BADGER METER INC
S-8, 1995-08-30
TOTALIZING FLUID METERS & COUNTING DEVICES
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<PAGE>   1
                                                            Registration No. 33-


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549  
                            -----------------------
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                           --------------------------
                               BADGER METER, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


      Wisconsin                                              39-0143280
      ---------                                              ----------
 (State or other jurisdiction                                (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)



             4545 West Brown Deer Road
                Milwaukee, Wisconsin                     53223
           -----------------------------                 -----
      (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)


                   Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan
                             ----------------------
                            (Full title of the plan)


                               Deirdre C. Elliott
                               Badger Meter, Inc.
                           4545 West Brown Deer Road
                           Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223
                                 (414) 355-0400             
                          --------------------------
              (Name, address and telephone number, including area
                          code, of agent for service)

                           --------------------------


                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Title of               Amount           Proposed Maximum      Proposed Maximum
   Securities to be            to be            Offering Price      Aggregate Offering        Amount of
      Registered            Registered            Per Share*              Price*           Registration Fee
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>                       <C>                  <C>                    <C>
 Common Stock,
  $1.00 par value       100,000 shares             $ 25.50             $ 2,550,000            $ 879.32
=================================================================================================================
</TABLE>



*  Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933
   solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee based upon the
   market value of the shares of Common Stock as determined by the average of
   the high and low prices of the Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange
   on August 25, 1995.
<PAGE>   2

                                     PART I

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

             The document or documents containing the information specified in
Part I are not required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") as part of this Form S-8 Registration Statement.

                                    PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.      INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

             The following documents filed with the Commission by Badger Meter,
Inc. (the "Company") are hereby incorporated herein by reference:

             (a)     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1994, which includes audited financial statements as of and
for the year ended December 31, 1994.

             (b)     All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), since December 31, 1994.

             (c)     The description of the Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of the Company included in Registration Statement No. 0- 2596 on Form
8-A, dated July 26, 1971, as amended by Form 8, dated January 8, 1987, and any
amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

             All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of filing
of this Registration Statement and prior to such time as the Company files a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.

ITEM 4.      DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

             Not applicable.

ITEM 5.      INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

             The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed
on for the Company by Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Edwin P. Wiley, a
partner in the firm of Foley & Lardner, is a director of the Company.  As of
August 15, 1995, Foley & Lardner attorneys who participated in the preparation
of this Registration Statement, together with Mr. Wiley, beneficially owned
3,200 shares of the Company's Common Stock.

ITEM 6.      INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

             Pursuant to the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law and the
Company's Restated By-laws, as amended, directors and officers of the Company
are entitled to mandatory indemnification from the





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

Company against certain liabilities and expenses (i) to the extent such
officers or directors are successful in the defense of a proceeding and (ii) in
proceedings in which the director or officer is not successful in defense
thereof, unless (in the latter case only) it is determined that the director or
officer breached or failed to perform his duties to the Company and such breach
or failure constituted:  (a) a willful failure to deal fairly with the Company
or its shareholders in connection with a matter in which the director or
officer had a material conflict of interest; (b) a violation of the criminal
law unless the director or officer has reasonable cause to believe his or her
conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was
unlawful; (c) a transaction from which the director or officer derived an
improper personal profit; or (d) willful misconduct.  It should be noted that
the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law specifically states that it is the
public policy of Wisconsin to require or permit indemnification in connection
with a proceeding involving securities regulation, as described therein, to the
extent required or permitted as described above.  Additionally, under the
Wisconsin Business Corporation Law, directors of the Company are not subject to
personal liability to the Company, its shareholders or any person asserting
rights on behalf thereof for certain breaches or failures to perform any duty
resulting solely from their status as directors except in circumstances
paralleling those in subparagraphs (a) through (d) outlined above.

             The indemnification provided by the Wisconsin Business Corporation
Law and the Company's Restated By-laws is not exclusive of any other rights to
which a director or officer may be entitled.

             Expenses for the defense of any action for which indemnification
may be available may be advanced by the Company under certain circumstances.

             The Company maintains a liability insurance policy for its
directors and officers as permitted by Wisconsin law which may extend to, among
other things, liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

ITEM 7.      EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

             Not Applicable.

ITEM 8.      EXHIBITS.

