre-tax gain of $0.7 million due to the sale of a business license held by one of our subsidiaries.

Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Nine Months Ended March 31, 2007—Segments

Overview

We have four regional reporting segments that correspond with the manner in which our operations are managed and evaluated by our Chief Executive Officer. Although some of our operations do not align with the segments’ geographic designation, all operations have been structured to capitalize on management’s strengths. These segments comprise operations within the following areas:

 

Segment

  

Operations

Mid-Atlantic

   New York, Northern Ohio, Pennsylvania

South

   Alabama, California (fire), Florida (fire), Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, New Jersey (fire), Southern Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin

Southwest

   Arizona (ambulance and fire), New Mexico, Oregon (fire)

West

   California (ambulance), Central Florida (ambulance), Colorado, Oregon (ambulance), Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Washington

Each reporting segment provides ambulance services while our other services are provided predominantly in the South and Southwest segments.

The accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements have also been followed in the preparation of the accompanying financial information for each reporting segment. For management purposes, segment profitability is defined as income from continuing operations before depreciation and amortization, interest, income taxes and minority interest. Additionally, corporate overhead allocations have been included within segment profits. Segment results presented below reflect continuing operations only.

The key drivers that impact net ambulance services revenues include transport volume, rates charged for such services, mix of payers, the acuity of the patients we transport, the mix of activity between emergency and non-emergency medical ambulance services, our ability to negotiate government subsidies as well as other competitive and market factors. The main drivers of other services revenue are fire subscription rates, number of subscribers, and master fire contracts. These drivers can vary significantly from market to market and can change over time.

 

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Mid-Atlantic

The following table presents financial results and key operating statistics for the Mid-Atlantic operations (in thousands, except medical transports, wheelchair transports, net medical transport APC and DSO):

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
     2008     2007      

Net revenue

        

Ambulance services

   $ 62,623     $ 61,777     $ 846     1.4 %

Other services

     2,913       2,760       153     5.5 %
                          

Total net revenue

   $ 65,536     $ 64,537     $ 999     1.5 %
                          

Segment profit

   $ 13,289     $ 10,345     $ 2,944     28.5 %

Segment profit margin

     20.3 %     16.0 %    

Medical transports

     184,165       191,853       (7,688 )   (4.0 )%

Wheelchair transports

     16,659       17,928       (1,269 )   (7.1 )%

Net Medical Transport APC

   $ 329     $ 311     $ 18     5.8 %

DSO

     47       56       (9 )   (16.1 )%

Revenue

Net revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was $65.5 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 1.5% from $64.5 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to a $1.0 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue which includes a $3.4 million increase in net medical transport APC, offset by a $2.4 million decrease in medical transport growth. The decrease in medical transports of 7,688 (4.0%) primarily reflects the continued decreasing population trend within our New York and Ohio markets, including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Youngstown. In addition, we continue to experience a high level of competition for non-emergency business within our Columbus, Ohio market which is driving transport volumes down. The decrease in wheelchair transports results from an ongoing strategic effort to outsource non-contractually required non-medically necessary transports, which are reimbursed at a significantly lower rate than medically necessary transports. Other services revenue includes a $0.2 million increase in home healthcare services.

Payroll and employee benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $34.7 million, or 53% of net revenue, compared to $35.8 million, or 56% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $1.1 million decrease was primarily due to a $1.4 million decrease in ambulance unit hour utilization and a $1.1 million positive workers compensation actuarial claims adjustment offset by a $0.7 million increase from annual base rate cost of living adjustments and an increase of $0.5 million in workers compensation claims cost.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, including auto/general liability expenses, for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $12.7 million, or 19% of net revenue, compared to $14.9 million, or 23% of net revenue. The $2.2 million decrease is primarily due to a $1.3 million medicare reserve contingency recorded in the prior year, a $1.1 million decrease in auto/general liability insurance claim costs and a $0.7 million positive auto/general liability actuarial claims adjustment offset by a $0.3 million increase in vehicle maintenance expense, a $0.2 million increase in fuel expense and a $0.2 million increase in legal fees associated with contract negotiations, with the balance due to various administrative expenses.

In addition, corporate overhead allocations increased resulting from increased costs surrounding the financial statement restatement, FIN 48 disclosure requirements, the review of Internal Revenue Code Section 382 matter and the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest.

(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into two transactions to sell certain of our previously written-off self pay accounts receivables to an unrelated third party. The gain recognized in Mid-Atlantic totaled $0.3 million.

 

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South

The following table presents financial results and key operating statistics for the South operations (in thousands, except medical transports, wheelchair transports, net medical transport APC, fire subscriptions and DSO):

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
     2008     2007      

Net revenue

        

