Future Growth Reflected by History
“The city was practically bankrupt. We couldn’t pay $1.25 for a bundle of wood stakes on credit. Now, our credit is AA+.”
Long-time Marion Mayor Bob Butler
Standard & Poor's 2014 Rating Rationale
Key items reflected in the city’s rating were: 
– Strong management, supported by good planning practices
– Strong budgetary performance
– Adequate debt and contingent liability profile
– Very strong cash levels to cover both debt service and expenditures
– Debt amortization is very rapid
– The city follows a debt management policy that details guidelines for debt issuances
Approximately 50% of the city’s bonded debt will be paid off within 5 years.
Jeff Schuppel, Bridgeport Partners, LLC.
