February 22, 2016
For the third time in four years, Marin Community College District (District) has demonstrated its stewardship of tax dollars by refinancing an additional $47 million in general obligation bonds associated with Measure C. This action will result in net savings to taxpayers of $5.86 million over the life of the bonds. Last week the District was able to take advantage of a 50 year low on the market, refinancing the bonds to decrease the annual percentage rate from 3.21 percent to 2.88 percent.
In June 2015, the District took action to refinance $32 million in general obligation bonds. That series of bonds was originally financed at 4.85 percent and the refinanced rate was 2.97 percent. Prior to that, $43.38 million in general obligation bonds was refinanced in July 2012. That series of bonds was originally financed at 4.9 percent with a refinanced rate of 2.11 percent. To date the District has refinanced a total of $122.38 million in general obligation bonds. Together the bond refinancing in 2012, 2015, and 2016 will net Marin County taxpayers a total of $14.57 million in savings; $6.36 million, $2.35 million and $5.86 million respectively.
"Continuing in our role as responsible stewards of the community’s investment, we once again realized that refinancing the bonds was the right thing to do and the right time to do it,” said Superintendent/President David Wain Coon. “The result is significant savings for Marin County residents who overwhelmingly supported our modernization efforts.”
Since the last bond refinance, the District has retained an excellent credit rating as the result of sound fiscal planning and management. The District has maintained its Aa1 credit rating with Moody’s; the rating with Standard & Poor’s was recently upgraded to AA+.