7-7-4502. Interest rates on refunding revenue bonds. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), refunding bonds may not be issued unless their average annual interest rate, computed to their stated maturity dates and excluding any premium from the computation, is at least 3/8 of 1% less than the average annual interest rate on the bonds being refunded, computed to their respective stated maturity dates. In determining whether the refunding bonds satisfy the savings requirements provided for in this section:

(a) if the bonds proposed to be refunded bear interest at a variable rate, the average annual interest rate on the bonds being refunded must be calculated by reference to the interest rate on the bonds currently in effect and over the immediately preceding 5 complete fiscal years of the issuer; or

(b) if the variable rate bonds being refunded have not been outstanding for the period of time referred to in subsection (1)(a), the average annual interest rate on the bonds being refunded must be calculated by reference to the interest rate on the bonds being refunded currently in effect and over the total number of complete fiscal years of the issuer since the date of issuance of the bonds.

(2) Refunding bonds may bear interest at a rate lower or higher than the bonds being refunded if:

(a) they are issued to refund matured principal or interest for the payment of which revenue on hand is not sufficient;

(b) the refunding bonds are combined with an issue of new bonds for reconstruction, improvement, betterment, or extension and the lien of the new bonds upon the revenue of the undertaking must be junior and subordinate to the lien of the outstanding bonds being refunded, under the terms of the ordinances or resolutions authorizing the outstanding bonds as applied to circumstances existing on the date of refunding;

(c) the issuance of the refunding bonds, including the total costs of refunding the bonds, results in a reduction of total debt service cost to the municipality; or

(d) the governing body determines that the issuance of variable rate refunding bonds is reasonably expected to result in less interest payable on the refunding bonds than the interest payable on the refunded bonds.