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OMB APPROVAL |
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OMB Number:
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3235-0059 |
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Expires:
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January 31, 2008 |
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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þ Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
BADGER METER, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy
Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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þ No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11. |
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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SEC 1913 (11-01) |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information
contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid
OMB control number. |
BADGER METER, INC.
4545 West Brown Deer Road
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
April 28, 2006
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Badger Meter, Inc.
(the Company) will be held at Badger Meter,
Inc., 4545 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53223, on Friday, April 28, 2006, at 8:30 a.m., local
time, for the following purposes:
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1. To elect three directors to three-year terms; |
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2. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
Holders of record of Common Stock of the Company at the close of
business on February 28, 2006, will be entitled to notice
of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof. Shareholders will be entitled to one vote
per share.
Please vote the enclosed proxy form, sign and return it in the
envelope provided. You retain the right to revoke the proxy at
any time before it is actually voted.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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William R. A. Bergum, Secretary |
March 21, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BADGER METER, INC.
4545 West Brown Deer Road
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223
PROXY STATEMENT
To the Shareholders of
BADGER METER, INC.
We are furnishing you with this Proxy Statement in connection
with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of
Badger Meter, Inc. (the Company) to be used at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the
Meeting), which will be held at 8:30 a.m.,
local time, Friday, April 28, 2006, at Badger Meter,
Inc., 4545 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53223, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
If you execute a proxy, you retain the right to revoke it at any
time before it is voted by giving written notice to the Company
or in open meeting, or by submitting a valid proxy bearing a
later date. Unless you revoke your proxy, your shares will be
voted at the Meeting.
Since you were a shareholder of record as of the close of
business on February 28, 2006, you are entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Meeting. As of this record date, the
Company had 6,921,150 shares of Common Stock (the
Common Stock) outstanding and entitled to vote. You
are entitled to one vote for each of your shares.
We commenced mailing this Proxy Statement on or about
March 21, 2006.
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
You and other holders of the Common Stock are entitled to elect
three directors at the Meeting. Directors will be elected by a
plurality of votes cast at the Meeting (assuming a quorum is
present). If you do not vote your shares at the Meeting, whether
due to abstentions, broker nonvotes or otherwise, they will have
no impact on the election of directors.
If you submit a proxy to the Company, it will be voted as you
direct. If, however, you submit a proxy without specifying
voting directions, it will be voted in favor of the election of
each of the three nominees for director identified below. Once
elected, a director serves for a three-year term or until his
successor has been duly appointed, or until his prior death,
resignation or removal. If your shares are held in street
name by your broker, your broker may vote your shares in
its discretion on the election of directors if you do not
furnish instructions.
After the Meeting, the Board of Directors will consist of eight
members divided into three classes, with one class elected each
year to serve for a term of three years.
The nominees of the Board of Directors for director, together
with certain additional information concerning each such
nominee, are identified below. All of the nominees are presently
directors of the Company. If any nominee is unable or unwilling
to serve, the named proxies have discretionary authority to
select and vote for substitute nominees. The Board of Directors
has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable
or unwilling to serve.
1
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TERMS EXPIRING AT THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING
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Business Experience During |
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Director | |
Name |
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Age | |
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Last Five Years |
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Since | |
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Ulice Payne, Jr.
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50 |
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Addison-Clifton LLC (an export consulting firm): President.
Formerly, Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club: President and Chief
Executive Officer. Formerly, Foley & Lardner LLP (a law
firm): Managing Partner, Milwaukee Office. |
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2000 |
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Andrew J. Policano
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56 |
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Paul Merage School of Business, University of
California Irvine: Dean. Formerly, University of
Wisconsin: Professor and Dean of the School of Business. |
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1997 |
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Steven J. Smith
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56 |
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Journal Communications, Inc. (a diversified media and
communications company): Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Formerly, Journal Communications, Inc.: President. |
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2000 |
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The directors who are not up for election this year, together
with certain additional information about each, are identified
below:
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
TERMS EXPIRING AT THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING
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Business Experience During |
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Director | |
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Last Five Years |
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Since | |
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Kenneth P. Manning
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64 |
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Sensient Technologies Corporation (an international supplier of
flavors, colors and inks): Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer. |
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1996 |
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John J. Stollenwerk
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66 |
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Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corporation (a manufacturer and marketer of
shoes): Owner and President. |
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1996 |
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MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
FOR TERMS EXPIRING AT THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING
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Business Experience During |
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Last Five Years |
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Since | |
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Ronald H. Dix
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61 |
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Badger Meter, Inc.: Senior Vice President
Administration. Formerly, Senior Vice President
Administration and Secretary; Senior Vice President
Administration/ Human Resources and Secretary; and Vice
President Administration/Human Resources. |
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2005 |
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Thomas J. Fischer
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58 |
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Fischer Financial Consulting LLC (an accounting and financial
consulting firm): President. Formerly, Arthur Andersen
LLP Milwaukee Office: Retired Managing Partner. |
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2003 |
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Richard A. Meeusen
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51 |
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Badger Meter, Inc.: Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer. Formerly, Badger Meter, Inc.: President and Chief
Executive Officer; President; and Executive Vice
President Administration. |
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2001 |
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Certain directors of the Company also serve as directors of the
following companies, some of which are publicly-held.
Mr. Dix is a director of Physicians Insurance Corporation
of Wisconsin, Inc. Mr. Fischer is a director of Actuant
Corporation, Regal-Beloit Corporation and Wisconsin Energy
Corporation. Mr. Manning is a director of Sensient
Technologies Corporation and Sealed Air Corporation.
Mr. Payne is a director of The Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance Company, Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Midwest Air
Group, Inc. Mr. Policano is a director of Physicians
Insurance Corporation of Wisconsin, Inc. Mr. Smith is a
director of Journal Communications, Inc. Mr. Stollenwerk is
a director of Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corporation, The Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company, U.S. Bancorp, Koss Corporation
and Wire Maid, Inc.
Director Compensation
Richard A. Meeusen and Ronald H. Dix are employees of the
Company and do not receive compensation for their service as
directors.
