159-52. Approval of application by Commission.

(a) In determining whether a proposed bond issue shall be approved, the Commission may consider:

(1) Whether the project to be financed from the proceeds of the bond issue is necessary or expedient.

(2) The nature and amount of the outstanding debt of the issuing unit.

(3) The unit's debt management procedures and policies.

(4) The unit's tax and special assessments collection record.

(5) The unit's compliance with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act.

(6) Whether the unit is in default in any of its debt service obligations.

(7) The unit's present tax rates, and the increase in tax rate, if any, necessary to service the proposed debt.

(8) The unit's appraised and assessed value of property subject to taxation.

(9) The ability of the unit to sustain the additional taxes necessary to service the debt.

(10) The ability of the Commission to market the proposed bonds at reasonable interest rates.

(11) If the proposed issue is for a utility or public service enterprise, the probable net revenues of the project to be financed and the extent to which the revenues of the utility or enterprise, after addition of the revenues of the project to be financed, will be sufficient to service the proposed debt.

(12) Whether the amount of the proposed debt will be adequate to accomplish the purpose for which it is to be incurred.

(13) If the proposed bond issue is for a water system as described in G.S. 159-48(b)(21), whether a unit has prepared a local water supply plan in compliance with G.S. 143-355.

(b) The Commission shall approve the application if, upon the information and evidence it receives, it finds and determines:

(1) That the proposed bond issue is necessary or expedient.

(2) That the amount proposed is adequate and not excessive for the proposed purpose of the issue.

(3) That the unit's debt management procedures and policies are good, or that reasonable assurances have been given that its debt will henceforth be managed in strict compliance with law.

(4) That the increase in taxes, if any, necessary to service the proposed debt will not be excessive.

(5) That the proposed bonds can be marketed at reasonable rates of interest.

If the Commission tentatively decides to deny the application because it is of the opinion that any one or more of these conclusions cannot be supported from the information presented to it, it shall so notify the unit filing the application. If the unit so requests, the Commission shall hold a public hearing on the application at which time any interested persons shall be heard. The Commission may appoint a hearing officer to conduct the hearing, and to present a summary of the testimony and his recommendations for the Commission's consideration.