2018A GO Bonds Preliminary Statement

Home

MUNICIPAL ADVISOR AFFILIATED COMPANIES Bond Trust Services Corporation ("BTSC") and Ehlers Investment Partners, LLC ("EIP") are affiliate companies of Ehlers. BTSC is chartered by the State of Minnesota and authorized in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois to transact the business of a limited purpose trust company. BTSC provides paying agent services to debt issuers. EIP is a Registered Investment Advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EIP assists issuers with the investment of bond proceeds or investing other issuer funds. This includes escrow bidding agent services. Issuers, such as the City, have retained or may retain BTSC and/or EIP to provide these services. If hired, BTSC and/or EIP would be retained by the City under an agreement separate from Ehlers. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The basic financial statements of the City for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 have been audited by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota, independent auditors (the "Auditor"). The report of the Auditor, together with the basic financial statements, component units financial statements, and notes to the financial statements are attached hereto as "APPENDIX A — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS". The Auditor has not been engaged to perform and has not performed, since the date of its report included herein, any procedures on the financial statements addressed in that report. The Auditor also has not performed any procedures relating to this Preliminary Official Statement. RISK FACTORS Following is a description of possible risks to holders of the Bonds without weighting as to probability. This description of risks is not intended to be all-inclusive, and there may be other risks not now perceived or listed here. Taxes: The Bonds are general obligations of the City, the ultimate payment of which rests in the City's ability to levy and collect sufficient taxes to pay debt service should other revenue (special assessments) be insufficient. In the event of delayed billing, collection or distribution of property taxes, sufficient funds may not be available to the City in time to pay debt service when due. State Actions: Many elements of local government finance, including the issuance of debt and the levy of property taxes, are controlled by state government. Future actions of the state may affect the overall financial condition of the City, the taxable value of property within the City, and the ability of the City to levy and collect property taxes. Future Changes in Law: Various State and federal laws, regulations and constitutional provisions apply to the City and to the Bonds. The City can give no assurance that there will not be a change in or interpretation of any such applicable laws, regulations and provisions which would have a material effect on the City or the taxing authority of the City. Ratings; Interest Rates: In the future, the City's credit rating may be reduced or withdrawn, or interest rates for this type of obligation may rise generally, either possibility resulting in a reduction in the value of the Bonds for resale prior to maturity.