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Summary: <br />Indian River County, Florida; Miscellaneous Tax <br />Credit Profile <br />Indian River Cnty (Spring Training Fac) misc tax <br />Unenhanced Rating <br />Many issues are enhanced by bond insurance. <br />Rationale <br />A+(SPUR)/Stable <br />Upgraded <br />S&P Global Ratings raised its rating on Indian River County, Fla.'s series 2001 revenue bonds (spring training facility) <br />outstanding to 'A+' from 'A'. The outlook is stable. <br />The upgrade reflects the application of our "Priority -Lien Tax Revenue Debt" criteria (published Oct. 22, 2018), which <br />factors in the strength and stability of pledged revenue and the general credit quality of the municipality where taxes <br />are distributed or collected, known as the obligor's creditworthiness. <br />The bonds are limited obligations of the county payable only from, and secured by, a lien on the following pledged <br />revenue: <br />• Annual payments of $500,000 received by the county from the state pursuant to Section 212.20, Florida Statutes, <br />the only revenue source securing the bonds beginning in 2022; <br />• The fourth -cent tourist development tax levied by the county; and <br />• 86% of the local government half -cent sales tax distributed to the county. <br />The Florida Office of Tourism and Trade and Economic Development has certified Indian River County as a location <br />for a retained spring training franchise, enabling the county to receive money from the state under Section 212.20 of <br />the Florida Statutes. These funds may be used only for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or renovation of a <br />facility for a retained spring training franchise or to pay or pledge for the payment of debt service only on bonds issued <br />for this purpose. Monthly distributions of $41,667 from the state's general fund to the county began in March of 2001, <br />and extend for 30 years. Beginning in 2022, debt service on the bonds decreases to an amount essentially equal to the <br />state payments, thereby providing lx coverage on a stand-alone basis through maturity. Given that this revenue source <br />is the only revenue source beginning in 2022, our assessment of the bonds is based on this revenue stream. <br />The fourth -cent tourist development tax is levied by the county on every person who rents or leases hotel, motel, or <br />other accommodations for a term of six months or less. Similar to the state payments, proceeds from the fourth -cent <br />tax are dedicated to construction or debt service costs associated with the spring training facility. In addition, in <br />January 2019, the county's board of commissioners approved a change in county code to allow for this revenue source <br />to be used to promote and advertise tourism in Florida both nationally and internationally. <br />WWW.STANDARDANDPOORS.COM/RATINGSDIRECT MARCH 29, 2119 2 <br />