Municipal Bond Sales

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Overview

The Town sells bonds to borrow money to help pay for projects such as water and sewer plants, streets, parks, fire trucks, fire stations and other Town government buildings. Borrowing for such projects enables future taxpayers to share the cost.

General obligation bonds require voters' approval. Other debt financing options include revenue bonds, certificates of participation, installment purchase contracts and state revolving loans.

Ratings

Town of Cary general obligation bonds are rated AAA -- the best possible -- by all three national credit rating agencies. These agencies generally consider revenue bonds and certificates of participation to be higher risk since taxing power is not pledged. However, all Town of Cary debt carries high ratings because of the Town's financial strength.

Financing Type

Moody's

Standard

&
Poor's

Fitch

General obligation
bonds

Aaa

AAA

AAA

Revenue bonds

Aaa

AAA

AAA

Certificates
of participation

Aa1

AA+

AA+

Further explanation of the significance of such ratings may be obtained from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch respectively.

Rating symbols explanation

Ratings Announcements – Moody's, Standard and Poor's, and Fitch

Buying Town of Cary Bonds

The N.C. Department of State Treasurer handles Town of Cary bond sales. Most bonds are sold competitively to the investment banking firm that offers the lowest interest rate. That firm then sells the bonds to individuals and institutions such as insurance companies. Individuals can buy Town of Cary bonds from registered broker dealers. 

Types of Debt

General Obligation Bonds (GO)

  • Description: Town's taxing power pledged; voter approval required
  • Town of Cary uses: Water and sewer projects, streets, parks and recreation projects

Revenue Bonds (Rev)

  • Description: Specific revenue pledged; taxing power not pledged so no vote required
  • Town of Cary uses: Reclaimed water system, sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water tanks

Certificates of Participation (COPS) or Limited Obligation Bonds (LOBS)

  • Description: Specific property pledged; voter approval not required
  • Town of Cary uses: Town Hall expansion, N.C. 55 widening, street improvements

Installment Purchase Contracts (IP)

  • Description: Property that is financed used as collateral
  • Town of Cary uses: Projects costing less than $10 million

State Revolving Loans (SRL)

  • Description: Approved by N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
  • Town of Cary uses: Sewer and water projects

Debt Outstanding

General Fund

Type of Debt

Issue Name

Balance as of 6/30/24

GO

2006 Public Improvement, Variable Rate

$  11,455,000

GO

2014 Public Improvement

1,515,000
GO 2017A Public Improvement 20,305,000
GO 2017B Refunding    7,578,464
GO 2019A Public Improvement 12,670,000
GO  2020A Taxable Refunding   14,410,000
GO 2021 Public Improvement   112,500,000

IP

2018 Fire Financing

5,650,000
IP  2020 Fire Financing  612,920
IP 2024A Vehicle Financing 10,242,000
IP 2024B Fire Financing 1,457,000

Total General Fund Debt Outstanding $  198,395,384

Utility Fund

Type of Debt

Issue Name

Balance as of 6/30/24

GO

2014 Public Improvement

$  1,525,000
GO 2017B Refunding 6,766,534
GO  2020A Taxable Refunding   30,320,000

REV

2015 Revenue Bonds

28,030,000
REV 2017A Revenue Bonds  12,900,000
REV 2017B Refunding 87,115,000

REV

2020B Refunding  17,220,000

REV

2020C Taxable Refunding

35,305,000

Total Utility Fund Debt Outstanding $  219,181,537

Links

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

Annual Budget

Contact

Marcelo L. Olarte
Debt and Investment Manager
Town of Cary
marcelo.olarte@carync.gov
(984) 542-3605