Prince William County’s AAA bond rating was reaffirmed by the top credit rating agencies – Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services.
AAA is the highest credit rating available.
“This triple-AAA reflects the financial strength and sound fiscal management of Prince William County and is an achievement held by less than two percent of the nation’s 3,190 counties,” stated a release.
More on the rating, from a release:
Moody’s stated that its “Aaa” rating and “stable outlook” designation “reflects the expectation that the county will continue to maintain its solid financial position given its healthy reserves and sound fiscal management.” Fitch noted that its “AAA” rating “reflects the county’s solid revenue growth prospects, healthy financial flexibility, and broad budgetary tools.” The report also pointed out the strength of the Prince William economy and noted, “given the county’s strong historical financial performance supported by conservative fiscal policies, Fitch expects fiscal 2017 will show similar positive results to fiscal 2016.” Lastly, S&P attributed its “AAA” rating with “stable outlook” to the strength of the local economy and sound fiscal management of Prince William County government, “We view the county’s management as very strong, with ‘strong’ financial policies and practices under our [financial management assessment] (FMA) methodology, indicating financial practices are strong, well embedded, and likely sustainable.”
The ratings are a result of the agency analysts’ extensive review of the County’s Principles of Sound Financial Management, the Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2017 Adopted Budgets, Five-Year Budget Plan, Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan and the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
“Our bond rating is the most significant indicator of how well we are managing the financial position of the County and implementing policies that support the local economy,” noted Corey Stewart, Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. “We continue to receive triple-AAA bond ratings because we support the growth of local businesses, we identify and meet the needs of the community through the budget process, and we hold ourselves accountable to our Principles of Sound Financial Management.”
