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<br />New Issue: Elk River (City of) MN
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<br />approximately 200 new homes per year over the last four years, is expected to continue at a similar rate.
<br />Moody's expects the taxbase to continue to grow as the city undergoes significant development, including the
<br />new tax increment district 19, which contains a Wal-mart, Home Depot, and a business park, among other
<br />entities. In addition, growth in other parts of the city includes two additional business parks, and a light industrial .
<br />manufacturing plant. This growth is expected to be aided by the future development of a commuter rail system
<br />connecting the metro area to St. Cloud. The rail system is currently in the planning stages and is expected to be
<br />completed within the next few years. With a station planned for Elk River, the commuting time to the metro area
<br />would be approximately 45 minutes and the station would be multi-modal, offering both rail and bus services.
<br />Wealth and housing values are above the state levels and ample employment opportunities are reflected in low
<br />Sherburne County unemployment rates, which at 2.2% in August 2000 were below state levels.
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<br />FINANCIAL POSITION EXPECTED TO REMAIN STRONG
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<br />Moody's expects the city's financial position to remain satisfactory due to prudent fiscal management. In fiscal
<br />year 1999. the General Fund balance was $2.3 million, equivalent to 43.2% of General Fund revenues, and
<br />provided satisfactory liquidity and financial cushion. Except for flat General Fund reserve balances in 1998 due
<br />to a planned transfer of funds for economic development, the city has grown the General Fund every year since
<br />1990. Officials also anticipate an operating surplus for fiscal year 2000. This growth in fund balance is expected
<br />to continue as the city has shown a propensity for conservative budgeting over the last several years.
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<br />HIGH DEBT BURDEN REFLECTS GROWTH NEEDS
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<br />Moody's expects the city's high debt burden of 5.9% to moderate due to the anticipation of future tax base
<br />growth, rapid amortization of principal, approximately 79% over ten years, and minimal future borrowing needs.
<br />The city's direct debt is moderate at 2.6%. Similar to many rapidly developing cities, a significant portion of the
<br />city's debt (almost 49%) is backed by special assessments on affected property. Future debt issuance of $1
<br />million is likely in fiscal 2001 for road improvements and an additional $1 million may also be issued in 2002 or
<br />2003 for street improvements, dependent upon the outcome of a comprehensive financial planning process that
<br />is about to be undertaken by the city.
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<br />KEY STATISTICS
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<br />2000 estimated population: 16,542
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<br />1999 full valuation: $883 million
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<br />1999 full value per capita: $53,408
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<br />Debt burden: 5.9%
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<br />Payout of principal (10 years): 79%
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<br />Unemployment (Sherburne County, 8/00): 2.2%
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<br />FY99 General Fund balance: $2.26 million (43.2% of General Fund revenues)
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<br />Outlook
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<br />The A3 rating has a positive outlook, reflecting the city's strong tax base growth, solid financial position. as well
<br />as Moody's expectation that debt burden will remain moderate due to lack of significant future borrowing plans
<br />by the city. In addition, the outlook is based on the expectation that the city will continue to achieve favorable
<br />operating results and maintain healthy fund balances.
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<br />@ Copyright 2000 by Moody's Investors Service, 99 Church Street, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.
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<br />ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS COPYRIGHTED IN THE NAME OF MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
<br />("MOODY'S"), AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED,
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<br />MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. All information contained
<br />herein is obtained by MOODY'S from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or
<br />mechanical error as well as other factors, however, such information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind and
<br />MOODY'S, in particular, makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, timeliness,
<br />completeness, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose of any such information. Under no circumstances shall
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<br />http://www.moodysresearch.co. ../7 5F6685802CE50 1 F8525697C00786C 12?OpenDocumen 10/23/2000
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