Ambulance services

   $ 65,718     $ 58,456     $ 7,262     12.4 %

Other services

     18,456       17,259       1,197     6.9 %
                          

Total net revenue

   $ 84,174     $ 75,715     $ 8,459     11.2 %
                          

Segment profit

   $ 6,148     $ 7,901     $ (1,753 )   (22.2 )%

Segment profit margin

     7.3 %     10.4 %    

Medical transports

     213,334       199,958       13,376     6.7 %

Wheelchair transports

     12,266       12,855       (589 )   (4.6 )%

Net Medical Transport APC

   $ 279     $ 260     $ 19     7.3 %

Fire subscriptions at period end

     34,018       34,325       (307 )   (0.9 )%

DSO

     54       62       (8 )   (12.9 )%

Revenue

Net revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was $84.2 million, an increase of $8.5 million, or 11.2% from $75.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to a $6.3 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue, a $1.6 million increase in ambulance subsidies and a $1.1 million increase related to new ambulance contract revenue in Missouri and Tennessee, offset by a $1.7 million alleged overpayment of Medicare claims in Tennessee for the period 2004 through 2005. The same service area ambulance revenue included a $3.8 million increase in net medical transport APC and a $2.5 million increase in medical transport growth. The increase in medical transports of 13,376 (6.7%) was primarily due to growth in our Tennessee and Alabama markets. The decrease in wheelchair transports results from an ongoing strategic effort to outsource non-medically necessary transports, which are reimbursed at a significantly lower rate than medically necessary transports. Within other services revenue, master fire contracts increased $1.0 million partially offset by a decrease in fire subscription revenue as the home owner associations move to master fire contracts.

Payroll and employee benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $54.2 million, or 64% of net revenue, compared to $47.3 million, or 62% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $6.9 million increase is primarily due to $6.6 million from additional ambulance unit hours to meet more stringent service level requirements in our Tennessee market, $0.4 million due to annual cost of living and base wage rate increases to achieve optimum staffing levels and $0.3 million due to higher employee health insurance costs. These increases were offset by a $0.5 million positive workers compensation actuarial claims adjustment.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, including auto/general liability expenses, for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $17.3 million, or 21% of net revenue, compared to $16.1 million, or 21% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $1.2 million increase was due to a $0.8 million increase in maintenance expense, a $0.8 million increase in fuel expense and $0.2 million in higher property lease expense. These increases were offset by a $0.6 million decrease in auto/general liability overall claims and a $0.5 million positive auto/general liability actuarial claims adjustment with the balance due to various administrative expenses.

In addition, corporate overhead allocations increased resulting from increased costs surrounding the financial statement restatement, FIN 48 disclosure requirements, the review of Internal Revenue Code Section 382 matter and the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest.

 

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(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into two transactions to sell certain of our previously written-off self pay accounts receivables to an unrelated third party. The gain recognized in South totaled $0.4 million.

 

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Southwest

The following table presents financial results and key operating statistics for the Southwest operations (in thousands, except medical transports, wheelchair transports, net medical transport APC, fire subscriptions and DSO):

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
     2008     2007      

Net revenue

        

Ambulance services

   $ 100,569     $ 93,032     $ 7,537     8.1 %

Other services

     32,762       29,003       3,759     13.0 %
                          

Total net revenue

   $ 133,331     $ 122,035     $ 11,296     9.3 %
                          

Segment profit

   $ 16,591     $ 10,609     $ 5,982     56.4 %

Segment profit margin

     12.4 %     8.7 %    

Medical transports

     196,820       184,825       11,995     6.5 %

Wheelchair transports

     5,627       10,095       (4,468 )   (44.3 )%

Net Medical Transport APC

   $ 501     $ 495     $ 6     1.2 %

Fire subscriptions at period end

     86,341       84,939       1,402     1.7 %

DSO

     61       61       —       0.0 %

Revenue

Net revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was $133.3 million, an increase of $11.3 million, or 9.3% from $122.0 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to a $7.1 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue, and a $0.7 million increase in ambulance subsidies offset by $0.3 million decrease in wheelchair services. The increase in same service area ambulance revenue includes a $5.9 million increase in medical transport growth and a $1.2 million increase in net medical transport APC. The net increase in medical transports of 11,995 (6.5%) was due to growth in the Southern Arizona markets. The decrease in wheelchair transports results from an ongoing strategic effort to call screen non-contractually required non-medically necessary transports, which are reimbursed at a significantly lower rate than medically necessary transports. Other services revenue increased primarily due to $3.0 million in fire subscription revenue and $1.0 million in master fire contract fees offset by a $0.3 million decrease in wildland fire services.

Payroll and employee benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $76.1 million, or 57% of net revenue, compared to $76.4 million, or 63% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $0.3 million decrease was primarily due to a $0.7 million positive pension plan actuarial adjustment previously recorded on a consolidated basis, a $0.4 million positive workers compensation actuarial claims adjustment, and a $0.4 million decrease in training and sign-on bonus as a result of being fully staffed; offset by a $0.9 million increase in ambulance unit hours and a $0.4 million severance accrual for administrative downsizing.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, including auto/general liability expenses, for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $30.3 million, or 23% of net revenue, compared to $28.2 million, or 23% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $2.1 million increase is primarily due to a $0.7 million increase in property lease expenses, a $0.6 million increase in operating supplies, a $0.4 million increase in fuel expense and a $0.4 million increase in auto/general liability insurance claim costs and various administrative expenses offset by a $0.3 million positive auto/general liability actuarial claims adjustment.

In addition, corporate overhead allocations increased resulting from increased costs surrounding the financial statement restatement, FIN 48 disclosure requirements, the review of Internal Revenue Code Section 382 matter and the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest.

 

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(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into two transactions to sell certain of our previously written-off self pay accounts receivables to an unrelated third party. The gain recognized in Southwest totaled $0.4 million.

 

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West

The following table presents financial results and key operating statistics for the West operations (in thousands, except medical transports, wheelchair transports, net medical transport APC and DSO):

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
     2008     2007      

Net revenue

        

Ambulance services

   $ 77,496     $ 74,272     $ 3,224     4.3 %

Other services

     1,110       427       683       #
                          

Total net revenue

   $ 78,606     $ 74,699     $ 3,907     5.2 %
                          

Segment profit

   $ 3,822     $ 5,805     $ (1,983 )   (34.2 )%

Segment profit margin

     4.9 %     7.8 %    

Medical transports

     225,060       217,650       7,410     3.4 %

Wheelchair transports

     24,786       23,581       1,205     5.1 %

Net Medical Transport APC

   $ 301     $ 297     $ 4     1.3 %

DSO

     85       92       (7 )   (7.6 )%

 

# - Variances over 100% not displayed

Revenue

Net revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was $78.6 million, an increase of $3.9 million, or 5.2% from $74.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net revenue was due primarily to a $2.0 million increase in new ambulance contract revenue in Washington and San Diego, California and a $0.9 million increase in same service area ambulance revenue. The increase in same service area ambulance revenue includes a $0.6 million increase in medical transport growth and a $0.3 million increase in net medical transport APC. The net increase in medical transports of 7,410 (3.4%) was due to growth in the San Diego, Pacific Northwest and Nebraska markets offset by a decline in our Colorado markets as a result of the University of Colorado hospital system consolidating its campuses and reducing the volume of non-emergency transports. The increase in wheelchair transports reflects the increased volume in the Washington markets related to new contracts providing a compliment of services. The increase in other services revenue is primarily related to the assistance we provided during the San Diego forest fires in September and October of 2007.

Payroll and employee benefits

Payroll and employee benefits for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $44.8 million, or 57% of net revenue, compared to $42.3 million, or 57% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $2.5 million increase is primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in additional ambulance unit hours due to the new contracts in our Washington and San Diego, California markets and $0.9 million increase from annual base rate cost of living adjustments and competitive wages to achieve optimum staffing levels. These increases were offset by a $0.5 million positive workers compensation actuarial claims adjustment.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, including auto/general liability expenses, for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $25.7 million, or 33% of net revenue, compared to $23.5 million, or 31% of net revenue, for the same period in the prior year. The $2.2 million increase is primarily due to a $1.0 million increase related to the timing of expenses in the San Diego LLC operation, $0.5 million increase in fuel expense, a $0.3 million increase in operating supplies, $0.2 million increase in maintenance expense, $0.2 million in higher property lease expense, $0.2 million increase in collection agency fees and various administrative expenses. These increases were offset by a $0.4 million positive auto/general liability actuarial claims adjustment.

In addition, corporate overhead allocations increased resulting from increased costs surrounding the financial statement restatement, FIN 48 disclosure requirements, the review of Internal Revenue Code Section 382 matter and the agreement to settle the proposed Board of Directors election contest.

 

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(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into two transactions to sell certain of our previously written-off self pay receivables to an unrelated third party. The gain recognized in West totaled $0.5 million.

 

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Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, general liability and workers’ compensation claim reserves and deferred tax asset recoverability. We base our estimates on historical experience and various assumptions we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We have identified the following accounting policies as critical to understanding our results of operations. The discussion below is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of our accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition

Ambulance services revenue is recognized when services are provided and are recorded net of contractual allowances applicable to Medicare, Medicaid and other third-party payers and net of estimates for uncompensated care. The collectability of these fees is analyzed using historical collection experience within each service area. Using collection data resident in our billing system, we estimate the percentage of gross ambulance fees that will not be collected and record provisions for both contractual allowances and uncompensated care. The portion of the provision allocated to contractual allowances is based on historical write-offs relating to such contractual allowances as a percentage of the related gross ambulance services revenue recognized for each service area. The ratio is then applied to current period gross ambulance fees to determine the portion of the provision that will be recorded as a reduction in revenue. The remaining amount of the provision is classified as uncompensated care. If the historical data used to calculate these estimates does not properly reflect the ultimate collectability of the current revenue stream, revenue could be overstated or understated. Contractual allowances applicable to Medicare, Medicaid and other third-party payers related to continuing operations, which are reflected as a reduction of gross ambulance services revenue, totaled $79.7 million and $228.2 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008, respectively, and $75.8 million and $207.5 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007, respectively.

Uncompensated care can be affected by a variety of factors, including the number of patients we transport that do not pay us for the medical services we provide, a sustained disruption in collections, and the quality of our billing documentation and procedures. The estimate for uncompensated care that is applied to gross ambulance services revenue is calculated as the difference between the total expected collection percentage less contractual discounts described above. If historical data used to calculate these estimates do not properly reflect the ultimate collectability of the current revenue stream, the estimate for uncompensated care may be overstated or understated. The estimate for uncompensated care on gross ambulance services revenue from continuing operations totaled $32.6 million and $93.0 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008, respectively, and $30.1 million and $82.9 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2007, respectively.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2006, we changed our accounting policy relating to the classification of estimated uncollectible amounts related to self-pay patients. This change in accounting policy was applied retrospectively in accordance with SFAS 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. We now reflect revenue net of estimated uncompensated care, and this Quarterly Report reflects such change. Previously, we recorded revenue at full established rates and recorded a provision for estimated amounts not expected to be realized as an operating expense.

