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7056 City of Orono Financial Management Policies Policy 6 - Debt Management 6-1. PURPOSE The purpose of the debt policy is to ensure that debt is used wisely and that future financial flexibility remains relatively unconstrained. Debt is an important mechanism to fund capital expenditures. It can reduce long-term costs due to inflation, prevent lost opportunities, and equalize the costs of improvements to present and future constituencies. Debt management is an integral part of the financial management of the City. Adequate resources must be provided for the repayment of debt, and the level of debt incurred by the City must be effectively controlled to amounts that are manageable and within levels that will maintain or enhance the City's credit rating. A goal of debt management is to stabilize the overall debt burden and future tax levy requirements to ensure that issued debt can be repaid and prevent default on any municipal debt. A high debt level places a financial burden on taxpayers and can create economic problems for the community. The debt policies ensure that the City's outstanding debt does not weaken the City's financial structure, provides manageable limits on debt, and allows for the best possible credit rating. 6-2. POLICY The city will limit long-term debt to capital improvements which cannot be financed from current revenues. Incurring long-term debt serves to obligate future taxpayers. Excess reliance on long-term debt can cause debt levels to reach or exceed the government's ability to pay. Therefore, conscientious use of long-term debt will provide assurance that future residents will be able to service the debt obligations left by former residents. The city will repay borrowed funds, used for capital projects, within a period not to exceed the expected useful life of the project. This policy reflects the view that those residents who benefit from a project should pay for the project. Adherence to this policy will also help prevent the government from over-extending itself with regard to the incurrence of future debt. The city will not use long-term debt for financing current operations. This policy reflects the view that those residents who benefit from a service should pay for the service. Utilization of long-term debt to support current operations would result in future residents supporting services provided to current residents. The city will adhere to a policy of full public disclosure with regard to the issuance of debt. Full public disclosure with regard to the issuance of debt provides assurance that the incurrence of debt, for which the public is responsible, is based upon a genuine need and is consistent with underwriter guidelines. 6-1