BOC Boston Omaha Corporation

Consolidation Policy

The financial statements of Boston Omaha Corporation include the accounts of the Company and our consolidated subsidiaries, which are comprised of voting interest entities in which we have a controlling financial interest and a variable interest entity, Yellowstone, in which we are the primary beneficiary in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation. The equity attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries is shown separately in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  All significant intercompany profits, losses, transactions, and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) 

We determine whether an entity is a VIE and, if so, whether it should be consolidated by utilizing judgments and estimates that are inherently subjective. Our determination of whether an entity in which we hold a direct or indirect variable interest is a VIE is based on several factors, including whether the entity’s total equity investment at risk upon inception is sufficient to finance the entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support. We make judgments regarding the sufficiency of the equity at risk based first on a qualitative analysis, and then a quantitative analysis, if necessary.

We analyze any investments in VIEs to determine if we are the primary beneficiary. In evaluating whether we are the primary beneficiary, we evaluate our direct and indirect economic interests in the entity. A reporting entity is determined to be the primary beneficiary if it holds a controlling financial interest in the VIE. Determining which reporting entity, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is primarily a qualitative approach focused on identifying which reporting entity has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact such entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from such entity that could potentially be significant to such entity. Performance of that analysis requires the exercise of judgment.

We consider a variety of factors in identifying the entity that holds the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance including, but not limited to, the ability to direct operating decisions and activities. In addition, we consider the rights of other investors to participate in those decisions. We determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time we become involved with a variable interest entity and reconsider that conclusion continually.

We consolidate any VIE of which we are the primary beneficiary.  Such VIEs consist of 24th Street Fund I and 24th Street Fund II, collectively “the 24th Street Funds,” and Fund One Boston Omaha Build for Rent LP, which we refer to as "BFR". 

Total assets of the consolidated VIEs included within our consolidated balance sheets were approximately $96,000,000 and $96,500,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Total liabilities of the consolidated VIEs included within our consolidated balance sheets were approximately $200,000 and $132,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the aggregate fair value of the 24th Street Funds’ and BFR's investments in special purpose entities was approximately $63,000,000 and $65,000,000, respectively. The assets of the consolidated VIEs may only be used to settle obligations of the same VIE.

Our consolidated subsidiaries at  March 31, 2024 include: 

Link Media Holdings, LLC which we refer to as “LMH”

Link Media Alabama, LLC which we refer to as “LMA”

Link Media Florida, LLC which we refer to as “LMF”

Link Media Wisconsin, LLC which we refer to as “LMW”

Link Media Georgia, LLC which we refer to as “LMG”

Link Media Midwest, LLC which we refer to as “LMM”

Link Media Omaha, LLC which we refer to as “LMO”

Link Media Properties, LLC which we refer to as “LMP”

Link Media Southeast, LLC which we refer to as “LMSE”

Link Media Services, LLC which we refer to as “LMS”

Link Billboards Oklahoma, LLC which we refer to as “LBO”

General Indemnity Group, LLC which we refer to as “GIG”

United Casualty and Surety Insurance Company which we refer to as “UCS”

South Coast Surety Insurance Services, LLC which we refer to as “SCS”

Boston Omaha Investments, LLC which we refer to as “BOIC”

Boston Omaha Asset Management, LLC which we refer to as “BOAM”

Fund One Boston Omaha Build for Rent LP which we refer to as “BFR”

BOAM BFR, LLC which we refer to as “BOAM BFR”

BOC Business Services, LLC which we refer to as “BBS” 

BOC Ops, LLC which we refer to as "BOC Ops"

Yellowstone Acquisition Company which we refer to as “Yellowstone”

BOC Yellowstone, LLC which we refer to as “BOC Yellowstone”

BOC Yellowstone II, LLC which we refer to as “BOC Yellowstone II”

24th Street Asset Management LLC which we refer to as “24th Street”

24th Street Fund I, LLC which we refer to as “24th Street Fund I”

24th Street Fund II, LLC which we refer to as “24th Street Fund II”

Boston Omaha Broadband, LLC which we refer to as “BOB”

FIF AireBeam, LLC which we refer to as “AireBeam”

Fiber Fast Homes, LLC which we refer to as “FFH”

FIF Utah, LLC which we refer to as “FIF Utah”

FIF St George, LLC which we refer to as “FIF St George” 

Revenues

The majority of our advertising revenues are derived from contracts for advertising space on billboard structures and broadband internet services and are accounted for under Financial Accounting Standards Board, which we refer to as the “FASB,” Accounting Standards Codification, which we refer to as “ASC,” 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and under under ASC 840, Leases.

Premium revenues derived from our insurance operations are subject to ASC 944, Financial Services – Insurance.

Revenue Recognition

Billboard Rentals

We generate revenue from outdoor advertising through the leasing of advertising space on billboards. The terms of the contracts range from less than one month to three years and are generally billed monthly. Revenue for advertising space rental is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Advertising revenue is reported net of agency commissions. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for operations. Payments received in advance of being earned are recorded as deferred revenue.    