Insurance Claim Reserves

In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to accident, injury and professional liability claims. Additionally, certain of our operational contracts, as well as laws in certain of the areas where we operate, require that specified amounts of insurance coverage be maintained. In order to minimize the risk of exposure and comply with such legal and contractual requirements, we carry a broad range of insurance policies, including comprehensive general liability, automobile, property damage, professional, workers’ compensation and other lines of coverage. We typically renew each of these policies annually and purchase limits of coverage at levels management believes are appropriate, taking into account historical and projected claim trends, reasonable protection of our assets and operations and the economic conditions in the insurance market. Depending upon the specific line of coverage, the total limits of insurance maintained may be achieved through a combination of primary policies, excess policies and self-insurance.

 

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We retain certain levels of exposure with respect to our general liability and workers’ compensation programs and purchase coverage from third party insurers for exposures in excess of those levels. In addition to expensing premiums and other costs relating to excess coverage, we establish reserves for claims, both reported and incurred but not reported, on a gross basis using currently available information as well as our historical claims experience. We also recognize a receivable from our insurers for amounts expected to be recovered in excess of our retention. We periodically evaluate the financial capacity of our insurers to assess the recoverability of the related receivables.

We engage third-party administrators (“TPAs”) to manage claims resulting from our general liability and workers’ compensation programs. The TPAs establish initial loss reserve estimates at the time a claim is reported and then monitor the development of the claim over time to confirm that such estimates continue to be appropriate. Management periodically reviews the claim reserves established by the TPAs and engages independent actuaries to assist with the evaluation of the adequacy of its reserves on a semi-annual basis. We adjust our claim reserves with an associated charge or credit to expense as new information on the underlying claim is obtained.

Reserves related to workers’ compensation claims totaled $13.4 million and $11.8 million at March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively. Reserves related to general liability claims totaled $30.4 million and $30.6 million at March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively.

Property and Equipment

We exercise judgment with regard to property and equipment in the following areas: (1) determining whether an expenditure is eligible for capitalization or if it should be expensed as incurred, (2) estimating the useful life and determining the depreciation method of a capitalized asset, and (3) if events or changes in circumstances warrant an assessment, determining if and to what extent a tangible long-lived asset had been impaired. The accuracy of our judgments impacts the amount of depreciation expense we recognize, the amount of our gain or loss on the disposal of these assets, whether or not an asset is impaired and, if an asset is impaired, the amount of the loss related to the impaired asset is recognized.

Our judgments about useful lives as well as the existence and degree of asset impairments could be affected by future events, such as discontinued operations, obsolescence, new regulations and new taxes, and other economic factors. Historically, there have been no events of changes in circumstances that have resulted in an impairment loss and our other estimates as they relate to property and equipment have not resulted in significant changes. We do not anticipate that our current estimates are reasonably likely to change in the future.

Expenditures associated with the repair or maintenance of a capital asset are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that are expected to provide future benefit to the company or that extend the useful life of an existing asset are capitalized. The useful lives that we assign to property and equipment represent the estimated number of years that the property and equipment is expected to contribute to the revenue generating process based on our current operating strategy. We believe that the useful lives of our property and equipment expire evenly over time. Accordingly, we depreciate our property and equipment on a straight-line basis over their useful lives.

Goodwill Impairment

Our goodwill balances are reviewed for impairment annually (and interim periods if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related asset may be impaired) using a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to be impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. We perform our annual impairment test on June 30.

 

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Income Tax Liabilities

We are subject to federal income taxes and state income taxes in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We exercise judgment with regard to income taxes in the following areas: (1) interpreting whether expenses are deductible in accordance with federal income tax and state income tax codes, (2) estimating annual effective federal and state income tax rates and (3) assessing whether deferred tax assets are, more likely than not, expected to be realized. The accuracy of these judgments impacts the amount of income tax expense we recognize each period.

As a matter of law, we are subject to examination by federal and state taxing authorities. We have estimated and provided for income taxes in accordance with settlements reached with the Internal Revenue Service in prior audits. Although we believe that the amounts reflected in our tax returns substantially comply with the applicable federal and state tax regulations, both the IRS and the various state taxing authorities can and have taken positions contrary to ours based on their interpretation of the law. A tax position that is challenged by a taxing authority could result in an adjustment to our income tax liabilities and related tax provision.

Effective July 1, 2007, we began to measure and record tax contingency accruals in accordance with FASB Financial Interpretation Number 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Tax—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. FIN 48 prescribes a threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a return. Only positions meeting the “more likely than not” recognition threshold at the effective date may be recognized or continue to be recognized upon adoption of FIN 48. Prior to July 1, 2007, we recorded accruals for tax contingencies and related interest when it was probable that a liability had been incurred and the amount of the contingency could be reasonably estimated based on specific events such as an audit or inquiry by a taxing authority.

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. 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 of a tax rate change on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We record valuation allowances to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount considered more likely than not to be realized. Changes in estimates of future taxable income can materially change the amount of such valuation allowances.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our ability to service our long-term debt, to remain in compliance with the various restrictions and covenants contained in our debt agreements and to fund working capital, capital expenditures and business development efforts will depend on our ability to generate cash from operating activities which in turn is subject to, among other things, future operating performance as well as general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions, some of which may be beyond our control.