             The following exhibits have been filed (except where otherwise
indicated) as part of this Registration Statement:

             (4.1)   Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan

             (4.2)   Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the
                     Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan

             (4.3)   Restated Articles of Incorporation of Badger Meter, Inc.
                     [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the
                     Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration
                     No. 33-65618)]

             (5.0)   Opinion of Foley & Lardner

             (23.1)  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

             (23.2)  Consent of Foley & Lardner (contained in Exhibit (5.0)
                     hereto)





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

             (24.1)  Power of Attorney relating to subsequent amendments
                     (included on the signature page of this Registration 
                     Statement)

ITEM 9.      UNDERTAKINGS.

(a)          The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

             (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
such information in the Registration Statement.

             (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.

             (3)     To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

(b)          The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

                                   SIGNATURES


             Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, on August 18,
1995.


                                         BADGER METER, INC.



                                         BY:      /s/ Deirdre C. Elliott
                                                  --------------------------
                                                  Deirdre C. Elliott
                                                  Vice President-Corporate
                                                  Counsel and Secretary



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


             Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.  Each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints James L. Forbes and Deirdre C.  Elliott, and
each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or either of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>                 
<CAPTION>                                                    
    Signature                                 Title                      Date
    ---------                                 -----                      ----
<S>                                   <C>                          <C>
/s/ James O. Wright                   Chairman of the        
- -------------------------             Board of Directors           August 18, 1995
James O. Wright                                              
                                                             
/s/ James L. Forbes                   President, Chief       
- -------------------------             Executive Officer      
James L. Forbes                       and Director                 August 18, 1995
                                                             
                                                             
                                                             
/s/ Robert M. Hoffer                  Director                     August 18, 1995
- -------------------------                                    
Robert M. Hoffer                                             
                                                             
                                                             
/s/ Charles F. James, Jr.             Director                     August 18, 1995
- -------------------------                                    
Charles F. James, Jr.                                        
                                                             
                                                             
/s/ Donald J. Schuenke                Director                     August 18, 1995
- -------------------------                                    
Donald J. Schuenke                                           
                                                             
                                                             
/s/ Warren R. Stumpe                  Director                     August 18, 1995
- -------------------------                                    
Warren R. Stumpe                                             
                                                             
                                                             
/s/ Edwin P. Wiley                    Director                     August 18, 1995
- -------------------------                                    
Edwin P. Wiley                                               
                                                             
                                                             
/s/ James O. Wright, Jr.              Director                     August 18, 1995
- -------------------------                                    
James O. Wright, Jr.                                         
                                                             
                                                             
/s/ Deirdre C. Elliott                Vice President-        
- -------------------------             Corporate Counsel      
Deirdre C. Elliott                    and Secretary                August 18, 1995
                       

                                                             
/s/ William J. Shinners               Vice President-        
- -------------------------             Controller                   August 18, 1995                       
William J. Shinners                   
</TABLE>                                                     
                                                             
                                                             



                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



EXHIBIT NO.                           EXHIBIT
- -----------                           -------
 (4.1)               Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan

 (4.2)               Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with 
                     the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan

 (4.3)               Restated Articles of Incorporation of Badger Meter, Inc.  
                     [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the 
                     Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 
                     (Registration No. 33-65618)]

 (5.0)               Opinion of Foley & Lardner

(23.1)               Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

(23.2)               Consent of Foley & Lardner (contained in Exhibit (5.0) 
                     hereto)

(24.1)               Power of Attorney relating to subsequent amendments 
                     (included on the signature page of this Registration 
                     Statement)






                                      -7-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                               BADGER METER, INC.
                             1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN

1.      Purpose

        The purpose of the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") is to promote the best interests of Badger Meter, Inc. (the
"Corporation") and its shareholders by encouraging key employees of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries to secure or increase on reasonable terms
their stock ownership in the Corporation.  The Board of Directors of the
Corporation believes the Plan will promote continuity of management, increased
incentive and personal interest in the welfare of the Corporation by those who
are primarily responsible for shaping and carrying out the long-range plans of
the Corporation and its subsidiaries and securing their continued growth and
financial success.  It is intended that certain of the options issued under the
Plan may constitute incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code ("Incentive Stock Options") and the remainder of
the options issued under the Plan will constitute non-qualified stock options
("Non-qualified Stock Options").

2.      Effective Date

        The Plan shall become effective on the date of adoption by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation (the "Board"), subject to the approval and
ratification of the Plan by the shareholders of the Corporation within twelve
(12) months of the date of adoption by the Board, and all options granted prior
to such shareholder approval shall be subject to such approval.