Another component of billboard rentals consists of production services which include creating and printing advertising copy. Contract revenues for production services are accounted for under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Revenues are recognized at a point in time upon satisfaction of the contract, which is typically less than one week. 

Practical expedients and exemptions: The Company is utilizing the following practical expedients and exemptions from ASC 606. We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period is one year or less. These costs are recorded within costs of billboard revenues exclusive of depreciation and amortization. We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations as the majority of our contracts with customers have an original expected length of less than one year. For contracts with customers which exceed one year, the future amount to be invoiced to the customer corresponds directly with the value to be received by the customer.

Deferred Revenues

We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received in advance of being earned or when we have an unconditional right to consideration before satisfying our performance obligation. The term between invoicing and when a payment is due is not significant. For certain services we require payment before the product or services are delivered to the customer. The balance of deferred revenue is considered short-term and will be recognized in revenue within twelve months.

Premiums and Unearned Premium Reserves

Premiums written are recognized as revenues based on a pro-rata daily calculation over the respective terms of the policies in-force. The cost of reinsurance ceded is initially written as prepaid reinsurance premiums and is amortized over the reinsurance contract period in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Premiums ceded of $878,017 and $338,262 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are included within “Premiums earned” in our consolidated statements of operations.

Commissions

We generate revenue from commissions on surety bond sales and account for commissions under ASC 606. Insurance commissions are earned from various insurance companies based upon our agency agreements with them. We arrange with various insurance companies for the provision of a surety bond for entities that require a surety bond. The insurance company sets the price of the bond. The contract with the insurance company is fulfilled when the bond is issued by the insurance agency on behalf of the insurance company. The insurance commissions are calculated based upon a stated percentage applied to the gross premiums on bonds. Commissions are recognized at a point in time, on a bond-by-bond basis as of the policy effective date and are generally nonrefundable.

Broadband Revenues

Broadband revenue is derived principally from internet services and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract in the period the services are rendered.  Revenue received or receivable in advance of the delivery of services is included in deferred revenue.

Credit Losses

We estimate credit losses on financial instruments based on amounts expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is estimated based on historical collections, accounts receivable aging, economic indicators, and expected future trends.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the statement of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid investments, with the exception of U.S. Treasury securities, purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Cash Held by BOAM Funds and Other

Cash held by BOAM Funds and other represents cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated BOAM Funds and other consolidated entities. Such amounts are not available to fund the general liquidity needs of Boston Omaha.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses represent estimates for the ultimate cost of unpaid reported and unreported claims incurred and related expenses. We involve an independent, third-party actuary to assist us in the estimation of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses. Estimates are based on paid and incurred loss development factors and expected loss ratios, which are primarily driven by historical claims paid and incurred data and consideration of the level of premiums written during the current and prior year. Since the reserves are based on estimates, the ultimate liability may differ from the estimated reserve. The effects of changes in estimated reserves are included within cost of insurance revenues in our consolidated results of operations in the period in which the estimates are updated. The reserves are included within accounts payable and accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheets.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

We account for investments where we have significant influence but do not have a controlling interest, typically ownership of less than 50% and more than 20%, using the equity method of accounting. In accordance with ASC 323-30, we account for investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies using the equity method of accounting when our investment is more than minimal (greater than 3% to 5%). Our share of income (loss) of such entities is recorded as a single amount as equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates. Dividends, if any, are recorded as a reduction of the investment.

We monitor our equity method investments for factors indicating other-than-temporary impairment. We consider several factors when evaluating our investments, including, but not limited to, (i) the period of time for which the fair value has been less than the carrying value, (ii) operating and financial performance of the investee, (iii) the investee’s future business plans and projections, (iv) discussions with their management, and (v) our ability and intent to hold the investment until it recovers in value.

Retention of Specialized Accounting

Each of the 24th Street Funds, and Fund One Boston Omaha Build for Rent LP qualify as investment companies and apply specialized industry accounting. We report fund investments on our consolidated balance sheets at their estimated fair value, with gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within ‘Other investment income’ in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect different accounting policies for investments depending on whether or not they are held through a consolidated investment company.

Income Taxes

We compute our year-to-date provision for income taxes by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date pre-tax income or loss and adjust the provision for discrete tax items recorded in the period.

The realization of deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, is dependent on the generation of future taxable income sufficient to realize the tax deductions, carryforwards and credits. Valuation allowances on deferred tax assets are recognized if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized. 

Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, annual use of our net operating losses may be limited if it is determined that an ownership shift has occurred. An ownership shift is generally defined as a cumulative change in equity ownership by ‘‘5% shareholders’’ that exceeds 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. At this time, a Section 382 study has not been performed to determine if such an ownership shift has occurred.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that requires incremental segment disclosures on an annual and interim basis related to significant segment expenses. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2024 and interim periods within the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2025. The disclosure requirements must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires companies to disclose disaggregated information related to the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. This guidance is effective for public entities as of December 15, 2024. We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.