HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-373
RESOLUTION NO, 06-373
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
APPROVING, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF
SECTION 147(f) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986,
AS AMENDED, THE ISSUANCE OF NOT EXCEEDING
$250,000,000 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS
(GEOPLASMA - ST LUCIE LLC PROJECT), PURSUANT TO A
PLAN OF FINANCING; AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN AND
CLERK OF THE BOARD TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER A
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT EXPRESSING ITS INTENT
TO LOAN FUNDS TO GEOPLASMA - ST. LUCIE LLC, A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE COST OF THE ACQUISITION,
CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND INSTALLATION OF A
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY WITHIN THE COUNTY AT
WHICH NEW AND EXISTING WASTE MATERIAL IN THE
COUNTY'S EXISTING LANDFILL WILL BE STORED AND
PROCESSED TO MANUFACTURE SYNTHETIC GAS, WHICH
WILL BE USED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY, TO BE OWNED
AND OPERATED BY GEOPLASMA - ST. LUCIE LLC;
APPROVING, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FURTHER FINDINGS, THE
ISSUANCE OF NOT EXCEEDING $250,000,000 TAX-EXEMPT
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS (GEOPLASMA
- ST. LUCIE LLC PROJECT), AND THE ISSUANCE OF NOT
EXCEEDING $75,000,000 TAXABLE INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS (GEOPLASMA - ST. LUCIE
LLC PROJECT), THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH WILL BE LOANED
TO GEOPLASMA - ST. LUCIE LLC, TO FINANCE ALL OR A
PORTION OF THE COST OF SUCH PROJECT; PROVIDING
CERTAIN OTHER DETAILS WITH RESPECT THERETO; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows:
Section 1, Authority. This Resolution is adopted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter
159, Part II, Florida Statutes, and other applicable provisions of law.
Section 2. Definitions.
(500011 0/00085576.DOCv4)
"Act" means Chapter 159, Part II, Florida Statutes, and other applicable provisions of law.
"Board" means the Board of County Commissioners, as the governing body of the County.
"Bonds" or "Bond" means the Tax-Exempt Bonds and the Taxable Bonds, respectively, to be
authorized by subsequent resolution of the Board pursuant to the Act, and in accordance with the
terms, conditions and limitations contained in such resolution.
"Borrower" means Geoplasma - St. Lucie LLC, a Delaware corporation duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and duly qualified to do business in the
State of Florida.
"Clerk" means the Clerk of the Circuit Court of St. Lucie County, ex officio Clerk of the
Board or any Deputy Clerk.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations
promulgated or applicable thereunder.
"County" means St. Lucie County, Florida, the issuer of the Bonds.
"Chairman" means the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board.
"Memorandum of Agreement" means that certain Memorandum of Agreement, dated the
date hereof, between the Borrower and the County, in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit B, with such changes as the officers signing such Memorandum of Agreement may
approve.
"Project" means the acquisition, construction, equipping and installation of a solid waste
disposal facility to be located at 6120 Glades Cutoff Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34981, and will
consist of approximately three sets of buildings located on approximately 12 acres of land, at
which new waste material and existing waste material located in the County's existing landfill
will be stored, processed with a plasma arc gasification system to manufacture synthetic gas
which will be used to generate approximately 160 megawatts of electricity.
"State" means the State of Florida.
"Taxable Bonds" mean the proposed Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
(Geoplasma - St. Lucie LLC Project), to be issued from time to time in installments or at one time in
an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $75,000,000.
"Tax-Exempt Bonds" mean the proposed Tax-Exempt Industrial Development Revenue
Bonds (Geoplasma - St. Lucie LLC Project), to be issued from time to time in installments or at one
time in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $250,000,000.
2
{5000/1 0/00085576DOCv4}
Section 3. Proposal. The Borrower has requested that the County issue the Bonds at one
time or from time to time under the Act, for the purpose of making a loan to the Borrower to
finance all or part of the cost of the Project, the amount of which the Borrower has represented will
be sufficient, along with funds contributed by the Borrower, to pay all of the cost of the Project,
such Bonds to be secured under the terms of a loan agreement between the County and the
Borrower requiring repayments in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such
Bonds as the same become due and payable.
Section 4. Findings. The Board hereby finds, determines and declares as follows:
A. Pursuant to the Act, the Board has been requested by the Borrower to approve, for
purposes set forth herein, the issuance of the Bonds, in one or more series pursuant to a plan of
financing in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $325,000,000, the proceeds of which
will be loaned to the Borrower to enable the Borrower to finance or refinance all or a part of the
Project.
B. The approval requested by the Borrower is to comply with the requirements of
Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which section requires the
approval by the Board of the issuance of the Tax-Exempt Bonds after a public hearing on the
matter has been held.
C. The Board on the date hereof has held a public hearing pursuant to notice duly
published pursuant to the public approval requirements of Section 147(f) of the Code. A copy of
the proof of publication of the notice is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
D. The Board is authorized and empowered by the Act to enter into transactions such
as those contemplated by the Borrower, and to fully perform the obligations of the County to be
undertaken in connection with the financing of the Project in order to promote the economy of the
County and the State of Florida, increase opportunities for gainful employment and purchasing
power, and improve living conditions, and otherwise contribute to the prosperity and health and
welfare of the County, the State and the inhabitants thereof.
E. The Project is a "project" within the meaning of the Act, is appropriate to the needs
and circumstances of and shall make a significant contribution to the economic growth of the
County, shall provide or preserve gainful employment and shall serve a public purpose by
advancing the economic prosperity and the general welfare of the County and the State and the
inhabitants thereof.
F. The Borrower has requested the County to issue the Taxable Bonds and the Tax-
Exempt Bonds from time to time in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $325,000,000 to
finance the Project. The Bonds shall be paid solely from the repayment of a loan of the bond
proceeds from the County to the Borrower.
3
(5000/1 0/00085576.00cv4)
G. The availability of financing by means of industrial development revenue bonds is
an important inducement to the Borrower to proceed with the acquisition, construction and
installation of the Project.
H. The Project and the issuance of the Bonds to finance the cost thereof will have a
substantial public benefit, and the Board deems it in the best interest of the County and its citizens
to approve the issuance of the Bonds.