3.      Administration

        (a)      The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee
of the Board (the "Committee") as such Committee may be constituted from time
to time.  The Committee shall consist of not less than two members of the Board
selected by the Board, each of whom shall be a "disinterested person" within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange
Act"), or any successor rule or regulation thereto.  A majority of the members
of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.  All determinations of the
Committee shall be made by a majority of its members.  Any decision or
determination reduced to writing and signed by all of the members of the
Committee shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a majority vote at
a meeting duly called and held.

        (b)      Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall have complete authority to select the key employees to whom options shall
be granted, to determine the number of shares subject to each option, the time
at which the option is to be granted, the type of option, the option period,
the option price and the manner in which options become exercisable, and shall
establish such other terms and conditions of the options as the Committee may
deem necessary or desirable.  In making such determinations, the Committee may
take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective
employees, their present and potential contribution to the success of their
respective organizations and such other factors as the Committee in its
discretion shall deem relevant.  Subject to the express provisions of the Plan,
the Committee shall also have complete authority to interpret the Plan, to
prescribe, amend and rescind the rules and regulations relating to it, and to
make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of
the Plan.  The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in
this paragraph 3 shall be conclusive.

4.      Eligibility

        Any key employee ("Employee") of the Corporation or its present and
future subsidiaries, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code ("Subsidiaries"),
whose judgment, initiative and efforts contribute
<PAGE>   2

materially to the successful performance of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries
as determined by the Committee, shall be eligible to receive options under the
Plan.

5.      Shares Subject to the Plan

        The shares which may be issued pursuant to options under the Plan shall
be shares of the Corporation's Common Stock, $1.00 par value ("Stock"), and may
be either authorized and unissued or treasury shares.  The total number of
shares for which options may be granted and which may be purchased pursuant to
options under the Plan shall not exceed an aggregate of 100,000 shares, subject
to adjustment as provided in the following sentence and in paragraph 12 hereof.
If an option granted under the Plan expires, is canceled or terminates
unexercised as to any shares of Stock subject thereto, such shares shall again
be available for the granting of additional options under the Plan.

6.      Option Price

        The option price per share of Stock shall be fixed by the Committee,
but shall be not less than 50% (100% in the case of Incentive Stock Options) of
the fair market value of the Stock on the date the option is granted.  Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, the "fair market value" of Stock on the
date of grant shall be the closing price for a share of Stock on such date, or,
if such date is not a trading date, the next preceding trading date as quoted
on the American Stock Exchange Transaction Reporting System.

7.      Grant of Options

        Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may,
from time to time, grant to Employees options to purchase such number of shares
of Stock and on such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.  More
than one option may be granted to the same Employee.  The day on which the
Committee approves the granting of an option shall be considered as the date on
which such option is granted.

8.      Option Period

        The Committee shall determine the expiration date of each option, but
in the case of Incentive Stock Options such expiration date shall be not later
than ten (10) years after the date such option is granted.

9.      Maximum Per Participant

        The aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the option is
granted pursuant to paragraph 7) of the Stock with respect to which any
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Employee
during any calendar year under the Plan or any other such plan of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary shall not exceed $100,000.

10.     Exercise of Options

        An option may be exercised, subject to its terms and conditions and the
terms and conditions of the Plan, in full at any time or in part from time to
time by delivery to the Corporation at its principal office of a written notice
of exercise specifying the number of shares with respect to which the option is
being exercised.  Any notice of exercise shall be accompanied by full payment
of the option price of the shares being purchased (a) in cash or its
equivalent; (b) with the consent of the Committee, by delivering to the
Corporation shares of Stock (valued at their fair market value as of the date
of





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

exercise, as determined by the Committee consistent with the method of
valuation set forth in paragraphs 6 and 7); or (c) with the consent of the
Committee, by any combination of (a) and (b).

11.     Transferability

        To the extent required in order to comply with Rule 16b-3 or unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, no option shall be assignable or
transferable by an Employee other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and may be exercised during the life of the Employee only by the
Employee or his guardian or legal representative.

12.     Capital Adjustments Affecting Common Stock

        In the event of a capital adjustment resulting from a stock dividend,
stock split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation,
combination or exchange of shares or the like, the number of shares of Stock
subject to the Plan and the aggregate number, exercise price and class of
shares under option in outstanding option agreements shall be adjusted in a
manner consistent with such capital adjustment; provided, however, that no such
adjustment shall require the Corporation to sell any fractional shares.  The
determination of the Committee as to any adjustment shall be final.

