Evidently, Shreveport Mayor Arceneaux's recent trip to New York City to meet with bond underwriters was successful!

Standard and Poor's has just released the city's bond rating on General Obligation bonds---the BBB­+ rating was maintained.

Moody's also released the city's new bond rating. Moody's traditional rates Southern municipalities lower than S & P.

The new Moody's rating is now rated Baaa2. The city's senior utility date is rated Baa1. The junior lien utility debt is rated Baa3. Thus, the city's utility bond rating has been downgraded. No utility-backed bonds will be sold this year.

The immediate impact of the ratings is limited. The bond insurance companies will evaluate both rates in setting bond insurance, which may be increased for future 2024 bond sales.

The consent decree requirements for Shreveport's water and sewer is still a factor affecting utility bond ratings.