Bond rating agencies give Gwinnett highest possible scores

All three bond rating agencies have given Gwinnett a AAA/Aaa bond rating, the highest possible, placing Gwinnett in the top 2 percent of counties in the nation for fiscal soundness. Courtesy Gwinnett County

All three bond rating agencies have given Gwinnett a AAA/Aaa bond rating, the highest possible, placing Gwinnett in the top 2 percent of counties in the nation for fiscal soundness. Courtesy Gwinnett County

All three bond rating agencies have given Gwinnett a AAA/Aaa bond rating, the highest possible, placing Gwinnett in the top 2 percent of counties in the nation for fiscal soundness. This marks the 21st consecutive year Gwinnett has held this distinction.

The rating allows the county to issue or refinance bonds at favorable rates, which reduces the interest paid by taxpayers. The latest rating came after the county’s financial management practices and financial results went through intense review by analysts from S&P Global, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings.

“The rating agencies do a thorough review of your finances, your operations and your policies,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash. “To receive a Triple AAA bond rating is a strong vote of confidence by independent experts that Gwinnett County is well-managed, fiscally strong and a solid investment. This is a very difficult rating to achieve.”

The rating review came as the county seeks to go to the bond market to issue $96.1 million in bonds to fund construction at the Infinite Energy Center. This is the first construction bond issue by Gwinnett in nearly 10 years.