Laserfiche WebLink
Section I. Introduction <br />Purpose and Overview <br />The objective of this policy is to provide general guidance for the issuance and management of all City of <br />Tukwila (the City) debt. Further, this policy establishes criteria to protect the City's financial integrity while <br />providing a mechanism to fund the City's capital needs prudently and cost effectively. Adherence to this <br />policy is essential to ensure that the City Council (Council) maintains a debt position which allows the <br />Council to protect the City, its functionality, and the credit quality of its obligations. <br />The City's Finance Department is charged with ensuring compliance with all debt policy requirements. <br />Capital Planning <br />The City shall integrate its debt issuance with its Capital Improvement Program (referred to herein as CIP <br />or Capital Facilities Plan) spending to ensure that planned financing conforms to policy targets regarding <br />the level and composition of outstanding debt. This planning considers the long-term horizon, paying <br />particular attention to financing priorities, capital outlays and competing projects. <br />Long-term borrowing shall be confined to the acquisition and/or construction of capital improvements <br />and shall not be used to fund operating or maintenance costs. The issuance of debt to fund operating <br />deficits is not permitted except in emergencies as adopted by formal action by the City Council. For all <br />capital projects under consideration, the City shall budget and set aside sufficient revenue from <br />operations to fund ongoing maintenance needs and to provide reserves for periodic replacement and <br />renewal. The source of funds for the project should reflect the intended use of bond financing. <br />Section II. Governing Principles <br />In the issuance and management of debt, the City shall comply with the State of Washington (State) <br />constitution and with all other legal requirements imposed by federal, State, and local rules and <br />regulations, as applicable. The following section highlights the legal framework for debt issuance. <br />Governing Law <br />State Statutes. The City issues debt in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), in <br />particular chapters 39.36, 39.46, and 39.53, the State constitution along with all other City, State, and <br />federal laws, rules, and regulations. <br />Federal Rules and Regulations. The City shall issue and manage debt in accordance with the limitations <br />and constraints imposed by federal rules and regulations, including but not limited to, Internal Revenue <br />Code of 1986, as amended, and Treasury Department Regulations thereunder (Tax Law), and the <br />Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934 (Securities Law). <br />Local Rules and Regulations. The City shall issue and sell debt in accordance with the limitations and <br />constraints imposed by the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC), including but not limited to Title 3 (Revenue <br />and Finance) and City ordinances, resolutions, policies, procedures, and bond covenants. <br />City of Tukwila Debt Policy Page 3 of 10 <br />27 <br />