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HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2003-028WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2003 -156 CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assignment: Originator: Karen Thomas 4/22/03 Introduction Division Head: _. �.. 5/6/03 Finance / Council Dept. Head: Barbara Coq. ar AFR ' 2603 Prosecutor Puridaso,giBudger Exernuce: SUBJECT: Introduction of Ordinance No. 10WOOMAuthorizing the Issuance of Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds in the Amount of $ 51415 1000 ATTACHMENTS: Draft ordinance SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( x ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( x ) SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( x ) NO NO Re nested Date: SUMMARYSTATEMENT: Distribution Request The Administrative Finance Committee (consisting of the County Treasurer, Council Chair and County Auditor) recommends that Indicate those who should reretveoaopy after Council action List specific names to the right. the County Council authorize the ordinance to refund the County's ADS Facilities Management 1993 LTGO bonds. It is an extremely attractive time to refinance ADS Finance debt, and the General Fund will be able to realize a significant amount of savings. ADS Human Resources ADS Info Services Assessor Auditor Cooperative Extension District Court Executive Health Hearing Examiner Jail COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: Juvenile Parks 2003-156 4/8/2003'. Pulled from Introduction 412212003: Introduced 516/2003: Adopted 1 -0, Ord. #2003 -028 Planning Prosecutor Public Works Sheri Superior Court Treasurer Related County Contract #: Omer Ordinance or Reso tion Number Related File Numbers: (this item): 2 OCT 3 0 2003 NHAIGOMt;Cldii , ORDINANCE NO. 2003 -j' 8 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,3851000 Table Of Contents* Section1. Definit ions ............................................................................... ..............................2 Section 2. Authorization of Bonds .......................................................... ............................... 5 Section 3. Registration, Exchange and Payments .................................... ..............................6 Section 4. Redemption and Purchase of Bonds .................................... ............................... 11 Section5. Form of Bonds ..................................................................... ............................... 12 Section6. Execution of Bonds .............................................................. ............................... 14 Section 7. Application of Bond Proceeds and Redemption of the Refunded Bonds........... 15 Section 8. Pledge of Taxes and Credit .................................................. ............................... 18 Section9. Def easance ........................................................................... ............................... 18 Section 10. Tax Covenants and Designation .......................................... ............................... 19 Section 11. Undertaking to Provide Ongoing Discl osure ....................... ............................... 21 Section 12. Lost or Destroyed Bonds ...................................................... ............................... 25 Section13. Sale of Bonds ....................................................................... ............................... 25 Section14. Bond Insurance .................................................................... ............................... 26 Section 15. Amending Section 7 of Ordinance No. 98- 084 .................... ............................... 26 Section16. Severability .......................................................................... ............................... 26 Section17. Effective Date ...................................................................... ............................... 28 Exhibit A Form of Escrow Deposit Agreement * This table of contents is not a part of this ordinance; it is included for convenience of the reader only. -1- PICMWCMW5PB W061W I INTRODUCED BY: Consent 2 PROPOSED BY: Treasurer 3 DATE INTRODUCED: 04/22/03 4 5 ORDINANCE NO. 2003 -028 6 7 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF WHATCOM 8 COUNTY, WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE 9 AND SALE OF LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION 10 REFUNDING BONDS OF THE COUNTY IN THE 11 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $35385,000 TO 12 REFUND CERTAIN OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS OF THE 13 COUNTY; PROVIDING THE DATE, FORM, TERMS, 14 MATURITIES, AND REDEMPTION PROVISIONS OF THE 15 BONDS; PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSITION OF THE BOND 16 PROCEEDS; PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY OF 17 TAXES TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON 18 THE BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THE BONDS; 19 AND AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 98 -084 OF THE 20 COUNTY. 21 22 WHEREAS, Whatcom County, Washington (the "County ") has issued its Limited Tax 23 General Obligation Bonds, 1993 under date of March 1, 1993 in the aggregate principal amount 24 of $8,400,000, pursuant to Ordinance No. 93 -010, (the `Refunded Bond Ordinance ") which 25 remain outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $4,265,000, as follows: 26 Maturity Years Principal Interest (December 1) Amount Rate 2003 $ 325,000 4.90% 2004 3459000 5.10 2005 365,000 5.20 2006 385,000 5.35 2007 405,000 5.60 2008 4305000 5.70 2009 4603000 5.75 2010 485,000 5.80 2012 1,065,000 5.75 27 28 (the "1993 Bonds "); and 1 WHEREAS, the Refunded Bond Ordinance authorizes the defeasance and redemption of 2 the 1993 Bonds maturing on and after December 1, 2004 (the "Refunded Bonds ") in advance of 3 their scheduled maturity on December 1, 2003, in whole at any time, or in part on any interest 4 payment date, at a price of par plus accrued interest to the date of redemption; and 5 WHEREAS, it appears to the Whatcom County Council (the "Council") that the 6 Refunded Bonds may be refunded at savings to the County by the issuance of the limited tax 7 general obligation refunding bonds authorized herein; 8 WHEREAS, it appears to the Council that it is in the best interest of the County that the 9 written offer of Seattle- Northwest Securities Corporation, Seattle, Washington, to underwrite the 10 bonds herein authorized be accepted; 11 NOW, THEREFORE, THE WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL DOES ORDAIN, as 12 follows: 13 Section 1. Definitions. As used in this ordinance, the following words shall have the 14 following meanings: 15 Acquired Obligations means the Government Obligations acquired by the County under 16 the terms of this ordinance and the Escrow Agreement to effect the defeasance and refunding of 17 the Refunded Bonds. IS Bond Fund means the special fund of the County designated as the "2003 General 19 Obligation Refunding Bond Redemption Fund" and maintained in the office of the Treasurer. 20 Bond Insurance Policy means the policy of bond insurance issued with respect to the 21 Bonds by the Insurer. 22 Bond Register means the registration books for the Bonds, maintained by the Bond 23 Registrar, for the purpose of complying with the requirements of Section 149 of the Internal -2- Pic�m5n OSI 3 I Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and listing, inter alia, the names and addresses of all 2 registered owners of Bonds. 3 Bond Registrar means the fiscal agency of the State of Washington in New York, New 4 York, for the purposes of registering and authenticating the Bonds, maintaining the Bond 5 Register, effecting transfer of ownership of the Bonds and paying interest on and principal of the 6 Bonds or such other entity as may hereafter be appointed by the Treasurer to perform the duties 7 of the Bond Registrar. 8 Bonds means the $3,385,000 of Whatcom County, Washington, Limited Tax General 9 Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2003, issued pursuant to this ordinance. 10 Code means the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, 11 and the applicable regulations thereunder. 12 Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission. 13 Council means the duly constituted County Council of Whatcom County as the general 14 legislative authority of the County. 15 County means Whatcom County, Washington, a political subdivision, duly organized and 16 existing under and by virtue of its Charter and the laws of the State of Washington. 17 DTC means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, a limited purpose 18 trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, as depository for the Bonds 19 pursuant to Section 3 hereof. 20 Escrow Agent means U.S. Bank National Association, Seattle, Washington. 21 Escrow Agreement means the Escrow Deposit Agreement to be dated as of the date of 22 closing and delivery of the Bonds substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. -3- P:,CM CM 5PB owe103 I Government Obligations means those obligations now or hereafter defined as such in 2 chapter 39.53RCW. 3 Insurer means Financial Security Assurance, Inc., a New York stock insurance company, 4 or any successor thereto or assignee thereof, as issuer of a Bond Insurance Policy for the Bonds. 5 Letter of Representation means a blanket issuer letter of representations from the County 6 to DTC. 7 MSRB means the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board or any successor to its 8 functions. 9 Net Proceeds, when used with reference to the Bonds, means the principal amount of the 10 Bonds, plus accrued interest and original issue premium, if any, and less original issue discount. 11 1993 Bonds means the County's Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 1993 issued 12 under date of March 1, 1993 in the aggregate principal amount of $8,400,000, pursuant to 13 Ordinance No. 93 -010, which remain outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of 14 $4,265,000. 15 NRMSIR means a nationally recognized municipal securities information repository. 16 Private Person means any natural person engaged in a trade or business or any trust, 17 estate, partnership, association, company or corporation. 