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Criteria I Governments I U.S. Public Finance: U.S. Local Governments General Obligation Ratings:Methodology <br /> And Assumptions <br /> Table 1 <br /> Indicative Outcomes Resulting From • Average Of • • <br /> 4.75-4.94 BB <br /> 4.95-5.0 B <br /> The indicative rating results from the weighted average outcomes as shown above.The final rating may differ from the indicative rating above by <br /> one notch based on trends and comparisons with peers in that range.The final rating may also differ from the indicative rating due to the <br /> presence of overriding factors described in paragraphs 25-35.For ratings below`B-'please see"Criteria For Assigning`CCC+',`CCC',`CCC-',And <br /> `CC'Ratings"published Oct. 1,2012,and"Standard&Poor's Ratings Definitions",published June 17,2013. <br /> Overriding Factors <br /> 25. The criteria employ a series of overriding factors that can result in the final rating assigned to the local government <br /> being different from the indicative rating outcome suggested by table 1. Table 2 summarizes these factors. Certain <br /> conditions result in the final rating moving a specified number of notches above or below the indicative rating. If <br /> multiple notch overrides exist,the final rating is based on the net effect of those overrides. <br /> 26. Certain other conditions result in the final rating being capped at a certain level.When such conditions exist,the final <br /> rating could be lower than the cap depending on the severity of the condition present, and the final rating could be <br /> lower than the indicative rating even if the indicative rating is lower than the ratings cap in table 2. Rating caps are <br /> absolute,meaning that the positive relative adjustments described below do not allow ratings to exceed the cap. If <br /> multiple cap overrides exist,the rating cap used is the lowest cap of all the individual overrides that apply. <br /> 27. If multiple overrides involving both caps and notches exist,the final rating will be based on the lower of the lowest <br /> rating cap or the indicative rating as adjusted by the notch overrides. For example, a local government could have an <br /> indicative rating of'A', a negative one-notch override,and a condition that results in a capped rating of'A+'. In such a <br /> case,the indicative rating as adjusted by the notch override would equal'A-'. Since'A-'is lower than the rating cap,the <br /> final rating could be at most'A' (if the one-notch adjustment described in paragraph 24 were applied) or any lower <br /> rating given that a cap override applies. If,instead,the indicative rating were'AA'in this example,then the indicative <br /> rating as adjusted by the notch override would be greater than the rating cap of'A+'.Therefore,the rating outcome <br /> could be no higher than'A+'(the one-notch adjustment cannot increase a rating above a rating cap),but could be any <br /> lower rating given that a cap override applies.We acknowledge that the assignment and removal of caps may cause an <br /> increase in ratings volatility and potentially steeper rating transitions. <br /> Table 2 <br /> Summary Of Overriding Factors paragraphs <br /> Overriding Factor Result <br /> Notch Overrides <br /> Projected per capita EBI*>225%of U.S.projected per capita EBI Final rating one notch higher than that suggested <br /> by table 1 <br /> Projected per capita EBI*>300%of U.S.projected per capita EBI Final rating two notches higher than that suggested <br /> by table 1 <br /> Total Market Value per capita<$30,000 Final rating one notch lower than that suggested <br /> by table 1 <br /> Available Fund Balance>75%of general fund expenditures for the most recently reported Final rating one notch higher than that suggested <br /> year,the current year and next year and is expected to continue by table 1 <br /> WWW.STANDARDANDPOORS.COM/RATINGSDIRECT SEPTEMBER 12,2013 11 <br /> 1190266 1300881696 <br />