(a) Credit Ratings. The Commission’s ability to borrow cost effectively depends upon its credit standing as assessed by the three major credit rating agencies: Moody’s Investors Services, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings. The Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), in collaboration with the Commission’s financial advisor, shall be responsible for maintaining relationships with the rating agencies that currently assign ratings to the Commission’s debt portfolio. This effort shall include providing periodic updates of the Commission’s financial condition as well as coordinating conference calls, meetings and/or presentations in conjunction with each debt issuance. The CFO is responsible for determining whether or not a rating shall be requested on a particular financing, and which of the major rating agencies shall be asked to provide such rating.

(b) Professional Service Providers. The CFO is responsible for securing the services of a nationally recognized bond counsel and the services of a registered financial advisor professional, as defined under the Securities and Exchange Commission rules relating to municipal advisors that are required to develop and implement the Commission’s debt program.

(c) Underwriters, Remarketing Agents, Paying Agents, and Liquidity Providers. The CFO shall solicit proposals from the service providers noted above for all debt issues when applicable. The CFO may request that another party in the transaction hire or assist in hiring these providers or the Commission can hire them directly. In either case, the principal criteria for selection will be the relative cost of the service, the experience of the provider, and the willingness of the provider to comply with the terms and conditions required by the Commission. The period for employment may relate to an individual transaction, a series of financings, or a specified period of time.

(d) Other Services. The CFO shall periodically solicit for providers of other services necessary to carry out the debt issuance activities of the Commission, such as electronic bidding venues, printers, periodicals, escrow agents, verification agents, dissemination agents, and trustees. The CFO may request that another party in the transaction hire these providers or the Commission can hire them directly. In either case, the selection of such additional service providers shall take into account an evaluation of the cost and perceived quality of service of the proposed service provider. (REG-FIN-FI-2015-002 § VI)