Section 5. Public Hearing Held. The Board, on this date, has held a duly called and
convened public hearing pursuant to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in
Section 147(f) of the Code. Anyone who wanted to speak for or against the financing of the Project,
and the issuance of the Tax-Exempt Bonds was given an opportunity to do so.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the issuance of the Tax-Exempt Bonds
pursuant to a plan of financing is hereby approved for purposes of Section 147(f) of the Code in a
principal amount of not to exceed $250,000,000
Section 6. Detennination. If, upon further investigation of the Borrower and its proposal,
the Board is able to find that:
A. the County, the Board or any member or officer thereof is not obligated to pay the
Bonds except from the proceeds derived from the repayment of a loan to the Borrower and that
neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the County or of the State or any political
subdivision thereof is pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest, or premium, if
any, on the Bonds;
B. the Board, the Borrower and the proposed purchaser of the Bonds have executed or
will concurrently with the issuance of the Bonds execute the documentation required for the
financing of the Project as contemplated hereby;
C. adequate provision has been or will be made in the documents for the operation,
repair and maintenance of the Project at the expense of the Borrower and for the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds and reserves, if any, therefor;
D. based on the criteria established by the Act, the Borrower is financially responsible
and fully capable of and willing to fulfill all of its obligations under the terms and provisions of the
loan agreement to be negotiated between the parties, under which the Borrower will be obligated,
among other things, to pay amounts sufficient to timely discharge the debt service on the Bonds,
and to operate, repair and maintain the Project at the Borrower's expense;
4
(500011 0100085576.DOCv4)
E. the interest on the Tax-Exempt Bonds, in the principal amount not to exceed
$250,000,000 herein approved pursuant to section 147(f) of the Code, will be excluded from gross
income for federal income tax purposes under existing laws of the United States; and
F. the proposal will otherwise comply with all of the provisions of the Act;
then the Board may issue Bonds to finance the acquisition and construction of the Project in
accordance with the provisions and authority of the Act, this Resolution and the Memorandum of
Agreement. The principal amount, terms of maturity, interest rate and other details of the Bonds
will be determined by subsequent Board resolution.
Section 7. Financing Conditionally Approved. The financing of the Project through the
issuance of the Bonds is hereby deemed to be in the best interests of the County and its citizens,
and is hereby approved, subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 6 above.
Section 8. Authorization to Execute. The Chairman or Vice Chairman, Clerk of the Board,
the County Administrator and the County Attorney or their designee, are authorized in the name
and on behalf of the County pursuant to this Resolution, to execute and deliver the Memorandum
of Agreement. The officers executing such Memorandum of Agreement are further authorized to
do all acts which may be required or may be advisable with respect thereto.
The Chairman or Vice Chairman, the and Clerk of the Board, the County Administrator
and the County Attorney or their designee, are further authorized to take such further action and
execute such further instruments as may be necessary to fully effectuate the purpose and intention
of the Memorandum of Agreement and this Resolution, including, but not limited to, making
application to the State of Florida for one or more private activity bond allocations as may be
necessary to provide for issuance of the Tax-Exempt Bonds..
Section 9. Priority, Nothing herein shall be deemed to restrict the County or the State of
Florida or any agency or political subdivision thereof in determining the order or priority of the
issuance of bonds by the County, to require the Board to give the Bonds priority as to issuance or
as to the time of issuance over any other bonds previously or subsequently approved by the Board
for issuance. Any such prioritization by the Board could result in the inability of the County to
issue the Bonds.
Section 10. Official Action and Reimbursement. This Resolution constitutes official
intent under Treasury Regulations Section 1.150-2 and any amendments thereto, for
reimbursement from bond proceeds of temporary advances made by the Borrower for purposes of
the Project prior to the issuance of the Bonds.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]
5
{5000/l 0100085576DOCv4}
6
{5000/1 OI00085576.DOCv4}
Section 11. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its
adoption.
Passed and Adopted this 28th day of November 2006.
(SEAL)
B
A TIEST:
Cle of the Circuit Court, ex-officio
Clerk of the Board of County
Commissioners
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
CORRECTNESS:
By:
¡J
7
{500011 0/00085576DOCv4}
{5000/1 0/00085576.DOCv4}
EXHIBIT A
PROOF OF PUBLICATION OF NOTICE
~A~
!Ii
SCRIPPS HOWARD
SCRIPPS TREASURE COAST
NEWSPAPERS
Fort Pierce Tribune
600 Edwards Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34982
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF ST. LUCIE
Before the undersigned authority personally appeared, S. Darlene 8roeg, who on oath says that she is Classified Inside Sales
Manager of the Fort Pierce Tribune, a daily newspaper published at Fort Pierce in 51. Lucie County, Florida: that the attached
copy of advertisement was publshed in the Fort Pierce Tribune in the following issues below. Affiant further says that the said
Fort Pierce Tribune is a newspaper published in Fort Pierce, in said St. Lucie County, Florida, and that said newspaper has
heretofore been continuously published In said 51. Lucie County, Florida, daily and distributed in 51. Lucie County, Florida, for a
period of one year next preceding the first publication of the attached copy of advertisement; and affiant further says that she has
neither paid or promised any person, firm or corporation any discount, rebate, commission or refund for the purpose of securing
this advertisement for publication in the said newspaper. The Fort Pierce Tribune has been entered as Periodical Matter at the
Post Offices in Fort Pierce, Sf. Lucie County, Florida and has been for a period of one year next preceding the first publication of
the attached copy of advertisement
Customer
BRYANT MILLER & OLIVE, P.A
Ad
Number
Pub
Date
Copvline
1509931
11/13/2006
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARING
Subscribed and sworn to me before this date:
November 13, 2006
£~"I(dt~.~~
¡' ~
--- !/ -----
j¡JC\-< -- /, ~
Notary Public I
"'"'''''' MARY T BYRNE
~~'\,J",Y p!!tf", .
t¡¡œ~\ Notary Public -- Slate of Florida
¡, 'iMy CommIssion Expires Aug 2, 2010
,,¿¡~ ~ Commission. DO 544327
· "··,9(11':;' " Bonded By National Notary Assn.
