HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-25 - Resolution No. 2019-23 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-23
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT
AMENDING THE DISTRICT'S DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY
WHEREAS, State and local agencies should adopt comprehensive written debt
management policies pursuant to the recommendation of the Government
Finance Officers Association; and
WHEREAS, debt management policies are written guidelines, allowances, and
restrictions that guide the debt issuance practices of state or local
governments, including the issuance process, management of a debt
portfolio, and adherence to various laws and regulations; and
WHEREAS, a debt management policy should improve the quality of decisions,
articulate policy goals, provide guidelines for the structure of debt issuance,
and demonstrate a commitment to long-term capital and financial planning;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Yorba Linda Water District desires to amend
the District's Debt Management Policy previously adopted by Resolution
No. 18-13.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Board of Directors of the Yorba Linda Water
District as follows:
Section 1. That effective June 25, 2019 Policy No. 3010-003 - Debt Management be
amended to read as attached hereto and by this reference incorporated
herein.
Resolution No.2019-23 Amending the District's Debt Management Policy
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of June 2019 by the following called vote:
AYES: Directors Hall, Jones, Miller, and Nederhood
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Directors Hawkins
Brooke Joraes, Board President
Yorba Linda Water District
ATTEST:
Annie Alexander, Board Secretary
Yorba Linda Water District
Reviewed as to form by General Counsel:
Andrew B. Gager"'
Kidman Gagen Law LLP
Resolution No.2019-23 Amending the District's Debt Management Policy 2
3010-003 Debt Management Policy Page 1 of 13
Policies and Procedures
Policy No.:
Adoption Method:
Effective Date:
Last Revised:
Prepared By:
Applicability:
3010-003
Resolution No. 2019-23
June 25, 2019
June 5, 2018
Delia Lugo, Finance Manager
District Wide
POLICY: DEBT MANAGEMENT
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 Purpose and Overview
In its publication entitled Best Practice Debt Management Policy, the
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) states that Debt
management policies are written guidelines, allowances, and restrictions that
guide debt issuance practices of Board adopted issuance processes,
management of a debt portfolio, and adherence to state and federal laws and
regulations. A debt management policy should improve the quality of
decisions, and articulate policy goals, provide guidelines for the structure of
debt issuance, and demonstrate a commitment to long-term capital financial
planning. The Yorba Linda Water District Debt Management Policy as set forth
herein provides a set of comprehensive guidelines for the issuance and
management of the District’s debt portfolio. Adherence to the policy is
essential to ensure the District maintains a diversified debt portfolio that
supports the District’s financing needs and minimizes the District’s cost of
funds.
1.3 Roles and Responsibilities
Finance Manager - The primary responsibility for debt management rests with
the Finance Manager. The Finance Manager shall:
•Provide for the issuance of District debt at the lowest possible cost and
risk;
•Determine the available debt capacity of the District;
•Provide for the issuance of District debt at appropriate intervals and in
reasonable amounts as required to fund approved and budgeted capital
expenditures;
•Recommend to the District’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) the method
and manner of sale of District debt;
•Monitor opportunities to refund debt and recommend such refunding as
appropriate to reduce costs or to achieve other policy objectives;
•Comply with all Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Municipal Securities
Rulemaking Board (MSRB), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
and California Debt Investment Advisory Commission (“CDIAC”) rules and
regulations governing the issuance of debt;
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• Maintain a current database with all outstanding debt;
• Provide for the timely payment of principal and interest on all debt;
• Comply with all terms and conditions, including continuing disclosure,
required by the legal documents governing the debt issued;
• Submit to the Board all recommendations to issue debt in accordance with
this Policy;
• Distribute to appropriate repositories information regarding the District’s
financial condition and affairs at such times and in the form required by
law, regulation and general practice;
• Provide for the frequent distribution of pertinent information to the rating
agencies;
• Apply and promote prudent fiscal practices; and
• To ensure that proceeds of any debt issued in accordance with its
governing documents and this Policy no disbursements shall be make
without the approval of the Finance Manager and General Manager. The
draw request shall be provided to the District by the project engineer with
the consent of the District’s inspector. Approval shall only be provided
when the Finance Manager is in receipt of an appropriate certification from
the construction project manager with supporting invoices from suppliers
and / or contractors evidencing appropriate expenses in connection with
the project.
