OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AA-' rating to the following Cameron County, TX's limited tax (LT) bonds:

--\$17.9 million LT refunding bonds, series 2015.

The bonds are scheduled for a negotiated sale during the week of March 2. Bond proceeds will be used to refund outstanding debt for interest cost savings.

Fitch also affirms its 'AA-' rating on the county's outstanding debt comprised of:

--\$124 million limited tax bonds.

The Rating Outlook is Stable.

SECURITY

Limited tax bonds are payable from the county's annual property tax levy, limited to \$0.80 per \$100 of taxable assessed valuation (TAV) for operations and maintenance (O&M) and debt service. Unlimited tax bonds are secured by an unlimited annual property tax levy.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

STABILIZED FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: Improved cost controls and revenue enhancements have stabilized Cameron County's financial position following weakening driven by declines in certain non-property tax revenues and growing public safety expenditures.

WILLINGNESS TO RAISE REVENUE: Management has shown a willingness to take advantage of its substantial taxing flexibility by increasing its O&M levy in recent years to help balance financial operations and add to reserves.

MIXED DEBT PROFILE: The elevated overall debt level relative to market value is balanced against moderate debt on a per capita basis, average principal amortization, limited debt plans, and low carrying costs.

SERVICE AREA LINK TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE: The service area relies on international trade activity due to its proximity to Mexico and an extensive and expanding transportation network. Numerous completed or planned major mobility projects should strengthen the county's multi-modal transportation network, aiding trade activity, local commerce, and tourism.

LOW WEALTH LEVELS; ELEVATED UNEMPLOYMENT: The county's wealth levels remain well below average although are improving at rates that exceed state and national averages. Employment and labor force continue to grow but the unemployment rate remains well above the state and national averages.

NO RATING DISTINCTION: No rating distinction is made between the unlimited tax secured bonds and the limited tax bonds due to the substantial margin remaining under the tax cap.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

RETURN TO STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE: Failure to maintain structural balance and adequate financial reserves could lead to negative rating action.

CREDIT PROFILE

Cameron County is the southernmost county in Texas, and its largest cities include Brownsville, Harlingen, and San Benito.

STABILIZED FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The county's revenue base is supported 60% by property taxes. The county also benefits from toll bridge activity and fees from housing federal inmates. The county's aggressive budgeting of these volatile revenues, in part, led to structural imbalances pre fiscal 2011. While Fitch believes the county is taking a more conservative approach, Fitch views cautiously the budgeted increases in related revenues.

The county has posted two years of positive financial results since restoring structural balance in fiscal 2011. The fiscal 2013 audit yielded a large \$4.4 million general fund surplus, equal to 6% of spending, aided by a 20% increase in charges for services due to greater than budgeted average daily population (ADP) of inmates from the U.S Marshall's Office (USMO). As a result, the unrestricted fund balance increased to a solid \$15.9 million or 21.7% of spending, in excess of the county's 16% fund balance goal.

Unaudited fiscal 2014 results are also positive with a projected operating surplus of \$4.8 million or 6% of spending. If audited results remain unchanged, the unrestricted fund balance will total a healthy \$20.7 million or 26% of spending. Positive fiscal 2014 operations were aided by vacancy savings and a large 42% mid-year increase in the approved per diem rate (now \$51) for housing inmates from the USMO. Such revenues accounted for a modest 8.6% of general fund revenues. The ADP of USMO inmates totaled 350, about 21% of the jail's total capacity. Fiscal 2014 revenues also benefited from an 8% hike in the international toll bridge rate for autos, increasing the toll bridge transfer to \$7.3 million or 9.3% of general fund revenues.

The fiscal 2015 budget is balanced and limits appropriation growth to 5% over the previous year's budget. Charges for services are budgeted to increase by 15% due primarily to the receipt of the higher jail per diem for the full fiscal year. Most pay hikes were limited to a modest \$500 plus a one-time compensation allowance of \$1,000.

SERVICE AREA LINK TO INTERATIONAL TRADE

The county's population continues to grow rapidly. Estimated 2015 population of 436,584 represents a notable 7.5% increase over the 2010 census level. Trade, manufacturing, and tourism are all major components of the local economy.

Manufacturing plants are a significant factor on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, with a major presence of maquiladoras, or twin-plant manufacturers, in Matamoros, Mexico. The Port of Brownsville is an important link with Mexico and affords the only entry point on the border accessible by the four modes of transportation. Prominent tourist attractions include South Padre Island (SPI) among others.

Income levels remain significantly below those of the state and U.S. Unemployment remains elevated largely due to labor force growth (averaging 1.8% per year since 2005) outpacing employment increases (1.6%). The county's annual unemployment rate declined from 10.2% in 2013 to 8.5% in 2014, but remained well above the state's 5.2% and the nation's 6.2% averages.

TAX BASE REMAINS SLUGGISH

Previously solid TAV growth flattened in recent years as a result of the reduced building activity during the economic slowdown, although the county has not experienced any declines in TAV. After declining notably in recent years, home building permit activity is stirring again although TAV grew only modestly in fiscal 2015 by 0.8%. Future plans by the county's regional mobility authority (RMA) for a second causeway bridge to SPI would likely lead to increased development on the northern end of SPI.

Other RMA projects include a 10 mile toll road (SH 550) that will connect Interstate Highway 69 (IH 69) and the Port of Brownsville. The recent conversion of a local highway into IH 69 was designed to facilitate international commercial traffic. The University of Texas recently consolidated two existing campuses into The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and authorized it to build south Texas' first medical school which will open in 2016.

SpaceX, a space transport services company, recently broke ground on a \$40 million commercial-only launch facility near Brownsville. SpaceX's first launch from this location is scheduled in 2016. A 10-year tax abatement agreement with the county requires SpaceX to employ at least 300 by 2024. Additional employment gains are expected from the relocation of suppliers to the area. Up to 12 launches will be scheduled annually and are projected by the county to further boost tourism.

HIGH DEBT BUT MODEST CARRYING COSTS

The county's debt profile is mixed. The overall debt burden relative to market value is elevated at 5.7% due in part to the presence of 10 overlapping school districts and the general growth pressures of the region. Offsetting debt factors include moderate overall debt on a per capita basis at \$2,471, average principal pay out of 55% in 10 years, and limited debt plans. Fitch also notes the county's modest debt service tax rate of \$0.05 per \$100 TAV. Future debt plans are modest, comprised of \$4 million in pass-through toll road and limited tax bonds for the completion of the SH 550 project.

The county provides retirement benefits through the Texas County and District Retirement System, a statewide agent multiple employer defined benefit pension plan. As of Dec. 31, 2012, the published funded ratio totaled a strong 88%. The Fitch-adjusted funded ratio, based on a 7% rate of return, is estimated at a still solid 80%. Fitch notes that the county typically exceeds its annual required contribution. Total carrying costs, including debt service, pension ARC, and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) pay-go, is modest at 6.6% of governmental spending in fiscal 2013.