po#
GEOPLASMNNOV
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING
NOT TO EXCEED $250.000,000
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS
(GEOPLASMA - ST. LUCIE LLC PROJECT)
NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing pur-
suant to Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), will be
held by the Board of County Commissioners of
St. Lucie County, Florida (the "Commission"), on
behalf of the Commission, on Tuesday, Novem-
ber 28, 2006, beginning at 9:00 a,m., local time, or
as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in
the County Commission Chambers in the Roger
Poitras Administration Annex. 2300 Virginia Ave-
nue, Fort Pierce, Florida, The Public Hearing is
for the purpose of providing a reasonable oppor-
tunity for interested individuals to express their
views, both orally and in writing, on the proposed
issuance of the Bonds and on the location and
nature of the facility to be financed and for the
purpose of considering the following:
A plan of finance consisting of the proposed issu-
ance by the Commission of its tax-exempt Indus-
trial Development Revenue Bonds (Geoplasma -
St. Lucie LLC Project), Series [to be determined],
in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$250,000,000 (the "ObligatIOns"), issued for the
purpose of financing or refinancing all or a part of
the cost of the acquisition, construction, equip-
ping and installation of a solid waste disposal fa-
cility to be located at 6120 Glades Cutoff Road,
Fort Pierce, FL 34981 (the "Project"). The Project
will consist of approximately three ~ets of build-
ings located on approximalely 12 (cre~ of ¡and, ¡,t
which new waste material and existing waste ma-
terial located in the County's existing landfill will
be stored, processed with a plasma arc gasifica-
tion system to generate synthetic gas, and then
the synthetic gas will be used to generate ap-
proximately 160 mega watts of electricity. Said
Project will be owned and operated by Geoplas-
ma - St. Lucie LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company qualified to conduct business in Florida.
whose current principal address is c/o CT Cor-
poration System, 1200 South Pine Island Road,
Plantation, FL 33324, and whose principal address
will be the location of the Project set forth above
upon its completion (the "User").
THE BONDS SHALL NEVER CONSTITUTE AN IN-
DEBTEDNESS OR GENERAL OBLIGATION OF
THE STATE OF FLORIDA, S1. LUCIE COUNTY, OR
ANY OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR AGEN-
CY OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BUT SHALL BE
PAYABLE SOLELY FROM FUNDS PAID BY GEO-
PLASMA - S1. LUCIE LLC.
The public hearing is required by Section 147m of
the Code. Any person interested in the plan of fi-
nance, in the proposed issuance of the Obliga-
tions. or the location or nature of the Project may
appear and be heard. Subsequent to the public
hearing, the Commission will consider whether to
approve the Obligations, as required by Section
147(f) ofthe Code.
The public hearing will be conducted in a manner
that provides a reasonable opportunity to be
heard for per.sons with differing views on the
plan of finance, the location or nature of the Proj-
ect, or the issuance of the Obligations Any per-
son desiring to be heard on this matter is request-
ed to attend the public hearing or send a repre-
sentative. Written comments may be submitted
to the Commission at the County at 2300 Virginia
Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida 34982, Attention:
County Attorney.
Further information relating to this matter is avail-
able for inspection and copying during regular
business hours at the office of the County Attor-
ney at 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida
34982,
Comments made at the hearing are for the consid-
eration of the Commission. and will not bind any
legal action to be taken by the Commission in
connection with its consideration and approval of
the financing and the issuance ofthe Obligations.
IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECI-
SION WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH MATTER
CONSIDERED AT SUCH HEARING, SUCH PER-
SON WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEED-
INGS, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, SUCH PERSON
MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RE-
CORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH
RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVI-
DENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE
BASED.
Any person requiring reasonable accommodation
at this meeting because of a disability or physical
impairment should contact the SI. Lucie County
Community Services Manager at 1772) 462-1777
or TOO (772) 462-1428 at least 48 hours prior to
the meeting.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
THIS NOTICE IS DATED THIS 10th DAY OF
NOVEMBER,2006.
Submitted by: Douglas M. Anderson,
County Administrator
Publish: November 13, 2006 1509931
(5000/10/00085576.DOCv4 )
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT between ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, a
political subdivision of the State of Florida (the "Issuer"), and GEOPLASMA - ST. LUCIE LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company, authorized to do business in the State of Florida (the
"Borrower").
I. Preliminary Statement. Among the matters of mutual inducement which have
resulted in the execution of this Memorandum of Agreement are the following:
(a) The Issuer is a political subdivision of the State of Florida, and thereby is
a local agency as defined in the Florida Industrial Development Financing Act, Chapter 159,
Part II, Florida Statutes, as amended (Chapter 159, Parts II, Florida Statutes, as amended, being
hereinafter referred to collectively as the" Act"). As such, the Issuer is duly authorized and
empowered by the Act to provide for the issuance of and to issue and sell its industrial
development revenue bonds for the purpose of financing all or any part of the "cost" of any
"project," including any project for a "solid waste facility" (as such terms are defined or used in
the Act).
(b) The Borrower proposes that the Issuer finance or refinance all or any part
of the cost of a project consisting of the acquisition, construction, equipping and installation of a
solid waste disposal facility (the "Facility") to be located at 6120 Glades Cutoff Road, Fort
Pierce, Florida 34981, which will consist of approximately three sets of buildings located on
approximately 12 acres of land, at which new waste material and existing waste material
located in the County's existing landfill will be stored, processed with a plasma arc gasification
system to generate synthetic gas, which will be used to generate approximately 160 megawatts
of electricity, and will include fixtures, furniture and equipment relating thereto (collectively,
the "Project"). The Project will be owned and operated by the Borrower.
(c) Borrower Representations and Intent of Memorandum The Borrower
represents that the portion of the capital cost of the Project to be financed with the Bonds,
including the cost of issuance of the Bonds (as hereinafter defined), is not expected to exceed
$325,000,000.
2. The Borrower represents that the Project is a "project" within the
meaning and contemplation of the Act.
(a) The Borrower represents that neither it nor any "related person" (as such
term is used in Section 144(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code")), directly or indirectly, commenced or entered into any binding contracts for the
acquisition or construction of the Project or for the purchase of machinery or equipment for the
Project more than sixty days prior to the date hereof (unless otherwise permitted by applicable
Treasury Regulations), and that it is essential that it make commitments for such purposes prior
to issuance of the Bonds.
