Fitch Downgrades Detroit, MI Sewer Sr and Sub Revs to 'BBB+'/ 'BBB'; Outlook Revised to Negative

CHICAGO--()--Fitch Ratings has downgraded the following ratings for the City of Detroit, Michigan (the city) issued on behalf of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (the department):

--Approximately $1.9 billion senior lien sewer revenue bonds to 'BBB+' from 'A-';

--Approximately $974 million second lien sewer revenue bonds to 'BBB' from 'BBB+'.

The Rating Outlook is revised to Negative from Stable.

SECURITY

Senior lien bonds are secured by a first lien on net revenues of the city's sewer system (the system). Second lien bonds are secured by a second lien on net system revenues after payment of senior lien bonds.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

UNCERTAINTY DRIVES NEGATIVE OUTLOOK: The investment grade ratings continue to reflect Fitch's belief that system operations are sufficiently separated from the city's very weak general credit fundamentals (unlimited tax general obligation bonds rated 'CCC' by Fitch). Fitch nevertheless is concerned that potential actions to improve the city's financial position could negatively impact the system's long-term credit characteristics.

FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL PRESSURES DRIVE DOWNGRADE: The downgrade reflects weak financial performance below prior expectations as well as rising capital needs that could pressure the system's already highly leveraged debt profile.

EXPANSIVE SERVICE TERRITORY: The system provides an essential service to a broad area that includes roughly 30% of Michigan's population, with over 50% of operating revenues coming from wealthier suburban customers.

STRONG RATE ADJUSTMENT HISTORY: The governing body has instituted virtually annual rate hikes in support of financial and capital needs. While recent changes in the governance structure and rate approval process could make it more difficult to achieve rate hikes in the future, Fitch does not view this change as a concern at this time.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

CITY INFLUENCE: Any change or influence by the city via the emergency manager (EM) that negatively affects governance or operations of the system would call into question the insulation of the system from the city. This would likely result in immediate and severe negative pressure on the system's ratings given the city's marginal credit quality.

INABILITY TO MAINTAIN FINANCES: Failure to maintain financial performance at a level commensurate with financial projections, including the ability to sustain over 1.0x debt service coverage (DSC), would be viewed negatively.

CREDIT PROFILE

RATINGS CONTINUE TO REFLECT SEPARATION FROM CITY OPERATIONS

The ratings on the system bonds consider the regional economy - including the city - and its potential impact on the system. The ratings also consider other factors that historically have separated system operations from those of the city. These factors include a separation of system funds from other city funds as required under city charter and the bond ordinance; billing and collection of rates and charges by the department; relative autonomy by the department's governing structure to oversee the affairs of the system without undue influence by the city; and retention of surplus funds by the system.

Fitch expects the separation of system operations from those of the city to continue, but notes that the department is a component unit of the city and therefore is not entirely free from potential city influence. Consequently, any actions taken that directly or indirectly change the historical paradigm could exert immediate and significant credit pressure on system bonds, particularly given the city's very weak credit quality.

SYSTEM FINANCIAL PROFILE REMAINS WEAK

The system's financial operations are pressured and are below Fitch's 'A' category medians, although DSC improved over the prior fiscal year. In fiscal 2012, all-in DSC (including senior, subordinate and junior lien state revolving fund debt) equaled just over 1.0x, falling well below the 1.5x median for 'A' category credits. Fitch's calculation of DSC is based on operating activity contained in the financial statements and includes certain non-cash items such as other post-employment benefit accruals for the year. Other key metrics, while improved for fiscal 2012, also were low. Days cash rose to 131 days for the year but was short of the 285 days for 'A' category credits. System free cash for fiscal 2012 equaled just 5% of depreciation expenses compared to 57% for 'A' category credits.

LEVERAGED SYSTEM

The system's debt profile is relatively weak with long-term debt per customer totaling $3,800, which far exceeds Fitch's median for 'A' category credits ($1,951). Long-term debt per capita (based on 30% of the state's population) is high at $1,127 compared to 'A' credit category credits. Principal payout is slow with only 27% of the debt maturing in 10 years. Fitch notes that the $319 million in debt issuance in 2012 used to make termination payments and unwind the system's entire swap portfolio contributed to the weak debt profile, although the system has eliminated certain interest rate and credit risks associated with the swaps.

The system's fiscal 2013 - 2017 capital improvement plan, which totals $736 million, increased by 28% over the previous five year period. The increase is largely attributable to the department's new long-term biosolids management program, which will use incineration as the primary method of biosolids disposal.

BROAD SERVICE AREA ENHANCES SYSTEM STABILITY

The system is a regional provider serving around 2.8 million people or nearly 30% of Michigan's population, including Detroit's population of over 700,000. The system serves the city on a retail basis and 76 communities through 22 wholesale contracts. The service territory consists of an area of 138 square miles in Detroit and 850 square miles in three counties. Population and customer growth have experienced modest annual declines for a number of years. Detroit's population in particular has experienced continuous decline, but suburban areas have picked up most of the migration.

CONSISTENT SYSTEM RATE INCREASES

The governing body has consistently raised rates to meet financial and capital needs, although unfavorable operating conditions and rising fixed costs have eroded the revenue impact. Fiscal 2012 charges were raised 11% for city retail and suburban wholesale customers. An additional 9.9% and 6.7% rate adjustment for city retail and suburban wholesale customers respectively were implemented for fiscal 2013, and another rate increase of 4% has been approved for fiscal 2014. Annual increases of 4% are preliminarily forecasted for fiscals 2015-2017.

Retail city rates remain among the lowest of most major U.S. metropolitan areas despite recent rate increases but exceed Fitch's median household income (MHI) affordability benchmark given the weak MHI within the city. On the suburban side, rates remain very affordable even with the estimated retail tack-on added by those wholesale entities in excess of the cost of service charged by the department; reportedly, department charges represent around 50% of the average suburban bill.

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. The ratings above were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch has been compensated for the provision of the ratings.

In addition to the sources of information identified in Fitch's Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria, this action was additionally informed by information from Creditscope.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

--'Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria' (June 12, 2012);

--'U.S. Water and Sewer Revenue Bond Rating Criteria' (Aug. 3, 2012);

--'2013 Water and Sewer Medians' (Dec. 5, 2012);

--'2013 Outlook: Water and Sewer' (Dec. 5, 2012).

Applicable Criteria and Related Research

Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=681015

U.S. Water and Sewer Revenue Bond Rating Criteria

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=684901

2013 Water and Sewer Medians

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=695756

2013 Outlook: Water and Sewer Sector

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=695755

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Contacts

Fitch Ratings
Primary Analyst
Adrienne M. Booker
Senior Director
+1-312-368-5471
Fitch Ratings, Inc.
70 W. Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60602
or
Secondary Analyst
Doug Scott
Managing Director
+1-512-215-3725
or
Committee Chairperson
Jessalynn K. Moro
Managing Director
+1-212-908-0608
or
Media Relations
Elizabeth Fogerty
+1-212-908-0526
elizabeth.fogerty@fitchratings.com

Contacts

Fitch Ratings
Primary Analyst
Adrienne M. Booker
Senior Director
+1-312-368-5471
Fitch Ratings, Inc.
70 W. Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60602
or
Secondary Analyst
Doug Scott
Managing Director
+1-512-215-3725
or
Committee Chairperson
Jessalynn K. Moro
Managing Director
+1-212-908-0608
or
Media Relations
Elizabeth Fogerty
+1-212-908-0526
elizabeth.fogerty@fitchratings.com