Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1131550
JUNE 19-25, 2019 UCW 31 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM "Cumberland County's Community Newspaper" Don't be just another face in the crowd. We can help you business get noticed! 910.484.6200 433 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28301-5537 www.FayettevilleNC.gov (910) 433-1FAY (1329) /cityoffayettevillegovernment Insta Follow Your City on Social Media: Engaging You About Your City Government Engaging You About Your City Government KENNETH MAYNER, MPA, Chief Branding Officer, City of Faye eville Corporate Communica ons Department, Contribu ng Writer. Moody's and S&P Issue City Strong Credit Ratings Moody's Investors Service has issued the City of Fayetteville a strong credit rating for its $16 million General Obligation Parks and Recreation Bonds and $2.3 million General Obligation Refunding Bonds. Additionally, S&P Global Ratings issued strong credit ratings to the City for its General Obligation Parks and Recreation and Refunding bonds, Limited Obligation Bonds and on Fayetteville's previously issued appropriation-backed debt. Just as when a citizen has a strong credit report and is able to borrow money at more affordable rates, a similar credit rating system is extended to municipalities. These outstanding credit rating scores mean the City pays less in fees in the long run because of its outstanding credit, saving money for the City and ultimately taxpayers. Moody's assigned the City an Aa1 rating, which is its second best credit rating. S&P Global Ratings issued an AA+ rating to the City for its General Obligation Parks and Recreation and Refunding bonds, an AA rating for the City's Limited Obligation Bonds and an AA rating on Fayetteville's previously issued appropriation-backed debt. Each of the S&P credit ratings are the second best that the agency will extend, with the AA+ designation representing a slightly higher score. "The strong credit ratings show the City of Fayetteville has a solid financial foundation," Mayor Mitch Colvin said. "This reaffirms we are perfectly positioned for investment and growth." "It is one of the City Council's top priorities to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars," City Manager Doug Hewett said. "High bond ratings allow the City to obtain lower interest rates on the City's debt. With the strong guidance and discipline shown by the City staff, our stewardship is evident in the ratings given by these two agencies." "These ratings represent our strong credit and how well we manage debt," Chief Financial Officer Jay Toland said. "The City of Fayetteville pays creditors on-time and in-full, which gives the organization a bright financial future." For more information about the City, log onto www.FayettevilleNC.gov Parks & Recreation Keeps Children Busy During Summer Children may be out of school for the summer but Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation has plenty of opportunities to keep them busy. Splash pads, which feature extended hours again this summer, drew over 24,000 people last summer in Fayetteville and Cumberland County and pools attracted approximately 64,000 patrons. Summer basketball participation was 1,210 and summer volleyball had 305 participants in 2018. Summer camp participation last year was 6,416 with a daily average of 713 at 15 sites, with sports camps drawing 465 children. According to a study of camper outcomes conducted by Philliber Research Associates, 70 percent of parents report that their child gained self-confidence while at camp. Additionally, a study in the American Journal of Health Behavior shows that camps that offer wholesome foods are more likely to turn out campers who eat more fruits and vegetables. For more information about summer camps, log onto https://fcpr.us/programs-activities/summer-camps or call 910-433-1547. Details about summer volleyball and summer basketball is located at https://fcpr.us/athletics/youth-team-sports. To register for summer camps or sports, parents should call their local recreation center or access the registration forms at www.fcpr.us by clicking on "Online Registration" at the top right. Hours and more information about splash pads and pools can be found at www.fcpr.us under Aquatics.