13.     Corporate Mergers and Other Consolidations

        The Committee may also grant options having terms and provisions which
vary from those specified in the Plan provided that any options granted
pursuant to this paragraph are granted in substitution for, or in connection
with the assumption of, existing options granted by another corporation and
assumed or otherwise agreed to be provided for by the Corporation pursuant to
or by reason of a transaction involving a corporate merger, consolidation,
acquisition or other reorganization to which the Corporation is a party.

14.     Option Agreements

        All options granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by written
agreement (which need not be identical) in such form as the Committee shall
determine.  Each option agreement shall specify whether the option granted
thereunder is intended to constitute an Incentive Stock Option or a
Non-qualified Stock Option.

15.     Transfer Restrictions

        Shares of Stock purchased under the Plan and held by any person who is
an executive officer or director of the Corporation, or who directly or
indirectly controls the Corporation, may not be sold or otherwise disposed of
except pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act
of 1933 or except in a transaction which, in the opinion of counsel for the
Corporation, is exempt from registration under such Act.  The Committee may
waive the foregoing restrictions in whole or in part in any particular case or
cases, or may terminate such restrictions, whenever the Committee determines
that such restrictions afford no substantial benefit to the Corporation.

16.     Amendment of Plan

        Shareholder approval of any amendment of the Plan shall be obtained if
otherwise required by:  (i) the rules and/or regulations promulgated under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act (in order for the Plan to remain qualified under
Rule 16b-3); (ii) the Code or any rules promulgated thereunder (in order to
allow for Incentive Stock Options to be granted under the Plan); or (iii) the
listing requirements of the





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

American Stock Exchange or any principal securities exchange or market on which
the Stock is then traded (in order to maintain the quotation or listing of the
Stock thereon).

17.     Termination of Plan

        The Board shall have the right to suspend or terminate the Plan at any
time; provided, however, that no Incentive Stock Options may be granted after
the tenth (10th) anniversary of the effective date of the Plan as described in
paragraph 2 hereof.  Termination of the Plan shall not affect the rights of
Employees under options previously granted to them, and all unexpired options
shall continue in force and operation after termination of the Plan except as
they may lapse or be terminated by their own terms and conditions.

18.     Tax Withholding

        (a)      The Corporation may deduct and withhold from any cash
otherwise payable to an Employee such amount as may be required for the purpose
of satisfying the Corporation's obligation to withhold federal, state or local
taxes as the result of the exercise of an option.  In the event the amount so
withheld is insufficient for such purpose, the Corporation may require that the
Employee pay to the Corporation upon its demand or otherwise make arrangements
satisfactory to the Corporation for payment of such amount as may be requested
by the Corporation in order to satisfy its obligation to withhold any such
taxes.

        (b)      With the consent of the Committee, an Employee may be
permitted to satisfy the Corporation's withholding tax requirements by electing
to have the Corporation withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the
Employee or to deliver to the Corporation shares of Stock having a fair market
value on the date income is recognized pursuant to the exercise of an option
equal to the amount required to be withheld.  The election shall be made in
writing and shall be made according to such rules and procedures as the
Committee may determine, including, without limitation, such procedures as may
be necessary to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3.

19.     Rights as a Shareholder

        An Employee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any
shares subject to any option until the date the options shall have been
exercised, the shares shall have been fully paid and a stock certificate shall
have been issued.





                                      -4-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2


                               BADGER METER, INC.

                      NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                 THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of the ____ day of _________, 19__,
by and between BADGER METER, INC., a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company"), and
the undersigned employee (the "Optionee");


                             W I T N E S S E T H :

                 WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Badger Meter, Inc. Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"), to permit options to purchase shares of the Company's
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share ("Stock"), to be granted to certain key
employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company ("Subsidiary"); and

                 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the
covenants and agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby mutually covenant
and agree as follows:

                 1.      Grant of Option.  Subject to the terms and conditions
of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company grants to the Optionee the option
to purchase from the Company all or any part of an aggregate number of _____
shares of Stock (hereinafter such shares of Stock are referred to as the
"Optioned Shares", and this option to purchase the Optioned Shares is referred
to as the "Option").  The Option is intended by the Company to constitute a
nonqualified stock option.

