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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 45387 Form No., 148(t); Rev'd 1/10/03 AGREEMENTFOR CJTY SECM.MY ARBITRAGE REBATE COMPLIANCE SERVIC" 13ETWEEN CITY OF FORT WORTH', TEX-AS (Hereinafter Referred to as the"Issuer") AND FIRST SOUTHWEST ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. (Berelinafter Referred, to as"First Southwest") It is understood and agreed, that the Issuer, in connection with the sale and delivery of certain bond,s, notes, certificates, or other tax-exempt obligations (the"Ohligations"), will have the need to determine to what extent, if any, ]twill be required to rebate certain investment earnings (the amount of such rebate being referred to herein as the "Arbilragre Amount') from the proceeds of the Obligations to the United States of America pursuant to the provisions of Section 148(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Codev"). For purposes of this Agreement, 'the to "Arbitrage Amount"' includes payments made under the election to pay penalty in lieu of rebate for a qualified construction issue tinder Section 148(f)(4) of the Code. The terms and conditions contained herein represent the agreement(the"Agreement')between the Issuer and,First Southwest effective at the date of its acceptance as provided for herein below. I This Agreement shall apply to all issues of tax-exempt Obligations delivered subsequent to the effective date of the rebate requirements under the Code, except for (i) issues which qualify for exceptions,to the rebate requirements in accordance with Section 148 of the Code and related Treasury regulations,, or (ii) issues excluded by the Issuer in writing in accordance with the further provisions ons hereof, (iii)l new issues effected in a fashion whereby First Southwest is unaware of the existence of such issue, (iv) issues in which, for reasons outside the control of First Southwest, First Southwest is unable to procure the necessary in-fori-nation required to perform such services. Covenants of First Southwest 2. First Southwest agrees to provide our professional services in determining the Arbitrage Amount with regard to the Obligations. The Issuer will assure and pay the fee of First Southwest as such fee is set out in Appendix A attached hereto. First Southwest shall not be responsible for any expenses that the parties mutually agree on a case-ley-case basis are extraordinary in nature and that are incurred on behalf of Issuer in corinection with providing such professional services, including any costs incident to litigation, mandamus action, test case or other similar legal actions. 3. First Southwest agrees to perform the following duties, in connection with providing arbitrage rebate compliance services-. a. To cooperate fully with the Issuer in reviewing the schedule of investments rnade by the Issuer with (i) proceeds from the Obligations, and (ii) proceeds of other funds of the Issuer which, under Treasury Regulations Section 1.148, or any successor regulations thereto, are subject to the rebate requiremients, of the Code, b. Tol perform,or cause to be performed,consistent with the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, calculations to determine the Arbitrage Amount Linder Section 148(t)(2)of the Code; and C. To provide a report to the Issuer specifying the Arbitrage Amount based upon the investment schedule, the calculations of bond yield and investment yield, and other information deemed relevant by First Southwest. In 'Undertaking to provide the services, set forth in paragraph 2 and this paragraph 3, First Southwest does not assume any responsibility for any record retention requirements which the Issuer may have under the Code or other applicable laws, it being understood that the Issuer shall remain responsible for compliance with any such record retention requirements. OFFICIAL RECORD "ww m"w [ OF' s0RECORD CITY SECRETARY Pa I o ,ge f 6 27 1014 752864 F";w WORTH, TX RECEIV�Di rE Coa versants of the Issuer 4. In connection with the performance of the aforesaid duties,the Issuer agrees to the followLing: a. The fees due to First Southwest in providing arbitrage rebate compliance services shall be calculated in accordance with Appendix A attached'hereto. The fees associated with services relating to Obligations will be payable upon delivery of the report prepared by First Southwest for each issue of Obligations during the term of this Agreement. The fees associated with services relating to other funds of the Issuer that, under Treasury Regulations Section 1.148, or any successor regulations thereto, are subjject to the rebate requirements will be payable within thirty (301) days of delivery of a report prepared by First Southwest regarding such other funds during the term of this Agreement. b. The Issuer will provide First Southwest all information regarding the issuance of the Obligations and the investment of the proceeds therefi-orn, and any other information necessary in connection with calculating the Arbitrage Amount., First Southwest will rely on the information supplied by the Issuer without inquiry, it being understood that First, Southwest will not conduct an audit or take any other steps to verify the accuracy or authenticity of the information 'provided by the Issuer. C. The Issuer will notify First Southwest in writing of the retirement, prior to the scheduled maturity, of any Obligations included under the scope of this Agreement within 30 days of such retirement. This notification is required to provide sufficient time to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.148-3(g) which, requires-final payment of any Arbitrage Amount within 60 days of the final retirement of the Obligations. In the event the Issuer fails to notify First Southwest in a, timely manner as provided hereinabove, First Southwest shall have no further obligation or responsibility to provide any services under this Agreement with respect to such retired Obligations. 