18 Private Person Use means the use of property in a trade or business by a Private Person if 19 such use is other than as a member of the general public. Private Person Use includes ownership 20 of the property by the Private Person as well as other arrangements that transfer to the Private 21 Person the actual or beneficial use of the property (such as a lease, management or incentive 22 payment contract or other special arrangement) in such a manner as to set the Private Person 23 apart from the general public. Use of property as a member of the general public includes -4- P%CMW1CMW5P9 050 3 I attendance by the Private Person at municipal meetings or business rental of property to the 2 Private Person on a day -to -day basis if the rental paid by such Private Person is the same as the 3 rental paid by any Private Person who desires to rent the property. Use of property by nonprofit 4 community groups or community recreational groups is not treated as Private Person Use if such 5 use is incidental to the governmental uses of property, the property is made available for such use 6 by all such community groups on an equal basis and such community groups are charged only a 7 de minimis fee to cover custodial expenses. 8 Refunded Bond Ordinance means Ordinance No. 93 -010 of the County which authorized 9 the 1993 Bonds. 10 Refunded Bonds means the 1993 Bonds maturing on and after December 1, 2004. 11 Registered Owner means the person in whose name a Bond is registered on the Bond 12 Register. For so long as the Bonds are held in book -entry only form, DTC shall be deemed to be 13 the sole Registered Owner. 14 Rule means the Commission's Rule 15c2 -12 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 as the same may be amended from time to time. 16 SID means a state information depository for the State of Washington. 17 Treasurer means the Treasurer of the County. 18 Underwriter means Seattle - Northwest Securities Corporation, Seattle, Washington. 19 Section 2. Authorization of Bonds. The County shall issue and sell the Bonds in the 20 principal amount of $3,385,000 for the purpose of advance refunding the Refunded Bonds. The 21 Bonds shall be designated as the "Whatcom County, Washington, Limited Tax General 22 Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2003" (the "Bonds "), shall be dated as of June 1, 2003, shall be 23 fully registered as to both principal and interest, shall be in the denomination of $5,000 each or -5- 0510 3 1 any integral multiple thereof, provided further that no Bond shall represent more than one 2 maturity, shall be numbered separately in such manner and with any additional designation as the 3 Bond Registrar deems necessary for purposes of identification and control, and shall bear interest 4 payable on December 1, 2003, and semiannually thereafter on the first days of June and 5 December. The Bonds shall bear interest at the following rates and mature on December 1 of the 6 following years in the following principal amounts: Maturity (December 1) Principal Amounts Interest Rates 2004 $ 340,000 2.00% 2005 345,000 2.00 2006 355,000 2.00 2007 360,000 2.10 2008 3709000 2.45 2009 385,000 2.75 2010 395,000 3.05 2011 4109000 3.20 2012 425,000 3.35 7 Section 3. Registration, Exchange and payments. 8 (a) Bond Registrar /Bond Register. The Board hereby requests that the 9 Treasurer specify and adopt the system of registration approved by the Washington State Finance 10 Committee from time to time through the appointment of state fiscal agencies. The County shall 11 cause a bond register to be maintained by the Bond Registrar. So long as any Bonds remain 12 outstanding, the Bond Registrar shall make all necessary provisions to permit the exchange or 13 registration or transfer of Bonds at its principal corporate trust office. The Bond Registrar may 14 be removed at any time at the option of the County Treasurer upon prior notice to the Bond 15 Registrar, the Insurer, DTC, each NRMSIR and SID, if any, and a successor Bond Registrar 16 appointed by the County Treasurer. No resignation or removal of the Bond Registrar shall be 17 effective until a successor shall have been appointed and until the successor Bond Registrar shall -6- PI\LMW cMWSPB 0$10 W I have accepted the duties of the Bond Registrar hereunder. The Bond Registrar is authorized, on 2 behalf of the County, to authenticate and deliver Bonds transferred or exchanged in accordance 3 with the provisions of such Bonds and this ordinance and to carry out all of the Bond Registrar's 4 powers and duties under this ordinance. The Bond Registrar shall be responsible for its 5 representations contained in the Certificate of Authentication of the Bonds. 6 (b) Registered Ownership. The County and the Bond Registrar, each in its 7 discretion, may deem and treat the Registered Owner of each Bond as the absolute owner thereof 8 for all purposes (except as provided in Section 11 of this ordinance), and neither the County nor 9 the Bond Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Payment of any such Bond 10 shall be made only as described in this Section 3, but such Bond may be transferred as herein 11 provided. All such payments made as described in this Section 3 shall be valid and shall satisfy 12 and discharge the liability of the County upon such Bond to the extent of the amount or amounts 13 so paid. 14 (c) DTC Acceptance /Letters of Representations. The Bonds initially shall be 15 held in fully immobilized form by DTC acting as depository. To induce DTC to accept the 16 Bonds as eligible for deposit at DTC, the County has executed and delivered to DTC a Blanket 17 Issuer Letter of Representations. Neither the County nor the Bond Registrar will have any 18 responsibility or obligation to DTC participants or the persons for whom they act as nominees (or 19 any successor depository) with respect to the Bonds in respect of the accuracy of any records 20 maintained by DTC (or any successor depository) or any DTC participant, the payment by DTC 21 (or any successor depository) or any DTC participant of any amount in respect of the principal of 22 or interest on Bonds, any notice which is permitted or required to be given to Registered Owners 23 under this ordinance (except such notices as shall be required to be given by the County to the -7- P:,C"W MWSPB 0S'BB/03 I Bond Registrar or to DTC (or any successor depository)), or any consent given or other action 2 taken by DTC (or any successor depository) as the Registered Owner. For so long as any Bonds 3 are held in fully- immobilized form hereunder, DTC or its successor depository shall be deemed 4 to be the Registered Owner for all purposes hereunder, and all references herein to the Registered 5 Owners shall mean DTC (or any successor depository) or its nominee and shall not mean the 6 owners of any beneficial interest in such Bonds. 7 If any Bond shall be duly presented for payment and funds have not been duly provided 8 by the County on such applicable date, then interest shall continue to accrue thereafter on the 9 unpaid principal thereof at the rate stated on such Bond until it is paid. 10 (d) Use of Depository. 11 (i) The Bonds shall be registered initially in the time of "Cede & 12 Co. ", as nominee of DTC, with one Bond maturing on each of the maturity dates for the Bonds in 13 a denomination corresponding to the total principal therein designated to mature on such date. 14 Registered ownership of such immobilized Bonds, or any portions thereof, may not thereafter be 15 transferred except (A) to any successor of DTC or its nominee, provided that any such successor 16 shall be qualified under any applicable laws to provide the service proposed to be provided by it; 17 (B) to any substitute depository appointed by the Treasurer pursuant to subsection (it) below or 18 such substitute depository's successor; or (C) to any person as provided in subsection (iv) below. 19 (ii) Upon the resignation of DTC or its successor (or any substitute 20 depository or its successor) from its functions as depository or a determination by the Board to 21 discontinue the system of book entry transfers through DTC or its successor (or any substitute 22 depository or its successor), the Board may hereafter appoint a substitute depository. Any such -8- PCMW M WB 051O 3 1 substitute depository shall be qualified under any applicable laws to provide the services 2 proposed to be provided by it. 3 (iii) In the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (A) or (B) of 4 subsection (i) above, the Bond Registrar shall, upon receipt of all outstanding Bonds, together 5 with a written request on behalf of the Board, issue a single new Bond for each maturity then 6 outstanding, registered in the name of such successor or such substitute depository, or their 7 nominees, as the case may be, all as specified in such written request of the Board. 8 (iv) In the event that (A) DTC or its successor (or substitute depository 9 or its successor) resigns from its functions as depository, and no substitute depository can be 10 obtained, or (B) the Treasurer determines that it is in the best interest of the beneficial owners of 11 the Bonds that such owners be able to obtain such bonds in the form of Bond certificates, the 12 ownership of such Bonds may then be transferred to any person or entity as herein provided, and 13 shall no longer be held in fully- immobilized form. The Treasurer shall deliver a written request 14 to the Bond Registrar, together with a supply of definitive Bonds, to issue Bonds as herein 15 provided in any authorized denomination. Upon receipt by the Bond Registrar of all then 16 outstanding Bonds together with a written request on behalf of the Treasurer to the Bond 17 Registrar, new Bonds shall be issued in the appropriate denominations and registered in the 18 names of such persons as are requested in such written request. 19 (e) Registration of Transfer of Ownership or Exchange; Change in 20 Denominations. The transfer of any Bond may be registered and Bonds may be exchanged, but 21 no transfer of any such Bond shall be valid unless it is surrendered to the Bond Registrar with the 22 assignment form appearing on such Bond duly executed by the Registered Owner or such 23 Registered Owner's duly authorized agent in a manner satisfactory to the Bond Registrar. Upon -9- P\CMWICMW5PB OS M3 I such surrender, the Bond Registrar shall cancel the surrendered Bond and shall authenticate and 2 deliver, without charge to the Registered Owner or transferee therefor, a new Bond (or Bonds at 3 the option of the new Registered Owner) of the same date, series, maturity and interest rate and 4 for the same aggregate principal amount in any authorized denomination, naming as Registered 5 Owner the person or persons listed as the assignee on the assignment form appearing on the 6 surrendered Bond, in exchange for such surrendered and cancelled Bond. Any Bond may be 7 surrendered to the Bond Registrar and exchanged, without charge, for an equal aggregate 8 principal amount of Bonds of the same date, maturity and interest rate, in any authorized 9 denomination. The Bond Registrar shall not be obligated to register the transfer or to exchange 10 any Bond during the 15 days preceding any interest payment or principal payment date any such 11 Bond is to be redeemed. 12 (f) Bond Registrar's Ownership of Bonds. The Bond Registrar may become 13 the Registered Owner of any Bond with the same rights it would have if it were not the Bond 14 Registrar, and to the extent permitted by law, may act as depository for and permit any of its 15 officers or directors to act as member of, or in any other capacity with respect to, any committee 16 formed to protect the right of the Registered Owners of Bonds. 17 (g) Registration Covenant. The County covenants that, until all Bonds have 18 been surrendered and canceled, it will maintain a system for recording the ownership of each 19 Bond that complies with the provisions of Section 149 of the Code. 20 (h) Place and Medium of Payment. Both principal of and interest on the 21 Bonds shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America. Interest on the Bonds 22 shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days and twelve 30 -day months. For so long as 23 all Bonds are in fully immobilized form, payments of principal and interest thereon shall be made 10- v:��M5PB 05 &D3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 as provided in accordance with the operational arrangements of DTC referred to in the Letter of Representations. In the event that the Bonds are no longer in fully immobilized form, interest on the Bonds shall be paid by check or draft mailed to the Registered Owners at the addresses for such Registered Owners appearing on the Bond Register on the fifteenth day of the month preceding the interest payment date. Principal of the Bonds shall be payable upon presentation and surrender of such Bonds by the Registered Owners at the principal office of the Bond Registrar. Section 4. Redemption and Purchase of Bonds. (a) Optional Redemption. The Bonds are not subject to redemption prior to maturity. (b) Purchase of Bonds. The County reserves the right to purchase any of the Bonds offered to it at any time at a price deemed reasonable by the County Treasurer. -11- P�MWICMWSpB 0A 03 I Section 5. Form of Bonds. The Bonds shall be in substantially the following form: 2 STATEMENT OF INSURANCE 3 4 Financial Security Assurance Inc. ( "Financial Security"), New York, New York, 5 has delivered its municipal bond insurance policy with respect to the scheduled 6 payments due of principal of and interest on this Bond to The Bank of New York, 7 New York, New York, or its successor, as paying agent for the Bonds (the 8 "Paying Agent'). Said Policy is on file and available for inspection at the 9 principal office of the Paying Agent and a copy thereof may be obtained from 10 Financial Security or the Paying Agent. 11 12 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 13 NO. $ 14 STATE OF WASHINGTON 15 WHATCOM COUNTY 16 LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BOND, 2003 17 18 INTEREST RATE: MATURITY DATE: CUSIP NO.: 19 20 Registered Owner: CEDE & Co. 21 22 Principal Amount: 23 24 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON (the "County"), hereby acknowledges itself to 25 owe and for value received promises to pay to the Registered Owner identified above, or 26 registered assigns, on the Maturity Date identified above, the Principal Amount indicated above 27 and to pay interest thereon from June 1, 2003, or the most recent date to which interest has been 28 paid or duly provided for until payment of this bond at the Interest Rate set forth above, payable 29 on the first days of each June and December, commencing on December 1, 2003. Both principal 30 of and interest on this bond are payable in lawful money of the United States of America. Both 31 principal of and interest on this Bond shall be paid as provided in the operational arrangements 32 referred to in the Blanket Issuer Letter of Representations (the "Letter of Representations ") 33 between the State and The Depository Trust Company ( "DTC" ). The fiscal agency of the State 34 of Washington has been appointed by the County Treasurer(the "Bond Registrar"). 35 36 This bond is one of an authorized issue of bonds of like date and tenor, except as to 37 number, amount, rate of interest and date of maturity in the aggregate principal amount of 38 $3,385,000, and is issued to refund outstanding limited tax general obligation bonds of the 39 County. 40 41 The bonds of this issue are issued under and in accordance with the provisions of the 42 Constitution and applicable statutes of the State of Washington and ordinances duly adopted by 43 the County Council, including Ordinance No. 2003 - =of the County Council (the "Bond 44 Ordinance "). 12- P.CM CMWSPB OwM3 1 2 The bonds of this issue are not subject to optional redemption prior to their stated 3 maturities. 4 5 The bonds of this issue are not "private activity bonds" as such term is defined in the 6 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code "). The bonds of this issue are qualified 7 tax - exempt obligations under Section 265(b) of the Code for banks, thrift institutions and other 8 financial institutions. 9 10 The County hereby irrevocably covenants that it will levy taxes annually upon all the 11 taxable property in the County within and as a part of the tax levy permitted to the County 12 without a vote of the electors in amounts sufficient, with other monies legally available therefor, 13 to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds of this issue as the same shall become due. The 14 full faith, credit and resources of the County are hereby irrevocably pledged for the annual levy 15 and collection of such taxes and the prompt payment of such principal and interest. The pledge 16 of tax levies may be discharged prior to maturity of the bonds of this issue by making provision 17 for the payment thereof on the terms and conditions set forth in the Bond Ordinance. 18 19 This bond shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose or be entitled to any 20 security or benefit under the Bond Ordinance until the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall 21 have been manually signed by the Bond Registrar. 22 23 It is hereby certified that all acts, conditions and things required by the Constitution and 24 statutes of the State of Washington to exist, to have happened, been done and performed 25 precedent to and in the issuance of this bond have happened, been done and performed and that 26 the issuance of this bond and the bonds of this issue does not violate any constitutional, statutory 27 or other limitation upon the amount of bonded indebtedness that the County may incur. 28 29 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Whatcom County, Washington has caused this bond to be 30 executed by the facsimile signatures of the Chair and Clerk of its County Council as of this 1 at 31 day of June, 2003. 32 33 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON 34 35 36 By /s/ facsimile 37 Chair, County Council 38 ATTEST: 39 40 41 /s/ facsimile 42 Clerk, County Council 43 44 The Bond Registrar's Certificate of Authentication on the Bonds shall be in substantially 45 the following form: -13- PIL MMPB 051P 3 17 IS 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION Date of Authentication: This bond is one of the bonds described in the within- mentioned Bond Ordinance and is one of the Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2003 of Whatcom County, dated June 1, 2003. WASHINGTON STATE FISCAL AGENCY as Bond Registrar as Authorized Officer Section 6. Execution of Bonds. The Bonds shall be executed on behalf of the County with the manual or facsimile signature of the Chair of the Council, attested by the manual or facsimile signature of the Clerk of the Council. In case either or both of the officers who have signed or attested any of the Bonds cease to be such officer before such Bonds have been actually issued and delivered, such Bonds shall be valid nevertheless and may be issued by the County with the same effect as though the persons who had signed or attested such Bonds had not ceased to be such officers, and any Bond may be signed or attested on behalf of the County by officers who at the date of actual execution of such Bond are the proper officers, although at the nominal date of execution of such Bond such officer was not an officer of the County. Only Bonds that bear a Certificate of Authentication in the form set forth in Section 5, manually executed by the Bond Registrar, shall be valid or obligatory for any purpose or entitled to the benefits of this ordinance. Such Certificate of Authentication shall be conclusive evidence that the Bonds so authenticated have been duly executed, authenticated and delivered and are entitled to the benefits of this ordinance. -14- P�MWICMWSPB DS M3 1 Section 7. Application of Bond Proceeds and Redemption of the Refunded Bonds. 2 (a) Accrued Interest. Interest accrued on the Bonds from their date to the date 3 of issuance shall be deposited in the Bond Fund and shall be used to pay interest on the Bonds 4 coming due on December 1, 2003. 5 (b) Refunding Account. There is hereby authorized to be created in the bond 6 redemption fund for the Refunded Bonds an account known as the "Refunding Account' which 7 Account is to be drawn upon for the sole purpose of paying the principal of and interest on the 8 Refunded Bonds until their date of redemption and of paying costs related to the refunding of the 9 Refunded Bonds. 10 The proceeds of the sale of the Bonds (exclusive of (i) accrued interest thereon, which 11 shall be paid into the Bond Fund and used to pay interest on the Bonds on December 1, 2003, and 12 (it) a proportionate share of the costs of issuance of the Bonds) shall be credited to the Refunding 13 Account. 14 Money in the Refunding Account together with a cash contribution from the County shall 15 be used upon receipt thereof to defease the Refunded Bonds as authorized by the Refunded Bond 16 Ordinance and pay costs of issuance. The County shall defease the Refunded Bonds no later than 17 30 days from the date of the issuance of the Bonds and discharge such obligations by the use of 18 money in the Refunding Account together with a cash contribution from the County to purchase 19 certain Government Obligations (which obligations so purchased, are herein called "Acquired 20 Obligations "), bearing such interest and maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and 21 at such times which, together with any necessary beginning cash balance, will provide for the 22 payment of. -15- PzMWIC WB 0S wl 1 (1) Interest on the Refunded Bonds which will become due on 2 December 1, 2003; and 3 (2) The redemption price (100% of the principal amount thereof) on 4 December 1, 2003, of the Refunded Bonds. 5 Such Acquired Obligations shall be purchased at a yield not greater than the yield 6 permitted by the Code and regulations relating to acquired obligations in connection with 7 refunding bond issues. 8 The County hereby appoints the corporate trust department of U.S. Bank National 9 Association, Seattle, Washington, as the Escrow Agent for the Refunded Bonds (the "Escrow 10 Agent'). A beginning cash balance, if any, and Acquired Obligations shall be deposited 11 irrevocably with the Escrow Agent in an amount sufficient to defease the Refunded Bonds. The 12 proceeds of the Bonds remaining in the Refunding Account after acquisition of the Acquired 13 Obligations and provision for the necessary beginning cash balance shall be utilized to pay 14 expenses of the acquisition and safekeeping of the Acquired Obligations and expenses of the 15 issuance of the Bonds. 16 (c) Escrow Agreement. The Treasurer is authorized and directed to execute 17 and deliver to the Escrow Agent an Escrow Agreement substantially in the form attached to this 18 ordinance as Exhibit A, with such changes or modifications as the Treasurer, with the advice of 19 bond counsel to the County, consider necessary or advisable. 20 The County hereby irrevocably sets aside for and pledges to the payment of the Refunded 21 Bonds the moneys and obligations to be deposited with the Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow 22 Agreement to accomplish the plan of refunding and defeasance of the Refunded Bonds set forth 23 herein and in the Escrow Agreement. When all of the Refunded Bonds shall have been redeemed -16- P9CMW MMPB 05 "3 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 and retired, the County may cause to be transferred from the Refunding Account to the Bond Fund any moneys not required for the purposes set forth above. (d) Redemption of the Refunded Bonds. The County hereby irrevocably calls for redemption on December 1, 2003, the Refunded Bonds in accordance with Sections 6 and 7 of the Refunded Bond Ordinance. Such call for redemption shall be irrevocable upon the delivery of the Bonds to the initial purchasers thereof and the final establishment of the Refunding Account and delivery of the Acquired Obligations and other funds specified herein to the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized and directed to pay to the fiscal agency or agencies of the State of Washington, sums sufficient to pay, when due, the payments specified in subparagraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) above. All such sums shall be paid from the monies and Acquired Obligations deposited with said Escrow Agent and the income therefrom and proceeds thereof. All such sums so paid to said Agent shall be credited to the Refunding Account. All moneys and Acquired Obligations deposited with said Escrow Agent and any income therefrom shall be held, invested and applied in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and with the laws of the State of Washington for the benefit of the County and holders of the Refunded Bonds. The County will take such actions as are found necessary to see that all necessary and proper fees, compensation and expenses of the Escrow Agent for the Refunded Bonds shall be paid when due. The Escrow Agent, acting in concert with the Treasurer, is hereby authorized and directed to provide for the giving of notice of the redemption of such Refunded Bonds in accordance with -17- P�MVNC WB 05XN 3 I the provisions of the Refunded Bond Ordinance. The costs of giving such notice shall be an 2 expense of the County. 3 (f) Finding of Defeasance. The Board hereby finds and determines that the 4 moneys and Acquired Obligations to be deposited with the Escrow Agent to pay the principal 5 and interest due and to become due on the Refunded Bonds are sufficient to pay such amounts 6 and will discharge and satisfy the obligations of the County under the Bond Ordinance and the 7 pledges, charges, trusts, covenants and agreements of the County therein made. The Refunded 8 Bonds shall be deemed to be defeased and no longer outstanding immediately upon the deposit of 9 such moneys and Acquired Obligations with the Escrow Agent. 10 Section 8. Pledge of Taxes and Credit. The Treasurer is hereby authorized to 11 establish a special fund of the County to be designated as the 2003 General Obligation Refunding 12 Bond Redemption Fund (the "Bond Fund "). On or before each date on which a payment of 13 principal of and interest on the Bonds is due and payable, the Treasurer shall deposit the amount 14 necessary to make such principal and /or interest payment into the Bond Fund and shall remit the 15 same to the Bond Registrar for the purpose of making such payment. The County hereby 16 irrevocably covenants that, unless the principal of and interest on the Bonds are paid from other 17 sources, it will make annual levies of taxes within and as a part of the tax levy permitted to the 18 County without a vote of its electors upon all of the property in the County subject to taxation in 19 amounts sufficient to pay such principal and interest as the same shall become due. The full 20 faith, credit and resources of the County are hereby irrevocably pledged for the annual levy and 21 collection of such taxes and for the prompt payment of such principal and interest. 22 Section 9. Defeasance. In the event that money and/or Government Obligations 23 maturing at such time or times and bearing interest to be earned thereon in amounts (together -18- P \CM4 MW5P8 OSN 3 1 with such money, if necessary) sufficient to redeem and retire part or all of the Bonds in 2 accordance with their terms, are set aside in a special account of the County to effect such 3 redemption and retirement, and such moneys and the principal of and interest on such obligations 4 are irrevocably set aside and pledged for such purpose, then no further payments need be made 5 into the Bond Fund for the payment of the principal of and interest on the Bonds so provided for, 6 and such Bonds shall cease to be entitled to any lien, benefit or security of this ordinance except 7 the right to receive the moneys so set aside and pledged, and such Bonds shall be deemed not to 8 be outstanding hereunder. 9 Within 60 days of any defeasance of Bonds the Bond Registrar shall provide notice of 10 defeasance of Bonds to registered owners and to each NRMSIR and SID, if any, in accordance 11 with Section 11. 12 Section 10. Tax Covenants and Desienation. 13 (a) Arbitrage Covenant. The County hereby covenants that it will not make 14 any use of the proceeds of sale of the Bonds or any other funds of the County which may be 15 deemed to be proceeds of such Bonds pursuant to Section 148 of the Code which will cause the 16 Bonds to be "arbitrage bonds" within the meaning of said section and said Regulations. The 17 County will comply with the requirements of Section 148 of the Code (or any successor 18 provision thereof applicable to the Bonds) and the applicable Regulations thereunder throughout 19 the term of the Bonds. 20 (b) Private Person Use Limitation for Bonds. The County covenants that for 21 as long as the Bonds are outstanding, it will not permit: 22 (i) More than 10% of the Net Proceeds of the Bonds to be used for 23 any Private Person Use; and 19' PZ"%CMWSPB OW"3 I (ii) More than 10% of the principal or interest payments on the Bonds 2 in a Bond Year to be directly or indirectly: (A) secured by any interest in property used or to be 3 used for any Private Person Use or secured by payments in respect of property used or to be used 4 for any Private Person Use, or (B) derived from payments (whether or not made to the County) in 5 respect of property, or borrowed money, used or to be used for any Private Person Use. 6 The County further covenants that, if 7 (iii) More than five percent of the Net Proceeds of the Bonds are to be 8 used for any Private Person Use; and 9 (iv) More than five percent of the principal or interest payments on the 10 Bonds in a Bond Year are (under the terms of this ordinance or any underlying arrangement) 11 directly or indirectly: (A) secured by any interest in property used or to be used for any Private 12 Person Use or secured by payments in respect of property used or to be used for any Private 13 Person Use, or (B) derived from payments (whether or not made to the County) in respect of 14 property, or borrowed money, used or to be used for any Private Person Use, then, (1) any Private 15 Person Use of the projects described in subsection (iii) hereof or Private Person Use payments 16 described in subsection (iv) hereof that is in excess of the five percent limitations described in 17 such subsections (iii) or (iv) will be for a Private Person Use that is related to the state or local 18 governmental use of the project financed or refinanced with Bond proceeds, and (2) any Private 19 Person Use will not exceed the amount of Net Proceeds of the Bonds used for the state or local 20 governmental use portion of the projects to which the Private Person Use of such portion of such 21 project relates. The County further covenants that it will comply with any limitations on the use 22 of the projects by other than state and local governmental users that are necessary, in the opinion 23 of its bond counsel, to preserve the tax exemption of the interest on the Bonds. The covenants of -20- P]CMMCMW5P8 O$/ M3 1 this section are specified solely to assure the continued exemption from regular income taxation 2 of the interest on the Bonds. 3 (c) Bonds Designated "Qualified Tax- Exempt Obligations." The County 4 hereby designates the Bonds as "qualified tax- exempt obligations" for purchase by financial 5 institutions pursuant to Section 265 of the Code. The County does not anticipate that it will issue 6 more than $10,000,000 in "qualified tax - exempt obligations" during the year 2003. 7 Section 11. Undertaking to Provide Ongoing Disclosure. 8 (a) ContractlUndertaking. This section constitutes the County's written 9 undertaking for the benefit of the owners of the Bonds as required by Section (b)(5) of the Rule. 10 (b) Financial Statements /Operating Data. The County agrees to provide or 11 cause to be provided to each NRMSIR and to the SID, if any, in each case as designated by the 12 Council in accordance with the Rule, the following annual financial information and operating 13 data for the prior fiscal year (commencing September 30, 2004 for the fiscal year ending 14 December 31, 2003): 15 1. Annual financial statements showing ending fund balances 16 prepared in accordance with regulations prescribed by the State Auditor pursuant to 17 RCW 43.09.200 (or any successor statutes) from time to time and generally of the type included 18 in the official statement for the Bonds under the headings "Comparative General Fund Statement 19 of Revenues, Expenditures & Changes in Fund Balance"; 20 2. The assessed valuation of taxable property in the County; 21 3. Property taxes due and property taxes collected; 22 4. Property tax levy rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation; and 23 5. Outstanding general obligation debt of the County. -21- P1cMMCMW5PB OS 03 1 Such annual information and operating data described above shall be so provided on or 2 before the expiration of nine months after the end of the County's fiscal year. The County may 3 adjust such date if the County changes its fiscal year by providing written notice of the change of 4 fiscal year and the new reporting date to each then existing NRMSIR and the SID, if any. In lieu 5 of providing such annual financial information and operating data, the County may cross - 6 reference to other documents provided to the NRMSIR's, the SID or to the Council and, if such 7 document is a final official statement within the meaning of the Rule, available from the MSRB. 8 If not provided as part of the annual financial information discussed above, the County 9 shall provide the County's audited annual financial statement prepared in accordance with 10 regulations prescribed by the State Auditor pursuant to RCW 43.09.200 (or any successor 11 statutes), when and if available, to each then existing NRMSIR and the SID, if any. 12 (c) Material Events. The County agrees to provide or cause to be provided, in 13 a timely manner, to the SID, if any, and to each NRMSIR or to the MSRB notice of the 14 occurrence of any of the following events with respect to the Bonds, if material: 15 • Principal and interest payment delinquencies; 16 • Non - payment related defaults; 17 • Unscheduled draws on debt service reserves reflecting financial 18 difficulties; 19 • Unscheduled draws on credit enhancements reflecting financial 20 difficulties; 21 • Substitution of credit or liquidity providers, or their failure to perform; 22 • Adverse tax opinions or events affecting the tax- exempt status of the 23 Bonds; -22- P%CMW MWSFB Ouo"3 1 • Modifications to rights of owners; 2 • Optional, contingent or unscheduled Bond calls other than scheduled 3 sinking fund redemptions for which notice is given pursuant to 4 Exchange Act Release 34- 23856; 5 • Defeasances; 6 • Release, substitution or sale of property securing the repayment of the 7 Bonds; and 8 • Rating changes. 9 Solely for purposes of disclosure, and not intending to modify this undertaking, the 10 County advises that there is no property securing repayment of the Bonds, and there is no debt 11 service reserve fund or account for the Bonds, as the County lacks legal authority for either 12 measure. If further changes in the law permit such measures, and if the County subsequently 13 chooses to establish such reserves or provide such property as security for the Bonds, the County 14 will provide notice of such establishment or provision and undertake to provide notices of 15 material events relating thereto, should such events occur. 16 (d) Notification Upon Failure to Provide Financial Data. The County agrees 17 to provide or cause to be provided, in a timely manner, to each NRMSIR or to the MSRB and to 18 the SID, if any, notice of its failure to provide the annual financial information described in 19 subsection (b) above on or prior to the date set forth in subsection (b) above. 20 (e) Termination /Mod fcation. The County's obligations to provide annual 21 financial information and notices of material events shall terminate upon the defeasance, prior 22 redemption or payment in full of all of the Bonds. This section, or any provision hereof, shall be 23 null and void if the County (1) obtains an opinion of nationally recognized bond counsel to the -23- Pw�M5PR oSIC 3 I effect that those portions of the Rule which require this section, or any such provision, we 2 invalid, have been repealed retroactively or otherwise do not apply to the Bonds; and (2) notifies 3 each then existing NRMSIR and the SID, if any, of such opinion and the cancellation of this 4 section. Notwithstanding any other provision of this ordinance, the County may amend this 5 Section 11 and any provision of this Section 11 may be waived with an approving opinion of 6 nationally recognized bond counsel. 7 In the event of any amendment of or waiver of a provision of this Section 11, the County 8 shall describe such amendment in the next annual report, and shall include, as applicable, a 9 narrative explanation of the reason for the amendment or waiver and its impact on the type (or in 10 the case of a change of accounting principles, on the presentation) of financial information or I1 operating data being presented by the County. In addition, if the amendment relates to the 12 accounting principles to be followed in preparing financial statements, (1) notice of such change 13 shall be given in the same manner as for a material event under Subsection (c), and (II) the 14 annual report for the year in which the change is made should present a comparison (in narrative 15 form and also, if practical, in quantitative form) between the financial statements as prepared on 16 the basis of the new accounting principles and those prepared on the basis of the former 17 accounting principles. 18 (f) Bond Owner's Remedies Under This Section. A Bond owner's right to 19 enforce the provisions of this section shall be limited to a right to obtain specific enforcement of 20 the County's obligations hereunder, and any failure by the County to comply with the provisions 21 of this undertaking shall not be an event of default with respect to the Bonds under this 22 ordinance. -24- P'CM M 5PB 051 s 3 1 (g) Compliance. The County is currently in compliance with its prior 2 undertakings for ongoing disclosure. 3 Section 12. Lost or Destroyed Bonds. If any Bonds are lost, stolen or destroyed, the 4 Bond Registrar may authenticate and deliver a new Bond or Bonds of like amount, maturity and 5 tenor to the Registered Owner upon the owner paying the expenses and charges of the Bond 6 Registrar and the County in connection with preparation and authentication of the replacement 7 Bond or Bonds and upon his or her filing with the Bond Registrar and the County evidence 8 satisfactory to both that such Bond or Bonds were actually lost, stolen or destroyed and of his or 9 her ownership, and upon furnishing the County and the Bond Registrar with indemnity 10 satisfactory to both. I1 Section 13. Sale of Bonds. The Bonds shall be sold by negotiated sale to the 12 Underwriter, under the terms and conditions thereof as provided in its purchase contract 13 presented to the Council on this date and in this ordinance. Said purchase contract is hereby in 14 all respects accepted and approved, and either the County Executive or the Chair of the Council 15 is authorized to execute the purchase contract on behalf of the County. 16 The County Executive is hereby authorized to review and approve on behalf of the 17 County the preliminary and final Official Statements relative to the Bonds with such additions 18 and changes as may be deemed necessary or advisable to him. The Preliminary Official 19 Statement for the Bonds, is hereby deemed final for purposes of the Rule. The proper County 20 officials are hereby authorized and directed to do everything necessary for the prompt execution 21 and delivery of the Bonds to said purchaser and for the proper application and use of the 22 proceeds of sale thereof. -25- P%CM�m5PB OSN 3 I Section 14. Bond Insurance. In accordance with the offer of the Underwriter to 2 purchase the Bonds, the Council hereby approves the commitment of the Insurer to provide a 3 bond insurance policy guaranteeing the payment when due of principal of and interest on the 4 Bonds (the "Bond Insurance Policy"). The Council further authorizes and directs all proper 5 officers, agents, attorneys and employees of the County to cooperate with the Insurer in preparing 6 such additional agreements, certificates, and other documentation on behalf of the County as 7 shall be necessary or advisable in providing for the Bond Insurance Policy. 8 Section 15. Amending Section 7 of Ordinance No 98 -084. Section 7 of Ordinance 9 No. 98 -084 shall be amended to read as follows (deletions are shown as stricken text and 10 additions are shown as underscored): 11 Section 7. Disposition of Bond Proceeds. The accrued interest 12 received with respect to the Bonds shall be deposited into the Bond Fond and used 13 to pay interest on the Bonds coming due on June 1, 1999. The Treasurer has 14 heretofore established a special fund of the County designated as the "Civic 15 Center Building Improvement Fund" (the `Project Fund "). The balance of the 16 proceeds of sale of the Bonds shall be deposited in the Project Fund and shall be 17 expended solely to pay the cost of issuing and selling the Bonds and, together with 18 other available moneys of the County, shall be used to reimburse the County for 19 previously incurred costs and to complete the Project. Money in the Project Fund 20 shall be invested by the Treasurer, pending disbursement, in any legal investment 21 for County funds. [After completion of the Project, the proceeds of the Bond 22 may be used for other capital improvements or may be 11 ed to pay or defease the 23 Bonds or other outstanding general obligation bonds of the County.] 24 25 As amended by this ordinance, Ordinance No. 98 -084 is hereby ratified, approved and 26 confirmed. 27 Section 16. Severabilitv. If any one or more of the covenants or agreements provided 28 in this ordinance to be performed on the part of the County shall be declared by any court of 29 competent jurisdiction to be contrary to law, then such covenant or covenants, agreement or 30 agreements, shall be null and void and shall be deemed separable from the remaining covenants -26- P: %CMW%CMW5PB O&OW3 and agreements of this ordinance and shall in no way affect the validity of the other provisions of this ordinance or of the Bonds. -27- Pftc WkcM 5P9 MGM 2 3 4 Section 17. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. ADOPTED this nth day of May, 2003. ATTEST: Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the County Council COUNTY COUNCIL OF WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Dan McShane, Chair Barbara Brenner, Councilmember Laurie Caskey- Schreiber, Councilmember Crawford, M. L. Ward i ouncilmember Sharon Roy, APPROVED DENIED Pete Kremen, County Executive Dated as of: , 2003 9" P%CMW1CMW5PB OS "3 EXHIBIT A ESCROW DEPOSIT AGREEMENT WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, 2003 THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of June 2, 2003 (herein, together with any amendments or supplements hereto, called the "Agreement') is entered into by and between Whatcom County, Washington (herein called the "County") and U.S. Bank National Association, Seattle, Washington, as escrow agent (herein, together with any successor in such capacity, called the "Escrow Agent'). The notice addresses of the County and the Escrow Agent are shown on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the County heretofore has issued and there presently remain outstanding the obligations described in Exhibit B attached hereto (the "Refunded Bonds "); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance No. 2003 - $adopted on May 6, 2003, (the "Bond Ordinance "), the County has determined to issue its Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2003 (the `Bonds "); and WHEREAS, the proceeds of the Bonds together with a cash contribution from the County are being used for the purpose of providing funds to pay the costs of refunding the Refunded Bonds; and WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent has reviewed the Bond Ordinance and this Agreement, and is willing to serve as Escrow Agent hereunder. WHEREAS, Grant Thornton LLP, Certified Public Accountants, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, have prepared a verification report which is dated June 2, 2003 (the "Verification Report") relating to the source and use of funds available to accomplish the refunding of the Refunded Bonds, the investment of such funds and the adequacy of such funds and investments to provide for the payment of the debt service due on the Refunded Bonds. WHEREAS, pursuant to the Bond Ordinance, the Refunded Bonds have been designated for redemption prior to their scheduled maturity dates and, after provision is made for such redemption, the Refunded Bonds will come due on December 1, 2003 (the "Call Date ") as set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto and made a part hereof; and WHEREAS, the County desires that, concurrently with the delivery of the Bonds to the purchasers thereof, the proceeds of the Bonds, together with certain other available funds of the County, shall be applied to purchase certain direct obligations of the United States of America hereinafter defined as the "Escrowed Security" for deposit to the credit of the Escrow A -1 P>cM %cmw5n DWM3 Fund created pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and to establish a beginning cash balance (if needed) in such Escrow Fund; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual undertakings, promises and agreements herein contained, the sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, and to secure the full and timely payment of principal of and the interest on the Refunded Bonds, the County and the Escrow Agent mutually undertake, promise and agree for themselves and their respective representatives and successors, as follows: Article 1. Definitions Section 1.1. Definitions. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned to them below when they are used in this Agreement: Treasurer means the County Treasurer, or any successor to the functions of the Treasurer. Escrow Fund means the fund created by this Agreement to be established, held and administered by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. Escrowed Security means the United States Treasury Note described in Exhibit D attached to this Agreement, or cash or other noncallable obligations substituted therefor pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement. Paying Agent means the fiscal agency of the State of Washington, as the paying agent for the Refunded Bonds, or any other fiscal agency appointed by the Treasurer. Section 1.2. Other Definitions. The terms "Agreement ,° "County," "Escrow Agent," "Bond Ordinance," "Verification Report ," "Refunded Bonds," and "Bonds" when they are used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the preamble to this Agreement. Section 1.3. Interpretations. The titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience and reference only and are not to be considered a part hereof and shall not in any way modify or restrict the terms hereof. This Agreement and all of the terns and provisions hereof shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes set forth herein and to achieve the intended purpose of providing for the refunding of the Refunded Bonds in accordance with applicable law. A-2 PCMWzMW5P9 05/ 3 Article 2. Deposit of Funds and Escrowed Security Section 2.1. Deposits in the Escrow Fund. Concurrently with the sale and delivery of the Bonds the County shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Escrow Agent, for deposit in the Escrow Fund, the funds sufficient to purchase the Escrowed Security and pay costs of issuance described in Exhibit D attached hereto, and the Escrow Agent shall, upon the receipt thereof, acknowledge such receipt to the County in writing. Article 3. Creation and Operation of Escrow Fund Section 3.1. Escrow Fund. The Escrow Agent has created on its books a special trust fund and irrevocable escrow to be known as the Refunding Account (the "Escrow Fund "). The Escrow Agent hereby agrees that upon receipt thereof it will deposit to the credit of the Escrow Fund the funds and the Escrowed Security described in Exhibit D attached hereto. Such deposit, all proceeds therefrom, and all cash balances from time to time on deposit therein (a) shall be the property of the Escrow Fund, (b) shall be applied only in strict conformity with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and (c) are hereby irrevocably pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on the Refunded Bonds, which payment shall be made by timely transfer of such amounts as provided for in Section 3.2 hereof When the final transfer has been made for the payment of such principal of and interest on the Refunded Bonds, any balance then remaining in the Escrow Fund shall be transferred to the County, and the Escrow Agent shall thereupon be discharged from any further duties hereunder. Section 3.2. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Escrow Agent is hereby irrevocably instructed to transfer to the Paying Agent from the cash balances on deposit in the Escrow Fond, the amounts required to pay the principal of the Refunded Bonds on the Call Date and interest thereon to the Call Date as shown in Exhibit C attached hereto. Section 3.3. Sufficiency of Escrow Fund. The County represents that, based upon the information provided in the Verification Report, the receipt of the principal of and interest on the Escrowed Security will assure that the cash balance on deposit from time to time in the Escrow Fund will be at all times sufficient to provide moneys for transfer to the Paying Agent to pay the interest on and redemption price (100 %) of the Refunded Bonds on the Call Date, all as more fully set forth in Exhibit E attached hereto. If, for any reason, at any time, the cash balances on deposit or scheduled to be on deposit in the Escrow Fund shall be insufficient to transfer the amounts required by the Paying Agent to make the payments set forth in Section 3.2. hereof, the County shall timely deposit in the Escrow Fund, from any funds that we lawfully available therefor, A-3 P\CM MWSPB 05ro 3 additional funds in the amounts required to make such payments. Notice of any such insufficiency shall be given promptly as hereinafter provided, but the Escrow Agent shall not in any manner be responsible for any insufficiency of funds in the Escrow Fund or the County's failure to make additional deposits thereto. Section 3.4. Trust Fund. The Escrow Agent shall hold at all times the Escrow Fund, the Escrowed Security and all other assets of the Escrow Fund, wholly segregated from all other funds and securities on deposit with the Escrow Agent; it shall never allow the Escrowed Security or any other assets of the Escrow Fund to be commingled with any other funds or securities of the Escrow Agent; and it shall hold and dispose of the assets of the Escrow Fund only as set forth herein. The Escrowed Security and other assets of the Escrow Fund shall always be maintained by the Escrow Agent as trust funds for the benefit of the owners of the Refunded Bonds; and a special account thereof shall at all times be maintained on the books of the Escrow Agent. The amounts received