KBRA Assigns Travis County Hospital District, TX Certificates of Obligation AA+, Stable Outlook
22 Jun 2023 | New York
KBRA assigns a AA+ rating with a Stable Outlook to the Travis County Hospital District, TX Certificates of Obligation, Series 2023A (Limited Tax) and Taxable Series 2023B (Limited Tax). The Certificates are payable from receipts of a separate, distinct and continuing ad valorem tax levied, within the limits prescribed by law, on all taxable property within the District. At the election creating the District, County voters authorized an ad valorem tax rate of $0.25 per $100 of taxable property, with such limit applicable to all District purposes, including operations and debt service. In addition to the ad valorem tax pledge, the Certificates are secured by and payable from surplus revenues derived from the District’s healthcare facilities, with such pledge being limited to $1,000 per year.
Key Credit Considerations
Credit Positives:
- Strength and diversity of the District's large and growing tax base.
- Solid legal framework supporting Certificate repayment.
Credit Challenges:
- Capital needs associated with an expansive footprint and the provision of direct care in select specialties.
- Challenges inherent to serving an indigent population that is largely uninsured or underinsured.
Rating Sensitivities
For Upgrade:
- Capital needs associated with an expansive footprint and the provision of direct care in select specialties.
For Downgrade:
- Sharp secular deceleration in tax base growth pressuring organic growth of ad valorem tax support.
The Stable Outlook reflects KBRA’s expectation that tax base growth will continue in line with historical trends, facilitating on going ad valorem tax support for both District operations and debt service. The Outlook further assumes that future capital improvements and patient care activities will be accommodated within budget and without necessitating significant increases in the tax rate.
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