In the case of an issue of bonds the proceeds of which will be used by a
governmental entity other than the District, the District may rely upon a
certification by such other governmental entity that it has adopted the policies
described in SB 1029.
The District shall also comply with Government Code Section 5852.1 by
disclosing specified good faith estimates in a public meeting prior to the
authorization of the issuance of bonds.
2.1 LEGAL GOVERNING PRINCIPLES
In the issuance and management of debt, the District shall comply with all legal
constraints and conditions imposed by federal, state and local law. The following
section highlights the key governing documents and certain debt limitations.
2.2 Governing Law
County Water District Law – The District was established in 1959 as a
county water district under the County Water District Law, Division 12 of the
Water Code of the State of California, as the successor to a private water
company that was incorporated in or about 1909, for purposes of supplying
water for domestic, irrigation, sanitation, industrial, commercial, recreation
and fire suppression use.
Federal Tax Law – The District shall issue and manage debt in accordance
with the limitations and constraints imposed by federal tax law, to maximize
its ability to sell tax-exempt debt. Such constraints include, but are not limited
to, private activity tests, review of eligible projects, spend-down tests, and
arbitrage rebate limitations.
Securities Law – The District shall comply with the requirements of federal
and state securities laws in offering District debt and the District shall comply
with securities law requirements in providing ongoing disclosure to the
securities markets.
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2.3 Governing Legal Documents
Indenture – The District’s debt issuance is further governed in part by the
Indenture of Trust, adopted September 8, 2016 of which constitutes the
“Indenture.” The Indenture establishes the basic security structure of debt
issued by the District that is secured by Net Water Revenues. Key terms and
conditions include, but are not limited to, the definition of pledged revenues,
the rate covenant and the additional bonds test. A copy of the Indenture can
be found in Appendix B. The District shall comply with all limitations imposed
under the Indenture, so long as such Indenture is in full force and effect.
2.4 Permitted Debt by Type
The District may legally issue both short-term and long-term debt, using the
debt instruments described below. The Finance Manager, in consultation with
the District’s General Counsel, Bond Counsel, and Municipal Advisor shall
determine the most appropriate instrument for funding purposes.
General Obligation Bonds – The District is empowered, under California
law, to levy taxes on all taxable property within its boundaries for the purpose
of paying its voter-approved general obligation bonds and, subject to certain
limitations.
Certificates of Participation – Certificates of Participation (COP) provide
debt financing through a lease, installment sale agreement or contract of
indebtedness and typically do not require voter approval. Board action is
sufficient to legally authorize a COP issue. The District shall pledge net
revenues to the repayment of its COPs, under the terms and conditions
specified in the Indenture.
JPA Revenue Bonds – As an alternative to COPs, the District may obtain
financing through the issuance of Debt by a joint exercise of powers agency
with such Debt payable from amounts paid by the District under a lease,
installment sale agreement, or contract of indebtedness.
Commercial Paper – The District may issue short-term revenue certificates,
including commercial paper and extendable commercial paper. Board action
is sufficient to legally authorize a commercial paper issue. The District’s
commercial paper is secured by net revenues. Voter approval is not required
to issue commercial paper.
Lines of credit - The District may enter into financing arrangements providing
for a source of funds that can be readily accessed by the District for capital or
operational needs. Board action is sufficient to legally authorize the
establishment of a line of credit. Voter approval is not required to establish or
access a lien of credit.
Variable Rate Debt – The District is authorized to issue variable rate debt
including, but not limited to, public market indexed notes, indexed notes or
loans placed directly with financial institutions and other alternative variable
rate and market access products as well as traditional variable rate demand
obligations backed by bank liquidity facilities. Prior to the issuance of variable
rate debt, the savings and other possible advantages compared to a fixed rate
borrowing will be evaluated and a comparative analysis presented to the
Board of Directors as part of the approval process.