5. In providing the services set forth in this Agreement,, it is agreed that First Southwest shall not incur any liability for any error of judgment made in good I"alth by a,responsible officer or officers,thereof and,except to the [Limited extent set forth in this paragraph, shall not incur any liability for any other errors or omissions,, unless it shall be proved that such error or omission was a result of the negligence, gross negligence or willf-ul, misconduct of said officer or officers. In the event a payment is assessed by the Internal Revenue Service due to an error by First Southwest, the Issuer will be responsible for paying the correct Arbitrage Amount and First Southwest's liability shall not exceed the amount of any penalty or interest imposed on the Arbitrage Amount as a result of such error. Obligations Issued Subsequent to Initial Contract 6. The services contracted for under this Agreement will automatically extend to any additional Obligations (including fi.nancing lease obligations) issued during the term of this Agreement, if such Obligations are sub V ect tote rebate requirements, under Section 1480(2) of the Code. In connection with the issuance of additional Obligations, the ,Issuer agrees to the following: a. The Issuer will notify or cause the notification, in writing to First Southwest of any tax-exempt fi-nancilor (IncludIng,financing lease obligations) issued by the Issuer during any calendar year of this Agreement, and will provide First Southwest with such information regarding such Obligations as First Southwest may I request in connection with its performance of the arbitrage rebate services contracted for hereunder. If such notice is not provided to First Southwest with regard to a particular issue, First Southwest shall have no obligation to provide any services hereunder with respect to such issue. b. At the option of the Issuer, any additional. Obligations to be issued subsequent to the execution of this Agreement may be excluded from the services provided for herein. In order to exclude an issue, the Issuer must notify First Southwest in writing of their intent to exclude any specific Obligatiolls, from the scope of this Agreement, which exclusion shall be permanent for the full life of the Obligations; and after receipt of such notice, First Southwest shall have no obligation to provide any services under this Agreement with respect to such excluded Obligations. Page 2,of 6 75286-14 I 5 Effective Date of Agreement 7. This Agreement shall, remain in effect for a period of one (1) year, effective August 1, 2011'3 and ending July 31,2014, with two (2) options to renew for a period Of One (1) year, provided, however,, that this Agreement may be terminated with or without cause by the Issuer or First Southwest upon thirty(30)days prior written notice to the other party. In the event of such termination, it is understood and agreed that only the amounts due to First Southwest for services provided and extraordinary expenses incurred to and including the date of termination will be due and payable. No penalty will be assessed for termination of this,Agreement. In the event this Agreement expires or is terminated prior to the completion of its stated: term, all records provided to First Southwest with respect to the ,investment of monies by the Issuer shall be returned to the Issuer as soon as practicable following written request by Issuer. I n a ddition, the parties hereto agree that, upon term ination of this Agreem,ent, ',First Southwest shall have no continuing obligation to the 'Issuer regarding any arbitrage rebate related services conternplated herein, regardless of whether such services have previously been undertaken,completed or perfori-ned- Acceptance of Agreement 8. Thls Agreement is submitted in duplicate originals. When accepted by the Issuer in accordance with the terms hereof`, it, together with Appendix A attached hereto, will constitute the entire Agreement between the Issuer and First Southwest for the purposes, and the consideration herein specified. In order for this Agreement to become effective, it must be accepted by the Issuer within sixty (60) days of the date appearing below the signature of First Southwest's authorized representative hereon. After the expiration of such 60-day period, acceptance by the Issuer shall only become effective upon delivery of written acluiowledgenient and reaffirmation by First Southwest that the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement remain acceptable to