                 2.      Option Price.  The price to be paid for the Optioned
Shares shall be __________ per share (the "Option Price"), which has been
determined by the Plan Administrator designated pursuant to Section 3 of the
Plan to be not less than 100% of the fair market value of such stock on the
date of grant.

                 3.      Exercise of Option.  The Option may be exercised by
the Optionee, in whole or in part, from time to time, during the period
beginning one year after the date of this Agreement and ending ____________,
____, but only in accordance with the following schedule:





To the extent otherwise exercisable, the Option may be exercised following the
termination of the employment relationship between the Optionee and Company
only as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of Section 5 herein.

                 4.      Manner of Exercise and Payment.  The Option may be
exercised only by written notice to the Company by the Optionee of the
Optionee's intent to exercise the Option, delivered or mailed by postpaid
registered or certified mail addressed to the Secretary of the Company at its
office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specifying the number of Optioned Shares in
respect of which the Option is being exercised.  Such notice shall be
accompanied by payment of the entire Option Price of the Optioned Shares being
purchased in cash or its equivalent.
<PAGE>   2

                 5.      Termination of Employment.

                         (a)      If the Optionee's employment with the Company
or a Subsidiary is terminated by the Company "for cause", or by the Optionee
for any reason other than death, disability or retirement, the Option shall
terminate immediately upon such termination of employment.

                         (b)      If the Optionee's employment with the Company
or a Subsidiary is terminated by the Company without cause or by reason of
retirement, the Option may be exercised to the extent otherwise exercisable at
the date of such termination of employment, in whole or in part, within three
(3) months after the date of such termination of employment, but not
thereafter.

                         (c)      If the Optionee's employment with the Company
or a Subsidiary is terminated by reason of disability within the meaning of
Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") or
death, the Option may be exercised, to the extent otherwise exercisable at the
date of such termination of employment, in whole or in part, within twelve (12)
months after the date of such termination of employment, but not thereafter.
For purposes of this Section 5, termination by the Employer "for cause" shall
mean any termination of the Optionee by reason of any action or omission on the
part of the Optionee which is contrary to the interests of the Company or not
in the interests of the Company.

                 6.      Withholding Taxes.

                         (a)      It shall be a condition to the obligation of
the Company to issue or transfer shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option
that the Optionee pay to the Company upon its demand or otherwise make
arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of such amount as may be
requested by the Company for the purpose of satisfying its liability to
withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes incurred by reason of
the exercise of the Option.  If any amount requested is not paid, the Company
may refuse to issue or transfer shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option.

                         (b)      (i)     The Optionee shall be permitted to
satisfy the Company's withholding tax requirements by electing (the "Election")
to have the Company withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Optionee
or to deliver to the Company shares of Stock having a fair market value on the
date income is recognized pursuant to the exercise of the Option (the "Tax
Date") equal to the amount required to be withheld.  If the number of shares of
Stock determined pursuant to the preceding sentence shall include a fractional
share, the number of shares withheld or delivered shall be reduced to the next
lower whole number and the Optionee shall deliver to the Company cash in lieu
of such fractional share, or otherwise make arrangements satisfactory to the
Company for payment of such amount.

                                  (ii)    If the Optionee is an officer,
director or more than 10% shareholder of the Company (an "Insider"), the full
number of shares of Stock purchased may be issued to the Optionee upon exercise
and the Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to deliver to the Company,
as soon as practicable after the Tax Date, the number of shares of Stock having
a fair market value on the Tax Date equal to the amount required to be
withheld.  If the number of shares so determined shall include a fractional
share, the Optionee shall deliver cash in lieu of such fractional share.

                                  (iii)   The Election must be received by the
Secretary of the Company at its principal office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin prior
to the Optionee's Tax Date; and if the Optionee is an Insider, the Election (1)
shall not be effective until at least six months after the date of this
Agreement; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply in the
event death or disability of





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

the Optionee occurs prior to the expiration of this six month period; and (2)
must be received by the Secretary of the Company either six-months or more
prior to the Tax Date or during a ten-day period beginning on the third
business day following the release of the Company's quarterly or annual summary
statement of sales and earnings which occurs prior to the Tax Date.

                                  (iv)    The Election shall be irrevocable,
and shall be subject to disapproval, in whole or in part, by the Plan
Administrator.  The Election shall be made in writing and shall be made
according to such rules and regulations and in such form as the Plan
Administrator shall determine.

                 7.      Status of Optionee.  The Optionee shall not be deemed
for any purposes to be a shareholder of the Company with respect to any shares
which may be acquired hereunder except to the extent that the Option shall have
been exercised and a stock certificate has been issued.