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Refunding Revenue Bonds – The District is authorized to issue refunding
revenue bonds to refund outstanding District indebtedness pursuant to the
State of California local agency refunding revenue bond law (Articles 10 and
11 of Chapter 3 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code of
the State of California).
Loans – The District is authorized to enter into loans, installment payment
obligations, or other similar funding structures secured by a prudent source,
or sources of repayment.
Assessment Bonds – The District is authorized to issue assessment bonds
pursuant to the Improvement Bond Act of 1915, subject to requirements
imposed by Proposition 218. Such bonds are typically repaid from
assessments collected within an assessment district formed pursuant to the
Municipal Improvement Act of 1913. Assessments are levies of charges on
real property to pay for projects or services that specifically benefit that parcel
of property.
Special Tax Bonds – Issued by community facilities districts (“CFDs”) formed
by the District pursuant to the provisions of the Mello-Roos Community
Facilities Act of 1982, as amended, will be used to finance capital costs and
projects identified within the proceedings under which the applicable CFD was
formed.
Other Obligations – There may be special circumstances when other forms
of financing are appropriately utilized by the District. The District will evaluate
such proposed transactions on a case-by-case basis. Such other forms
include, but are not limited to, grant anticipation notes and judgment or
settlement obligation bonds.
2.5 Limitations on Debt Issuance
Short-Term Debt – The District’s short-term debt shall not exceed 30 percent
of its total debt at the time of issuance. The calculation of short- term debt
shall include any variable rate obligations, the authorized amount of
commercial paper, any notes/bonds with a maturity equal to or less than five
years.
Variable Rate Debt – The Finance Manager will consult with the District’s
Municipal Advisor to determine appropriate parameters for the issuance of
variable rate debt and may rely on rating agency standard’s and other industry
standards for establishing prudent financial goals and establishing the amount
of variable rate debt to be issued.
Subordinate Lien Long-Term Debt - The District’s subordinate lien debt, for
which net revenues are pledged, shall be limited to that amount for which
current and projected revenues generate overall debt service coverage of at
least 100 percent.
Senior Lien Long-Term Debt – The District’s senior lien long-term debt, for
which net revenues are pledged, shall be limited to that amount for which
current and projected revenues generate a senior lien debt service coverage
of at least 125 percent. The calculation of debt service shall not include
General Obligation Bonds, Assessment Bonds, or Special Tax Bonds to which
revenue sources other than pledged revenues, as defined in the Indenture,
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are pledged. It should be noted that the District will target to issue debt to
attempt to meet the senior lien debt service coverage target of 225 percent in
keeping with its prudent financial management practices and to maintain
credit ratings aligned with rating agency methodologies.
2.6 Purpose for Borrowing
The District shall issue debt solely for the purpose of financing the cost of
design, engineering acquisition, and/or construction of water and wastewater
system improvements in furtherance of the District’s Capital Improvement
Program (CIP). Additionally, the District may, subject to Federal tax code
limitations, include operational expenses in any debt issuance.
2.7 Ethical Standards Governing Conduct
Members of the District, the Board and its consultants, service providers, and
underwriters shall adhere to standards of conduct as stipulated by the
California Political Reform Act, as applicable. All debt financing participants
shall maintain the highest standards of professional conduct at all times, in
accordance with:
• MSRB Rules, including Rule G-37 and G-42 shall be followed at all times;
• Debt financing participants will assist the District staff in achieving its goals
and objectives as defined in this Debt Management Policy; and
• All debt financing participants shall make cooperation with the District staff
their highest priority.
2.8 Use of Derivatives
The use of derivative products can, among other things, increase District
financial flexibility and provide opportunities for interest rate savings or
enhanced investment yields. Careful monitoring of such products is required
to preserve District credit strength and budget flexibility. Swaps will not be
used to speculate on perceived movements in interest rates. Before the
District enters into any derivative product associated with debt, the Board shall
adopt an interest rate swap policy.