First Southwest. Governing Law 9, This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. Acceptance will be in on both c�ies­and the return,of one executed cop to First Southwest. Respectfully submitted, FIRST SOUTHWEST ASSETMANAGEMENT,, INC. ORD By- 1rAW 31 IM f-fill A. Feinberg,Chairman&CO f eCUtive Officer Wolff Date ISSUER'S ACCEPTANCE CLAUSE The above and foregoirig is hereby in all things accepted and approved,by day of L*40 on this the By —---—------- Authorized Representative A P P R�C.)WED!NWMW Tulle FORNI (I Li.GALITY it z V z low 0Printed Name / eee' N AS 51u]STANT ITY % Page 3 of 6 0, lift 0- M* ro' ' itN�SecMm, S APPENDIX FEES The Obligations to be co vered rruutrall °u1ndeu this contract include all issues of t x—exeu u t obtigations delivered suvubse ueuat t tl e effective dates of the rebate requirements',eats',under the "ode,except as suit in Section I off"the Agreenient. The fee for any Obligations e this contract shall on,ly,be payable if a coniputation is required d undeu.. Section 148(t)(2)o th..0 Code. In the event that any of the Obligations fall within an exchlSuoru to the computation reqUirement as deloused by Section 14 of the Code or related regulations rations quad no,calculations were req uur d by First t Southwest to masks that determination,mination,a ere will be charged for such issue. For example, certain obligations ire excluded tr gyms the rafts computation reqUiLrement if the proceeds spent are within specific tune periods.In the oat a particular issue ft,Obligations fulfills the xclrusuo'u re uirements ofthe Code or related regulations, the specified�� will � ��u � �� First S uhwes. if no calculations, were required to u .e the First Southwest's fee for arbitrage rebate services is, based upon a fixed annual fee per a LIC". 17 he annual fee is charged based upon the ritunber of years,tla ut piroceeds e Est subject to rebuts from the delivery date otthe issue the computation date. First Southwest's fees,are payable upon e e y of the report,u , 'Te ii-st report will be unade following one year frarru the date of delivery of the Obligations,and on each computation date thereafter during the term of the Agreement. The fees for computations of the Arbitrage Amount which encompass more, or less, 'than one Computation Year shall be prorated to reflect lect the longer, or door ,er,period of work rf rr ied during that period. °.l"lae fee for each of the Obligations inclusuded lug this,contract sh ill be bused on,the table below. Additionally, due to significant time SaVing efficiencies urealized when linvestnie t information is sup imitted *in an electronic format, First Southwest passes the savings, to lts clients by offering a 1 0% reduction ini its fees if information is provided in spreadsheet or electronic text ells forinat. DescripitioD Annual Fee 1 N �L FEE PER TST N LNG EBB O L TI N e .Var ll,e/ lu sting Route Bond;Issues Comm.0 led Funds An,a,lysis&Calculations Parity deserve Fund allocations Debt,Service Fund Calculations itaClu.udiung earnings test when required) 'Fransferred Proceeds Calculations Universal Cap Cal uul .t runs Yield Restriction,A.analysis& Calculations (f(,,)r yield restricted Project ect Funds Reserve Funds, Escrow Fund tc.w INCLUDED Spend ing lExc tir a n lysis& Calcul tiouls Preparation of all Required ire d IRS Paperwork or,Making a Rebate Payment Yield Reduction Payment t Retention of Records Provided for Arbitrage C0111PLItations IRS Audit Assistance Delivery f l Year That Meets,ttie'l1ning Requirements ofthe Audit Sup~ edUlle On-Site Meetitiligs, as l ru rii 'to Discuss Calict l ution Results Subsequent.Planning Items OTHER SERVICE ILA IRS Reifund Request— Update calculation, prepare refund regUest package,and assist iss e.u-as necessary $750 in responding to su sequent l S lino loruraation Requests Page 4 of 6 752,861-:4 r-,.,XPLANATION OF TERMS.- a. Computation Year-, A"'Computation Year"represents a one year period fi-ors the delivery date of the issue to the date that is one calendar year after the delivery date, and each sublsequent one-year period thereafter. Therefore, if a calculation is required that covers more than one "computation year,'"" the annual fee is multiplied by the number of computation years contained in the calculation being performed. If a calculation includes a portion of a computation year,i.e.,if the calculation includes, I '/-.)computation years,then,the base fee will be multiplied by 1.5. 'b. Electronic Data Submission: The data should be provided electronically in NS Excel or ASCII text file (comma delimited text preferred) with the date, description,, dollar amount, and an activity code if not in debit and credit format)on the same line in the file. c. Variable Floating Rate Bond Issues: Special services are also required to perform the arbitrage rebate calculations R)r variable rate -bonds. A bond is a variable rate bond if the interest rate paid on the bond is dependent upon an index, which is subject to changes subsequent to the issuance of the bonds. The computational requirements of a variable rate issue are more complex than those olf a fixed rate issue and,accordingly, require significantly more time to calculate. The additional complexity is primarily related to the computation of the