All non-employee directors receive the following compensation:
Directors are compensated at a rate of $1,500 for each Board of
Directors meeting attended and are reimbursed for
out-of-pocket travel,
lodging and meal expenses. Directors are compensated at the rate
of $1,000 for each committee meeting they attend. In addition,
during 2005, directors were paid a retainer of $750 per
month and committee chairmen (other than the chairman of the
Audit and Compliance Committee) and the lead director received
an annual fee of $2,000. Mr. Fischer, as chairman of the
Audit and Compliance Committee, received an annual fee of
$4,000. Directors may elect to defer their compensation, in
whole or in part, in a stock and/or cash subaccount of the
Badger Meter Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. If a
director elects to defer compensation in a stock subaccount, the
subaccount is credited with a number of units equivalent to the
dollar amount of such fees on the date they would otherwise be
payable. Amounts credited to the stock subaccount are credited
with dividends by multiplying the number of units in the
participants stock subaccount on each dividend record
date, by the amount of each dividend, to determine the dividend
amount. The dividend amount is then divided by the closing stock
price on the last day of the previous quarter to determine the
number of stock units to be added to the stock subaccount. Upon
distribution of any portion or all of a participants stock
subaccount, the value of the account will be computed by
multiplying the number of units in the account on the date of
distribution by the closing price of the Common Stock on the
last day of the month prior to the distribution.
Previously, the non-employee directors participated in the
Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) as
certain members of the Companys management group. The LTIP
provided annual cash bonuses to the directors with respect to a
four-year performance period which ended in 2005. The awards
were based upon annual attainment of earnings objectives for
each year. The maximum amount that a director earned
3
under the LTIP ranged from $15,188 to $22,022 per year,
depending on the date of award. Beginning in 2006, the directors
no longer participate in the LTIP.
Non-employee directors receive a one-time grant of options to
purchase up to 16,000 shares of Common Stock and an annual
award of 600 shares of Common Stock under the
shareholder-approved 2002 Director Stock Grant Plan. No
stock options were granted to directors in 2005.
Committees, Meetings and Attendance
The Board of Directors of the Company has three standing
committees: Audit and Compliance Committee, Corporate Governance
Committee and Employee Benefit Plans Committee. The Board of
Directors has adopted written charters for each committee, which
are available on the Companys website at
www.badgermeter.com under the selection
Company Corporate
Governance Committees of the
Board. A copy of the Audit and Compliance Committee
Charter was published in the April 23, 2004 Proxy Statement
and has not been changed since.
The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that all of
the Companys directors (other than Mr. Meeusen and
Mr. Dix) are independent as defined in the
listing standards of the American Stock Exchange.
The current Board Committee assignments are:
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Board Committee | |
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Audit and | |
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Corporate | |
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Employee | |
Director |
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Compliance | |
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Governance | |
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Benefit Plans | |
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Richard A. Meeusen
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Richard H. Dix
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Thomas J. Fischer
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X |
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Kenneth P. Manning
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X |
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X |
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Ulice Payne, Jr.
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X |
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X |
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Andrew J. Policano
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X |
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X |
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Steven J. Smith
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X |
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X |
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John J. Stollenwerk
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X |
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* |
Chairman of the Committee |
The Audit and Compliance Committee met five times in 2005. The
Audit and Compliance Committee oversees the Companys
financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors
and reports the results of their activities to the Board. The
activities of the Audit and Compliance Committee include
employing an independent registered public accounting firm for
the Company, discussing with the independent registered public
accounting firm and internal auditors the scope and results of
audits, monitoring the Companys internal controls and
preapproving and reviewing audit fees and other services
performed by the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm. The Committee also monitors the Companys
compliance with the Companys policies governing activities
which include but are not limited to the Companys code of
conduct and its environmental, safety, diversity, product
regulation and quality processes. The Board of Directors has
determined that each member of the Committee qualifies as an
audit committee financial expert as defined by
Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
The Corporate Governance Committee met twice in 2005 and once in
January 2006. The Corporate Governance Committee reviews and
establishes all forms of compensation for the officers and
directors of the Company and administers the Companys
compensation plans, including the various stock plans. The
Committee also reviews the various management development and
succession programs and adopts and maintains the Companys
Principles of Corporate Governance. In addition, the Committee
selects nominees for the Board of Directors.
4
The Employee Benefit Plans Committee met three times in 2005.
The Employee Benefit Plans Committee oversees the administration
of the Companys pension plan, employee savings and stock
ownership plan, health plans and other benefit plans.
The Finance Committee was dissolved in 2005. The Board of
Directors assumed responsibility for the Committees role
to review the Companys various financing activities and
insurance coverage and recommend changes in the corporate
capitalization structure.
The Board of Directors held five meetings in 2005.
Mr. Payne currently serves as lead outside director of the
Board. During 2005, all directors attended at least 75% of the
meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the
committees held in 2005 on which they served during the period.
All members of the Board of Directors attended the 2005 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. It is the Boards policy that all
directors attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, unless
unusual circumstances prevent such attendance.
Nomination of Directors
The Corporate Governance Committee (the Governance
Committee) has responsibility for selecting nominees for
the Companys Board of Directors. All members of the
Governance Committee meet the definition of independence set
forth by the American Stock Exchange. The Board of Directors has
adopted a policy by which the Governance Committee will consider
nominees for Board positions, as follows:
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The Governance Committee will review potential new candidates
for Board positions. |
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The Governance Committee will review each candidates
qualifications in light of the needs of the Board and the
Company, considering the current mix of director attributes and
other pertinent factors. |
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The minimum qualifications required of any candidate include the
highest ethical standards and integrity, and sufficient
experience and knowledge commensurate with the Companys
needs. |
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The specific qualities and skills required of any candidate will
vary depending on the Companys specific needs at any point
in time. |
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No candidate, including current directors, may stand for
reelection after reaching the age of 70. |
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There are no differences in the manner in which the Governance
Committee evaluates candidates recommended by shareholders and
candidates identified from other sources. |
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To recommend a candidate, shareholders should write to the Board
of Directors, c/o Secretary, Badger Meter, Inc.,
P.O. Box 245036, Milwaukee, WI
53224-9536, via
certified mail. Such recommendation should include the
candidates name and address, a brief biographical
description and statement of qualifications of the candidate and
the candidates signed consent to be named in the proxy
statement and to serve as a director if elected. |
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To be considered by the Governance Committee for nomination and
inclusion in the Companys proxy statement, the Board must
receive shareholder recommendations for director no later than
October 15 of the year prior to the relevant Annual Meeting
of Shareholders. |
During 2005, and as of the date of this proxy statement, the
Governance Committee did not pay any fees to third parties to
assist in identifying or evaluating potential candidates. Also,
the Governance Committee has not received any shareholder
nominees for consideration at the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
Communications with the Board of Directors
If you want to communicate with members of the Board, you should
write to the Board of Directors, c/o Secretary, Badger
Meter, Inc., P.O. Box 245036, Milwaukee, WI 53224-9536, via
certified mail. The Companys process for determining how
and which communications will be relayed to the Board has been
approved by all of the independent directors of the Company.
