Happenings

Bradley County's Bond Rating Upgraded Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis announced today that earlier this month the County received an upgrade of its bond credit rating from Moody's Investors Services in New York. Moody's upgraded Bradley County's bond rating from "AI" to "Aa2". In Moody's last rating update during 2009, Moody’s cited, among other things, the County's solid financial position with a history of conservative budgeting of revenues and expenses, increased reserves, sizable Debt Service Fund reserves, stable tax base and manageable debt burden as all positive factors. The new "Aa2" also incorporates a very low default risk into Moody's assessment of Bradley County. Mayor Davis stated "The upgrade of Bradley County's bond rating is a significant milestone for Bradley County, especially during this ongoing national economic recession. Moody’s continues to believe that the county's financial position will remain stable and they were especially impressed with our significant reserves in the county's Debt Service Fund", stated Mayor Davis based on the 2009 report. "It was less than 2 years ago when our credit rating was upgraded by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services to AA- and now we have achieved our highest ratings ever with this upgraded "Aa2" rating from Moody’s" stated Mayor Davis. Joe Ayres, Managing Director of Cumberland Securities, who serves as the County's investment banker, stated "The upgrade of Bradley County's bond rating to "Aa2" puts Bradley County in a new category as it relates to investors both state-wide and throughout the country." "Having two (2) "AA" category credit ratings expands the number and type of investors willing to invest in the County's bonds and ultimately results in lower interest rates and therefore significant savings for the taxpayers of Bradley County," stated Ayres. Mayor Davis concluded by saying, "I would like to thank the Bradley County Commission and Lynn Burns who have assisted us in overseeing and managing county government. Everyone's efforts have continued to make Bradley County a better place to live".
Bradley County Receives Audit Award Bradley County has received a prestigious audit award for its 2008-09 budget year from the Government Finance Officers Association. This marks the fifth year the Bradley County Finance Department has been recognized for its achievement in financial reporting. The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles. County Mayor Gary Davis presented the award to County Finance Director Lynn Burns during Monday’s County Commission meeting. Mayor Davis commended Burns and her staff for the many extra hours and hard work involved in qualifying the County for the award. "There are 78 pages of mandatory benchmarks that have to be met” Davis said. "Qualifying for the award is very difficult. Lynn and her staff worked an extra 80 to 100 hours to make sure Bradley County’s Finance Department is among the 46 elite local governments in Tennessee to be recognized by GFOA.” Reports submitted to the CAFR program are reviewed by selected members of the GFOA professional staff and the GFOA Special Review Committee (SRC), which comprises individuals with expertise in public-sector financial reporting and includes financial statement preparers, independent auditors, academics, and other finance professionals. Bradley County Recognized for Good Budgeting Practices Bradley County is being recognized for its excellent budgeting process. County Mayor Gary Davis says the Government Finance Officer’s Association has awarded Bradley County its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 2009. This is the second year that the County has received the GFOA award Mayor Davis presented the Award to County Finance Director Lynn Burns during the Commission meeting Monday March 15th. The award is the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting. GFOA Director Stephen Gauthier said the award represents a significant accomplishment by a local government and its financial management. Mayor Gary Davis said the award acknowledges the comprehensive annual financial report by Bradley County’s Finance Department and credited the hard work of his staff and Finance Director Lynn Burns. GFOA Director Gauthier said each certificate is judged by an impartial panel and must meet the highest standards, including a constructive "spirit of full disclosure.” Gauthier pointed out that Bradley County is one of just 17 local governments in Tennessee to receive the award for 2009.
	Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis pulls the tape to reveal the name of the county's new fire truck. Firefighters and Chief Dewey Woody named it the "Mayor D. Gary Davis" in recognition of his strong support of BCFR.

The volunteers were taking part in a Habitat "blitz build." They framed in this three bedroom house and had it "in the dry" in just 3 days. Mayor Davis stopped by to express his appreciation to the volunteers for helping create affordable housing in Bradley County. The house is located on South Lee Highway just past the APD 40 underpass.	Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis (center) and volunteers from the Ocoee Region Builers Association (ORBA).

Rutherford County officials visit BCFR. (left to right) Kevin Lauer CTAS, Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis, Larry Farley Rutherford County Fire Coordinator, Chris Clark Rutherford County Special Operations for EMS, Chief Dewey Woody Bradley County Fire and Rescue, Joe Johnson Chief of Salem/Blackman Volunteer Fire Department, Craig McBride Chief of Rutherford Co. Fire Department.	Rutherford County Fire and EMS Officials Look and Learn in Bradley County. Four members of the Rutherford County Fire and EMS Departments paid a visit to Bradley County seeking input to help them formulate a plan to improve their County’s fire and rescue capabilities. They were joined by Kevin Lauer, fire consultant with the University of Tennessee’s County technical Assistance Service (CTAS).

Ocoee Regions Builders Associaton Ribbon Cutting September 22, 2009

	7th annual Governor's Conference, sponsored by the State Economic Development Commission. Bradley County was given its 15th 3-Star award in recognition of community economic preparedness.