UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
BADGER METER, INC.
on behalf of
BADGER METER EMPLOYEE SAVINGS AND STOCK
OWNERSHIP PLAN
4545 W. BROWN DEER ROAD
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53223
(414) 355-0400
A Wisconsin Corporation
IRS Employer Identification No. 39-0143280
Commission File No. 1-6706
Item 4 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
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a) Previous Independent Auditors for Savings and Stock Ownership Plan
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The Audit and Compliance Committee (the "Committee") that
administers the Badger Meter Employee Savings and Stock Ownership
Plan (the "Plan") notified Ernst & Young LLP that its appointment
as independent auditors for the Plan was terminated. Ernst & Young
LLP will continue to act as independent auditors for Badger Meter,
Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company").
The audit reports issued by Ernst & Young LLP on the financial
statements of the Plan for each of the fiscal years ended December
31, 2002 and 2001 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of
opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit
scope or accounting principles.
In connection with Ernst & Young LLP's audits for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and through May 21, 2004, the Plan
has had no disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure,
or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved
to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP would have caused Ernst &
Young LLP to make reference thereto in their report on the Plan's
financial statements for such years.
The Company provided Ernst & Young LLP with a copy of the foregoing
disclosures. Attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on
Form 8-K is a copy of Ernst & Young LLP's letter, dated May 26,
2004, stating its agreement with such disclosure.
b) New Independent Auditors for Savings and Stock Ownership Plan
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As of May 21, 2004, the Committee has engaged Wipfli LLP as
independent auditors for the Plan. The engagement of Wipfli LLP to
audit the Plan's financial statements was approved by the Committee
and the engagement relates only to the audit of the Plan's
financial statements. During the two most recent fiscal years and
through May 21, 2004, neither the Plan nor the Company have
consulted with Wipfli LLP regarding any of the matters identified
in Item 304(a)(2)(i) or (ii) of Regulation S-K.
Item 7 Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
(c) Exhibits. The following exhibit is being filed herewith:
(16.1) Letter from Ernst & Young LLP to the Securities and
Exchange Commission dated May 26, 2004
SIGNATURE
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BADGER METER, INC.
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Dated: May 26, 2004 By /s/ Richard A. Meeusen
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Richard A. Meeusen
Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer
By /s/ Richard E. Johnson
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Richard E. Johnson
Senior Vice President - Finance, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
By /s/ Beverly L.P. Smiley
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Beverly L.P. Smiley
Vice President - Controller
EXHIBIT INDEX TO THE CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
Exhibit No. Description
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16.1 Letter from Ernst & Young LLP to the Securities and Exchange
Commission dated May 26, 2004
2