5
Principles of Corporate Governance
The Companys Board of Directors has adopted the following
Principles of Corporate Governance:
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A majority of the Board members are independent directors. |
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All directors are selected on the basis of their ability to
contribute to positive corporate governance through their
values, knowledge and skills. |
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The Board of Directors has established a committee of
independent directors who are responsible for nominating
directors and assuring compliance with these corporate
governance principles (the Corporate Governance Committee). |
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The Board of Directors has established the Audit and Compliance
Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors
who are responsible for overseeing the audit functions and
financial reporting compliance of the Company. Members of the
Audit and Compliance Committee have the skills, experience and
financial expertise to fulfill this function. |
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The Board of Directors and committees have authority to directly
hire outside consultants as needed to properly fulfill their
responsibilities. |
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The independent members of the Board of Directors hold regular
executive sessions without the presence of management or
non-independent directors. |
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The Board of Directors has designated an independent director as
the lead outside director to chair executive
sessions and, when necessary, represent the independent
directors. |
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The Board of Directors has reviewed and approved the
Companys Code of Business Conduct. |
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The Board of Directors has created an environment to promote
effective corporate governance and to represent the interests of
the shareholders in all matters. |
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS HOLDING MORE THAN FIVE
PERCENT
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of
Common Stock
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Aggregate Number of Shares and Percent of | |
Name |
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Common Stock Beneficially Owned | |
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Fidelity Management & Research Company
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352,400 |
(1) |
82 Devonshire Street
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5.2 |
% |
Boston, MA 02109
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Heartland Advisors, Inc.
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534,600 |
(2) |
789 North Water Street
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7.8 |
% |
Milwaukee, WI 53202
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JOW Corp.
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400,000 |
(3) |
4545 West Brown Deer Road
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5.8 |
% |
Milwaukee, WI 53223
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Marshall & Ilsley Corporation
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570,221 |
(4) |
1000 North Water Street
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8.3 |
% |
Milwaukee, WI 53202
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T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
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405,000 |
(5) |
100 East Pratt Street
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5.9 |
% |
Baltimore, MD 21203
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(1) |
Fidelity Management & Research Company
(Fidelity), 82 Devonshire Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. and
an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, is the beneficial owner of
343,900 shares of the Common Stock |
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as a result of acting as investment adviser to various
investment companies registered under Section 8 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940. |
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Edward C. Johnson 3d and FMR Corp., through their control of
Fidelity, and the funds have sole power to dispose of the
343,900 shares owned by the funds. |
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Members of the family of Edward C. Johnson 3d, Chairman of FMR
Corp., are the predominant owners, directly or through trusts,
of Series B shares of common stock of FMR Corp. The Johnson
family group and all other Series B shareholders have
entered into a shareholders voting agreement under which
all Series B shares will be voted in accordance with the
majority vote of Series B shares. Accordingly, through
their ownership of voting common stock and the execution of the
shareholders voting agreement, members of the Johnson
family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
to form a controlling group with respect to FMR Corp. |
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Neither FMR Corp. nor Edward C. Johnson 3d, Chairman of FMR
Corp., has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the
shares owned directly by the Fidelity funds, which power resides
with the funds Boards of Trustees. Fidelity carries out
the voting of the shares under written guidelines established by
the funds Boards of Trustees. |
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Fidelity Management Trust Company, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. and
a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, is the beneficial owner of
8,500 shares of Common Stock, as a result of its serving as
investment manager of the institutional account(s). |
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Edward C. Johnson 3d and FMR Corp., through their control of
Fidelity Management Trust Company, have sole dispositive power
over 8,500 shares and sole power to vote or to direct the
voting of 8,500 shares of the Common Stock owned by the
institutional account(s). |
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(2) |
These shares may be deemed beneficially owned within the meaning
of Rule 13d-3 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by (1) Heartland
Advisors, Inc. by virtue of its investment discretion and voting
authority granted by certain clients, which may be revoked at
any time; and (2) William J. Nasgovitz, as a result of his
ownership interest in Heartland Advisors, Inc. Heartland
Advisors, Inc. and Mr. Nasgovitz each specifically disclaim
beneficial ownership of any shares reported on the
Schedule 13G filed by Heartland Advisors, Inc. |
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(3) |
James O. Wright, Jr., president of JOW Corp., is a former
director of the Company and the son of James O. Wright, director
emeritus of Badger Meter, Inc. |
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(4) |
Consists of sole voting power over 558,021 shares and sole
investment power over 558,021 shares and shared voting
power over 12,200 shares and shared investment power over
12,200 shares. These securities are held through its
subsidiaries, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company N.A. and
M&I Investment Management Corp., as fiduciaries for certain
employee benefit plans, trusts and/or customer accounts. The
number of shares shown includes shares held in an employee
benefit plan, where the Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company
N.A., as custodian, may be viewed as having voting or
dispositive authority in certain situations pursuant to
Department of Labor regulations or interpretations of federal
case law. Pursuant to SEC
Rule 13d-4,
inclusion of such shares in the Schedule 13G filed by
Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, the parent holding
company of Marshall& Ilsley Trust Company N.A., shall not be
construed as an admission that the reporting person or its
subsidiaries are, for purposes of Sections 13(d) or 13(g)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the beneficial owners of
such securities. |
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(5) |
Consists of sole voting power over 62,800 shares and sole
investment power over 405,000 shares. These securities are
owned by various individual and institutional investors for
which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price
Associates) serves as investment adviser, including T.
Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund, Inc. (Price Fund)
with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the
securities. Price Fund has sole voting power over
342,200 shares. For purposes of the reporting requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is
deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities. However,
Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is the beneficial
owner of such securities. |
7
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of February 28, 2006,
the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned and the
number of exercisable options outstanding by (i) each
director of the Company, (ii) each of the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table set forth
below, and (iii) all directors and executive officers of
the Company as a group. Securities and Exchange Commission rules
define beneficial owner of a security to include any
person who has or shares voting power or investment power with
respect to such security.