bond yield, which must be calculated on a "bond year" basis. Additionally, the regulations provide certain flexibility in computing the bond yield and determining the arbitrage amount over the first IRS reporting period; consequently, increased calculations are required to determine w1lich bond yield calculation produces the lowest,arbitrage amount. d. Commingled Fund Allocations-, By definition, a commingled fund is one that contains either proceeds of more than one bond issue or proceeds of a bond issue and non-bond proceeds (i.e., revenues) of S25,000 or more. The arbitrage regulations, while permitting the conu-ningling of funds, require that the proceeds of the blond issue(s) be "carved out" for purposes of determining the arbitrage amount. Additionally, interest earnings must be allocated to the portion of the commingled fund that represents proceeds of the issues) in question. Permitted "safe-harbor" methods (that is, methods that are outlined in the arbitrage regulations and, accordirigly, cannot be questioned by the IRS under audit), exist for allocating expenditures and interest earnings to issues in a commingled fund. First Southwest,uses one of the applicable safe-harbor methods when doing these calculations. e. Debt Service Reserve Funds: The authorizing documents for, many revenue bond issues require that a separate fund be established (the "Reserve Fund") into which, either bond proceeds or revenues are deposited in an amount equal to some designated level, such as average annual debt service on all parity bonds. 'J"his Reserve Fund is established for the benefit of the bondholders as additional, security for payment on the debt. In most cases, the balance in the Reserve, Fund remains stable t1iroughout the life of the bond issue. Reserve Funds, whether funded with bond proceeds or revenues,must be included in all rebate calculations. f. Debt Service Fund Calculations,-,, Issuers are required under the regulations to analyze the invested balances in their debt service funds annually to determine whether the fund depletes as required during the year and is therefore, "bona fide" (i.e., potentially exempt from rebate in that year). It is not uncommon for surplus balances to develop in the debt service fund that services, an issuer's tax supported debt, particularly due to tirning differences of when the funds were due to be collected versus when the funds were actually collected. First Southwest performs this formal analysis of the debt service fund and, should it be deterniined that a surplus, balance exists 41 the fund during a given year, allocates the surplus balance among the various issues serviced by the fund in a marmer that is acceptable under IRS review. g. Earnings Test for Debt Service "Funds: Certain types of bond issues,require an additional level of analysis for the debt service fund, even if the fund depletes as required under the regulations and is "bona fide." For short-term, fixed rate issues, private activity issues, and variable rate issues, the regulations, require that an "earnings test" be performed on a bona fide debt service fund to determine if the interest earnings reached $100,000 during the year. In cases where! the earnings reach or exceed the $100,000 threshold, the entire fund (not just the surplus or residual portion) is subject to rebate. h. Transferred Proceeds,Calculations: When a bond issue is refinanced(refunded) by another issue, special, services, relating to"transferred proceeds" calculations may need to be performed. Under the regulations, when proceeds of a refunding issue are used to retire principal of a prior issue,, a plro-rata portion of the unspent proceeds of the prior issue becomes subject to rebate and/or yield restriction as transferred proceeds of the refUD.ding issue. The refunding issue essentially "adoplts" the unspent proceeds of the prior issue for purposes of the arbitrage calculations. These Page 5 of 6 752863 calculations are required under the regulations to ensure that issuers continue to exercise due diligence to complete the project(s)for which the prior bonds were issued. i. Universal Cap-, Current, regulations, provide an overall limitation on the amount of gross proceeds allocable to an issue. Simply,stated,, the value of investments,allocated to an issue cannot exceed the value of all outstanding bonds of the issue. For example, this situation can occur if an issuer encounters significant, construction delays or enters, into titigation with a contractor. It may take months or even years to resolve the problems, and begin or resume spending the bond proceeds; ho�wever, during this time the debt service payments are still being paid, including ally scheduled principal payments. Thus, it"s possible for the value of the investments purchased with bond proceeds to exceed the value of the bonds outstanding. In such cases, a`ode-allocation's of proceeds may be requi red to comply with the limitation rules outlined in the regulations. j. Yield Restriction Analysis/Yield Reduction Computations,.