Capital Outlay (C.O.) Notes

Capital outlay notes are used by local governments to fund many types of capital improvement projects. The notes may be issued initially for a period not to exceed the end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the notes were issued, then renewed for two more such periods not exceeding three years each with the approval of the state director of local finance. At least one-ninth of the original principal amount of these notes must be retired each year, unless this requirement is waived by the state director of local finance. T.C.A. § 9-21-604. Notes also may be issued for more than three but no longer than the 12th fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the notes were issued. T.C.A. § 9-21-608. Issues of 12-year notes totaling less than $2 million may be sold at competitive sale or through the informal bid process described in the statute; notes totaling more than $2 million must be sold by competitive sale. T.C.A. § 9-21-608. A major advantage of issuing capital outlay notes is that the service of a fiscal advisor may not be needed. The notes are subject to the same restrictions as G.O. bonds for exemption from federal income taxes.  These notes may be issued under T.C.A. §§ 9-21-601 through 9-21-610 depending on the maturity.