We have available to us, upon compliance with certain conditions, a $20 million revolving credit facility, less any letters of credit outstanding under the $10 million sub-line within the revolving credit facility. In December 2007 and January 2008, we borrowed and repaid $1.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, on the revolving credit facility. There were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility and there was $0.5 million of outstanding letters of credit issued under the sub-line at March 31, 2008.

Cash Flow

Throughout the year, we experience significant periodic outflows of cash for debt service, management bonuses, 401(k) employer matching contributions, defined benefit pension plan contributions, income tax payments, workers compensation and general liability insurance premium deposits, and capital expenditures.

The following table presents various outflows of cash for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 (in millions):

 

      Nine Months Ended
March 31,
     2008    2007

Cash Payments

     

Senior Subordinated Notes interest

   $ 12.4    $ 12.4

Capital expenditures

     10.5      10.8

Term Loan B interest

     5.2      6.1

Term Loan B principal

     5.0      14.0

Defined benefit pension plan contributions

     1.9      1.8

401(k) employer matching contributions

     1.5      1.4

Income tax payments

     1.2      0.4

Management Incentive Plan

     0.7      4.8

In addition, as described in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements of this Quarterly Filing, during the six months ended December 31, 2007, $3.0 million of reimbursements were withheld due to a position taken by the Medicare intermediary for the State of Tennessee that certain claims were not medically necessary. As a result, we adjusted our contractual allowance by $1.9 million as an estimation of claims that were not medically necessary. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we collected $1.3 million of the $3.0 million withheld and reduced our previously established contractual allowance by $0.2 million.

The table below summarizes cash flow information for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

 

      Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 24,478     $ 22,395  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,453 )     (3,831 )

Net cash used in financing activities

     (6,329 )     (14,858 )

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $24.5 million and $22.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The $2.1 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a $2.5 million increase in net income. Net income includes $1.9 million of gains recognized in connection with the sale of certain previously written-off self pay accounts receivable.

 

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We had working capital of $41.7 million at March 31, 2008, including cash and cash equivalents of $13.9 million, compared to working capital of $33.0 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $6.2 million, at June 30, 2007. The increase in working capital as of March 31, 2008 is primarily related to an increase in cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2008 includes $3.0 million of commercial paper with a maturity of less than three months.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities includes the purchase and sale of short-term investments, capital expenditures and proceeds from the sale of property and equipment. We periodically invest excess funds in highly liquid, short-term taxable auction rate securities. We had purchases and sales of such securities of $5.0 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and net sales of $6.2 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2007. We had capital expenditures totaling $10.5 million and $10.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Financing Activities

Financing activities include the repayment of debt, the issuance of debt and costs incurred to issue new debt or modify existing debt, tax benefits from the exercise of stock options, proceeds from the issuance of common stock and minority shareholder distributions. During the nine months ended March 31, 2008, we borrowed and repaid $3.8 million under the revolving credit facility, made a $5.0 million unscheduled principal payment on our Term Loan B and incurred $0.9 million in costs for an amendment and waiver under the 2005 Credit Facility (Amendment 6). Tax benefits resulting from stock option exercises totaled $0.1 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2008. In addition, the reduction in current year stock option exercises contributed to a $0.2 million decrease in cash provided by the issuance of common stock. We also made $0.5 million in distributions to the City of San Diego, the minority shareholder in our medical services joint venture, during the nine months ended March 31, 2008.

During the nine months ended March 31, 2007, we made $14.0 million of unscheduled principal payments on our Term Loan B and incurred $0.7 million in costs for two amendments to the 2005 Credit Facility (Amendments 4 and 5) and received $0.3 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and made $0.7 million in distributions to the City of San Diego. Tax benefits resulting from stock option exercises totaled $0.2 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2007.

Debt Covenants

The 2005 Credit Facility, Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Discount Notes include various financial and non-financial covenants applicable to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Rural/Metro LLC as well as quarterly and annual financial reporting obligations.

Specifically, the 2005 Credit Facility, as amended, requires Rural/Metro LLC and its subsidiaries to meet certain financial tests, including a maximum total leverage ratio, a minimum interest expense coverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The 2005 Credit Facility also contains covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers, prepayments of other indebtedness, liens and encumbrances, capital expenditures, business activities by the Company, as a holding company, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements.

We were in compliance with all of our covenants, as amended, under our 2005 Credit Facility at March 31, 2008 as shown below.

 

Financial

Covenant

  

Level Specified

in Agreement

  

Level Achieved for

Specified Period

  

Level to be Achieved at

June 30, 2008

Debt leverage ratio

   <5.50    4.32    < 5.00

Interest expense coverage ratio

   > 1.75    2.31    > 1.90

Fixed charge coverage ratio

   > 1.00    1.26    > 1.00

Maintenance capital expenditure (1), (2)

   N/A    N/A    < $27.0 million

New business capital expenditure (2)

   N/A    N/A    < $4.0 million

 

(1) Maintenance capital expenditure refers to capital expenditures to maintain operations in existing markets.

(2)

Measured annually at June 30th.