3.1 INTEGRATION OF CAPITAL PLANNING AND DEBT ACTIVITIES
3.2 Evaluating Capital Improvement Program Spending
The District shall develop and maintain a capital finance model to evaluate
the impact of capital program spending, operations and maintenance costs,
and debt service on its financial condition. To that end, the Finance Manager
shall oversee the ongoing maintenance of quantitative modeling that includes,
but is not limited to, the following:
• Five years of historic and projected cash flows;
• Five years of historic and projected capital expenditures;
• Five years of historic and projected operating costs;
• Five years of historic and projected fund balances for any funds
established by the District’s then-adopted Reserve Fund
• Five years of historic and projected debt service coverage;
• The most efficient mix of funding sources (long-term debt; short-term debt,
and cash);
• Projected revenue requirements; and
• Projected rates and charges.
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4.1 PROCUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
4.2 Appointment of Service Providers – The Finance Manager may solicit from
time to time bids, quotes or proposals, including sole source proposals for the
following services on an as needed basis:
• Municipal Advisor – Service provider that ensures the District complies
with all financial management procedures and policies and ensures
successful closing for bond transactions.
• Bond Counsel – Service provider that drafts appropriate documentation to
ensure successful and timely closing and create valid and legally binding
security for bond issues, and provide appropriate advice and taking
appropriate actions to ensure legal validity of bond issues under state and
federal laws as applicable.
5.1 TRANSACTION-SPECIFIC POLICIES
5.2 Method of Sale – The Finance Manager shall determine the most appropriate
form of sale of its debt. In making a recommendation to the Board the Finance
Manger may consult with the District’s Municipal Advisor and Bond Counsel
and may take into account, among other things, the type and tenor of the
proposed debt; the District’s credit ratings; the amount of funding necessary;
the timing of the needed funds; local and national economic conditions; and
general bond market conditions.
5.3 Competitive Bid Method - When necessary to minimize the costs and risks
of any District borrowing, the Finance Manager may submit to the Board a
request to sell bonds on a competitive basis. Such bids may take the form of
hand- delivered or electronically transmitted offers to purchase the bonds. Any
competitive sale of District debt will require approval of the Board. District debt
issued on a competitive bid basis will be sold to the bidder proposing the
lowest true interest cost to the District provided the bid conforms to the official
notice of sale.
5.4 Negotiated Bid Method – A negotiated bond issue will provide for the sale of
debt by negotiating the terms and conditions of the sale, including price,
interest rates, credit facilities, underwriter or remarketing fees, and
commissions. Examples of such sales include:
• Variable rate demand obligations;
• An issue of debt so large that the number of potential bidders would be
too limited to provide the District with truly competitive bids;
• An issue requiring the ability to react quickly to sudden changes in interest
rates (e.g. refunding bonds);
• An issue requiring intensive marketing efforts to establish investor
acceptance;
• An issue of debt with specialized distribution requirements; and
• An issue of debt sold during a period of extreme market disruption or
volatility.
If bonds are sold on a negotiated basis, the negotiations of terms and
conditions shall include, but not be limited to, prices, interest rates,
underwriting or remarketing fees, and underwriting spreads and timing of sale.
The District, with the assistance of its Municipal Advisor, shall evaluate the
terms offered by the underwriting team. Guidelines with respect to price,
interest rates, fees, and underwriting spreads shall be based on prevailing
terms and conditions in the marketplace for comparable issuers, credit
ratings, tenor and paramount.
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If more than one underwriter is included in the negotiated sale of debt, the
District shall establish appropriate levels of liability, participation and priority
of orders. Such levels shall be based upon District policy with regards to the
underwriting responsibility among the team members, the desired allocation
of total fees, and the desired distribution of bonds. Guidelines for establishing
liability, participation, and priority of orders shall be based on prevailing terms
and conditions in the marketplace for comparable issuers.
