Title
Resolution Regarding Approval of Series Ordinance Authorizing Issuance and Sale of Sewage Disposal System Revenue and Revenue Refunding Bonds in a Principal Amount Not to Exceed $685,000,000 (Ordinance 2025-02)
Body
Agenda of: April 23, 2025
Item No.: 2025-107
Amount: Not to Exceed $685,000,000
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Suzanne R. Coffey, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: April 23, 2025
RE: Resolution Regarding Approval of Series Ordinance Authorizing Issuance and Sale of Sewage Disposal System Revenue and Revenue Refunding Bonds in a Principal Amount Not to Exceed $685,000,000 (Ordinance 2025-02)
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Nicolette N. Bateson, Chief Financial Officer\Treasurer, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), approves the resolution for the Series Ordinance Authorizing Issuance and Sale of Sewage Disposal System Revenue and Revenue Refunding Bonds in a Principal Amount Not to Exceed $685,000,000 (Ordinance 2025-02) as presented, and authorizes the CEO to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
In order for the Great Lakes Water Authority (“GLWA”) to proceed with the issuance of new money bonds to support regional capital plan improvements and refunding of various outstanding sewage disposal system bonds for the purpose of achieving annual debt service savings, potentially including by effecting the tender and/or exchange of certain outstanding bonds, the GLWA Board must approve the included resolution approving the Series Ordinance.
The Series Ordinance sets forth the guidelines for the New Money and Refunding Bonds and authorizes the Chief Executive Officer of the Chief Financial Officer to execute the final terms of the Bonds, paying issuance costs and signing of the Bond Purchase Agreement, within the parameters set forth in the Series Ordinance.
JUSTIFICATION
New Money Portion: The authorized amount for the New Money Bonds is for an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 for the regional sewer system.
Refunding Portion: The authorized amount for the Refunding Bonds is for an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $635,000,000. The final par amount of the Refunding Bonds will be determined at the time of pricing and is based on current bond market pricing levels, tender pricing levels and investor participation in any tender offer, issuance costs and the par amount of the bonds to be refunded or solicited for tender by GLWA as determined by the savings level achieved.
Following the March 28th audit committee meeting, GLWA and the Michigan Finance Authority (MFA) met to discuss refunding of the Authority’s Sewage Disposal System Revenue Bonds, Series 2016A-SAW-1, which were issued on May 25, 2016 in the original principal amount of $10,000,000 (the “2016 SAW Bonds”). The 2016 SAW Bonds currently carries an outstanding balance of $7,505,000, mature in various principal amounts on October 1 in the years 2025 through 2038 and bear interest at the rate of 2.50%. The MFA indicated its desire for issuers of outstanding SAW Loans to redeem and pay in full the outstanding balances on such respective SAW Loans for administrative purposes of the MFA, and has asked the Authority to consider such redemption, upon terms mutually agreeable to the Authority and the MFA.
Key Provisions:
• Not to Exceed Par Amount: $685 million ($50 million for new money, $635 million for refunding)
• Maximum Coupon Rate: 6.00%
• Minimum Purchase Price: 98% of principal amount of bonds
• Maximum Underwriter Discount: 0.40% of principal amount of bonds
• Present Value Savings: Greater than 2.50% of principal amount of bonds to be refunded
BUDGET IMPACT
Savings resulting from the potential Sewer Refunding Bonds are not included in the FY 2025 budget or ten-year financial plan. When savings are achieved, the financial plan will be revised if necessary.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter was reviewed by the GLWA Audit Committee at its meeting on March 28, 2025. The Audit Committee unanimously recommended the resolution for the Series Ordinance Authorizing Issuance and Sale of Sewage Disposal System Revenue and Revenue Refunding Bonds in a Principal Amount Not to Exceed $685,000,000 as originally presented before the adjustment for the SAW loan noted above. A redline version of the changes to the series ordinance is included.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This item does not impact the shared services agreement between GLWA and DWSD.