Authority to Issue Debentures During 1999
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the Recommendation of the Budget
Committee embodied in the following communication (January 21, 1999) from the City Clerk:
Recommendation:
The Budget Committee on January 19, 1999, recommended to Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, the
adoption of the report (January 14, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, wherein it is recommended that:
(1)authority be granted for the Mayor of the City of Toronto and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to enter into an
agreement or agreements, in accordance with Section 101 of the City of Toronto Act, 1997 (No. 2) with a purchaser or
purchasers for the sale and issuance of debentures to provide an amount in 1999 not to exceed $500 million;
(2)authority be granted for the introduction of the necessary Bills in Council to give effect to the foregoing; and
(3)the appropriate City of Toronto officials be authorized to take the necessary actions to give effect thereto.
--------
(Report dated January 14, 1999, addressed to the
Budget Committee from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer)
Purpose:
This report requests the City of Toronto Council's annual authority to enable the Mayor and the Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer to negotiate and enter into agreements for the issuance of debentures, including foreign exchange and interest rate
contracts if required, as permitted by provincial legislation.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Based upon preliminary forecasts of capital expenditures as well as previously approved amounts that may need to be
permanently financed during 1999, debenture requirements for the City of Toronto, including the Toronto District School
Board, total approximately $500 million. Although the actual timing of a proposed financing transaction is related to capital
market conditions, the impact of the City's forecasted 1999 debenture requirements and debt charges will be detailed in the
1999-2003 Capital Works Program and the 1999 Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)authority be granted for the Mayor of the City of Toronto and the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer to enter into an
agreement or agreements, in accordance with Section 101 of the City of Toronto Act, 1997 (No. 2) with a purchaser or
purchasers for the sale and issuance of debentures to provide an amount in 1999 not to exceed $500 million;
(2)authority be granted for the introduction of the necessary Bills in Council to give effect to the foregoing; and
(3)the appropriate City of Toronto officials be authorized to take the necessary actions to give effect thereto.
Background:
Section 101 of the City of Toronto Act, 1997 (No. 2) empowers the Council annually by by-law to authorize the Mayor and
the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to negotiate and enter into agreements for the issuance and sale of debentures to
finance capital expenditures previously approved, including the purposes of any former area municipality, the former
Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto and a board of education, subject to such terms and conditions as the by-law
specifies. Section 146(2) and 146(7) of the Municipal Act, permits municipalities as may be prescribed by provincial
regulations to enter into agreements to manage any risk associated with issuing debentures in foreign currencies due to
changes in exchange or interest rates.
Any such agreements must be reported to Council not later than the second regular meeting of Council after the agreement
is signed and Council is required to pass all necessary money by-laws to carry out the agreement.
Discussion:
Preliminary estimates of debenture requirements for 1999 to finance capital expenditures on behalf of the City of Toronto,
the former area municipalities, the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto and the Toronto District School Board
total approximately $500 million. This sum may be reduced during capital budget considerations. In 1998, the preliminary
amount identified was $400 million and the authority to issue up to this amount was requested and approved. Due to capital
market conditions and timing considerations as well as the Province delaying approvals for the Toronto District School
Board to issue debt, $250 million of debenture financing was completed during the year to finance the City of Toronto's
requirements.
The proceeds from debentures issued under this authority will be used to finance capital expenditures which have been
incurred or committed for fully approved projects.
Conclusion:
This report is requesting that authority be granted to the Mayor and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to negotiate
and enter into agreements for the sale and issue of debentures not exceeding $500 million and related financial agreements
in order to manage any risk associated with foreign currency debentures as required by provincial regulations. By providing
this mechanism, it is recognized by the City of Toronto Act, 1997 (No. 2) that a successful debenture issue requires an
ability to respond to financial market conditions in a timely manner to obtain the most advantageous rates and terms. The
Act requires that a signed agreement must be reported to Council no later than the second regular meeting of Council when
the required money by-laws are passed.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Len Brittain, Director, Treasury and Financial Services - 392-5380
Martin Willschick, Manager, Treasury - 392-8072