{5000!10!00087149.DOCv3}JACK_522259.4
(b) The Borrower has requested that the Issuer express its intention to issue
its industrial development revenue bonds for the Project in an aggregate principal amount of
not to exceed $325,000,000, (the "Bonds") of which not to exceed $250,000,000 may be issued as
bonds the interest on which will be excluded from gross income of the holders thereof for
federal income tax purposes (the "Tax Exempt Bonds"), and that the Issuer approve the Bonds
and file for an allocation for the Bonds in the amount of up to $250,000,000 for calendar year
2006 if available, and otherwise for calendar year 2007 through 2009 (inclusive of any
carryforward allocation available during such period), for the purpose of financing all or part of
the "cost" (as defined in the Act) of the Project under a loan agreement between the Issuer and
the Borrower, whereby the Borrower will be unconditionally obligated to operate, repair and
maintain the Project, to make payments sufficient to pay the debt service on the Bonds and to
pay all other costs incurred by the Issuer in connection with the financing, the acquisition,
construction and installation, and the administration of the Project which are not paid out of the
Bond proceeds or otherwise; the Bonds are to be secured by such obligations of the Borrower;
and the interest on the Tax-Exempt Bonds to be exempt from federal income taxation under the
laws of the United States of America.
(c) This Memorandum of Agreement is entered into to permit the Borrower
to proceed with commitments for the Project and to incur or pay costs in connection with
various phases of the Project (including the costs of the acquisition, construction and installation
of the Project and related expenses) and to provide a declaration of intent by the Issuer, prior to
the issuance of the Bonds, to issue and sell the Bonds and make the proceeds thereof available
to finance all or part of the costs of the Project, including reimbursement of original
expenditures for the Project paid prior to the issuance of the Bonds, to the extent of such
proceeds, all in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Constitution and other laws
of the State of Florida, including the Act, the Florida Private Activity Bond Allocation Act,
Chapter 159, Part VI, Florida Statutes, as amended (the "Bond Allocation Act"), the Code and
Treasury Regulations Section 1.150-2 under the Code, and this Memorandum of Agreement.
3. Intentions on the Part of the Issuer. Pursuant to and in accordance with and
subject to the limitations of the Constitution and other laws of the State of Florida, including the
Act, the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.150-2 under the Code, and the Bond
Allocation Act, and upon the conditions stated in this Memorandum of Agreement, the Issuer
declares its intent as follows:
(a) It will authorize the issuance and sale of one or more series of the Bonds,
pursuant to the terms of the Act as then in force, for the purpose of financing all or a portion of
the cost of the Project, including reimbursement of original expenditures for the Project paid
prior to the issuance of the Bonds but no earlier than 60 days prior to the date hereof (unless
otherwise permitted by applicable Treasury Regulations).
(b) It will, at the proper time and subject in all respects to the prior advice,
consent and approval of the Borrower, adopt such proceedings and authorize the execution of
such documents as may be necessary and advisable for the authorization, sale and issuance of
{5000/1 0/00087149. DOCv3}
-2-
the Bonds, the acquisition, construction and installation of the Project and the financing of the
Project, all as shall be provided for or permitted by the Code and the Bond Allocation Act,
authorized by the Act and mutually satisfactory to the Issuer and the Borrower. The Bonds are
to be issued under a trust indenture between the Issuer and a trust company, bank or other
qualified trustee having trust powers (which shall be qualified to serve as trustee under such
indenture, under all applicable laws, and be designated by the Borrower and acceptable to the
Issuer), as Trustee, pursuant to which the Trustee shall receive and disburse the proceeds from
the sale of Bonds, collect payments from the Borrower under the financing agreements and
enforce its obligations under the financing agreements. The Bonds shall not be deemed to
constitute a debt, liability or obligation, or a pledge of the faith and credit or taxing power, of
the Issuer or of the State of Florida or of any political subdivision thereof, but the Bonds shall be
payable solely from the revenues and proceeds to be derived by the Issuer from the sale,
operation or leasing of the Project, including payments received under the financing
agreements. The Bonds shall bear interest at such rate or rates, shall be payable at such times
and places, shall be in such forms and denominations, shall be sold in such manner, at such
price and at such time or times, shall have such provisions for redemption, shall be executed,
and shall be secured pursuant to the Indenture, as hereafter may be requested by the Borrower
and acceptable to the Issuer, all on terms complying with the Code, authorized by the Act and
mutually satisfactory to the Issuer and the Borrower, subject to confirmation of an allocation
pursuant to the Bond Allocation Act or other applicable law then in effect.
(c) The interest on the Tax-Exempt Bonds shall be exempt from federal income
taxation, as determined on the basis of an opinion of Bond Counsel approved by the Issuer.
4. Agreements of the Borrower. Subject to the conditions stated in the Preliminary
Resolution or in this Memorandum of Agreement, the Borrower agrees, if it proceeds with the
Project, as follows:
(a) The Borrower will generally arrange for, manage and carry out the
acquisition, construction and installation of the Project, it will advance its own funds for such
purpose as herein provided and, to the extent that the proceeds derived from the sale of the
Bonds are not sufficient to complete the Project, and to pay all costs incurred in connection
therewith and with the financing and administration of the Project, it will supply all additional
funds which are necessary therefor.
(b) The Borrower will make arrangements for the sale of the Bonds and shall
be responsible for compliance with all applicable securities laws, including any disclosure
obligations, in connection with the offering and sale thereof.
(c) Contemporaneously with the delivery of the Bonds, the Borrower will
enter into financing agreements and such other agreements and related documents as shall be
necessary or appropriate so that the Borrower will be obligated to operate, maintain and repair
the Project at its own expense, to pay for the account of the Issuer sums sufficient in the
aggregate to pay all of the principal of and interest and redemption premiums, if any, on the
{500011 0/00087149 DOCv3}
-3-
Bonds when and as the same shall become due and payable, and to pay all other costs incurred
by the Issuer in connection with the financing, construction and administration of the Project
except as may be paid out of the Bond proceeds or otherwise.
(d) The Borrower will take such further action and adopt such proceedings as
may be required to implement its undertakings hereunder.