 

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EBITDA

EBITDA is a key indicator that management uses to evaluate our operating performance. While EBITDA is not intended to replace any presentation included in our consolidated financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered an alternative to operating performance or an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity, we believe this measure is useful to investors in assessing our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditure and working capital requirements. This calculation may differ in method of calculation from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The following table sets forth our EBITDA for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, as well as a reconciliation to income (loss) from continuing and discontinued operations, the most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP (in thousands):

 

      Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 1,277     $ (3,212 )   $ 2,544     $ (1,266 )

Add back:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     3,283       3,007       9,530       8,741  

Interest expense on borrowings

     5,286       5,385       15,757       16,377  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     489       618       1,510       1,625  

Accretion of 12.75% Senior Discount Notes

     2,213       1,956       6,481       5,728  

Interest income

     (73 )     (153 )     (307 )     (413 )

Income tax provision (benefit)

     936       (1,432 )     3,439       2,610  
                                

EBITDA from continuing operations

     13,411       6,169       38,954       33,402  
                                

Income from discontinued operations

     192       382       90       1,433  

Add back:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     3       124       99       378  

Income tax provision

     140       145       60       699  
                                

EBITDA from discontinued operations

     335       651       249       2,510  
                                

Total EBITDA

   $ 13,746     $ 6,820     $ 39,203     $ 35,912  
                                

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 establishes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161, which expands and amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 133, is intended to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and its related interpretations and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Presently, we do not expect SFAS 161 to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations, (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R), which replaces SFAS 141, Business Combinations, establishes accounting standards for all transactions or other events in which an entity (the acquirer) obtains control of one or more businesses (the acquiree) including mergers and combinations achieved without the transfer of consideration. SFAS 141(R) requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. In the event that the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeds the fair value of the consideration transferred plus any non-controlling interest (referred to as a “bargain purchase”), SFAS 141(R) requires the acquirer to recognize that excess in earnings as a gain attributable to the acquirer. In addition, SFAS 141(R) requires costs incurred to effect an acquisition to be recognized separately from the acquisition and requires the recognition of assets or liabilities arising from noncontractual contingencies as of the acquisition date only if it is more likely than not that they meet the definition of an asset or liability in FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements. SFAS 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008, which for us is the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. Presently, we do not expect SFAS 141(R) to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 Amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest (currently referred to as minority interest) in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, SFAS 160 establishes a single method of accounting for changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation by requiring that ownership transactions not resulting in deconsolidation are accounted for as equity with no gain or loss recognition in the income statement. SFAS 160 also requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, which is the date the parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest in the subsidiary. SFAS 160, which is effective for us at the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, is to be applied prospectively upon adoption except for the presentation and disclosure provisions, which require retrospective application for all periods presented. The presentation provisions require that (1) the noncontrolling interest be reclassified to equity, (2) consolidated net income be adjusted to include the net income attributed to the noncontrolling interest and (3) consolidated comprehensive income be adjusted to include the comprehensive income attributed to the noncontrolling interest. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 160 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 provides companies with the option to measure eligible items, including many financial instruments at fair value at specified election dates. SFAS 159 requires disclosure of unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 159, if any, shall be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. SFAS 159 is effective for us at the beginning of the fiscal 2009 year. We have not determined whether we will elect the fair value measurement provisions for our long-term obligations, nor have we determined the impact of any future election.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosure about fair value measures required under other accounting pronouncements, but does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. SFAS 157 is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Subsequent Events

Non-Employee Director Grant

In April 2008, pursuant to the Company’s 2008 Incentive Stock Plan, the Company granted 49,500 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company. Subject to continued service, the RSUs vest in three installments (3,000, 3,000 and 4,000 in the case of new directors, and 2,000, 2,000 and 2,500 in the case of existing directors) at the date of Company’s annual meeting of stockholders following fiscal years 2008 through 2010. The grant date fair value of the RSUs, which is approximately $0.1 million, is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the service period. The Company expects to recognize approximately $12,000 of stock-based compensation expense during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as a result of the RSU grants to the non-employee Directors.

Unscheduled Principal Payment under the Term Loan B Credit Facility

On May 12, 2008, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rural/Metro LLC, made a $5.0 million unscheduled principal payment on its Term Loan B. In connection with this payment, we wrote-off approximately $0.1 million of deferred financing costs during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

Contract Activity

In May, 2008, we concluded our service to the City of Tempe, Arizona, as its exclusive 911 provider. We will continue to provide non-emergency services within the City of Tempe under various arrangements with local hospitals and healthcare facilities.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks

Our primary exposure to market risk consists of changes in interest rates on our borrowing activities. Under our 2005 Credit Facility, amounts outstanding under Term Loan B bore interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%, through October 10, 2007 with an increase to LIBOR plus 3.50% effective October 11, 2007 under Amendment No. 6 to the 2005 Credit Facility. Also under our 2005 Credit Facility, amounts drawn under our Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus 3.25% through October 10, 2007 with an increase to LIBOR plus 3.50% effective October 11, 2007 under Amendment No. 6 to the 2005 Credit Facility. Based on current amounts outstanding under Term Loan B at March 31, 2008, a 1% increase in the LIBOR rate would increase our interest expense on an annual basis by approximately $0.8 million. The remainder of our debt is primarily at fixed interest rates. We monitor the risk associated with interest rate changes and may enter into hedging transactions, such as interest rate swap agreements, to mitigate the related exposure. In addition, we are exposed to the risk of interest rate changes on our short-term investment activities. We had no amounts invested in auction rate securities at March 31, 2008.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Report (March 31, 2008). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure control and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2008, because of the material weaknesses described below:

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management identified the following material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2007, which continued to exist at March 31, 2008.