The District shall, with the assistance of its Municipal Advisor, oversee the
bond allocation process. The bond allocation process shall be managed by
the lead underwriter, with the following requirements:
• The bonds are allocated fairly among members of the underwriting team,
consistent with the previously negotiated terms and conditions;
• The allocation process complies with all MSRB regulations governing
order priorities and allocations;
• The lead underwriter shall submit to the Finance Manager a complete and
timely account of all orders, allocations, and underwriting activities with
the investor names identified as appropriate.
The Finance Manager Services shall require a post-sale analysis and
reporting for each negotiated bond sale. The Municipal Advisor or the lead
underwriter may perform such analysis. A post-sale analysis will include, but
not be limited to:
• Summary of the pricing, including copies of the actual pricing wires;
• Results of comparable bond sales in the market at the time of the District’s
pricing;
• Detailed information on orders and allocation of bonds, by underwriting
firm;
• Detailed information on final designations earned by each underwriter;
and
• Summary of total compensation received by each underwriter.
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
5.5 Pledge of Revenues – The District’s pledge of revenues shall be determined
for each debt issue depending upon the debt instrument:
• General Obligation Bonds of the District shall be repaid from voter-
approved property taxes on property within the jurisdiction of the District.
• Certificates of Participation of the District shall be repaid from net
revenues, as defined in the Indenture.
• Revenue Bonds of the District shall be repaid from net revenues, as
defined in the Indenture.
• Loans of the District may be repaid from net revenues of the water and or
wastewater systems, or other financially prudent sources of repayment.
• Assessment Bonds of the District shall be repaid levies or charges
collected within an assessment district formed by the District pursuant to
the Municipal Improvement Act of 1913.
• Special Tax Bonds of the District shall be payable from net special taxes
collected in applicable taxing jurisdiction as a result of the levy of special
taxes.
5.6 Maturity – The District may issue tax-exempt debt with an average life equal
to, but no greater than 125% of, the average life of the assets being financed.
The final maturity of the debt should be no longer than 40 years absent
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compelling circumstances or facts. Factors to be considered when
determining the final maturity of debt include: the average useful life of the
assets being financed, relative level of interest rates, intergenerational equity
and the year-to-year differential in interest rates.
5.7 Maturity Structure – The District’s long-term debt may include serial and
term bonds. Other maturity structures may also be considered if they are
consistent with prudent financial management practices.
5.8 Coupon Structure – Debt may include par, discount and premium. Discount
and premium bonds must be demonstrated to be advantageous relative to par
bond structures taking into consideration market conditions and opportunities.
For variable rate debt, the variable rate may be based on one of a number of
commonly used interest rate indices and the index will be determined at the
time of pricing.
5.9 Debt Service Structure – Debt service may be structured primarily on an
approximate level (combined annual principal and interest) basis. Certain
individual bond issues, such as refunding bonds, may have debt service that
is not level. However, on an aggregate basis, debt service should be
structured primarily on a level basis.
5.10 Redemption Features – In order to preserve flexibility and refinancing
opportunities, District debt will generally be issued with call provisions. The
District may consider calls that are shorter than traditional and/or non-call debt
when warranted by market conditions and opportunities. For each transaction,
the District will evaluate the efficiency of call provision alternatives.
5.11 Credit Enhancement – The District shall competitively procure credit
enhancement for an original sale of bonds if the Finance Manager, in
consultation with the Municipal Advisor and the senior underwriter,
determines that it is cost effective to do so. The Finance Manager may in
consultation with the Municipal Advisor and the senior underwriter determine
that due to certain circumstances a sole source procurement process may be
more advantageous than a competitive process.
5.12 Senior/Subordinate Lien – The District may utilize both a senior and a
subordinate lien structure. The choice of lien will be determined based on such
factors as overall cost of debt, impact on debt service, impact on rates, and
marketing considerations.
5.13 Debt Service Reserve Funds – The District shall provide for debt service
reserve funds to secure District debt when necessary.