5. General Provisions.
(a) Since it is anticipated that the acquisition, construction and installation of
the Project will commence prior to the sale of the Bonds and the Borrower knows and
acknowledges that the Issuer will have no funds available to pay the cost of the Project other
than funds derived from the sale of the Bonds, the Borrower may advance from time to time
any funds necessary for the acquisition, construction and installation of the Project, and any
such funds when so advanced shall be deemed funds advanced on behalf of the Issuer;
provided, however, that the Issuer shall not by virtue of such advances or otherwise through
this Memorandum of Agreement acquire any property interest in the Project whatsoever. To
the extent that the net proceeds derived from the sale of the Bonds are sufficient for such
purpose, the Issuer agrees to reimburse the Borrower from such net proceeds after the issuance
of the Bonds for costs of the Project incurred by the Borrower prior to the issuance of the Bonds
(subject to any limitations imposed by the Code).
(b) The Issuer agrees that the Borrower may enter into one or more
agreements with a private lender or lenders to provide temporary construction financing and
obtain commitments for permanent financing for the Project without violating in any manner
the terms of this Agreement.
(c) The Borrower shall act as independent contractor, and not as agent for the
Issuer, for the acquisition, construction, installation and completion of the Project, and shall
provide all services incident to the acquisition, construction and installation of the Project and
pay the cost thereof pending reimbursement by the Issuer from the Bond proceeds, and the
Issuer shall have no responsibility for the provision of any such services.
(d) The Borrower may engage the services of an underwriter or financial
consultant or adviser and legal counsel in connection with the offering and sale of the Bonds;
provided, however, that the Issuer shall have no liability for the payment if any such firm's
compensation or expenses if the Bonds are not sold and issued, and if the Bonds are sold and
issued the Issuer shall be liable for the payment thereof only out of the proceeds of sale of the
Bonds.
(e) The Borrower has paid the Issuer's nonrefundable application fee and
agrees to pay the Issuer's actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, whether or not the Bonds are issued and sold, provided that
if the Bonds are issued and sold, such fee and costs and expenses may be reimbursed out of the
proceeds of the sale of the Bonds.
{5000/IO/00087149.DOCv} }
-4-
(f) Daniel S. McIntyre, Esquire, County Attorney, serves as counsel for the
Issuer and Bryant Miller Olive P.A., Tallahassee, Florida, serves as Bond Counsel for the Issuer,
and Public Financial Management serves as Financial Advisor for the Issuer. The Borrower
shall be responsible for the payment of all standard fees, costs and expenses of said counsel and
Financial Advisor for the Issuer and of all fees, costs and expenses of Bond Counsel and
Financial Advisor, and shall pay the same whether or not the Bonds are issued and sold,
provided that if the Bonds are issued and sold such fees, costs and expenses may be paid or
reimbursed out of the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds.
(g) The Bonds shall not be required to be validated pursuant to the
provisions of Chapter 75, Florida Statutes, unless validation shall be deemed advisable or shall
be required by counsel to the Issuer, Bond Counselor the initial purchaser of the Bonds.
(h) Confirmation of an allocation for the Tax-Exempt Bonds for the calendar
year in which the Bonds are issued (unless carryforward allocation is available), sold and
delivered and the purchase price therefor is received, under Section 146 of the Code, the Bond
Allocation Act and other applicable law then in effect, and, if required by the Issuer or its
counsel, the Borrower or its counsel, or Bond Counsel, such other rulings, approvals, consents,
certificates of compliance, opinions of counsel and other instruments and proceedings
satisfactory to each of them, with respect to the Bonds, the Project this Memorandum of
Agreement, the financing agreements, the trust indenture or any other instrument or act
contemplated hereby, shall be obtained from such governmental agency, as well as
nongovernmental, agencies and entities as may have or assert competence or jurisdiction over
or interest in matters pertinent thereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect at the time
of issuance of the Bonds.
(i) The intentions of the Issuer to issue the Bonds pursuant to this
Memorandum of Agreement and to use the proceeds thereof as herein contemplated are subject
to the conditions that (i) the issuance of the Bonds by the Issuer shall have been authorized by a
bond resolution of the Issuer; (ii) an amount equal to the face amount of the Tax Exempt Bonds
shall have been allocated for the issuance of the Tax Exempt Bonds for the calendar year in
which the Bonds are issued (unless carryforward allocation is available), sold and delivered and
the purchase price therefor is received, pursuant to Section 146 of the Code and the Bond
Allocation Act or any other applicable provisions, which allocation shall be in full force and
effect on the closing date for the issuance of the Bonds, and (iii) the Issuer and the Borrower
shall have agreed to mutually acceptable terms for the Bonds and the sale and delivery thereof
and mutually acceptable terms and conditions for the financing agreements and other
agreements and documents referred to in Sections 2(b) and 4(c) and the proceedings referred to
in Sections 2 and 3 hereof and the Bonds shall have been issued, sold and delivered; provided,
however, that the Bonds may not be issued more than one year after the date on which the
entire Project shall have been first placed in service or acquired (whichever occurs last), after the
allocation referred to in clause (ii) shall have expired, elapsed or become ineffective, or after the
expiration, lapse or repeal of any authority for the issuance of the Bonds under Florida law or of
{5000/1O/00087149.00CvJ}
-5-
the exclusion of interest on the Tax-Exempt Bonds from gross income for federal income tax
purposes under the Code.
(j) If the events set forth in paragraph (i) of this Section do not take place
within the times set forth therein or any extensions thereof and the Bonds are not issued as
herein contemplated, the Borrower agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred pursuant to
this Memorandum of Agreement by the Borrower, the fees and expenses of any underwriter,
financial consultant or adviser engaged by the Borrower, the standard fees, costs and expenses
of counsel of the Issuer, the fees, costs and expenses of Bond Counsel and Financial Advisor,
and any necessary and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this
Memorandum of Agreement by the Issuer, whereupon this Memorandum of Agreement shall
terminate.
(k) So long as this Memorandum of Agreement is in effect, all risk of loss to
the Project will be borne by the Borrower.