Compliance with these rules results in overlapping beneficial
ownership of shares. Therefore, certain shares set forth in the
table below are reported as being beneficially owned by more
than one person.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of
Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate | |
|
|
Number of Shares | |
|
|
and Percent of | |
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
|
Owned(1) | |
|
|
| |
Ronald H. Dix
|
|
|
181,347 |
(2)(3) |
|
|
|
2.6 |
% |
Thomas J. Fischer
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Kenneth P. Manning
|
|
|
27,600 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard A. Meeusen
|
|
|
191,110 |
(2)(4) |
|
|
|
2.7 |
% |
Ulice Payne, Jr.
|
|
|
22,600 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Andrew J. Policano
|
|
|
17,700 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven J. Smith
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
John J. Stollenwerk
|
|
|
37,514 |
(5) |
|
|
|
* |
|
Horst E. Gras
|
|
|
24,860 |
(6) |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard E. Johnson
|
|
|
141,544 |
(2)(7) |
|
|
|
2.0 |
% |
Daniel D. Zandron
|
|
|
52,985 |
(8) |
|
|
|
* |
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (15 persons,
including those named above)
|
|
|
595,959 |
|
|
|
|
8.4 |
% |
|
|
(1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole
investment and voting power over the reported shares, which
include shares from stock options currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days of February 28, 2006. |
|
(2) |
The Badger Meter Officers Voting Trust
(Officers Trust), of which Ronald H. Dix,
Richard E. Johnson and Richard A. Meeusen are trustees, holds
95,478 shares of Common Stock. The address of the trustees
is 4545 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223. The
trustees of the Officers Trust have |
8
|
|
|
the right to vote all shares of Common Stock held therein. The
Officers Trust continues until December 18, 2022, and
thereafter for additional
30-year renewal periods
unless earlier terminated by a vote of beneficiaries holding 75%
or more of the votes in the Officers Trust or by
applicable law. |
|
|
|
The Officers Trust had a $906,287 loan balance at
February 28, 2006, that was used to assist executive
officers in financing the purchase of Common Stock prior to July
2002. Loans to the Officers Trust are guaranteed by the
Company and the Common Stock purchased by the executive officers
using this credit facility is pledged to the Officers
Trust to secure the loans. In compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, no loans have been made to executive officers since
July 2002. Each depositor to the Trust must have sufficient
shares deposited to adequately collateralize the individual
officers loan balance. The Officers Trust holds
shares with a value more than sufficient to cover the full
credit line. Certain executive officers, including the named
executive officers, have purchased Common Stock using this loan
program. |
|
|
Messrs. Dix, Johnson and Meeusen all share voting power in
all of the shares deposited in the Officers Trust.
Beneficiaries of the Officers Trust have sole investment
power over only those shares individually deposited in the
Officers Trust. |
|
|
(3) |
Ronald H. Dix has sole investment power over 8,000 shares
he holds directly, 45,300 shares he owns with his spouse,
21,000 shares of Common Stock in the Officers Trust,
6,519 shares in the Companys Employee Savings and
Stock Ownership Plan, 25,300 shares subject to stock
options which are currently exercisable or exercisable with
60 days of February 28, 2006, and 750 shares of
restricted stock. In addition, Mr. Dix shares voting power
with Messrs. Meeusen and Johnson over all
95,478 shares held in the Officers Trust. |
|
(4) |
Richard A. Meeusen has sole investment power over
53,532 shares he holds directly, 1,600 shares in the
Companys Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan,
39,400 shares subject to stock options which are currently
exercisable or exercisable with 60 days of
February 28, 2006, and 1,100 shares of restricted
stock. In addition, Mr. Meeusen shares voting power with
Messrs. Dix and Johnson over all 95,478 shares held in
the Officers Trust. |
|
(5) |
Does not include deferred director fee holdings of 8,283 phantom
stock units held by Mr. Stollenwerk under the Badger Meter
Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. The value of the
phantom stock units is based upon and fluctuates with the market
value of the Common Stock. When a participant chooses to exit
the plan, all compensation accrued is paid out only in cash. |
|
(6) |
Horst E. Gras has sole investment power over 5,900 shares
he holds directly, 15,860 shares of Common Stock in the
Officers Trust, 2,500 shares subject to stock options
which are currently exercisable or exercisable with 60 days
of February 28, 2006, and 600 shares of restricted
stock. Mr. Gras is not a participant in the Employee
Savings and Stock Ownership Plan. |
|
(7) |
Richard E. Johnson has sole investment power over
14,000 shares he holds directly in an IRA,
14,596 shares he owns with his spouse, 16,000 shares
in the Officers Trust, 720 shares in the
Companys Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan,
16,000 shares subject to stock options which are currently
exercisable or exercisable with 60 days of
February 28, 2006, and 750 shares of restricted stock.
In addition, Mr. Johnson shares voting power with
Messrs. Dix and Meeusen over all 95,478 shares held in
the Officers Trust. |
|
(8) |
Daniel D. Zandron has sole investment power over
24,536 shares he holds directly, 7,000 shares of
Common Stock in the Officers Trust, 4,849 shares in
the Companys Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan,
16,000 shares subject to stock options which are currently
exercisable or exercisable with 60 days of
February 28, 2006, and 600 shares of restricted stock. |
9
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
compensation earned during each of the Companys last three
fiscal years by the Companys Chief Executive Officer and
each of the Companys four other most highly compensated
executive officers, based on salary (defined as base salary plus
imputed interest on loans issued prior to July 2002) and bonus
earned during fiscal 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Compensation Awards | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
Underlying | |
|
All Other | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Under | |
|
Underlying | |
|
Restricted | |
|
Compensation | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary ($) | |
|
Bonus ($) | |
|
LTIP ($)(1) | |
|
Options (#) | |
|
Stock (#)(5) | |
|
($)(2)(3) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Richard A. Meeusen
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
355,668 |
|
|
|
220,028 |
|
|
|
28,917 |
|
|
|
3,300 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
Chairman, President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
322,839 |
|
|
|
200,025 |
|
|
|
28,917 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,250 |
|
and CEO
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
306,877 |
|
|
|
163,895 |
|
|
|
28,917 |
|
|
|
23,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
Ronald H. Dix
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
226,936 |
|
|
|
127,050 |
|
|
|
28,067 |
|
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
Sr. Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
214,814 |
|
|
|
121,275 |
|
|
|
28,067 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,250 |
|
Administration
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
204,883 |
|
|
|
99,330 |
|
|
|
28,067 |
|
|
|
17,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
Horst E. Gras(4)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
256,153 |
|
|
|
84,256 |
|
|
|
33,961 |
|
|
|
1,800 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
250,501 |
|
|
|
91,213 |
|
|
|
33,961 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
International Operations
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
218,675 |
|
|
|
80,251 |
|
|
|
30,139 |
|
|
|
13,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Richard E. Johnson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sr. Vice President
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
226,103 |
|
|
|
127,050 |
|
|
|
34,628 |
|
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
Finance, Chief Financial
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
203,980 |
|
|
|
115,500 |
|
|
|
34,628 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,250 |
|
Officer and Treasurer
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
183,633 |
|
|
|
89,397 |
|
|
|
34,628 |
|
|
|
17,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
Daniel D. Zandron
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
192,645 |
|
|
|
99,750 |
|
|
|
21,900 |
|
|
|
1,800 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
183,740 |
|
|
|
95,550 |
|
|
|
21,900 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,250 |
|
Business Development
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
175,853 |
|
|
|
78,561 |
|
|
|
21,900 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Each of the executive officers named in the table is a
designated participant under the Companys Long-Term
Incentive Plan. The LTIP provides annual cash bonuses to the
named executive officers and certain other members of the
management group with respect to a four-year performance period
that ended in 2005. The awards were based upon annual attainment
of earnings objectives for each year, as established by the
Board of Directors. |
|
(2) |
Amounts shown represent Company contributions to the Badger
Meter, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan
(ESSOP). |
|
(3) |
Certain personal benefits (including social club dues,
automobile and legal and accounting services) were provided
through the Company to the executive officers named in the table
above. The aggregate amount of such benefits for each of the
executive officers named in the table did not exceed the lesser
of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus reported
for each officer. |
|
(4) |
Mr. Gras, who is based in Germany, is paid primarily in
euros. The amounts shown reflect the U.S. dollar equivalent
of that currency as of the dates paid.