6.1 COMMUNICATION AND DISCLOSURE
6.2 Rating Agencies
The District shall maintain its strong ratings through prudent fiscal
management and consistent communications with the rating analysts. The
Finance Manager shall manage relationships with the rating analysts
assigned to the District’s credit, using both informal and formal methods to
disseminate information. Communication with the rating agencies may include
one or more of the following:
• Full disclosure on an annual basis of the financial condition of the District;
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• A formal presentation, at least annually or as becomes necessary to the
rating agencies, covering economic, financial, operational, and other
issues that impact the District’s credit;
• Timely disclosure of major financial events that impact the District’s credit;
• Timely dissemination of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,
following its acceptance by the District’s Board;
• Full and timely distribution of any documents pertaining to the sale of
bonds; and
• Periodic tours of the water system operations, as appropriate.
6.3 Bond Insurers
The Finance Manager shall manage relationships with the bond insurers, to
the extent any Debt is so insured, by providing appropriate information.
Communication with other bond insurers shall be undertaken when the
Finance Manager, with the assistance of the District’s Municipal Advisor,
determines that credit enhancement is cost effective for a proposed bond
issue.
Disclosure Reports – The District shall comply with its disclosure
undertakings and make disclosure reports readily available to market
participants though the Electronic Municipal Market Access website.
Web Site – The District may use its website as a tool for providing timely
information to investors.
7.1 REFUNDING POLICIES
The District shall strive to refinance debt to maximize savings and minimize the cost
of funds as market opportunities arise. A net present value analysis will be prepared
that identifies the economic effects of any refunding to be proposed to the Board.
The District shall target a 3% net present value savings for current and 5% for
advance refunding transactions. Upon the advice of the Finance Manager, with the
assistance of the Municipal Advisor and Counsel, the District will consider
undertaking refundings for other than economic purposes, such as to restructure
debt, change the type of debt instruments being used, or to retire a bond issue and
indenture in order to remove undesirable covenants.
7.2 Savings Thresholds – Minimum savings thresholds have been established
to help guide the economic analysis of refunding bonds. The minimum
savings guidelines are applicable on a maturity-by-maturity basis and are
expressed as a percentage of refunded bond par calculated by dividing the
expected net present value savings generated by the proposed refunding by
the par amount of refunded bonds. At the recommendation of the Finance
Manager, with the assistance of the Municipal Advisor, the District may
complete a refunding for net present values savings equal to the target
specified above on an aggregate bond issue basis rather than a maturity by
maturity basis. Generally, the District shall only refund bonds to generate debt
service savings of the specified minimum savings set forth in the previous
paragraph can be achieved.
7.3 Coupon on Refunded Bond – The Finance Manager may take into
consideration whether the coupon on the refunded bond is significantly higher
or lower than the most common outstanding bond coupons of approximately
five percent.
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7.4 General Interest Rate Environment – The Finance Manager may take into
consideration whether the available refunding bond interest rates are
generally high or generally low relative to long-term averages of historical
rates.
7.5 General Interest Rate Outlook – The Finance Manager may take into
consideration the general outlook for future interest rates, as derived from
economic forecasts, market forecasts, implied forward rates, or other
sources.
7.6 Debt Management Considerations – The Finance Manager may take into
consideration debt management issues such as cost and staff efficiencies
associated with combining multiple refunding bond issues or combining
refunding and new money bond issues.
7.7 Call Date – The Finance Manager may take into consideration the amount of
time between the pricing/closing date of the refunding Debt and the call date
of the Debt to be refunded.
7.8 Final Maturity Date – The Finance Manager may take into consideration the
amount of time remaining until the final maturity of the Debt to be refunded.
8.1 REINVESTMENT OF PROCEEDS
8.2 General – The District shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and
contractual restrictions regarding the use and investment of bond proceeds.
This includes compliance with restrictions on the types of investment
securities allowed, restrictions on the allowable yield of some invested funds,
as well as restrictions on the time period during over which some bond
proceeds may be invested. To the extent that a bond issue is credit enhanced,
the District shall adhere to the investment guidelines of the credit
enhancement provider.