The Company did not maintain effective controls over its period-end financial reporting process, including the preparation and review of interim and annual consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Specifically, controls were not operating effectively over the processes related to (i) timely resolution of reconciling items and review of account reconciliations over balance sheet accounts, (ii) accumulating and reviewing all required supporting information to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements and disclosures and (iii) timeliness of the financial reporting process. As previously reported, this material weakness resulted in restatements of the Company’s fiscal 2006 and 2005 annual and interim financial statements and resulted in adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the Company’s fiscal 2007 annual and interim financial statements. Additionally, this material weakness could result in misstatements of any of the Company’s financial statement accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The period-end financial reporting process material weakness described above contributed to the material weaknesses described below:

 

   

The Company did not maintain effective controls over the accuracy of its subscription revenue and deferred revenue. Specifically, the Company’s internal controls are not adequately designed to ensure the accurate calculation of subscription revenue and deferred revenue on a straight-line basis based on the day and the month of the beginning of the contractual period. As previously reported, this deficiency resulted in the restatement of the Company’s interim and annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this material weakness could result in misstatements of the Company’s subscription revenue and deferred revenue accounts that would result in a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

   

The Company did not maintain effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of its accruals and reserves for loss contingencies and related operating expenses. Specifically, the Company’s internal controls are not operating effectively to ensure that loss contingencies are accurately and completely recorded on a timely basis. As previously reported, this material weakness resulted in adjustments to the Company’s fiscal 2007 consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this material weakness could result in misstatements of the Company’s accrual and reserve accounts and related operating expenses that would result in a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

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Management’s Plan for Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In an effort to remediate the material weaknesses described above, the Company is undertaking the following remediation procedures:

 

   

Period-End Financial Reporting—Management has scheduled a review of the financial statement close process. Currently, Management is reviewing its processes surrounding account reconciliations and the timely resolution of reconciling items and is implementing related improvements. The Company is also implementing new reporting software which will enhance its controls over financial reporting. Management currently expects that this material weakness will be remediated by September 30, 2008.

 

   

Subscription Revenue – The Company has implemented an analysis calculating its revenue recognition and deferred revenue liability amounts surrounding its fire and ambulance subscription business using transactional data from its billing system. This analysis includes a manual control system that provides verification of the subscription revenue and deferred revenue on a straight-line basis based on the day and the month of the beginning of the contractual period. Although this analysis has been implemented, the Company is in the process of completing the testing of related manual controls and expects the material weakness will be remediated by June 30, 2008. The Company is also reviewing alternatives for automating these calculations and manual controls but does not expect to have these systems implemented and tested until after June 30, 2008.

 

   

Accruals and Reserves – Management continues to emphasize to senior management, the importance of direct and timely communication of significant information across the organization that could impact the timely, accurate and complete recording of accruals and reserves for loss contingencies. The Company is also enhancing its quarterly procedures surrounding the identification of significant accounting matters. Management currently expects that this material weakness will be remediated by June 30, 2008.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f)), that occurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II. Other Information.

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information contained in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements is hereby incorporated by referenced into this Part II—Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The discussion of our business and operations should be read together with the risk factors contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2007, which describes various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties and the risks below have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies or prospects in a material and adverse manner.

Risks Related to Our Capital Structure

We may be unable to fully realize the benefits of our net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards if an ownership change occurs.

If we were to experience a “change in ownership” under Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Section 382”), the NOL carryforward limitations under Section 382 would impose an annual limit on the amount of the future taxable income that may be offset by our NOL generated prior to the change in ownership. If a change in ownership were to occur, we may be unable to use a significant portion of our NOL to offset future taxable income. In general, a change in ownership occurs when, as of any testing date, there has been a cumulative change in the stock ownership of the corporation held by 5% stockholders of more than 50 percentage points over an applicable three-year period. For these purposes, a 5% stockholder is generally any person or group of persons that at any time during an applicable three-year period has owned 5% or more of the outstanding common stock of Rural Metro Corporation. Additionally, persons who own less than 5% of the outstanding common stock are grouped together as one or more “public group” 5% stockholders. Under Section 382, stock ownership would be determined under complex attribution rules and generally includes shares held directly, indirectly (though intervening entities) and constructively (by certain related parties and certain unrelated parties acting as a group).

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

We held our annual meeting of stockholders in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 27, 2008. The matters before the annual meeting were:

 

   

The election of three directors to serve a three-year term or until their successors are elected;

 

   

To consider an amendment to the Company’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation to enable thirty-five percent (35%) of stockholders or, for a specified period, any three directors to call a special meeting of stockholders;

 

   

To consider an amendment to the Company’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation to require stockholder approval of amendments to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, subject to certain exceptions;

 

   

The adoption of the 2008 Incentive Stock Plan; and

 

   

The ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.

 

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Holders of our common stock were entitled to one vote per share on all matters before the annual meeting. The results of the matters before the annual meeting are as follows:

 

   

The following individuals were elected at the annual meeting as directors as Class I Directors to serve a three-year term or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified:

 

Election of Directors

  

For

  

Withheld

    

Jack E. Brucker

   22,968,936    238,445   

Conrad A. Conrad

   22,990,638    216,743   

Earl P. Holland

   23,020,600    186,781   

In addition, Class II Directors (Louis G. Jekel and Robert E. Wilson) and Class III Directors (Cor J. Clement and Henry G. Walker) continued their respective terms of office following the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders. Effective March 27, 2008, the Board of Directors appointed Christopher S. Shackelton and Eugene I. Davis to serve as Class II and Class III Directors for terms expiring at the 2008 and 2009 annual meetings, respectively.

