various strategies to reduce our federal, state, and local taxes. As a result, we have reduced our state income tax expense due to California Economic Development Tax Credits (Credits). Our tax expense was reduced by approximately $0.9 million and $1.0 million for 2004 and 2003, respectively, by out-of-year Credits. Consulting fees incurred in connection with the Credits, were recorded as salary, general and administrative expenses.
We operate in a highly competitive environment and in an industry that is currently subject to significant changes from business consolidations, new strategic alliances, and aggressive marketing practices by other managed care organizations. We compete for members principally on the basis of size, location, and quality of provider network, benefits supplied, quality of service, and reputation. A number of these competitive elements are partially dependent upon and can be positively affected by financial resources available to a health plan. Many other organizations with which we compete have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. For these reasons, we may be unable to grow our membership.
Other operating revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 includes $2,100 recorded for estimated savings sharing income recognized by our Utah HMO during 2004. The estimated savings sharing is based upon claims experience for the period of July 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004 (see Receivables). Other operating revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003 includes $734 of savings sharing income earned by our Michigan HMO. Our Michigan HMO’s contract with the state no longer contains risk sharing provisions.
Unrealized losses at December 31, 2004 and 2003 have been determined to be temporary in nature. The decline in market value for these securities is the result of rising interest rates rather than a deterioration of the
credit worthiness of the issuers. So long as we hold these securities to maturity, we are unlikely to experience losses. In the event that we dispose of these securities before maturity, we expect that realized losses, if any, will be immaterial. Also, the disclosures required under EITF 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” have not been included because our unrealized losses are immaterial at December 31, 2004.
We anticipate paying approximately $6.2 million for the transfer of these contracts, subject to possible adjustment. As part of the transaction, Universal will assign the bulk of its provider network related to its Medi-Cal and Healthy Families members to our California HMO.
During 2001 and 2002, we entered into employment agreements with five executives with initial terms of one to three years, subject to automatic one-year extensions thereafter. The agreements currently provide for annual base salaries of $1,955 in the aggregate plus a Target Bonus, as defined. In most cases, should the executive be terminated without cause or resign for good reason before a Change of Control, as defined, we will pay one year’s base salaries and Target Bonus for the year of termination, in addition to full vesting of 401(k) employer contributions and stock options, and continued health and welfare benefits for the earlier of 18 months or the date the executive receives substantially similar benefits from another employer. If any of the executives are terminated for cause, no further payments are due under the contracts.