8.3 Requirements of Indenture – The District will comply with all terms and
conditions of the appropriate legal documents related to the Debt. Such
limitations shall include, but not be limited to Investments in the Indenture.
9.10 CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FUNDS
The District maintains a number of different funds integral to the long-range financial
planning process. Each of these funds is held for a specific purpose and can
generally be categorized as either an operating, capital or debt reserve fund. The
District will comply with all requirements and limitations created under its Reserve
Policy.
10.1 COMPLIANCE
10.2 Arbitrage Liability Management
The District shall minimize the cost of arbitrage rebate and yield restrictions
while strictly complying with tax law. Because of the complexity of arbitrage
rebate regulations and the severity of non-compliance penalties, the District
shall solicit the advice of bond counsel and other qualified experts about
arbitrage rebate calculations. The District shall contract with a qualified third-
party for preparation of the arbitrage rebate calculation.
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The District shall maintain an internal system for tracking expenditure of bond
proceeds and investment earnings. The expenditure of bond proceeds shall
be tracked in the financial accounting system by issue. Investment may be
pooled for financial accounting purposes and for investment purposes. When
investment of bond proceeds are co-mingled with other investments, the
District shall adhere to IRS rules on accounting allocations.
10.3 Post-Issuance Tax Compliance
The District has adopted Written Procedures to Ensure Compliance with
Requirements for Tax-Exempt Bonds. The District shall comply with such
procedures to maintain the tax-exempt status of District debt obligations or to
maintain eligibility for direct pay subsidy payments, as applicable.
10.4 Continuing Disclosure
The District shall comply with the requirements of each Continuing Disclosure
Certificate entered into at the time of a sale of bonds. Annual information
provided by the District shall mirror the information in any District offering
statement at the time of a primary offering. Annual financial information will
be sent by the District or its designated consultant, within the time required
under the Continuing Disclosure Certificate to the EMMA System This shall
include:
• Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the District; and
• Updated tables from the Official Statement, as detailed in the Continuing
Disclosure Certificate.
In addition to annual disclosure, the District shall provide ongoing information
about certain enumerated events, as defined by regulation, to the EMMA
System.
The District may engage a firm to assist it in ensuring timely completion and
filing of annual reports and in identifying, and making timely filings with respect
to, the occurrence of reportable enumerated events.
In addition, the District’s Continuing Disclosure Agreements entered into after
February 27, 2019 call for the District to notify investors of the incurrence of
any “financial obligation,” if material, and the District will be obligated to
disclose defaults on, acceleration of and certain other information with respect
to any “financial obligation” regardless of when the financial obligation was
incurred.
Rule 15c2-12 provides a general definition of a “financial obligation.” While
the impetus for the obligation to disclose information about financial
obligations was a perception by the SEC and others that municipal issuers
were increasingly entering into bank or other private placement debt, Rule
15c2-12 defines “financial obligation” more broadly to include “a debt
obligation, derivative instrument K.. or a guarantee of either a debt obligation
or a derivative instrument.”
To date, the SEC has provided limited guidance on the specific application of
the definition of “financial obligation.” The SEC has suggested that a key
concept is that a “financial obligation” involves the borrowing of money. In
public comments, representatives of the SEC have declined to provide a
definition of a “guarantee,” but they did indicate that the SEC will not look to
state law definitions of a “guarantee” or “debt.”
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As described in detail below, the District will need to monitor agreements or
other obligations entered into by the District, and any modifications to such
agreements or other obligations, to determine whether they constitute
“financial obligations” under Rule 15c2-12 and, if material, need to be
disclosed on to investors.
In addition, if the District entity receives a notice of default or an event of
default or of an acceleration, termination event, modifications of or other
similar event on any agreement or other obligation, the District will need to
determine whether such obligation constitutes a “financial obligation”
(regardless of when originally incurred) and whether such default or other
event reflects financial difficulty (i.e., reduction in overall liquidity,
creditworthiness or debt owner’s rights).
