Meeting_Body
FINANCE, BUDGET & AUDIT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 14, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: PROPOSITION A BONDS
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
ADOPT a Resolution (Attachment A) that authorizes the issuance and sale of up to $230 million in aggregate principal amount of the Proposition A First Tier Senior Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds in one or more series, and taking all other actions necessary in connection with the issuance of the refunding bonds.
(REQUIRES SEPARATE, SIMPLE MAJORITY BOARD VOTE)
Issue
ISSUE
Metro may lower its debt service costs by refunding, on a current basis, the outstanding Proposition A First Tier Senior Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2014-A, the Proposition A First Tier Senior Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2015-A (the “Refunded Bonds”). In addition, the sale of the Bonds may also refinance outstanding Proposition A Commercial Paper Notes (approximately $50 million in Tax-Exempt and $42.50 million in Federally Taxable Commercial Paper Notes), subject to market conditions. Approximately $99.32 million of the outstanding Refunded Bonds are eligible for refunding. Under current market conditions, the issuance of the Proposition A First Tier Senior Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2024-A (the “Refunding Bonds”) could achieve approximately $10.00 million in net present value savings over the eleven (11) plus year life of the bonds.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Refunded Bonds may be currently refunded in April 2024 as their call date is July 1, 2024. The Debt Policy establishes criteria to evaluate refunding opportunities. The refunding of the Refunded Bonds is estimated to provide net present value savings in excess of the recommended minimum 3% of the refunded per amount set forth in the Debt Policy criteria for evaluating refunding opportunities.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The Refunding Bonds will be structured as fixed rate bonds and will be sold using a negotiated sale method. If market conditions change suddenly, a negotiated sale provides Metro the flexibility to alter the sale date and/or bond structure, as needed. A negotiated sale method also allows Metro to advance its DBE/SBE/DVBE firm participation goals. The underwriters will pre-market the issue to target as many investors as possible, assist with the credit rating process, and advise on market conditions for optimal bond pricing.
Consistent with the Metro Debt Policy, underwriters for this transaction will be selected by a competitive Request for Proposal (“RFP”) process conducted by Public Resources Advisory Group (“PRAG”), Metro’s Transaction Municipal Advisor. Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP and Kutak Rock LLP were selected by Treasury staff and County Counsel to serve as Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel, respectively.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Approval of this item will not impact the safety of Metro’s patrons or employees.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The costs of issuance for the Refunding Bonds will be paid from the proceeds of the financing and will be budget neutral. Savings from the Refunding Bonds will be reflected in future budgets under principal account 51101 and the bond interest account 51121.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Approval of this item is intended to reduce financial risk and maintain planned funding and schedules for Metro capital projects funded by Proposition A. At this time, there are no equity concerns anticipated as a result of this action.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports the following Metro Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal #5: Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could defer the issuance of the Refunding Bonds to a later time or indefinitely. This is not recommended because we cannot predict that interest rates will remain low enough to generate comparable benefits. Federal Reserve Bank actions and all other market and economic conditions may push interest rates higher and result in a loss of refunding savings.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
• Obtain ratings on the Refunding Bonds
• Complete legal documentation and distribute the preliminary official statement to potential investors, initiate the pre-marketing effort
• Negotiate the sale of the Bonds with the underwriters
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Authorizing Resolution
Prepared by: Rodney Johnson, Treasurer, (213) 922-3417
Biljana Seki, Assistant Treasurer, (213) 922-2554
Michael Kim, Debt Manager, (213) 922-4026
Reviewed by: Nalini Ahuja, Chief Financial Officer, (213) 922-3088