Year-to-year
comparisons are affected by changes in the exchange rate.
Mr. Grass base salaries paid in euros were 203,665
for 2005, 198,088 for 2004 and 190,439 for 2003. |
|
(5) |
Cash dividends on restricted stock are deferred until the shares
have vested at which time the dividends will be paid to the
employee. |
Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreements
The Company has entered into Key Executive Employment and
Severance Agreements (KEESAs) with certain key
executive officers, including certain of the above-named
executive officers, whose expertise has been critical to the
Companys success, to remain with the Company in the event
of any merger or transition period. The KEESA agreements provide
for payment of severance to executive officers whose employment
is terminated under certain circumstances, such as other than
for cause, death or disability, in
10
anticipation of or following a change in control or by the
officer for good reason following such a change, within two
years of a change in control.
There are two forms of the KEESA. The KEESA for the Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer provides for payment of
three years of salary and annual incentive compensation, as well
as the actuarial equivalent of the additional retirement
benefits the executive officer would have earned if he had
remained employed for three more years, continued medical,
dental, and life insurance coverage for three years,
outplacement services, and financial planning counseling. The
KEESA for the remainder of the covered executive officers
provides for payment of two years salary and annual
incentive compensation, along with two years of the other
benefits set forth above.
Option Grants in 2005
The following table sets forth certain information concerning
options to purchase Common Stock granted in 2005 to the
individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
Current | |
|
|
|
|
Options | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise or | |
|
|
|
Present Value | |
|
|
Type of | |
|
Granted | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Base | |
|
Expiration | |
|
At Date of | |
Name |
|
Option | |
|
(#)(1) | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Price($/Sh) | |
|
Date | |
|
Grant ($)(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Richard A. Meeusen
|
|
|
NQ |
|
|
|
3,300 |
|
|
|
14.6 |
|
|
|
36.65 |
|
|
|
5/9/15 |
|
|
|
38,016 |
|
Ronald H. Dix
|
|
|
NQ |
|
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
36.65 |
|
|
|
5/9/15 |
|
|
|
25,920 |
|
Horst E. Gras
|
|
|
NQ |
|
|
|
1,800 |
|
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
36.65 |
|
|
|
5/9/15 |
|
|
|
20,736 |
|
Richard E. Johnson
|
|
|
NQ |
|
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
36.65 |
|
|
|
5/9/15 |
|
|
|
25,920 |
|
Daniel D. Zandron
|
|
|
NQ |
|
|
|
1,800 |
|
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
36.65 |
|
|
|
5/9/15 |
|
|
|
20,736 |
|
|
|
(1) |
NQ options are non-qualified stock options for
purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
option base price is the fair market value of the stock at the
time of the grant. Options become fully exercisable five years
after date of grant or upon a defined change of control.
Termination of employment for any reason other than death,
disability or retirement will result in the cancellation of the
unexercisable options. The option term is ten years. |
|
(2) |
The current present value at date of grant was computed under
the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following
assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 3.9%; dividend yield of
1.42%; expected market price volatility factor of 30.1%; and a
weighted average expected life of 6.1 years. |
Aggregated Option Exercises in 2005 and Year-End Option
Values
The following table sets forth certain information concerning
the exercise in 2005 of options to purchase Common Stock by the
individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table and the
unexercised options to purchase Common Stock held by such
individuals at December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Underlying | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Unexercised Options at | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value Realized | |
|
FY-End (#) | |
|
FY-End ($) | |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) | |
|
($) | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Richard A. Meeusen
|
|
|
1,904 |
|
|
|
33,587 |
|
|
|
37,304/30,300 |
|
|
|
931,574/709,467 |
|
Ronald H. Dix
|
|
|
7,648 |
|
|
|
183,917 |
|
|
|
26,248/21,250 |
|
|
|
634,230/496,912 |
|
Horst E. Gras
|
|
|
11,250 |
|
|
|
316,385 |
|
|
|
3,750/15,400 |
|
|
|
71,681/357,946 |
|
Richard E. Johnson
|
|
|
4,700 |
|
|
|
100,110 |
|
|
|
18,900/21,250 |
|
|
|
486,735/496,912 |
|
Daniel D. Zandron
|
|
|
10,442 |
|
|
|
277,855 |
|
|
|
15,442/17,400 |
|
|
|
396,732/407,926 |
|
11
Equity Compensation Plan Information as of December 31,
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available | |
|
|
Securities to be | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
for Future Issuance | |
|
|
Issued upon | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
under Equity | |
|
|
Exercise of | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Compensation Plans | |
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
Options, | |
|
(Excluding | |
|
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
Warrants and | |
|
Securities Reflected | |
Plan Category |
|
and Rights (#) | |
|
Rights($) | |
|
in Column 1)(#) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCK OPTION PLANS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1989 Plan
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
9.19 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
1993 Plan
|
|
|
2,600 |
|
|
|
18.77 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
1995 Plan
|
|
|
67,340 |
|
|
|
14.88 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
1997 Plan
|
|
|
163,618 |
|
|
|
15.39 |
|
|
|
2,188 |
|
|
1999 Plan
|
|
|
294,520 |
|
|
|
14.51 |
|
|
|
10,480 |
|
|
2003 Plan
|
|
|
115,800 |
|
|
|
14.00 |
|
|
|
274,600 |
|
|
2002 DIRECTOR STOCK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GRANT PLAN:
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
2005 RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN:
|
|
|
15,500 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
34,500 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Total
|
|
|
660,378 |
|
|
|
14.69 |
|
|
|
326,768 |
|
Pension Plan Table
The Company maintains a defined benefit pension plan (the
Pension Plan) covering all domestic salaried
employees including certain of the above-named executive
officers. Effective January 1, 1997, the Pension Plan was
modified to become a cash balance plan. Under this
approach, a participant has an account balance which is credited
each year with dollar amounts equal to 5% of compensation, plus
2% of compensation in excess of the Social Security wage base.