(I) It is expressly agreed that any pecuniary liability or obligation of the
Issuer hereunder shall be limited solely to the revenues and other funds derived by the Issuer
from the sale, operation or leasing of the Project, including payments received under the
financing agreements, and nothing contained in this Memorandum of Agreement shall ever be
construed to constitute a personal or pecuniary liability or charge against any member, officer,
commissioner, employee or agent of the Issuer or its governing body, and in the event of a
breach of any undertaking on the part of the Issuer contained in this Memorandum of
Agreement, no personal or pecuniary liability or charge payable directly or indirectly from any
funds or property of the Issuer shall arise therefrom. The Borrower hereby releases the Issuer
from and agrees that the Issuer shall not be liable for, and agrees to defend, indemnify and hold
the Issuer harmless against any liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, litigation, costs and
expenses (including but not limited to attorneys' fees and expenses) imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against the Issuer for any cause whatsoever pertaining to the Project, the Bonds or this
Memorandum of Agreement, or any transaction contemplated hereby; provided, however, that
the scope and amount of the liability of the Borrower under this sentence shall never exceed the
scope and amount of the Issuer's liability, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees). The
provisions of this paragraph shall survive any termination of this Memorandum of Agreement.
(m) If at any time prior to the issuance and sale of the Bonds the Issuer shall
determine that the business, operations or financial condition of the Borrower is not satisfactory
or that the Borrower is not proceeding diligently with the acquisition, construction and
installation of the Project or the financing thereof as contemplated hereby the Issuer may, at its
option, terminate this Memorandum of Agreement and any allocation for the Bonds by written
notice to the Borrower. The Issuer shall be discharged of its undertakings under this
Memorandum of Agreement if the Borrower shall not provide at the closing for the issuance of
the Bonds assurances satisfactory to the Issuer that no material adverse change has occurred in
the representations of the Borrower or in the business, operations or financial condition of the
Borrower.
{5000110100087149DOCvJ}
-6-
(n) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (m) of this Section, the
proVISIOnS of this Memorandum of Agreement shall be superseded by (i) any financing
agreement entered into by the Issuer and the Borrower in accordance with Sections 2(b) and 4(c)
of this Agreement and (ii) as applicable, any lease agreement, service contract or related
agreement entered into by the Issuer and the Borrower with respect to the Project, and shall,
upon the execution and delivery of such financing agreements, lease agreement, service contract
or related agreements, as applicable, terminate and be of no effect.
(0) This Memorandum of Agreement shall become effective when executed
and delivered by the Issuer and the Borrower.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Memorandum of
Agreement as of the 28th day of November, 2006.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
Chairman, Board of County Commissioners
Signed this _ day of
.2006.
ATTEST:
Clerk of the Circuit Court, ex officio
Clerk of the Board of County
Commissioners
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
CORRECTNESS:
By:
County Attorney
GEOPLASMA - ST. LUCIE LLC.
By
Title:
Signed this _ day of
.2006.
(50001l0/00087149.DOCv) }
-7-
GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ISSUANCE
OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS IN
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
I. BACKGROUND
Industrial development revenue bonds (IDRBs) are securities issued by a local
governmental agency (here, St. Lucie County) for the purpose of financing capital
facilities for use by private business and industry. Usually, the facilities are leased
or sold by the agency to qualifying industries for lease or installment purchase
payments necessary to retire the bonds. The debt service on the bonds is paid solely
from revenues or payments received from the company; there is no undertaking on the
part of the County or any other governmental unit to make such payments other than
from the least or installment payments received.
IDRB financing often is comparable to ordinary note and mortgage financing in that
a private lender (the bond purchaser) agrees to lend funds to a private company (by
buying the bonds). The facilities (the capital project) that the lender's funds (the
bond proceeds) are used to finance are mortgaged to secure repayment of the loan
(the bonds).
In the case of IDRBs, the local issuing agency (St. Lucie County) serves as a pass-
through medium. The loan is made to (the bonds are issued by) the County, and the
County in turn lends the funds (the bond proceeds) to the private company (the
project proponent) to pay the cost of the capital project. For federal income tax
purposes, the action of passing the loan through the County qualifies the loan as a
special obligation of a local governmental agency.
Because IDRBs are considered a special obligation of a local governmental unit, and
providing the project meets all qualifying conditions, the interest on the bonds is not
subject to federal income tax. The lender (the bond purchaser), therefore, need not
charge the same interest rate in order to receive the same net (after tax) rate of
return as if the loan were made on a conventional basis. The resulting savings is
passed on to the borrower (the project proponent) in the form of an interest rate
that is lower than that obtainable through conventional financing.
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
II. GUIDELINES
A. Use of Bond Proceeds.
The use of proceeds realized from the sale of IDRBs issued by the Board of
County Commissioners of St. Lucie County shall be governed by the regulations
and laws of the State of Florida and the United States Internal Revenue Code.
B. Financial Structure.
1. The legal structure of the proposed financing may take any form that
is permitted by the applicable federal and state statutes in effect at
the time of the bond issue closing.
2. The Board of County Commissioners generally will require that the
assets financed with the proceeds of IDRBs be pledged as security for
repayment of the bonds.
3. The Board of County Commissioners generally will require that the term
of the bonds be no longer than the useful life of the project financed.
4. If the project is for a corporate subsidiary, the Board of County
Commissioners generally will require that the parent company guarantee
the bonds.
5. The Board of County Commissioners generally will require that
prospective bond issues not considered of investment-grade quality be
sold only by private placement or limited public offering.
6. The user of facilities financed by IDRBs shall pay, as they become due,
all taxes, fees, and other assessments levied by all state and local
governmental agencies having jurisdiction over the facilities.
7. The IDRBs generally will be required to be redeemed if interest on the
bonds becomes taxable or if construction or operation of the project
is halted.
8. At least 10 days notice shall be provided to the Board of County
Commissioners prior to any sale or other disposition of a project
financed with IDRBs.
C. Fees and Expenses.
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
1. An applicant for IDRBs will remit with the application a nonrefundable
fee of $1,500.
The County Attorney, the County's bond counsel, and the County's
financial advisor shall represent St. Lucie County in connection with the
review of the proposed IDRB issue, the financial feasibility thereof, the
documents and procedures relative thereto, and the fiscal soundness of
the applicant. The applicant shall pay all fees and expenses incurred by
the County in connection with such representation; provided that, in the
absence of extraordinary circumstances, such fees and expenses shall
be deemed included in the administrative fee paid by the applicant as
provided in paragraph 4 of this Section II.C.
