NOTE 12 – LEASES

A lease provides the lessee the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”) are included in other assets while lease liabilities are a line-item on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Most operating leases contain renewal options that provide for rent increases based on prevailing market conditions. The terms used to calculate the ROU assets for certain properties include the renewal options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise.

The discount rate used to determine the commencement date present value of lease payments is the interest rate implicit in the lease, or when that is not readily determinable, the Company utilizes its secured borrowing rate. ROU assets include any lease payments required to be made prior to commencement and exclude lease incentives. Both ROU assets and lease liabilities exclude variable payments not based on an index or rate, which are treated as period costs. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain significant residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants.

The Company occupies office facilities under lease agreements that expire at various dates. In addition, office, production and transportation equipment is leased under agreements that expire at various dates. The Company does not have any significant finance leases. Total operating lease costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020 were $0.67 million and $0.68 million, respectively. Short-term lease costs during the 2021 and 2020 fiscal quarters ended September 30 were not material.

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, short term lease liabilities of $2.93 million and $0.81 million are included in “Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses” on the consolidated balance sheets, respectively. The table below presents total operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

The table below presents the maturities of operating lease liabilities as of September 30, 2021:

The table below presents the weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases and weighted average discount rate used in calculating operating lease right-of-use assets: