The bonds are expected to sell via negotiation on Oct. 20, 2009. They are secured by the borough's full faith and credit and are payable from an unlimited ad valorem tax pledge collected specifically for debt service. While the series 2009B taxable Building America bonds are eligible for federal government subsidy payments, such payments are not pledged as security. Instead, the borough expects to levy ad valorem taxes in the full amount of debt service payments for fiscal 2010 and use the subsidy payments received during fiscal 2010 to offset debt service payments in fiscal 2011.

The 'A' rating reflects the borough's sound financial position, with additional reserves readily available, if needed, from the permanent fund, an increased share of mill rates paid by oil and gas companies, and a large unreserved general fund balance. Overall debt levels have been decreasing significantly since their peak in the 1980s. While the borough's operating budget tax cap is limited by a state formula, the borough is currently benefiting from increases in its population and per capita AV. Additional credit factors include the sizable property tax revenues the borough receives from the industry producing oil and gas, both essential commodities. There is increasing geographic, producer, and product diversification, and both public and private sector investment is ongoing. Nevertheless, the tax base is subject to volatility and is highly concentrated on a naturally declining oil and gas reserve and concomitant assessed valuation declines in the long term. The borough's 10-year bond debt amortizes rapidly, well within the lifespan of the borough's existing oil and gas fields.

The borough's main revenue source is property taxes, which are almost entirely derived from oil and gas production facilities but do not include the commodities extracted. In fiscal 2009, assessed valuation increased by almost $2 billion or 15% to $14.9 billion. Since revenues from the industry are derived from property tax revenues, as well as a flat annual amount of $5 million that has replaced sales tax revenues since 1991, the borough's receipts are not tied directly to oil and gas commodity prices, providing some protection against price volatility.

The borough's credit features are unique since its economy depends almost entirely on the oil and gas industry.