Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy that has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable, with use of the lowest possible level of input to determine fair value.

Level 1 — Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. The Company had none of these instruments at August 31, 2014 or 2013.

Level 2 — Valuations for assets and liabilities obtained from readily available pricing sources via independent providers for market transactions involving similar assets or liabilities. The Company had no Level 2 assets or liabilities at August 31, 2014 or 2013.

Level 3 — Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities. The Company had one Level 3 liability at August 31, 2014 and 2013, the Tap Participation Fee liability, which is described in greater detail in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 7 – Long-Term Debt And Operating Lease.

The Company maintains policies and procedures to value instruments using the best and most relevant data available.

The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis consist entirely of its investments in water and water systems and other long-lived assets held for sale. See Note 4 – Water and Land Assets for impairment of water rights and land with the associated water rights held for sale.

Level 3 Liability – Tap Participation Fee. The Company’s Tap Participation Fee liability is the Company’s only financial liability measured on a non-recurring basis. The Tap Participation Fee liability is valued by projecting new home development in the Company’s targeted service area over an estimated development period. Due to the long-term nature of the Tap Participation Fee, the valuation of the Tap Participation Fee is not sensitive to minor changes. See further description of the Tap Participation Fee in Note 7 – Long-Term Debt and Operating Lease.

The following table provides information on the assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of August 31, 2014:

Although not required, the Company deems the following table, which presents the changes in the Tap Participation Fee for the year ended August 31, 2014, to be helpful to the users of its financial statements:

The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are discussed above. The methodologies for other financial assets and liabilities are discussed below.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are reported using the values as reported by the financial institution where the funds are held. These securities primarily include balances in the Company’s operating and savings accounts. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.

Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable: The carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the relatively short period to maturity for these instruments.

Long-term Financial Liabilities: The Comprehensive Amendment Agreement No. 1 the “CAA” is comprised of a recorded balance and an off-balance sheet or “contingent” obligation associated with the Company’s acquisition of its “Rangeview Water Supply” (defined in Note 4 below). The amount payable is a fixed amount but is repayable only upon the sale of “Export Water” (defined in Note 4 below). Because of the uncertainty of the sale of Export Water, the Company has determined that the contingent portion of the CAA does not have a determinable fair value. The CAA is described further in Note 5 – Participating Interests in Export Water.

The recorded balance of the “Tap Participation Fee” liability (as described below) is its estimated fair value determined by projecting new home development in the Company’s targeted service area over an estimated development period. 

Notes Receivable – Related Party: The fair value of the Note Receivable – Related Party is not practicable to estimate due to the related party nature of the underlying transactions.

Receivable from HP A&M: In conjunction with HP A&M defaulting on certain promissory notes, the Company has the right to collect from HP A&M any amounts the Company spends to cure the defaulted notes. Accordingly the Company has recorded the entire amount of the HP A&M notes as a receivable from HP A&M. Due to the fact that HP A&M was a related party the fair value of the accounts receivable is not practical to determine. As of August 31, 2013 the receivable was deemed current as the notes were in default and considered collectible upon demand. As of August 31, 2014 the notes have been through foreclosure and are now considered long-term as they are subject to litigation as discussed further in Note 12 – Litigation Loss Contingencies.

Mortgages Payable: During fiscal 2013, the Company began acquiring the defaulted and non-defaulted promissory notes that are payable by HP A&M in exchange for a combination of cash and promissory notes. The majority of the notes issued by the Company have a five-year term, bear interest at an annual rate of five percent (5%) and require semi-annual payments with a straight-line amortization schedule. The carrying value of the notes payable approximate the fair value as the rates are comparable to market rates.

Off-Balance Sheet Instruments: The Company’s off-balance sheet instruments consist entirely of the contingent portion of the CAA. Because repayment of this portion of the CAA is contingent on the sale of Export Water, which is not reasonably estimable, the Company has determined that the contingent portion of the CAA does not have a determinable fair value. See further discussion in Note 5 – Participating Interests In Export Water.