- The IRS strongly encourages issuers to spend the proceeds of each bond issue as quickly, as possible to achieve the governinental purpose for which the bonds were issued. Certain types of proceeds can qualify for a "ternporary period," during which tune the proceeds may be invested at a yield higher than the yield on the bonds without jeopardizing the tax-exempt status of the issue. The most common temporary period is the three-year temporary period for capital project proceeds. After the end of the temporary period, the proceeds mUst be yield restricted or the issuer must remit the appropriate yield reduction payment when due. First Southwest performs a comprehensive yield restriction analysis when appropriate for all issues having proceeds remaining at the end of the applicable temporary period and also calculates the amount of the Meld reduction payment due to the IRS. Pacre 6 of 752863 Council Agenda Page I of City of Fort Worth, Tex s malt,ror t.�ounci %,.0 u1nicatimon l0///ii0/%/l,�,i//Pry/i// ,i,%i„i//✓i/l,/.,,i�r„//,,,; ,,;;;;,,,,;;;,, COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 7/23/2013 DATE: Tuesday, ,July 23, 2013 REFERENCE Flo.: **C` 26350 LOiG NAME.- 131131 FA CONTRACT SUBJECT Authorize Necessary and belated Agreements with First Southwest Company, First Southwest Asset Management Inc., and Estrada Hino osa & Company, Inc., for the Provision of Financial Advisory, Arbitrage Rebate and Continuing disclosure Serve ices (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council. 1. Authorize the execution of necessary and related Agreements with First Southwest Company, First Southwest Asset Management, Inc,, and Estrada Hi:nojosa & Company,, Inc., for the provision of financial advisory, arbitrage rebate and continuing disclosure services; and 2. Authorize a commencement datel of August" 1, 20113 and expiration date of July 31, 2014 with two one- year renewal options for each Agreement. DISCUSSION: First Southwest Company and Estrada Hinojosa & Company, Inc. (Estrada Hino osa), have satisfactorily served as the City's co-financial advisors for over a decade. luring this sane period, First Southwest Asset Management, Inc. and Fiirst Southwest Company's FSC Disclosure Services Division have provided arbitrage rebate compliance services and continuing disclosure services to-the City.. Staff is recommending that the City continue these- relationships with First ,southwest Company serving as lead financial advisor and Estrada Hinojosa, a minority-owned firm, acting as co financial advisor. Approval of the Agreements will ensure contiinuity as the City eaters its traditional debt-issuance season. The fee structure for financial advisory services will, be a base fee in the amount of$35,000.001 plus$g. per$1,0010.oO denomination for each series of bond issues. As in the current contract, the fee will he split 65/35 between the two firms, respectively. First Southwest Company, the Teed financial advisor, and Estrada Hinojosa, a certified minority-owned firm and the co-financial advisor,, are in, compliance with the City's E Ordinance by committing to,the wort fees on bond transactions being split 65/35 between the two firms respectively on this project. Typically, no charges for financial advisory services related) to bond transactions are incurred unless bonds are actually sold. The Agreements will also provide for the financial advisors to provide special financial consulting work not directly related to a bond sale with compensation paid based on an hourly rate ranging from the amount of'$75.00 for work performed by administrative assistants to the amount of $250.00 per hour for work performed by managing directors, executive vice presidents or senior vice presidents. An individual engagement letter will he executed for each special project compensated on an hourly basis. Arhlitrage, rebate compliance services will he provided by First Southwest Asset Management, Inc., and FSC Disclosure Services, a Division of Furst Southwest Company, will provide continuing disclosure services. Disclosure services will be compensated at a rate of$2,500.00 per year for assistance in http-,//apps.cfwnet.org/ecouncil/printmc.asp'.?id=I 870 "&print=trLle oo pe=Pr r 1/30/2014 M&C - Council Agenda Page 2 of 2 preparation and distribution: of each annual report and the amount of$3,500.00 per year for distribution of audited financial statements. Arbitrage rebate compliance services will be compensated at a rate of $1,400.00 per,computation year. Additional fees would apply for specialized arbitrage-related services, if needed, in connection with an IRS refund request of commercial paper caluil!laition:s. The costs for those services are reflected in the fee schedule, which is attached. EISCAL INFORMATION / CEIRTIFICATIONI-S The Filnan,ciall Management Services Director certifies that funds req�u�ired to pay financial advisory fees will be available from proceeds of bond sales,, appropriate debt service funds, and/or appropriate operating funds. FUND CIENTERS,ow TO Fund/Account/Centers FROM Fund/Account"Con teirs PE47 554010 01132000 $0.00 GD06 554010 013201001 $0.00 CERTIFICATIONS: Submitted for Ci!y Manager's, Offic Susan Alapis (8180) Originating--Department Head-.. Jay, Chapa (8517) Additolonal Information Contact: Lisa Parks (6630) ATTACHMENTS 1. CFW 201 Fee Schedule.pdf (Public) 2. examp le.oldf (CF W Internal) h,ttpl-,//apps.cfwnet.org,/ecounc'll/printmc.asp?'I'd=I 8709&print=true&DocTYPe=.rrint 1/30/2014