OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AA' rating to the following city of Seguin, Texas (city) limited tax obligations:

--\\$15.4 million limited tax general obligation (LTGO) refunding bonds, series 2015.

The bonds will sell via negotiation the week of September 14. Proceeds will be used to advance refund a portion of the city's outstanding obligations for debt service savings.

Fitch also affirms its 'AA' rating on the following outstanding limited tax obligations:

--\\$29.4 million LTGOs, series 2006, 2008, and 2014;
--\\$10.8 million LTGO refunding bonds, series 2011 and 2014;
--\\$12.9 million combination tax and limited pledge revenue certificates of obligation (COs), series 2010 and 2011.

The Rating Outlook is Stable.

SECURITY
The GO bonds and COs are payable from annual property tax levy limited to \\$2.50 per \\$100 taxable assessed valuation (TAV). The COs are additionally payable from net revenues of the city's combined waterworks, electric, and sewer system (not to exceed \\$1,000).

KEY RATING DRIVERS

SOUND FINANCIAL PROFILE: The city consistently achieves operating surpluses due to conservative budgeting and prudently employs excess revenues for one-time capital spending.

HEALTHY, GROWING ECONOMY: The city benefits from its location in the robust San Antonio metropolitan statistical area (MSA) economy and well-located transportation networks. Development activity and job growth focused in manufacturing has been strong coming out of the recession.

MIXED DEBT PROFILE: Debt levels are slightly elevated following recent issuances by the city and local school district. Carrying costs for debt service and retiree costs remain manageable and current debt plans are affordable.

CONTINGENT LIABILITY FOR LOCAL HOSPITAL: The city has a contingent liability for 50% of any operating deficits by the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center (city-county hospital). The city and Guadalupe County (county) maintain significant oversight over hospital operations and budget and neither has ever been required to transfer funds to cover a shortfall.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

FISCAL PERFORMANCE: The maintenance of a balanced operating profile and strong reserves is necessary to offset the city's reliance on inherently volatile sales tax revenues.

HOSPITAL OPERATING RISK: Self-sufficiency of the city-county hospital remains key to offsetting credit concerns over the city's exposure to this contingent liability.

CREDIT PROFILE
Seguin is located in Guadalupe County, approximately 35 miles northeast of San Antonio along Interstate Highway 10. The city's estimated 2014 population of 26,700 reflects 21% growth since 2000.

WELL-POSITIONED ECONOMY
The local economy is somewhat concentrated in manufacturing though government, healthcare, and education add diversity. The city benefits from easy access to the extensive and broad employment base of the San Antonio MSA via major highways, including a recently completed toll road that connects San Antonio with Austin. The favorable location, highway access, and management's economic development efforts, including the use of tax abatement incentives, have facilitated economic development in the city.

The energy boom that occurred in south Texas also spurred economic and job growth in the area. Seguin's role as a hub for business and retail activity has mitigated the downside risk associated with the current slump in energy prices, as evidenced by a low employment rate of 3.9% as of July 2015, compared to 5% just 12 months prior. Demographic indices remain mixed and include lower income and educational attainment levels and a higher poverty rate relative to state and national norms.

The only year of tax base contraction in the city's recent history was the result of the conversion of the largest taxpayer to tax-exempt status through its purchase by the municipally-owned City Public Service Energy (CPS). However, CPS Energy made a one-time payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) to the city of \\$9.6 million for lost future tax revenues, relative to the estimated tax yield from the plant of \\$700,000 in fiscal 2012.

The 4% contraction in fiscal 2014 was more than made up by the cumulative gain of 7.3% in fiscals 2015-2016, bringing TAV to almost \\$1.5 billion. Future prospects for growth are favorable given the positive economic metrics, current developments underway, and tax abatements that are scheduled to expire on a rolling basis over the medium- to long-term. Seguin's average new home price is increasing along with values of existing properties, and tax collection rates remain strong.

STRONG FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
General fund revenues, led by sales and property taxes, have exhibited strong 7.0% compound average annual growth coming out of the recession (fiscals 2008-2014). Sales tax performed particularly well, increasing by an annual average of 9.5% from fiscals 2009-2014, although this period also includes significant volatility. Fitch recognizes the volatility associated with economically sensitive sales taxes, particularly when derived from highly cyclical oil and gas activities. Management's prudent use of surplus revenues for non-recurring capital outlays, as well as the city's continued adherence to its formal policy of maintaining fund balance at or above 30% of spending, helps mitigate that risk.

Fiscal 2014 operating results ended with a \\$1 million deficit after transfers, due in part to a \\$2.5 million transfer to the capital projects fund for one-time spending. Unrestricted reserves of \\$18.9 million (89% of spending) at year end were well in excess of the policy floor of three months of spending.

The city expects fiscal 2015 results to be better than the budgeted \\$2.8 million deficit due to several factors, including higher than projected tax revenues. After transfers for one-time expenses, management estimates ending the Sept. 30, 2015 fiscal year with a \\$1.8 million draw on fund balance (7% of spending). General fund reserves still contain \\$5.8 million of the \\$9.6 million PILOT payment, which management will continue to draw down for general fund operations, debt service, and capital spending. The city plans to transition away from this use of reserves for ongoing spending as the funds are depleted, timed to coincide with the expiration of large tax abatements in out-year budgets.

The fiscal 2016 proposed budget is balanced and includes a 5.4% increase in general fund revenues, driven primarily by property tax revenues and sales tax collections. Excess revenues will be used for a 2% cost of living increase as well as capital improvement projects.

MIXED DEBT PROFILE
The city's overall debt is slightly elevated as a percentage of market value (6.2%) but more moderate on a per capita basis (\\$4,481). The city has \\$7.4 million in proposed COs to fund upcoming capital needs, which are primarily for streets. Current debt plans appear affordable given their modest nature and potential for further tax base growth in the city. Carrying costs for debt service, pension ARC, and OPEB paygo made up a moderate 23.5% of fiscal 2014 governmental expenditures, and are not expected to rise as the debt service schedule is mostly flat. Amortization is average with 51% retired in 10 years.

WELL-FUNDED LEGACY COSTS
The city participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) for its retirees' pension program, and its annual contributions have been at or above the required amounts in recent years. Recent system-wide restructuring of internal fund balance reporting and actuarial assumptions benefitted many cities contributing to the system, including Seguin. Seguin's funded position improved and the current pension UAAL stands at less than 1% of market value. Other post-employment benefits for retiree healthcare are funded on a paygo basis. The OPEB plan is closed to new employees and the UAAL is a de minimis 0.1% of market value.

CONTINGENT LIABILITY FOR COUNTY-CITY HOSPITAL
The city and county each have a 50% contingent liability for any operating deficits. Hospital operations have historically been positive, and although the hospital incurred a deficit in fiscal 2012, operating margins have been positive thereafter as utilization and revenues improved. Fitch would be concerned if hospital deficits exerted financial pressure on the city, but to date, the city has never made a subsidy payment to the hospital, other than indigent care costs for which the city is contractually responsible.