                 8.      Nontransferability of Option.  The Option shall not be
transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.

                 9.      Powers of Company Not Affected.  The existence of the
Option shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its
shareholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations,
reorganizations or other changes in the Company's capital structure or its
business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issuance of
bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting
the Stock or the rights thereof, or dissolution or liquidation of the Company,
or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any
other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

                 10.     Adjustment of Number of Shares and Price.  In the
event of a capital adjustment resulting from a stock dividend (other than a
stock dividend in lieu of an ordinary cash dividend), stock split,
reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or
exchange of shares or the like, the Optioned Shares shall be adjusted in a
manner consistent with such capital adjustment; provided, however, that no such
adjustment shall require the Company to sell any fractional shares and the
adjustment shall be limited accordingly.  The determination of the Plan
Administrator as to any adjustment shall be final.

                 11.     Restrictions on Optioned Shares.  Shares of stock
purchased under the Plan and held by any person who is an officer or director
of the Company, or who directly or indirectly controls the Company, may not be
sold or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 or in a transaction which, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, is exempt from registration under such Act.
The Plan Administrator may waive the foregoing restrictions in whole or in part
in any particular case or cases, or may terminate such restrictions, whenever
the Plan Administrator determines that such restrictions afford no substantial
benefit to the Company.

                 12.     Interpretation by Plan Administrator.  As a condition
of the granting of the Option, the Optionee agrees for himself and his legal
representatives that any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, as a
result of or pursuant to this Agreement, shall be determined by the Plan
Administrator in its sole discretion, and any interpretation by the Plan
Administrator of the terms of this Agreement shall be final, binding and
conclusive.

                 13.     Employment.  It is understood that nothing herein
contained shall be deemed to confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in
the employ of the Company, or to interfere in any way with the right of the
Company to terminate the employment of the Optionee at any time.

                 14.     Benefits of Agreement.  The benefits and obligations
under this Agreement shall inure to and be binding upon all successors of both
parties to this Agreement.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to
be executed by its duly authorized officers and its corporate seal hereunto
affixed, and the Optionee has hereunto affixed his hand and seal, as of the day
and year first above written.

                                                BADGER METER, INC.



                                                By:____________________________
                                                          President



                                                Attest:________________________
                                                          Secretary



                                                AGREED AND ACCEPTED



                                                _______________________________
                                                Optionee





                                      -4-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.0


                               FOLEY & LARDNER
                                Firstar Center
                          777 East Wisconsin Avenue
                          Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202
                                                                
                               August 28, 1995

                                                                

Badger Meter, Inc.
4545 West Brown Deer Road
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                 We have acted as counsel for Badger Meter, Inc., a Wisconsin
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of a Form S-8
Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to 100,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, $1 par value (the "Common Stock"), which may be issued
or acquired pursuant to the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (the
"1995 Plan").

                 We have examined:  (a) the 1995 Plan; (b) the Registration
Statement; (c) the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation and Restated
By-laws, as amended to date; (d) copies of resolutions of the Company's Board
of Directors relating to the 1995 Plan and the issuance of securities
thereunder; and (e) such other proceedings, documents and records as we deemed
necessary to enable us to render this opinion.  In connection with approval of
the 1995 Plan, this opinion assumes the consideration to be received by the
Company upon the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1995 Plan
has been deemed adequate by the Company's Board of Directors in accordance with
the provisions of the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law.

                 Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

                 1.     The Company is a corporation validly existing under
the laws of the State of Wisconsin.

                 2.     The shares of Common Stock, when issued by the Company
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 1995 Plan, and as contemplated in
the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, except as otherwise provided by Section 180.0622(2)(b) of the
Wisconsin Business Corporation Law.

                 Edwin P. Wiley, a partner in the firm of Foley & Lardner, is a
director of the Company.

                 We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to our firm therein.  In giving
our consent, we do not admit that we are "experts" within the meaning of
Section 11 of the Securities Act or within the category of persons whose
consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.

                                                 Very truly yours,



                                                 FOLEY & LARDNER

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8) pertaining to the Badger Meter, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan of our
reports dated February 3, 1995, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Badger Meter, Inc., incorporated by reference in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the related
financial statement schedule included therein, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.






Milwaukee, Wisconsin                                       ERNST & YOUNG LLP
August 28, 1995.








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