PSA - H.J.Umbaugh & Assoc. - 2017 Bond Continuing Disclosure Services

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EXHIBIT C Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest with Various Forms of Compensation The forms of compensation for municipal advisors vary according to the nature of the engagement and requirements of the client, among other factors. Various forms of compensation present actual or potential conflicts of interest because they may create an incentive for an advisor to recommend one course of action over another if it is more beneficial to the advisor to do so. This exhibit discusses various forms of compensation and the timing of payments to the advisors. Fixed fee. Under a fixed fee form of compensation, the municipal advisor is paid a fixed amount established at the outset of the transaction. The amount is usually based upon an analysis by the client and the advisor of, among other things, the expected duration and complexity of the transaction and the agreed -upon scope of work that the advisor will perform. This form of compensation presents a potential conflict of interest because, if the transaction requires more work than originally contemplated, the advisor may suffer a loss. Thus, the advisor may recommend less time-consuming alternatives, or fail to do a thorough analysis of alternatives. There may be additional conflicts of interest if the municipal advisor's fee is contingent upon the successful completion of a financing, as described below. Hourly fee. Under an hourly fee form of compensation, the municipal advisor is paid an amount equal to the number of hours worked by the advisor times an agreed -upon hourly billing rate. This form of compensation presents a potential conflict of interest if the client and the advisor do not agree on a reasonable maximum amount at the outset of the engagement, because the advisor does not have a financial incentive to recommend alternatives that would result in fewer hours worked. In some cases, an hourly fee may be applied against a retainer (e.g., a retainer payable monthly), in which case it is payable whether or not a financing closes. Alternatively, it may be contingent upon the successful completion of a financing, in which case there may be additional conflicts of interest, as described below. Fee contingent upon the completion of a financing or other transaction. Under a contingent fee form of compensation, payment of an advisor's fee is dependent upon the successful completion of a financing or other transaction. This form of compensation presents a conflict because the advisor may have an incentive to recommend unnecessary financings or financings that are disadvantageous to the client. For example, when facts or circumstances arise that could cause the financing or other transaction to be delayed or fail to close, an advisor may have an incentive to discourage a full consideration of such facts and circumstances, or to discourage consideration of alternatives that may result in the cancellation of the financing or other transaction. Fee paid under a retainer agreement. Under a retainer agreement, fees are paid to a municipal advisor periodically (e.g., monthly) and are not contingent upon the completion of a financing or other transaction. Fees paid under a retainer agreement may be calculated on a fixed fee basis (e.g., a fixed fee per month regardless of the number of hours worked) or an hourly basis (e.g., a minimum monthly payment, with additional amounts payable if a certain number of hours worked is exceeded). A retainer agreement does not present the conflicts associated with a contingent fee arrangement (described above). Fee based upon principal or notional amount and term of transaction. Under this form of compensation, the municipal advisor's fee is based upon a percentage of the principal amount of an issue of securities (e.g., bonds) or, in the case of a derivative, the present value of or notional amount and term of the derivative. This form of compensation presents a conflict of interest because the advisor may have an incentive to advise the client to increase the size of the securities issue or modify the derivative for the purpose of increasing the advisor's compensation.