Interest is credited to the account balance each year at a rate
of interest based upon
30-year
U.S. Treasury securities. A starting balance was
established for each participant based upon December 31,
1996 accrued benefits under the prior Pension Plan formula.
Additional annual dollar amounts are credited to the accounts of
participants with Pension Plan participation prior to
January 1, 1997 based on their service on January 1,
1997. These additional annual credits are 3% for those with less
than 11 years; 4% for those with 11 to 20 years; and
5% for those with 21 or more years. The additional credits will
apply for years after 1996 for each year of continued employment
but limited to the lesser of 15 years or the number of the
participants years of credited service as of
December 31, 1996. At retirement, a participant may elect a
cash payment of the account balance or a life annuity of
equivalent value.
Mr. Meeusen, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Zandron are
eligible for benefits under the cash balance plan, but are not
eligible for benefits under the prior plans final average
pay formula. The estimated total annual benefits payable to
those executives under the cash balance plan at age 65 are
$99,215 for Mr. Meeusen, $44,898 for Mr. Johnson, and
$60,643 for Mr. Zandron. These projected benefits were
determined assuming no future increases in pay and interest
credited to the cash balance account at a rate of 5%.
Mr. Dix, because of his age and service, is expected to
obtain retirement benefits according to the prior plans
final average pay formula, which has been retained under the
modified Pension Plan as a minimum benefit for employees who had
attained age 50 and completed 10 or more years of service
as of December 31, 1996.
12
Under the prior formula, the monthly pension at normal
retirement (age 65) for all executive officers is equal to
the sum of nine-tenths percent (0.9%) of the participants
average monthly compensation (based on the highest
60 months of the last 120 months compensation)
multiplied by the participants years of service, not to
exceed 30; and six-tenths percent (0.6%) of the
participants average monthly compensation in excess of
covered compensation, multiplied by the participants years
of service, not to exceed 30. IRS regulations limit the amount
of compensation to be considered in benefit calculations to
$210,000 in 2005, and varying amounts for prior years.
Participants whose compensation is in excess of the IRS limits
also participate in a non-qualified unfunded supplemental
retirement plan. Benefits from this plan are calculated to
provide the participant the same pension benefits as if there
was no compensation limit.
Based on the assumption that retirement occurs at age 65,
the following table shows the approximate annual retirement
benefit payable from either the funded or unfunded plan to
salaried employees retiring in 2005, based on the benefit
formula described above.
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years of Service | |
Average Annual |
|
| |
Compensation ($) |
|
10 | |
|
15 | |
|
20 | |
|
25 | |
|
30 | |
|
35 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
250,000
|
|
|
34,578 |
|
|
|
51,867 |
|
|
|
69,156 |
|
|
|
86,446 |
|
|
|
103,735 |
|
|
|
103,735 |
|
300,000
|
|
|
42,078 |
|
|
|
63,117 |
|
|
|
84,156 |
|
|
|
105,196 |
|
|
|
126,235 |
|
|
|
126,235 |
|
350,000
|
|
|
49,578 |
|
|
|
74,367 |
|
|
|
99,156 |
|
|
|
123,946 |
|
|
|
148,735 |
|
|
|
148,735 |
|
400,000
|
|
|
57,078 |
|
|
|
85,617 |
|
|
|
114,156 |
|
|
|
142,696 |
|
|
|
171,235 |
|
|
|
171,235 |
|
450,000
|
|
|
64,578 |
|
|
|
96,867 |
|
|
|
129,156 |
|
|
|
161,446 |
|
|
|
193,735 |
|
|
|
193,735 |
|
500,000
|
|
|
72,078 |
|
|
|
108,117 |
|
|
|
144,156 |
|
|
|
180,196 |
|
|
|
216,235 |
|
|
|
216,235 |
|
550,000
|
|
|
79,578 |
|
|
|
119,367 |
|
|
|
159,156 |
|
|
|
198,946 |
|
|
|
238,735 |
|
|
|
238,735 |
|
Compensation covered by the Defined Benefit Plan is a
participants salary and bonus, as shown in the Summary
Compensation Table, whether or not such compensation has been
deferred at the participants election.
The above table does not reflect limitations imposed by the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), as
amended, on pensions paid under federal income tax qualified
plans. However, an executive officer covered by the
Companys unfunded program will receive the full pension to
which he would be entitled in the absence of such limitations.
There are 24 years of credited service under the Pension
Plan for Mr. Dix. The current remuneration for this
individual for purposes of the Pension Plan is set forth in the
Summary Compensation Table.
In 1990, Mr. Dix agreed to the cancellation of
substantially all of his post-retirement group term life
insurance in exchange for an unfunded supplemental retirement
plan. This plan provides for the payment of 20% of his final
monthly salary for 120 months after retirement. Assuming no
increase in salary before retirement, Mr. Dix would be paid
an additional annual pension of $48,000.
In 2005, the Company established an unfunded, non-qualified
supplemental retirement plan known as the Badger Meter
Executive Supplemental Plan for Key Employees, and the
current participants are Messrs. Meeusen and Johnson. Under
the terms of the Plan, and solely for the purpose of measuring
the total amount due the participants, the Company will credit
to an account for each participant, on the last day of each
month, an amount equal to 7.5% of the participants base
compensation for that month. Interest shall be credited to
amounts in the account at a rate equal to the prime rate of
interest as of the first business day of each calendar year.
Upon retirement, the accumulated balance in a participants
account can be withdrawn in a lump sum or over a
10-year period, with
interest continuing to accrue. Assuming no change in salary or
interest rates before a retirement age of 65,
Messrs. Meeusen and Johnson would be paid an additional
annual pension averaging $112,000 and $66,000, respectively, for
the 10-year period
after retirement.
Mr. Gras, a German resident and citizen, is not covered by
the defined benefit pension plan. The Company, through its
European subsidiary, provides Mr. Gras with an insurance
policy that provides benefits similar to those of the other
named executives covered by the cash balance plan.
13
Corporate Governance Committee Report on Executive
Compensation
In addition to its responsibilities relating to corporate
governance, the Corporate Governance Committee administers the
Companys executive compensation program. The Governance
Committee is composed of four nonemployee directors. Following
the Governance Committees review and approval, all matters
related to its activities are reported to the full Board of
Directors for approval.