3. The applicant may designate bond counsel for the issue, subject to
acceptability to the County Attorney, or may request that the County's
bond counsel serve as bond counsel on the issue. If the applicant
chooses to have the County's bond counsel serve as bond counsel for the
issue, the applicant shall negotiate the fee for such services with such
bond counsel, who will represent the County as bond counsel, and shall
pay the fees and expenses associated with such services; provided that,
in such event, the applicant shall be entitled to a credit against such
negotiated fee one-third (1/3) of the amount of the administrative fee
payable to the County pursuant to paragraph 4 below.
4. In addition to the application fee payable as provided in paragraph 1
above, the applicant shall pay, at or before the date of issuance of the
IDRB's in immediately available funds, an administrative fee equal to
one-half of one percent (0.5'70) of the aggregate principal amount of
IDRB's issued, provided that such fee will be not less than $10,500 and,
in the absence of extraordinary circumstances, not greater than
$30,000, regardless of the principal amount of IDRB's issues.
Extraordinary circumstances may include, but not necessarily be limited
to, bonds issued in multiple series, bonds secured by complex collateral
mechanisms, bonds having complex financial structures (variable rate,
multi-modal, etc.), and other factors affecting the process of review
and approval of the documents and structure of the bonds.
5. The applicant shall be responsible for paying all fees charged by any
participant in the bond issue, must pay all County fees at or prior to
closing in immediately available funds, and shall make arrangements
satisfactory to the County for payment of all other fees and expenses
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
III. PROCEDURES
A. Preapplication Review.
Representatives for a potential applicant for the issuance of IDRBs may appear at a work
session of the Board of County Commissioners to outline the proposed capital project and to
request a preliminary, informal, and nonbonding indication of whether the proposal might
receive favorable consideration. No further review or analysis will be performed by the
Board of County Commissioners or County staff until an application is filed.
B. Application.
An application for the issuance of IDRBs shall be made to the Board of County Commissioners.
The original and 10 copies of the application shall be submitted with the appropriate
application fee to the County Attorney. The application shall be on the company letterhead
and shall include the following information about the applicant and the project:
1. Applicant's name, parent company name or names of principals with 10 percent or more
interest in the applicant, names of applicant's principal operating officers, names of
principals with 10 percent or more interest in the project, and the applicant's business
address and telephone number.
2. Specific amount in U.S. dollars being requested to be raised by the issuance of IDRBs.
3. A statement describing the applicant, its history, and its operations.
4. A statement describing the sources and uses of funds for the project, as follows:
a. Sources of funds
i. IDRB proceeds
ii. Equity (cash, letter of credit, etc.)
III. Other (fixed assets, etc.)
b. Uses of funds
i. Land acquisition, including location and size
ii. Building construction, including type and size
iii. Equipment, listed by type and cost
IV. Other costs, itemized
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
5. A statement indicating the applicant's estimate of its financial performance as a result
of new investment made possible by IDRBs.
6. A statement indicating the proposed security for and guarantors of the bonds.
7. A statement describing the proposed method of selling the bonds.
8. Audited financial statements (including balance sheet, income statement, statement
of changes in financial condition, and all accompanying notes) of the applicant, parent
company (if any), and bond guarantors for the preceding three years. If personal
guarantees are required, include a current balance sheet for each individual guarantor.
9. If the applicant has been in business for less than three years, pro-forma statements
covering the three years following the commencement of operation of the project.
10. If the application is for a new venture project and institutional guarantees are not
available sufficient to render the bonds investment-grade quality, an independently
prepared feasibility report on the project. The form, content, and author of the
report must be acceptable to the Board of County Commissioners.
11. A statement describing the expected economic impact of the project, including
existing employment preserved, new jobs created, approximate annual wages to be paid
for new jobs created, and new capital investment.
12. A statement describing the zoning, land use, and other laws, ordinances, rules, and
regulations affecting development of the project.
13. A statement indicating the availability or method of providing water, sewer, and other
necessary services for the project.
14. A statement describing the effect of the project on the local community, and in
particular the environmental impact of the project.
15. A notarized certificate executed by a principal or the chief executive or operating
officer of the applicant, as follows:
I hereby certify (a) that I am authorized to submit to the Board of County Commissioners
of St. Lucie County, Florida, this application for the issuance of industrial development
revenue bonds; (b) that I have reviewed the guidelines and Procedures for the Issuance of
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in St. Lucie County and have determined that this
application and the project contemplated hereby meets the requirements set forth in such
Guidelines and procedures; and (c) that the information contained in this application is true,
correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
C. Application Review.
Florida Statutes require that agencies issuing IDRBs determine that projects financed are
appropriate to the needs and circumstances of and will make a significant contribution to the
economic growth of the community in which located, and that affected local communities will
be able to copy satisfactorily with the impact of the project. In addition, issuing agencies
must also determine that the applicants for such projects are financially responsible and fully
capable and willing to operate and maintain the project and to make payments as required to
pay principal and interest on the bonds.
1. Financial sufficiency factors.
In determining financial responsibility and ability and willingness to make required payments
of principal and interest, the Board of County Commissioners will consider financial
sufficiency information for both the project and the applicant.
a. History of financial performance. An examination of audited financial
statements submitted by the applicant must lead to the conclusion that the
company will be able to generate revenues sufficient to operate and maintain
the project and to make all required payments of principal and interest on the
bonds. Should audited financial statements not be available, the Board may
agree to accept statements in unaudited form supported by corporate income
tax returns in order to commence processing of the application. Prior to the
closing of the bonds, however, statements for the most recently completed
period of operations must be submitted with an audit opinion from a Certified
Public Accountant.
b. Collateral value of project. Except in the case of bonds rated "investment
grade" by a major bond rating agency, the Board will require that any bond
issued, and any obligation to make payments to the County or to any third party
in connection with the bonds or security therefore, be secured at a minimum
by a first mortgage or first lien on the project financed. In determining the
sufficiency of such collateral, the Board may consider the ratio of market value
of the project to the size of the proposed financing and such other factors as
it deems appropriate.
c. Additional security or guaranty. The Board may require the guaranty of the
principals or of third parties, or may require letters of credit or debt service
insurance as a condition to the issuance of bonds. In determining the need for
such additional security or guaranty, the Board may consider the ratio of the
applicant's net worth to the size of the financing, the value of the assets being
acquired, and other factors as may be appropriate.
