OREANDA-NEWS. S&P Global Ratings raised its issuer credit rating (ICR) to 'AA+' from 'A' on Sunset Hills, Mo. At the same time, we raised our long-term rating to 'AA' from 'A-' on the city's series 2009 certificates of participation. Finally, we assigned our 'AA' long-term rating to Sunset Hills' series 2016 refunding certificates of participation. The outlook is stable.

"The rating action reflects our view of the city's improved financial management conditions as determined by our Financial Management Assessment (FMA) methodology," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Sarah Smaardyk. "The rating action also reflects our view of the city's new financial leadership, which has led to more formalized financial management policies and practices and provided stability in its financial reporting," Ms. Smaardyk added.

The stable outlook reflects our view of the city's very strong reserves and management's ability to historically outperform its adopted budgets.