 

   

Approval of an amendment to the Company’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation to enable thirty-five percent (35%) of stockholders or, for a specified period, any three directors to call a special meeting of stockholders, as described in the proxy materials.

 

For

   Against    Abstained     

22,938,614

   202,137    66,628   

 

   

Approval of an amendment to the Company’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation to require stockholder approval of amendments to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, subject to certain exceptions, as described in the proxy materials.

 

For

   Against    Abstained     

17,707,996

   71,384    68,883   

 

   

The adoption of the 2008 Incentive Stock Plan, as described in the proxy materials.

 

For

   Against    Abstained     

13,780,184

   4,017,279    50,800   

 

   

Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.

 

For

   Against    Abstained     

23,099,925

   44,290    63,169   

As previously disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 29, 2008, we entered into a settlement agreement with Accipiter Capital Management, LLC, together with its affiliates, relating to their previously proposed election contest in connection with the annual meeting. The description of the terms of the settlement agreement contained in the Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference. We estimate that the cost incurred in connection with the election contest and associated settlement agreement is approximately $0.5 million, primarily consisting of professional fees.

 

65


Table of Contents
Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibits

   
  3.1   Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 18, 1995; as amended by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 25, 2005; as amended by the Certificate of Designation, Preferences, and Rights of Series B Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 26, 2002; as amended by the Certificate of Designation, Preferences, and Rights of Series C Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 26, 2003; as amended by that Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 15, 2004; as amended by that Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on March 28, 2008 (1)
  3.2   Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (1)
10.1   2008 Incentive Stock Plan (1)
10.2   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement – Stock-Settled Only, for Employees (with Performance-Based Vesting) (1)
10.3   Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement – Stock-Settled Only (with Time-Based Vesting) (1)
10.4   Compensation Schedule for Non-Employee Directors of Rural/Metro Corporation effective April 1, 2008 (1)
10.5   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement – Stock-Settled Only, for Eligible Directors (with Time-Based Vesting) (1)
31.1   Certification pursuant to Rule 13a—14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended *
31.2   Certification pursuant to Rule 13a—14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended *
32.1   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002 +
32.2   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002 +

 

* Filed herewith.
+ Furnished but not filed.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, dated March 31, 2008.

 

66


Table of Contents

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.

 

    RURAL/METRO CORPORATION
Dated: May 12, 2008   By:  

/s/ JACK E. BRUCKER

    Jack E. Brucker,
    President & Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
  By:  

/s/ KRISTINE BEIAN PONCZAK

    Kristine Beian Ponczak,
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer)
  By:  

/s/ GREGORY A. BARBER

    Gregory A. Barber,
    Vice President and Controller
    (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

67


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

  3.1    Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 18, 1995; as amended by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 25, 2005; as amended by the Certificate of Designation, Preferences, and Rights of Series B Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 26, 2002; as amended by the Certificate of Designation, Preferences, and Rights of Series C Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 26, 2003; as amended by that Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 15, 2004; as amended by that Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on March 28, 2008 (1)
  3.2    Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (1)
10.1    2008 Incentive Stock Plan (1)
10.2    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement – Stock-Settled Only, for Employees (with Performance-Based Vesting) (1)
10.3    Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement – Stock-Settled Only (with Time-Based Vesting) (1)
10.4    Compensation Schedule for Non-Employee Directors of Rural/Metro Corporation effective April 1, 2008 (1)
10.5    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement – Stock-Settled Only, for Eligible Directors (with Time-Based Vesting) (1)
31.1    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a—14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended *
31.2    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a—14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended *
32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002 +
32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002 +

 

* Filed herewith.
+ Furnished but not filed.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, dated March 31, 2008.
EX-31.1 2 dex311.htm CERTIFICATION OF CEO - SECTION 302 Certification of CEO - Section 302

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Jack E. Brucker, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rural/Metro 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 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 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 which 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: May 12, 2008

 

/s/ JACK E. BRUCKER

President and Chief Executive Officer
Rural/Metro Corporation
EX-31.2 3 dex312.htm CERTIFICATION OF CFO - SECTION 302 Certification of CFO - Section 302

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Kristine Beian Ponczak, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rural/Metro 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 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 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 which 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: May 12, 2008

 

/s/ KRISTINE BEIAN PONCZAK

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Rural/Metro Corporation
EX-32.1 4 dex321.htm CERTIFICATION OF CEO - SECTION 906 Certification of CEO - Section 906

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(SUBSECTIONS (a) AND (b) OF SECTION 1350, CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 18,

UNITED STATES CODE)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Rural/Metro Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jack E. Brucker, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in this Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: May 12, 2008

 

/s/ JACK E. BRUCKER

Jack E. Brucker
President and Chief Executive Officer
EX-32.2 5 dex322.htm CERTIFICATION OF CFO - SECTION 906 Certification of CFO - Section 906

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(SUBSECTIONS (a) AND (b) OF SECTION 1350, CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 18,

UNITED STATES CODE)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Rural/Metro Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kristine Beian Ponczak, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in this Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: May 12, 2008

 

/s/ KRISTINE BEIAN PONCZAK

Kristine Beian Ponczak
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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