Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'A-' issuer credit rating (ICR), with a stable outlook, on Queen Creek, Ariz. The ICR reflects the town's: Solid property tax base growth and continued strong development with increasing building permits and valuations, Strong historical financial performance, and Expanding local employment base with access to the diverse Phoenix MSA economy and above-average income and wealth indicators. Limiting rating factors include the town's: Very high overall debt burden and below-average amortization of principal; Continued growth pressures and debt needs related to its rapid population expansion and commuter traffic from Pinal County; and Dependence on construction-related sales taxes, which are somewhat offset by management's practice of using onetime revenues for nonrecurring expenditures. Queen Creek is
