This course has been cancelled due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases and the logistical complications this has created.

One of your most important responsibilities as an elected leader is to provide for the future capital needs of your communities. Public investments for schools, water and sewer infrastructure, public safety centers and other needs are costly and complex. This program explores the various models of debt financing, and the values of collaboration, strategic planning, and consensus-building in addressing such long-term needs.

Our instructors will be joined by representatives of Standard and Poor Global Ratings, Moody’s Investments, and Fitch Ratings who will each discuss their roles and the factors they consider in evaluating NC local governments’ credit and debt capacity.  In the years since the 2008 recession, these agencies have changed their financial assessment strategies, so it is important for elected officials and staff to understand the factors that affect your bond ratings.      

Questions answered include:

• What exactly does each bond rating agency look for?
• How do they evaluate your creditworthiness?
• Does geography matter?
• How does climate change factor into their decisions?

In this unique workshop, you will learn best practices for financing local government capital investments, explore the legal framework for a capital budget, and discuss various strategies for prioritizing long-term capital needs.

The course is taught by Renee Paschal, retired Chatham County Manager, and Bryan Thompson, Assistant Chatham County Manager. The class includes site visits to three public facilities jointly financed by Chatham County and Siler City through long-term debt collaborations.