by the Escrow Agent under this Agreement shall not be considered as a banking deposit by the County, and the Escrow Agent shall have no right to title with respect thereto except as a trustee and Escrow Agent under the terms of this Agreement. Article 4. Limitation on Investments Section 4.1. Investments. Except for the initial investment in the Escrowed Security, and except as provided in Section 4.2 hereof, the Escrow Agent shall not have any power or duty to invest or reinvest any money held hereunder, or to make substitutions of the Escrowed Security, or to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the Escrowed Security. Article 5. Application of Cash Balances Section 5.1. In General. Except as provided in Sections 2.1, 3.2 and 4.2 hereof, no withdrawals, transfers, or reinvestment shall be made of cash balances in the Escrow Fund. Cash balances shall be held by the Escrow Agent in United States currency as cash balances as shown on the books and records of the Escrow Agent and, except as provided herein, shall not be reinvested by the Escrow Agent provided, however, a conversion to currency shall not be required (i) for so long as the Escrow Agent's internal rate of return does not exceed 20 %, or (ii) if the Escrow Agent's internal rate of return exceeds 20 %, the Escrow Agent receives a letter of instructions, accompanied by the opinion of nationally recognized bond counsel, approving the assumed reinvestment of such proceeds at such higher yield. A-4 P1 MWZMMPB MOM3 Article 6. Redemption of Refunded Bonds Section 6.1. Call for Redemption. The County hereby irrevocably calls the Refunded Bonds for redemption on the Call Date, as shown in the Verification Report and on Appendix A attached hereto. Section 6.2. Notice of Redemption/Notice of Defeasance. The Escrow Agent agrees to give a notice of defeasance and a notice of the redemption of the Refunded Bonds to the Paying Agent for dissemination in accordance with the terms of Ordinance No. 93 -010 of the County Council and in substantially the forms attached hereto as Appendices A and B attached hereto and as described on said Appendices A and B to the Paying Agent for distribution as described therein. The notice of defeasance shall be given immediately following the execution of this Agreement, and the notice of redemption shall be given in accordance with said Ordinance No. 93 -010. The Escrow Agent hereby certifies that provision satisfactory and acceptable to the Escrow Agent has been made for the giving of notice of redemption of the Refunded Bonds. Article 7. Records Section 7.1. Records. The Escrow Agent will keep books of record and account in which complete and accurate entries shall be made of all transactions relating to the receipts, disbursements, allocations and application of the money and Escrowed Security deposited to the Escrow Fund and all proceeds thereof, and such books shall be available for inspection during business hours and after reasonable notice. Article 8. Concerning the Paying Agent and Escrow Agent Section 8.1. Representations. The Escrow Agent hereby represents that it has all necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement and undertake the obligations and responsibilities imposed upon it herein, and that it will carry out all of its obligations hereunder. Section 8.2. Limitation on Liability. The liability of the Escrow Agent to transfer funds for the payment of the principal of and interest on the Refunded Bonds shall be limited to the proceeds of the Escrowed Security and the cash balances from time to time on deposit in the Escrow Fund. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall have no liability whatsoever for the insufficiency of funds from time to time in the Escrow Fund or any A-J P%CMMCMWSPB OS WM failure of the obligors of the Escrowed Security to make timely payment thereon, except for the obligation to notify the County promptly of any such occurrence. The recitals herein and in the proceedings authorizing the Bonds shall be taken as the statements of the County and shall not be considered as made by, or imposing any obligation or liability upon, the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent is not a party to the proceedings authorizing the Bonds or the Refunded Bonds and is not responsible for nor bound by any of the provisions thereof (except to the extent that the Escrow Agent may be a place of payment and paying agent and/or a paying agent/registrar therefor). In its capacity as Escrow Agent, it is agreed that the Escrow Agent need look only to the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent makes no representations as to the value, conditions or sufficiency of the Escrow Fund, or any part thereof, or as to the title of the County thereto, or as to the security afforded thereby or hereby, and the Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability or responsibility in respect to any of such matters. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Escrow Agent shall never be required to use or advance its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or the exercise of any of its rights and powers hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or neglected to be taken by it in good faith in any exercise of reasonable care and believed by it to be within the discretion or power conferred upon it by this Agreement, nor shall the Escrow Agent be responsible for the consequences of any error ofjudgment; and the Escrow Agent shall not be answerable except for its own action, neglect or default, nor for any loss unless the same shall have been through its negligence or want of good faith. Unless it is specifically otherwise provided herein, the Escrow Agent has no duty to determine or inquire into the happening or occurrence of any event or contingency or the performance or failure of performance of the County with respect to arrangements or contracts with others, with the Escrow Agent's sole duty hereunder being to safeguard the Escrow Fund, to dispose of and deliver the same in accordance with this Agreement. If, however, the Escrow Agent is called upon by the terms of this Agreement to determine the occurrence of any event or contingency, the Escrow Agent shall be obligated, in making such determination, only to exercise reasonable care and diligence, and in event of error in making such determination the Escrow Agent shall be liable only for its own misconduct or its negligence. In determining the occurrence of any such event or contingency the Escrow Agent may request from the County or any other person such reasonable additional evidence as the Escrow Agent in its discretion may deem necessary to determine any fact relating to the occurrence of such event or contingency, and in this connection may make inquiries of, and consult with, among others, the County at any time. A'6 PIL MWSPB 0A 3 Section 8.3. Compensation. The County shall pay to the Escrow Agent fees for performing the services hereunder and for the expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Escrow Agent in the administration of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Fee Schedule attached hereto as Appendix B. The Escrow Agent hereby agrees that in no event shall it ever assert any claim or lien against the Escrow Fund for any fees for its services, whether regular or extraordinary, as Escrow Agent, or in any other capacity, or for reimbursement for any of its expenses as Escrow Agent or in any other capacity. Section 8.4. Successor Escrow Agents. If at any time the Escrow Agent or its legal successor or successors should become unable, through operation or law or otherwise, to act as escrow agent hereunder, or if its property and affairs shall be taken under the control of any state or federal court or administrative body because of insolvency or bankruptcy or for any other reason, a vacancy shall forthwith exist in the office of Escrow Agent hereunder. In such event the County, by appropriate action, promptly shall appoint an Escrow Agent to fill such vacancy. If no successor Escrow Agent shall have been appointed by the County within 60 days, a successor may be appointed by the owners of a majority in principal amount of the Refunded Bonds then outstanding by an instrument or instruments in writing filed with the County, signed by such owners or by their duly authorized attorneys -in -fact. If, in a proper case, no appointment of a successor Escrow Agent shall be made pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this section within three months after a vacancy shall have occurred, the owner of any Refunded Bond may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Escrow Agent. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, prescribe and appoint a successor Escrow Agent. Any successor Escrow Agent shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or the State of Washington, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having an office and place of business in the State of Washington, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 and subject to the supervision or examination by federal or state authority. Any successor Escrow Agent shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the County and the Escrow Agent an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and the Escrow Agent shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Escrow Agent, subject to the terms of this Agreement, all the rights, powers and trusts of the Escrow Agent hereunder. Upon the request of any such successor Escrow Agent, the County shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Escrow Agent all such rights, powers and duties. The obligations assumed by the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Agreement may be transferred by the Escrow Agent to a successor Escrow Agent if (a) the requirements of this Section 8.4 are satisfied; (b) the successor Escrow Agent has assumed all the obligations of the Escrow Agent under this Agreement; and (c) all of the Escrowed Security and money held by the A -7 vicM%CMwsvB MOMI Escrow Agent pursuant to this Agreement have been duly transferred to such successor Escrow Agent. Article 9. Miscellaneous Section 9.1. Notice. Any notice, authorization, request, or demand required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid addressed to the County, the Treasurer or the Escrow Agent at the address shown on Exhibit attached hereto. The United States Post Office registered or certified mail receipt showing delivery of the aforesaid shall be conclusive evidence of the date and fact of delivery. Any party hereto may change the address to which notices are to be delivered by giving to the other parties not less than ten days prior notice thereof. Section 9.2. Termination of Responsibilities. Upon the taking of all the actions as described herein by the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall have no further obligations or responsibilities hereunder to the County, the owners of the Refunded Bonds or to any other person or persons in connection with this Agreement. Section 9.3. Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon the County and the Escrow Agent and their respective successors and legal representatives, and shall inure solely to the benefit of the owners of the Refunded Bonds, the County, the Escrow Agent and their respective successors and legal representatives. Section 9.4. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. Section 9.5. Washington Law Governs. This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by the provisions hereof and by the applicable laws of the State of Washington. A -g PZM %CMWSPB 0"W3 Section 9.6. Time of the Essence. Time shall be of the essence in the performance of obligations from time to time imposed upon the Escrow Agent by this Agreement. Section 9.7. Amendments. This Agreement shall not be amended except to cure any ambiguity or formal defect or omission in this Agreement. No amendment shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties thereto. No such amendment shall adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Refunded Bonds. No such amendment shall be made without first receiving written confirmation from the rating agencies, (if any) which have rated the Refunded Bonds that such administrative changes will not result in a withdrawal or reduction of its rating then assigned to the Refunded Bonds. If this Agreement is amended, prior written notice and copies of the proposed changes shall be given to the rating agencies which have rated the Refunded Bonds. EXECUTED as of the date first written above. WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON IWO A-9 P \CM4 m5P0 0S &03 Authorized Signer Exhibit A - Addresses of the County /County Treasurer and the Escrow Agent Exhibit B - Description of the Refunded Bonds Exhibit C - Schedule of Debt Service on Refunded Bonds Exhibit D - Description of Beginning Cash Deposit (if any) and Escrowed Security Exhibit E - Escrow Fund Cash Flow Appendix A - Notice of Redemption Appendix B - Notice of Defeasance Appendix C - Fee Schedule A-9 P \CM4 m5P0 0S &03 EXHIBIT A Addresses of the County /County Treasurer and Escrow Agent County: Whatcom County Treasurer 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 104 P.O. Box 5268 Bellingham, WA 98225 Escrow Agent: U.S. Bank National Association 1420 Fifth Avenue, Seventh Floor Seattle, WA 98101 Attention: Corporate Trust Department A -A -1 PCMWICMW5PB 05KK 3 EXHIBIT B Description of the Refunded Bonds Whatcom County, Washington Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 1993 Maturity Years (December 1) Principal Amounts Interest Rates 2004 $ 345,000 5.10% 2005 365,000 5.20 2006 385,000 5.35 2007 405,000 5.60 2008 430,000 5.70 2009 460,000 5.75 2010 485,000 5.80 2012 1,065,000 5.75 A -B -1 PkCa %cawsve OVOW3 EXHIBIT C Schedule of Debt Service on Refunded Bonds Principal/ Date Interest Redemption Price Total 12/01/2003 $ 110,090.00 $ 3,940,000.00 $ 43050,090.00 Total $ 110,090.00 $ 35940,000.00 $ 4,050,090.00 A -C -1 p %CM %CM 5PB OWM3 EXHIBIT D Escrow Deposit 1. Cash $240.00 II. Other Obligations Maturity Principal Interes Accrued Description Date Amount t Rate Cost Interest Escrow Verification Fee (Grant Thornton) 2,500.00 OS Printing and Mailing Costs (SNW) T -Note 11/30/2003 $3,990,000.00 3.00% $4,032,376.03 $654.1 0 TOTAL $3,990,000.00 $4,032,376.03 $654.10 III. Costs of Issuance Escrow Agent Fee (U.S. Bank) $ 750.00 Bond Counsel Fee (PGE) 8,600.00 Escrow Verification Fee (Grant Thornton) 2,500.00 OS Printing and Mailing Costs (SNW) 15300.00 Rating Agency (Moody's) 6,500.00 TOTAL: $ 19,650.00 T43U33,U3U. 13 $4,0335030.13 A-D-1 P,CM�"M B 05 "3 Date 06/02/2003 11/30/2003 12/01/2003 EXHIBIT E Escrow Fund Cash Flow Escrow Net Escrow Excess Cash Requirement Receipts Receipts Balance $ — $ 240.00 $ 240.00 $ 240.00 -- 4,049,850.00 4,049,850.00 4,050,090.00 4.050 090.00 (4,050,090.00 0.00 $ 4,050,090.00 $ 4,050,090.00 $ 0.00 A -E -1 P%CMMCMWSPB OS W3 APPENDIX A -1 Notice of Redemption' Whatcom County, Washington Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 1993 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Whatcom County, Washington has called for redemption on December 1, 2003, its then outstanding Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 1993 (the "Bonds "). The Bonds will be redeemed at a price of one hundred percent (100 %) of their principal amount, plus interest accrued to December 1, 2003. The redemption price of the Bonds is payable on presentation and surrender of the Bonds at the office of: The Bank of New York Wells Fargo Bank, National Fiscal Agency -State of Association Washington -or- Corporate Trust Department 101 Barclay, 7" Floor East 14th Floor - M/S 257 New York, NY 10286 999 Third Avenue 962455GPO Seattle, WA 98104 Interest on all Bonds or portions thereof which are redeemed shall cease to accrue on December 1, 2003. The following Maturity Years (December l) Bonds are being redeemed: Principal Interest Amounts Rates CUSIP Nos. 2004 $ 345,000 5.10% 962455GN5 2005 365,000 5.20 962455GPO 2006 385,000 5.35 962455GQ8 2007 405,000 5.60 962455GR6 2008 430,000 5.70 962455GS4 2009 460,000 5.75 962455GT2 2010 485,000 5.80 962455GU9 2012 1,065,000 5.75 962455GW5 ' This notice shall be given not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to December 1, 2003 by first class mail to each registered owner of the Refunded Bonds. In addition notice shall be mailed at least 35 days prior to December 1, 2003 to The Depository Trust Company of New York, New York; Midwest Securities Trust Company of Chicago, Illinois; Philadelphia Depository Trust Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Seattle- Northwest Securities Corporation Seattle, Washington; Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's. Page 1 - Appendix A -1 P,cM %CMw5P9 Ce W3 By Order of Whatcom County, Washington The Bank of New York, as Paying Agent Dated: Under the Interest and Dividend Tax Compliance Act of 1983, payor may be required to withhold 30% of the redemption price from any Bondowner who fails to provide to payor and certify under penalties of perjury, a correct taxpayer identifying number (employer identification number or social security number, as appropriate) or an exemption certificate on or before the date the Bonds are presented for payment. Bondowners who wish to avoid the application of these provisions should submit a completed Form W -9 when presenting their Bonds. Page 2 - Appendix A -1 PZMw m 5PB 0s &03 APPENDIX B -1 Notice of Defeasance Whatcom County, Washington Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 1993 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the owners of that portion of the above captioned bonds with respect to which, pursuant to an Escrow Agreement dated June 2, 2003, by and between Whatcom County, Washington (the "County") and U.S. Bank National Association, Seattle, Washington (the "Escrow Agent'), the County has deposited into an escrow account, held by the Escrow Trustee, cash and non- callable direct obligations of the United States of America, the principal of and interest on which, when due, will provide money to pay each year, to and including the respective maturity or redemption dates of such bonds so provided for, the principal thereof and interest thereon (the "Defeased Bonds "). Such Defeased Bonds are therefore deemed to be no longer outstanding pursuant to Ordinance No. 93 -010 of the County authorizing the Defeased Bonds, but will be paid by application of the assets in such escrow. The Defeased Bonds are described as follows: Whatcom County, Washington Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 1993. (Dated March 1, 1993) Maturity Years Par Amount Interest Call Date (December 1) Defeased Rates (100 %). 2004 $ 345,000 5.10% 12/01/2003 2005 365,000 5.20 12/01/2003 2006 385,000 5.35 12/01/2003 2007 405,000 5.60 12/01/2003 2008 430,000 5.70 12/01/2003 2009 460,000 5.75 12/01/2003 2010 485,000 5.80 12/01/2003 2012 1,065,000 5.75 12/01/2003 Page 1 - Appendix B -1 RCMWl MWSPB MW3 APPENDIX C Fee Schedule Escrow Agent Fee: $750.00 Page 1 - Appendix C pftc am 5PB Ov W3 CERTIFICATE 1, the undersigned, Clerk of the County Council of Whatcom County, Washington, (the "County ") and keeper of the records of the County Council ( "Council'), DO HEREBY CERTIFY: That the attached ordinance is a true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 2003 -a of the Council (herein called the "Ordinance "), duly adopted at a regular meeting thereof held on the 6th day of May, 2003. 2. That said meeting was duly convened and held in all respects in accordance with law, and to the extent required by law, due and proper notice of such regular meeting was given; that a legal quorum was present throughout the meeting and a legally sufficient number of members of the Council voted in the proper manner for the adoption of the Ordinance; that all other requirements and proceedings incident to the proper adoption of the Ordinance have been duly fulfilled, carried out and otherwise observed; and that I am authorized to execute this certificate. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 6`h day of May, 2003. k l' County P1 WCMMPB OSM3 CERTIFICATE OF BOND COUNSEL REGARDING BOND ORDINANCE I, the undersigned, bond counsel to Whatcom County, Washington (the "County') in connection with the issuance of their Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2003 (the "Bonds ") hereby certify that the Ordinance authorizing the issuance of the Bonds and having the following title: AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $35385,000 is approved as to legal form. Dated as of this 6`h day of May, 2003. Cynthia M. Weed N QM520�WC ;CM MW 0330E