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
2. Staff report.
The application for IDRBs will be reviewed by the County Administrator, County
Finance Director, County Community Development Director, and County Attorney. The
designated County staff shall report to the Board of County Commissioners on the
following matters:
a. The accuracy and completeness of the application.
b. The financial soundness of the proposed project, the applicant, and any
guarantor.
c. Conformance of the project and the proposed financing with applicable federal,
state, and local statutes, policies, and guidelines.
d. Potential impact of the project on the St. Lucie County economy.
e. Potential impact of the project on the St. Lucie County environment.
3. Board action.
a. When the County staff report is complete, the report and the application will
be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration at a
regular meeting.
i. If the Board accepts the application, it will authorize publishing notice
of a public hearing to be scheduled in accordance with the provisions of
the federal Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982.
ii. The Board may decide, however, that it requires additional information,
or it may decline to consider the application further and suggest that
the applicant seek alternative sources of financing.
b. If the application is scheduled for a public hearing, the applicant, through bond
counsel, shall be responsible for preparing the required notice of public hearing
and submitting the notice to the County Attorney for review and publication.
In addition, the applicant, again through bond counsel, shall be responsible for
preparing the draft of an inducement resolution as described below and for
submitting the draft to the County Attorney for review and circulation to the
Board of County Commissioners. Following the public hearing, the Board will
decide whether the project is financially sound, will inure to the benefit of the
residents of St. Lucie County, and will meet all other criteria and requirements
of Section 159.29, Florida Statutes.
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
i. If the Board so decides, it may adopt a resolution authorizing execution
of a memorandum of agreement between the Board and the applicant
specifying the terms under which the Board will issue IDRBs and
inducing the applicant to proceed with the project.
ii. Again, however, the Board may decide that it requires more information,
or it may decline to consider the application further.
c. If a project is approved for IDRB financing, the applicant, through bond
counsel, shall be responsible for preparing the Application for Notice of Intent
to Issue Bonds and Request for Written Confirmation required by Executive
Order Number 84-141 of the Governor of Florida.
4. Extension and subsequent allocation.
Generally, the term of the memorandum of agreement authorized by the inducement
resolution shall be limited to one year, and shall be subject to the continuing
availability of a confirmed allocation and continuing financial responsibility. Any
request for an extension shall be accompanied by copies of the latest financial
statements for the applicant and the project, a written explanation for the delay in
completing the financing, and a report on the status of the project. However, in the
case of carryforward allocation for a "priority project" as defined by Governor's
Executive Order 85-20 such request shall not be required.
Moreover, an IDRB issued receiving a confirmed allocation for one calendar year shall
not be entitled any priority for an allocation for the next calendar year. Therefore,
if bonds are not sold in the year for which a confirmed allocation is received, Board
of County Commissioner approval must be obtained for any allocation for a subsequent
calendar year.
D. Preparation of Bond Documents.
After review and approval of the application, adoption of an inducement resolution, and
execution of a memorandum of agreement, the applicant, in consultation with bond counsel,
the County Attorney, and the bond purchaser, may initiate appropriate steps leading to the
final preparation of the bond documents.
E. Bond Validation.
If deemed necessary or desirable by the County Attorney or the parties to the bond issue,
the bonds may be validated in the manner prescribed in Chapter 75, Florida Statutes.
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
F. Sale of Bonds.
1. The action of the Board of Country Commissioners in approving the issuance of IDRBs
following a public hearing and entering a memorandum of agreement with the applicant
for such issuance should not be construed as indicating the marketability of the bonds.
Rather, those actions simply represent an agreement by the Board to issue its bonds
only if a willing purchaser can be found and upon the execution of bond sale documents
mutually agreeable to all parties.
2. The obligation for the repayment of IDRBs rests solely with the applicant, and neither
the Country, the State, nor any political subdivision of the State is responsible for
their repayment or for any associated expense. Thus, subject to the conditions
contained in these Guidelines and Procedures and subsequent amendments, the manner
in which the bonds are sold, as long as complying with all applicable federal and state
statutes, shall be the prerogative of the applicant. The Board reserves the right to
review the credentials of any investor, financial institution, or investment bankers
chosen, and to reject the same for good cause shown.
3. The Board of County Commissioners generally will require that prospective bond issue
not considered of investment-grade quality be sold only by private placement or by
limited public offering. Prospective issues of investment-grade quality may be sold by
public offering or private placement. Investment-grade quality shall be determined
as meeting one of the following tests:
a. A rating of the issue equal to or better than Mood's Baa or Standard and Poor's
BBB.
b. A rating of recently issued debt instruments of the company of similar term
and security as that of the prospective bond issue equivalent to or better than
Moody's Baa or Standard and Poor's BBB.
For purpose of this paragraph, the term "limited public offering" shall mean an
offering made only to institutional investors of not more than 35 in number who
agree to purchase for investment for their own accounts and who do not
purchase with a view toward distribution. This limitation is applicable not only
to the initial sale of the bonds, but to resales, if any, in secondary markets, and
shall be incorporated in the bond sale documents.
4. The Board of County Commissioners will not recommend nor suggest to the applicant
any investor, financial institution, or investment banker to be used in the sale of
bonds. If requested by the applicant, however, the County staff may provide the
applicant with a list of investors, financial institutions, and investment bankers who
may from time to time advise the County of their interest in purchasing or placing the
County's IDRBs.
G:\atty\docs\IDRB Guidelines
G. Disposition of Proceeds of Bond Sale.
Following the sale of the bonds, the proceeds will be deposited with the Trustee for the bond
holders or in a trust account, to be disbursed for the acquisition and/or construction of the
project according to a schedule provided in one or more of the bond documents.
The County wi II be concerned that the proceeds are used for items allowed by governing laws
and portions of the project as authorized in the memorandum of agreement and bond sale
documents. To this end the County requires that the Trustee for the bond holders be
furnished with copies of all requisitions for the expenditure of bond proceeds.
The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right, upon good cause shown, to waive any
of these Guidelines and Procedures except the provision requiring a public hearing.
G:\atty\docs\IORB Guidelines