Rockland County Earns Coveted Top 'AAA' Fitch Bond Rating

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County has received a "AAA" general obligation bond rating from Fitch Ratings, an upgrade from "AA+", county leaders announced in New City. The rating is the highest grade Fitch assigns and is tied to the county's creditworthiness when it borrows money.

Bond ratings assess the creditworthiness of government entities. The county said the top rating signals to lenders and investors that Rockland County presents minimal credit risk, which can help the county secure lower interest rates when borrowing and save taxpayer money.

County Executive Ed Day said the rating followed years of budget decisions and financial oversight.

"When I took office, I made a commitment to restore Rockland County's financial stability, and through disciplined budgeting, responsible fiscal management, and a steadfast commitment to taxpayers, we've done exactly that," Day said. "Earning and maintaining the highest possible bond rating is a reflection of years of sound financial decisions and the dedication of our County workforce."

County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. also tied the upgrade to work by several parts of county government.

"This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of the County Executive, the Legislature, and our dedicated County employees,” Hood said. “We remain committed to making decisions that strengthen our financial future and benefit the residents we serve."

Fitch said in its report that "the 'AAA' ratings reflect improved financial performance, supported by stronger unrestricted reserves and improved demographic and economic metrics. Strong budget management in recent years has increased reserves to 50 percent of fiscal 2024 spending, supporting the county's 'aaa' financial resilience assessment; based on unaudited results, reserves will improve further in fiscal 2025."

Commissioner of Finance Stephen DeGroat said the county has now received another top-tier mark from a major ratings agency.

"After years of hard work, we have achieved our second top rating from a premier credit rating agency," DeGroat said. "This upgrade is the result of prudent financial planning and conservative budgeting practices."

The county said Rockland is one of two counties in New York with a "AAA" rating from Fitch. It also said the county achieved an "Aaa" top credit rating in 2025 from Moody’s, and that Rockland was the only county in New York to do so. The announcement did not provide additional next steps tied to the Fitch action.