Montgomery County Retains AAA Bond Rating From All 3 Rating Agencies
Council President Nancy Navarro:
Tough Choices, Smart Growth, and Long-Term Fiscal Planning Keys to Success
ROCKVILLE, Md., October 28, 2013—Montgomery County Council President Nancy Navarro today hailed the decision by all three bond rating agencies—Standard & Poor’s, Fitch and Moody’s—to reconfirm the County’s AAA bond rating.
During the Great Recession, the Council took extraordinary steps to strengthen Montgomery County’s fiscal health. Starting in 2010, the Council approved a balanced six-year fiscal plan that ensures the County develops a long-term strategic approach to budgeting. The Council also made structural changes that have enabled Montgomery County to bounce back faster than most jurisdictions nationwide.
The AAA bond rating allows Montgomery County to issue bonds for its capital borrowing at the most favorable rates, saving County taxpayers millions of dollars over the life of the bonds. The County’s pending issuance will refinance $295 million of bond anticipation notes and $27.7 million of long-term debt.
Montgomery County is only one of 38 counties (out of 3,140) in the nation to receive a AAA rating from all three rating agencies.
On Thursday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 18, Council President Navarro, County Executive Isiah Leggett and Council Vice President Craig Rice met with representatives from the three rating agencies in New York City.
“This decision by the rating agencies is a reflection of the hard work of this Council and the County Executive,” said Council President Navarro. “During the most challenging economic times, we developed a proactive strategy to put our fiscal house in order for the future.
“The land-use decisions the Council has made over the past few years—to invest in smart-growth opportunities and encourage redevelopment in all corners of the County—will create a strong tax base for years to come.
“Since I joined the Council, we have closed a cumulative $2.7 billion budget gap, slowed the rate of growth in expenditures and put our County on a sustainable fiscal path. As our economic recovery continues, this decision today by the rating agencies demonstrates that Montgomery County is moving in the right direction.”
Council President Navarro has chaired the Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee (GO) since 2010.
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