Note 3 - Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Notes to Financial Statements

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

3. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the Company's executive management in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company uses operating income and equity in earnings to assess segment performance.

Intersegment transactions are recorded at cost.

The reportable segments disclosed herein are defined as follows:

Gas Utility - The natural gas distribution segment of the Company generates revenue from its tariff rates and other regulatory mechanisms through which it provides for the sale and distribution of natural gas to its residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Investment in Affiliates - The investment in affiliates segment reflects the income generated through the activities of the Company's investment in the LLC.

Information related to the segments of the Company are provided below:

	Gas Utility		Investment in Affiliates			Consolidated Total
For the Year Ended September 30, 2024:
Operating revenues	$	84,533,101	$	—		$	84,533,101
Corporate and other		—		—			108,131
Total revenues		84,533,101		—			84,641,232
Depreciation and amortization		10,518,094		—			10,518,094
Operating income (loss)		17,130,480		(136,840	)		16,993,640
Corporate and other		—		—			88,120
Total operating income (loss)		17,130,480		(136,840	)		17,081,760
Equity in earnings		—		3,851,871			3,851,871
Interest expense		3,700,674		2,804,211			6,504,885
Income before income taxes		14,459,009		910,490			15,369,499
Corporate and other		—		—			88,008
Total income before income taxes	$	14,459,009	$	910,490		$	15,457,507
As of September 30, 2024:
Assets	$	280,508,989	$	21,324,361		$	301,833,350
Corporate and other		—		—			18,865,873
Total assets		280,508,989		21,324,361			320,699,223
Gross additions to utility property		22,094,406		—			22,094,406
Gross investment in affiliates	$	—	$	18,258		$	18,258

	Gas Utility		Investment in Affiliates			Consolidated Total
For the Year Ended September 30, 2023:
Operating revenues	$	97,325,307	$	—		$	97,325,307
Corporate and other		—		—			114,458
Total revenues		97,325,307		—			97,439,765
Depreciation and amortization		9,764,678		—			9,764,678
Operating income (loss)		17,827,485		(233,067	)		17,594,418
Corporate and other		—		—			84,062
Total operating income (loss)		17,827,485		(233,067	)		17,678,480
Equity in earnings		—		2,084,990			2,084,990
Interest expense		3,216,220		2,402,585			5,618,805
Income (loss) before income taxes		15,260,605		(553,378	)		14,707,227
Corporate and other		—		—			83,966
Total income (loss) before income taxes	$	15,260,605	$	(553,378	)	$	14,791,193
As of September 30, 2023:
Assets	$	268,664,460	$	17,882,108		$	286,546,568
Corporate and other		—		—			17,182,772
Total assets		268,664,460		17,882,108			303,729,340
Gross additions to utility property		25,306,524		—			25,306,524
Gross investment in affiliates	$	—	$	2,133,534		$	2,133,534