The compensation policies that are used as a general guideline
by the Governance Committee as it carries out its duties are as
follows:
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|
|
The design of executive pay programs should attract and retain
qualified executive officers, motivate and reward performance; |
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|
|
Achievement of annual incentive compensation levels requires
attainment of performance goals as approved by the Governance
Committee; |
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|
|
Long-term incentive programs must focus on the enhancement of
shareholder value through the use of stock options, restricted
stock and long-term cash incentives; and |
|
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|
The Governance Committee uses its judgment to achieve a fair and
competitive compensation structure, utilizing both short-term
and long-term plans, with fixed and variable components. |
In making its decisions, the Governance Committee reviews:
|
|
|
|
|
Competitive compensation data for organizations of similar size
and similar business activity, considering both base salary and
bonus data separately, on a combined basis and total cash and
noncash compensation; |
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|
Financial performance for the Company as a whole and for various
product lines, relative to prior year, the budget and other
meaningful financial data; and |
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|
|
Personal performance, including objectives approved by the
Governance Committee and on a discretionary basis, where
appropriate. |
The compensation program for the executive officers of the
Company involves base salaries, short-term annual cash incentive
bonuses and a long-term program using stock options, restricted
stock and cash incentives.
Base Salaries. Salary rates are established for each
officer by the Governance Committee, using data supplied by an
independent consulting firm on organizations of similar size and
similar business activity. The compensation survey incorporates
privately-held as well as publicly-held companies of similar
size, and has a broader definition of similar business activity,
thereby providing the best basis for evaluating compensation
relative to the companies that compete with the Company for
executives. The data includes salaries, total cash compensation
and, total compensation. In establishing the compensation of
each officer, including the President and Chief Executive
Officer, the Governance Committee is given a five-year history,
including base salary, short-term incentive awards, and
long-term compensation programs. This process has been
consistently used by the Governance Committee for the past
15 years. The Companys policy is to pay executives at
market, with appropriate adjustments for performance and levels
of responsibility.
Base salary increases approved for 2006 by the Governance
Committee ranged from 2.0 to 7.9 percent, with the
President and Chief Executive Officers compensation
increasing 5.0 percent, after evaluation of the factors set
forth above relative to each individuals circumstances and
performance.
Short-Term Incentive Plan. Under the 2005 short-term
incentive plan, the target bonus payable is 66 percent of
base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer and
55-60.5 percent for the other named executive officers. Two
factors are used for the short-term incentive plan
financial and predetermined performance objectives. The
financial factor is based on the attainment of a certain level
of earnings before interest and taxes for the Company, approved
at the beginning of each year by the Governance Committee. The
target bonus can be adjusted up or down 10 percent
depending on an individuals performance. For 2005, bonuses
were paid to the executive officers upon achievement of goals.
14
Long-Term Incentive Plans/ Stock Option Plans. A
long-term compensation program, which includes the
Companys Stock Option Plans, presents an opportunity for
the officers to gain or increase their equity interests in the
Company. All of the stock options were granted at the market
price on the date of grant and are based on a factor of
compensation.
The Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan provides annual cash
bonuses to the members of the management group with respect to a
four-year performance period. The awards are based upon annual
attainment of earnings objectives for each year, as established
by the Board of Directors. The plan in effect for 2005 was put
in place for 2002-2005.
Section 162(m) Limitations. It is anticipated that
all 2005 compensation to executive officers will be fully
deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code and therefore
the Governance Committee determined that a policy with respect
to qualifying compensation paid to certain executive officers
for deductibility is not necessary.
The foregoing report has been approved by all members of the
Governance Committee.
|
|
|
Corporate Governance Committee |
|
Kenneth P. Manning, Chairman |
|
Ulice Payne, Jr. |
|
Andrew J. Policano |
|
John J. Stollenwerk |
Audit and Compliance Committee Report
The Audit and Compliance Committee (the Audit
Committee) is a committee of independent directors whose
responsibilities on behalf of the Board of Directors (the
Board) include the oversight of financial and
compliance processes and procedures. Specifically, the Audit
Committee oversees the integrity of the Companys financial
statements, the Companys compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements, the independent auditors
qualifications and independence, the performance of the
Companys internal audit function and independent auditors,
and the Companys system of disclosure controls and system
of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal
compliance and ethics that management and the Board have
established. The Audit Committee is required to meet at least
quarterly and report to the Board regularly. It met five times
in 2005.
The Audit Committee is vested with all responsibilities and
authority required by
Rule 10A-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. It is comprised of the four
members of the Board of Directors named below, each of whom is
independent as required by the American Stock Exchange and
U.S. Securities Exchange Commission rules currently in
effect. The Board evaluates the independence of the directors on
at least an annual basis. All four members of the Audit
Committee have been determined by the Board to be audit
committee financial experts as defined by Securities and
Exchange Commission rules. The Audit Committee acts under a
written charter, available on the Companys website at
www.badgermeter.com.
Company management (Management) has the primary
responsibility for the preparation of financial statements and
the reporting process, including the systems of internal
controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the
Audit Committee reviewed with Management the Companys
audited financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2005, including discussion regarding the
propriety of the application of accounting principles by the
Company, the reasonableness of significant judgments and
estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements,
and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
Management represented to the Audit Committee that the
Companys financial statements were prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States. The Audit Committee also reviewed and discussed the
Companys audited 2005 financial statements with the
Companys independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP,
who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity
of the Companys audited financial statements with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
15
Ernst & Young LLP provided the Audit Committee the
written disclosures and the letter required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (regarding independence
discussions with audit committees), and the Audit Committee
discussed with Ernst and Young LLP the firms independence
from Management and the Company, including the matters in those
written disclosures.
Prior to the audit, the Audit Committee discussed with
Ernst & Young LLP and the Companys internal
auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective
audits. Ernst and Young LLP then conducted their independent
audit. Following the audit, the Audit Committee met with
Ernst &Young LLP, with and without Management present,
to discuss the results of their audit examinations, their
evaluations of the Companys internal controls, and the
overall quality of the Companys financial reporting, as
well as the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61 (regarding communication with
audit committees), as amended, that were not otherwise covered
and other professional standards and regulatory requirements as
currently in effect.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the
Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited
financial statements be included in the Companys Annual
Report on
Form 10-K for
fiscal 2005 for filing with the US. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
All members of the Audit Committee have approved the foregoing
report.
|
|
|
Audit and Compliance Committee |
|
Thomas J. Fischer, Chairman |
|
Kenneth P. Manning |
|
Ulice Payne, Jr. |
|
Steven J. Smith |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Corporate Governance Committee met twice during 2005. There
were no Corporate Governance Committee interlocks.
16
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares on a cumulative basis the yearly
percentage change since January 1, 2001 in (a) the
total shareholder return on the Common Stock with (b) the
total return on the American Stock Exchange Corporate Index and
(c) the total return of a peer group made up of
11 companies in similar industries and with similar market
capitalization as selected by an independent consulting firm.
The graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2000. It
further assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The returns of
each component company in the peer group have also been weighted
based on such companys relative market capitalization.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return of
Company,
Peer Group and Broad Market
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31 ($) |
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Badger Meter
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
101.43 |
|
|
|
150.16 |
|
|
|
184.31 |
|
|
|
296.71 |
|
|
|
394.74 |
|
Peer Group*
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
49.22 |
|
|
|
44.23 |
|
|
|
65.78 |
|
|
|
66.44 |
|
|
|
69.83 |
|
Broad Market**
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
95.39 |
|
|
|
91.58 |
|
|
|
124.66 |
|
|
|
142.75 |
|
|
|
157.43 |
|
|
|
* |
Peer Group consists of Axcess, Inc., Badger Meter, Inc., Bio/
Rad Labs, Inc., Candela Corporation, Frequency Electronics,
Inc., Innovex, Inc., Integral Vision, Inc.,
K-Tron International,
Inc., Keithley Instruments, Inc., Newport Corporation, and
Research Frontiers, Inc. |
|
** |
Broad Market consists of the AMEX Market Index. |
17
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES
Ernst & Young LLP, the Companys independent
auditors for many years, has been selected to audit the Company
and its subsidiaries for 2006. Representatives of
Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Meeting to
respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if they
desire to do so. Fees for professional services provided by the
independent registered public accounting firm in each of the
last two fiscal years is as follows:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit(1)
|
|
$ |
560,100 |
|
|
$ |
509,100 |
|
Audit Related(2)
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
Tax
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees
|
|
$ |
575,100 |
|
|
$ |
564,100 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes annual financial statement audit, review of the
Companys quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q and
statutory audits required internationally. |
|
(2) |
Includes primarily internal control consultations in both years. |
As part of its duties, the Audit and Compliance Committee
pre-approves services provided by Ernst & Young LLP. In
selecting Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2006, the Audit Committee has
determined that the non-audit services provided by
Ernst & Young LLP are compatible with maintaining the
independence of Ernst & Young LLP. No additional
non-audit services will be performed without the
Committees prior approval.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires the Companys officers and directors to file
reports concerning the ownership of Company equity securities
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Company.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished
to the Company, the Company believes that all reports required
by Section 16(a) to be filed by the Company on behalf of
the Companys insiders were filed on a timely basis.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company has filed an Annual Report on
Form 10-K with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for its fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005. The
Form 10-K is
posted on the Companys Web site at www.badgermeter.com.
The Company will provide a copy of this
Form 10-K without
exhibits to each person who is a record or beneficial holder of
shares of Common Stock on the record date for the Meeting. The
Company will provide a copy of the exhibits without charge to
each person who is a record or beneficial holder of shares of
Common Stock on the record date for the Meeting who submits a
written request for it. Requests for copies of the
Form 10-K should
be addressed to Secretary, Badger Meter, Inc., 4545 West
Brown Deer Road, P.O. Box 245036, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53224-9536;
(414) 355-0400.
Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
services that deliver the Companys communications to
shareholders that hold their stock through a bank, broker or
other holder of record may deliver to multiple shareholders
sharing the same address a single copy of the Companys
annual report to shareholders and proxy statement. Upon written
or oral request, the Company will promptly deliver a separate
copy of the annual report to shareholders and/or proxy statement
to any shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of
each document was delivered, or a single copy to any
shareholders sharing the same address to whom multiple copies
were delivered. Shareholders may notify the Company of their
requests by writing or calling the Secretary, Badger Meter,
Inc., 4545 West Brown Deer Road, P.O. Box 245306,
Milwaukee, WI, 53224-9536; (414) 355-0400.
18
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the
Company. Brokers, nominees and custodians who hold stock in
their names and who solicit proxies from the beneficial owners
will be reimbursed by the Company for
out-of-pocket and
reasonable clerical expenses.
The Board of Directors does not intend to present at the Meeting
any matters other than those set forth herein and does not
presently know of any other matters that may be presented at the
Meeting by others. However, if any other matters should properly
come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons
named in the enclosed proxy to vote said proxy on any such
matters in accordance with their best judgment.
A shareholder wishing to include a proposal in the proxy
statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant
to Rule 14a-8
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(Rule 14a-8),
must forward the proposal to the Secretary of the Company by
November 21, 2006.
A shareholder who intends to present business, other than a
shareholders proposal pursuant to
Rule 14a-8, at the
2007 Annual Meeting (including nominating persons for election
as directors) must comply with the requirements set forth in the
Companys Restated
By-Laws. Among other
things, to bring business before an annual meeting, a
shareholder must give written notice thereof, complying with the
Restated By-Laws, to the Secretary of the Company not less than
60 days and not more than 90 days prior to the second
Saturday in the month of April (subject to certain exceptions if
the annual meeting is advanced or delayed a certain number of
days). Accordingly, if the Company does not receive notice of a
shareholder proposal submitted otherwise than pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 between
January 14, 2007 and February 13, 2007, then the
notice will be considered untimely and the Company will not be
required to present such proposal at the 2007 Annual Meeting. If
the Board of Directors chooses to present such proposal at the
2007 Annual Meeting, then the persons named in proxies solicited
by the Board of Directors for the 2007 Annual Meeting may
exercise discretionary voting power with respect to such
proposal.
|
|
|
William R. A. Bergum |
|
Secretary |
March 21, 2006
19
PROXY
2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
BADGER METER, INC.
The undersigned hereby appoints Richard A. Meeusen, Ronald H. Dix and William R.A. Bergum, or
any of them, as proxies for the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Badger Meter,
Inc. to be held on Friday, April 28, 2006, at Badger Meter, Inc., 4545 W. Brown Deer Road,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 8:30 a.m., local time, and any adjournments or postponements thereof, to
vote the shares of stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote at said Meeting or any
adjournment or postponements thereof hereby revoking any other Proxy executed by the undersigned
for such Meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and the Proxy Statement.
This Proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the
undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, the Proxy will be voted FOR the election
of the nominees listed. This Proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.
COMPLETE AND SIGN BELOW. DETACH AND RETURN USING THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
BADGER METER, INC. 2006 ANNUAL MEETING
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1. |
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: |
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THREE-YEAR TERM:
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1 |
Ulice Payne, Jr.
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2
|
Andrew J. Policano
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3
|
Steven J. Smith |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT |
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for a nominee, write the nominees name in the space
provided below.)
2. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may
properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
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Date
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, 2006 |
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Please sign exactly as your name appears
on your stock certificate as shown
directly to the left. Joint owners should
each sign personally. A corporation
should sign in full corporate name by duly
authorized officers. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee
or guardian, give full title as such. |