STANDARD & POOR’S AFFIRMS IRVING’S AAA BOND RATING Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has affirmed Irving’s AAA rating on the city’s general obligation (GO) debt, citing financial strength and stability. The credit rating agency also revised Irving’s outlook from negative to stable. According to the S&P rationale summary, “The outlook revision is based on changes to the city’s policies and debt issuance plan that have reduced our previous concerns about more aggressive borrowing that could have further weakened the city’s debt profile.” The rating agency also said it viewed the city’s management conditions as very strong with strong financial processes. “We are extremely pleased with the upgraded financial outlook,” said Irving Chief Financial Officer Max Duplant. “The rating allows us to sell bonds at a lower interest rate, which in turn allows Irving to build new projects at less cost, saving taxpayers money on higher rates. Over time, interest savings will total millions of dollars.” S&P says it does not expect to change the rating within the two-year outlook horizon. The agency attributes Irving’s continued AAA GO rating to the city’s large corporate tax base, formal investment and reserve policies, and strong general fund reserves. n
Scholars tour Heritage Senior Center
Senior Center guests take photos
International Scholars Take Note of Senior Center’s Best Practices Irving’s stellar reputation for providing superior senior services has gone global. A delegation of scholars who traveled from Nigeria visited the city to observe the best practices in place at Irving’s Heritage Senior Center. Though it was Bingo Day at the Heritage Senior Center, the seniors and staff did not hesitate to warmly welcome 27 resident scholars from Nigeria participating in the University of North Texas’ (UNT) Applied Gerontology Program. Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging.
delegation explored every aspect of the 29,000-squarefoot facility including the kitchen, ballroom, computer lab, dining area, library and aquatic center. Following the tour, senior center staff hosted a question-andanswer forum for the scholars. The visiting scholars found Heritage Senior Center quite impressive and commended the city for the investment.
Having traveled 6,700 miles, an important part of the scholars’ journey included visiting senior centers to see how facilities, like Heritage, are operated in this part of the world. Familiar with the services Irving offers to its senior community, UNT Applied Gerontology Program Director Dr. Keith Turner brought the scholars to Heritage so that they could see how facilities for seniors should be managed.
“The scholars came to Heritage Senior Center to learn from us, but we learned a lot from them as well,” said Gillespie. “Heritage has been part of the Irving community for 10 years now and we sometimes can take the services we offer to seniors for granted; their visit reminded us of how fortunate we are to have a fine, full-service senior center in our community.”
“They’re here at Heritage Senior Center today to observe best practices, atmosphere, architecture and staffing,” said Turner. “The program here is considered one of the best, and I wanted them to see the best while they are here.” Guided by Heritage Senior Center Supervisor Ann Gillespie and Recreation Specialist Jennifer Grimes, the resident scholars were treated to a comprehensive tour of the amenity-rich facility. Nothing was off limits — the
Heritage Senior Center, 200 S. Jefferson St., is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (972) 721-2496. n Scan code using a QR application to watch a Irving Community Television report on the scholars’ visit to Heritage Senior Center.
City’s Employee Wellness Culture Earns Platinum Recognition For the fourth consecutive year, the American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized the City of Irving as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite.
“Being named a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite recognizes the hard work employees have invested into their personal health and wellness over the past five years,” said DeOrdio. “When you hear the success stories and achievements employees have accomplished in a relatively short amount of time, it’s just amazing.”
Fit-Friendly Worksites are organizations that go above and beyond when it comes to employee health. To earn the platinum recognition, which is the top honor, an organization must offer employees physical activity support, promote a wellness culture and achieve a cost savings based on improved employee health.
Since the inception of the Irving Wellness Incentive Now program, which rewards employees for health behavior, the city has cut employee health risk factors — like cholesterol and high blood pressure — in half. In addition, the number of participants has increased by an impressive 500 percent since the program’s launch. While the majority of employees participate in the wellness program, the city continues to aim for 100 percent involvement. And given the trend, 100 percent participation in the wellness program may soon become a reality for City of Irving staff. n
Irving shares this top honor with well-known organizations including Methodist Health System, Baylor Scott and White Health, Texas Instruments,
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Irving staffers receive recognition
and The Medical Center of Plano. Chief Financial Officer Max S. Duplant, Benefits and Employee Wellness Supervisor Rick DeOrdio, Cigna On-site Health Coach René Cundiff and Human Resources Director Ike Obi accepted the award on the city’s behalf at the American Heart Association’s FitFriendly Symposium held Jan. 29.
MARCH 2014