The rating on Washington County, Md.'s GO bonds reflects the full faith and credit pledge of the county, as well as: Steady tax base growth, Sound finances and reserve levels, and A moderate debt burden. Mitigating factors include: A limited, but diversifying, economic base based on the county's remote location; and The ongoing general fund subsidies of the water and sewer fund despite aggressive rate increases. The county is in western Maryland, bordering Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The limited, but diversifying, employment base is primarily focused in the services and trade sectors. The county health system employs 2,000 and back office financial service companies, Citicorp credit services (2,471) and First Data Merchant Services (1,800), are among the county's leading employers.
