Dublin holds a unique distinction as the first and only city to earn four AAA bond ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, S&P and KBRA. This exceptional fiscal stewardship translates directly into tangible benefits for both corporate citizens and residents.
How a AAA Bond Rating Pays Off for Residents and Businesses
The AAA bond rating is the highest credit rating a municipality can receive from bond rating agencies like Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, and KBRA.
Dublin’s AAA ratings aren’t just a financial badge—they’re proof that the city is prepared for what’s next. They give companies confidence to invest and expand. They assure families that their community will weather economic challenges without sacrificing services. And they empower city leaders to plan boldly for the future.
“Earning four AAA ratings places Dublin in a category of its own,” explained Matt Rubino, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance for the City of Dublin. “This achievement reflects our dedication to responsible stewardship of public resources while delivering the exceptional services our residents and businesses expect.”
The Economic Foundation Behind the Ratings
Dublin’s diverse and robust economic base helped make this possible. The City is home to more than 4,300 businesses, including over 20 corporate headquarters, such as Cardinal Health, Quantum Health, the Wendy’s Company, EASE Logistics, IGS Energy and Univar Solutions.
Thanks to this thriving business community, income tax revenue recently surpassed $100 million—a historic milestone.
The City’s Capital Improvements Program establishes a fiscally sound plan for Dublin’s future investment in critical infrastructure. This forward-looking approach, combined with careful financial guidelines that identify revenue sources, debt capacity, and reserve policies, gives rating agencies confidence in Dublin’s long-term sustainability.
From Financial Strength to Community Benefits
For Dublin residents and businesses, our four AAA ratings translate to tangible benefits:
Lower Borrowing Costs
When the City needs to finance major projects—from roadway improvements to park expansions—our exceptional credit ratings allow us to secure the most favorable interest rates. This efficiency means more tax dollars go directly toward improvements rather than interest payments.
Enhanced Infrastructure Investment
Our financial position enables the support and expansion of amenities like our 60+ parks, 140+ miles of recreation paths, and state-of-the-art public facilities
Stability During Economic Fluctuations
The financial disciplines that earned our four AAA ratings position the City to weather economic uncertainties with minimal disruption to services. This stability benefits everyone who lives or does business in our community.
Attracting Premium Investment
A city’s financial health is a key indicator of future stability, and businesses looking to grow recognize this. Dublin’s unprecedented four AAA ratings send a powerful signal to decision-makers, business owners, and investors that our community offers a secure environment for long-term investment.
Maximized Taxpayer Value
Our financial management approach ensures that taxpayer dollars are leveraged to their fullest potential. This means the City of Dublin can extract maximum value for both residents and businesses while maintaining reasonable tax rates.
The Seven Core Principles that Guide the City of Dublin’s Financial Management
The City’s financial management is guided by several core principles that have contributed to our AAA ratings:
- Conservative Revenue Projections: We estimate future revenues cautiously, preventing budget shortfalls and ensuring financial stability.
- Strategic Reserve Policies: The City maintains appropriate reserves to address unforeseen challenges without disrupting services or resorting to tax increases.
- Debt Management Excellence: The City of Dublin maintains a disciplined approach to debt, ensuring that borrowing remains well within our capacity to repay.
- Transparent Budgeting: Our budgeting process emphasizes clarity and accountability, giving rating agencies confidence in our financial reporting.
- Long-term Planning: The City’s comprehensive planning extends decades into the future, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable growth.
Four AAA Ratings: A Community Achievement and a Commitment to Excellence
While the City’s finance team deserves significant credit for this achievement, the City’s four AAA ratings truly represent a community-wide accomplishment. These ratings reflect the cooperative efforts of private citizens, civic leaders, government officials, and business representatives working together to create an environment of excellence.
Achieving these ratings requires ongoing commitment to the principles that earned them. The City remains focused on strategic economic development, thoughtful infrastructure investment, and prudent financial management to preserve our exceptional fiscal position.
As Dublin continues to grow, these ratings provide a foundation for the next chapter in our community’s development. From the vibrant Bridge Street District to the innovation-focused West Innovation District, Dublin’s financial strength enables the visionary projects that will define our community for generations to come.
For more information about Dublin’s financial management and economic development initiatives, visit ThriveInDublinOhio.com.
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