Types of agreement or other obligations which are likely to be “financial
obligations” under Rule 15c2-12 include:
a. Bank loans or other obligations which are privately placed;
b. Letters of credit, including letters of credit which are provided to third
parties to secure the District’s obligation to pay or perform;
c. Capital leases for property, facilities or equipment; and
d. Agreements which guarantee the payment or performance
obligations of a third party (regardless of whether the agreements
constitute guarantees under California law).
Types of agreements which could be a “financial obligation” under Rule 15c2-
12 include:
a. Payment agreements which obligate the District to pay a share of
another public agency’s debt service (for example, an agreement with
a joint powers agency whereby the District, agrees to pay a share of
the joint powers agency’s bonds, notes or other obligations);
b. Service contracts with a public agency or a private party pursuant to
which the District is obligated to pay a share of such public agency’s
or private party’s debt service obligation (for example, certain types
of public-private partnership arrangements);
c. Agreements pursuant to which the District is obligated to pay amounts
expressly tied to another party’s debt service obligations, regardless
of whether service is provided or not;
d. Agreements which include a rate component that expressly passes
through debt service or capital obligation of the other party; and
e. Agreements the payments under which are not characterized as an
operation and maintenance expenses for accounting purposes if such
agreements could be characterized as the borrowing of money.
The District General Counsel and/or Finance Manager will notify the District’s
bond counsel and/or disclosure counsel of the receipt by the District of any
default, event of acceleration, termination event, modification of terms (only if
material or reflecting financial difficulties), or other similar events (collectively,
Potentially Reportable Events) under any agreement or obligation to which
the District is a party and which may be a “financial obligation” as discussed
above. Such notice should be provided by the General Counsel or the
Finance Manager as soon as the General Counsel or Finance Manager
receives notice from District staff, consultants or external parties of such event
or receives direct written notice of such event so that the City can determine,
with the assistance of bond counsel and/or disclosure counsel, whether notice
of such Potentially Reportable Event is required to be filed on EMMA pursuant
3010-003 Debt Management Policy Page 13 of 13
to Rule 15c2-12. If filing on EMMA is required, the filing is due within 10
business days of such Potentially Reportable Event to comply with the
applicable Continuing Disclosure Agreement.
The Finance Manager will catalog the execution by the District of any
agreement or other obligation which might constitute a “financial obligation”
for purposes of Rule 15c2-12 and which is entered into after February 27,
2019. Amendments to existing agreements or financial obligations which
relate to covenants, events of default, remedies, priority rights, or other similar
terms should be reported to the District’s bond counsel and/or disclosure
counsel as soon as notice of amendment requests is received by District staff,
consultants, or external parties of such event. Such notice is necessary so
that the District can determine, with the assistance of bond counsel and/or
disclosure counsel, whether such agreement or other obligation constitutes a
material “financial obligation” for purposes of Rule 15c2-12. If such
agreement or other obligation is determined to be a material “financial
obligation” or a material amendment to a “financial obligation” described
above, notice thereof would be required to be filed on EMMA within 10
business days of execution or incurrence.
10.5 Legal Covenants
The District shall comply with all covenants and conditions contained in
governing law and any legal documents entered into at the time of a bond
offering.
11.1 DEBT DATABASE MANAGEMENT
The District shall maintain complete information on its outstanding debt portfolio, in
a spreadsheet or database program format. The information in the database shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
• Issue Name
• Initial Issue Par Amount
• Dated Date of the Issue
• Principal Maturity Amounts
• Coupon Rate by Maturity
• Amount Outstanding
• Call Provisions
• Purpose of the Issue
• Credit Enhancer, if any
• Competitive or Negotiated Sale
• Names of Underwriting Team Members
The District shall use the debt database for the following purposes:
• Generate reports
• Gross annual debt service
• Net annual debt service
• Refunding Analyses
• Output to Fund Accounting System