$146.0 million of debt affected; Aaa enhanced rating also assigned
New York, August 06, 2012 --
Moody's Rating
Issue: General Obligation Bonds (Utah School Bond Guaranty Program),
Series 2012; Underlying Rating: Aaa; Enhanced Rating:
Aaa; Sale Amount: $80,000,000; Expected
Sale Date: 8-16-2012; Rating Description:
General Obligation
Opinion
Moody's Investors Service has assigned an underlying Aaa rating to Canyons
School District, Utah's, General Obligation Bonds (Utah School
Bond Guaranty Program), Series 2012 in the approximate amount of
$80.0 million. At this time, Moody's
also affirms the Aaa underlying rating on the district's $66.0
million in outstand rated parity debt. The current offering is
secured by the district's unlimited property tax pledge. The outlook
on the district's debt is stable. The current offering will
also receive the Aaa enhancement rating of the State of Utah's School
District Bond Guaranty Program. Bond proceeds will be used to fund
a new high school, as well as additions and repairs to district
school facilities.
SUMMARY RATING RATIONALE
The Aaa underlying rating primarily reflects the district's large,
mature tax base with favorable household wealth levels. The rating
also incorporates the district's solid financial operations with
ample reserves buttressing the district's short operating record,
and modest debt profile featuring level taxing rates.
The stable outlook incorporates Moody's expectation that district
financial performance will continue to outperform peers and the its tax
base will remain sufficiently large for its rating class.
The Aaa enhanced rating, which carries a stable outlook, is
based upon the assumption that the bonds will be backed by the State of
Utah's School District Bond Guaranty Program. Under this program,
the state's full faith and credit guarantees debt service payments by
transfer of the state's general funds to the paying agent in the event
of a shortfall for the district.
STRENGTHS
- Large and relatively wealthy tax base
- Solid financial operations highlighted by ample reserves
CHALLENGES
- New school district's limited operational track record
- Flat near-term enrollment constrains revenue growth
Outlook
The stable outlook incorporates Moody's expectation that district
financial performance will continue to outperform peers and that its tax
base will remain sufficiently large for its rating class.
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING MOVE UP
n/a
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING MOVE DOWN
- Significant deterioration in the district's financial position
- Protracted decline in the district's full valuation
The principal methodology used in this rating was General Obligation Bonds
Issued by U.S. Local Governments published in October 2009.
Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for
a copy of this methodology.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
The Global Scale Credit Ratings on this press release that are issued
by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU are endorsed by Moody's
Investors Service Ltd., One Canada Square, Canary Wharf,
London E 14 5FA, UK, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph
3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies.
Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's
office that has issued a particular Credit Rating is available on www.moodys.com.
For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt,
this announcement provides relevant regulatory disclosures in relation
to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series
or category/class of debt or pursuant to a program for which the ratings
are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's
rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider,
this announcement provides relevant regulatory disclosures in relation
to the rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular
rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the
support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings,
this announcement provides relevant regulatory disclosures in relation
to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive
rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt,
in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed
prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would
have affected the rating. For further information please see the
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Information sources used to prepare the rating are the following:
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Service's information, and confidential and proprietary Moody's
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for general disclosure on potential conflicts of interests.
Please see the ratings disclosure page on www.moodys.com
for information on (A) MCO's major shareholders (above 5%) and
for (B) further information regarding certain affiliations that may exist
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the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued
the rating.
Bryan A. Quevedo
Analyst
Public Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
Public Finance Regional Office
One Front Street, Suite 1900
San Francisco, CA 94111
U.S.A
JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Dan Steed
Asst Vice President - Analyst
Public Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Releasing Office:
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250 Greenwich Street
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JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Moody's assigns Aaa underlying rating to Canyons School District, Utah's G.O. bonds