Aa3 rating affects $193.3 million in rated post-sale outstanding subordinate lien utilities tax revenue bonds
New York, November 15, 2012 --
Moody's Ratings
Issue: Utilities Tax Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2012A;
Rating: Aa3; Sale Amount: $24,985,000;
Expected Sale Date: 11-20-2012; Rating Description:
Special Tax: Non-Sales/Non-Transportation
Issue: Utilities Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2012B; Rating:
Aa3; Sale Amount: $13,650,000; Expected
Sale Date: 11-20-2012; Rating Description:
Special Tax: Non-Sales/Non-Transportation
Issue: Taxable Utilities Tax Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series
2012C; Rating: Aa3; Sale Amount: $7,550,000;
Expected Sale Date: 11-20-2012; Rating Description:
Special Tax: Non-Sales/Non-Transportation
Opinion
Moody's Investors Service has assigned a Aa3 rating to the City of Tampa's
(FL) $25 million Utilities Tax Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series
2012A, $13.7 million Utilities Tax Revenue Bonds,
Series 2012B and $7.6 million Taxable Utilities Tax Refunding
Revenue Bonds, Series 2012C. Concurrently, Moody's
has affirmed the Aa3 rating on $179.6 million in rated parity
subordinate lien utility tax bonds as well as the Aa2 rating on $36.3
million in rated outstanding senior lien utility tax revenue bonds.
The currently-offered bonds are secured by a subordinate lien on
the city's utilities tax, after payment of debt service on senior
lien utilities tax bonds (which have a closed lien). Moody's
has also affirmed the Aa1 issuer rating of the city.
Bond proceeds of Series 2012 A and C will refund a total of three series
of outstanding bonds and extend the final maturity of the bonds by eight
years, resulting in an estimated net present value loss equal to
4.1% of refunded principal but no material increase in MADS.
Proceeds from the Series 2012 B bonds will fund the purchase of enterprise
resource planning system.
Security features include a springing debt service reserve, an additional
bonds test and a rate covenant both based on 125% coverage (considering
tax increment revenues into the formula for the senior lien bonds).
The rate covenant currently has no practical application as utility taxes
are levied at maximum allowable levels, but it recognizes any future
potential for the state to raise these maximum levels, at which
time it would become applicable.
SUMMARY RATINGS RATIONALE
The Aa3 utility tax rating is based on the subordinate lien status of
utility taxes, still-favorable debt service coverage despite
recent weakened pledged revenue collections, and favorable city
credit characteristics including a positive financial position,
manageable debt load with no additional non-enterprise debt planned
in the intermediate term, and mature but regionally important economy
which is currently struggling. Further, the Aa2 senior lien
bond rating is based on the senior lien status of the bonds, the
short remaining three-year life of the issue and the fact that
additionally-pledged tax increment revenues are effectively used
to pay debt service, enhancing coverage and bondholder protections.
Officials, to date, have taken appropriate actions to deal
with the budgetary challenges and declines in major revenue sources that
have been posed by a weakened economy.
The Aa1 issuer rating reflects the city's position as an economic
and trade center for western Florida with a sizable, albeit recently
declined, tax base and above-average socioeconomic factors.
The rating also incorporates the city's historically sound financial
position supported by formal fiscal policies and a manageable debt burden.
STRENGTHS
- Broad-based, regional economy
- Solid financial position
- Conservatively-structured debt profile and well-funded
pension systems
CHALLENGES
- Regaining budgetary structural balance in a weakened economic
environment
- Will require significant job creation to drive down still-high
unemployment rates
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO UP:
- Material improvement in economic conditions
- Maintaining and enhancing cash and reserve position
- Significant improvement in coverage
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO DOWN:
- Continued and prolonged economic weakening
- Depletion of cash and reserves
- Deterioration of debt service coverage levels
PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGY USED
The principal methodology used in this rating was US Public Finance Special
Tax Methodology published in March 2012. Please see the Credit
Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
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Lauren Von Bargen
Analyst
Structured Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
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Julie Beglin
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Moody's assigns Aa3 rating to City of Tampa's (FL) $46.2 million Utilities Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2012 A, B & C