N-CSR 1 vtff3475241-ncsr.htm CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number:        811-03910
 
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: Voyageur Tax Free Funds
 
Address of principal executive offices: 2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
 
Name and address of agent for service: David F. Connor, Esq.
2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (800) 523-1918
 
Date of fiscal year end: August 31
 
Date of reporting period: August 31, 2018


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

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LOGO

Fixed income mutual funds

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

August 31, 2018

Carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds’ prospectus and their summary prospectuses, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

You can obtain shareholder reports and prospectuses online instead of in the mail.

Visit delawarefunds.com/edelivery.

 

LOGO


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Experience Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

Macquarie Investment Management (MIM) is a global asset manager with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. We are active managers who prioritize autonomy and accountability at the investment team level in pursuit of opportunities that matter for our clients. Delaware Funds is one of the longest-standing mutual fund families, with more than 75 years in existence.

If you are interested in learning more about creating an investment plan, contact your financial advisor.

You can learn more about Delaware Funds or obtain a prospectus for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund at delawarefunds.com/literature.

 

Manage your account online

 

  Check your account balance and transactions

 

  View statements and tax forms

 

  Make purchases and redemptions

Visit delawarefunds.com/account-access.

Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) offers a diverse range of products including securities investment management, infrastructure and real asset management, and fund and equity-based structured products. Macquarie Investment Management (MIM) is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group. This includes the following registered investment advisers: Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT), Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG, Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited, and Macquarie Capital Investment Management LLC.

The Funds are distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P.

(DDLP), an affiliate of MIMBT and Macquarie Group Limited.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL), none of the entities noted are authorized deposit-taking institutions for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities, unless noted otherwise. The Funds are governed by US laws and regulations.

Table of contents

Portfolio management review

     1  

Performance summaries

     6  

Disclosure of Fund expenses

     18  

Security type / sector / state / territory allocations

     21  

Schedules of investments

     24  

Statements of assets and liabilities

     57  

Statements of operations

     59  

Statements of changes in net assets

     60  

Financial highlights

     66  

Notes to financial statements

     84  

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

     100  

Other Fund information

     101  

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

     106  

About the organization

     112  

Unless otherwise noted, views expressed herein are current as of Aug. 31, 2018, and subject to change for events occurring after such date.

The Funds are not FDIC insured and are not guaranteed. It is possible to lose the principal amount invested.

Advisory services provided by Delaware Management Company, a series of MIMBT, a US registered investment advisor.

All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners.

© 2018 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc.

 


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Portfolio management review       

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

     September 11, 2018  

 

Performance preview (for the year ended August 31, 2018)      

 

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (Institutional Class shares)    1-year return      +0.51%  

 

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (Class A shares)    1-year return      +0.26%  

 

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index (benchmark)    1-year return      +0.49%  

 

Lipper Minnesota Municipal Debt Funds Average    1-year return      +0.20%  

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

For complete, annualized performance for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, please see the table on page 6. Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service fee.

The performance of Class A shares excludes the applicable sales charge. Both Institutional Class shares and Class A shares reflect the reinvestment of all distributions.

The Lipper Minnesota Municipal Debt Funds Average compares funds that limit assets to those securities that are exempt from taxation in Minnesota (double tax-exempt) or a city in Minnesota (triple tax-exempt).

Please see page 9 for a description of the index. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund (Institutional Class shares)    1-year return      +0.23%  

 

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund (Class A shares)    1-year return      -0.01%  

 

Bloomberg Barclays 3–15 Year Blend Municipal Bond Index (benchmark)    1-year return      +0.04%  

 

Lipper Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Average    1-year return      -0.60%  

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

For complete, annualized performance for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, please see the table on page 10. Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service fee.

The performance of Class A shares excludes the applicable sales charge. Both Institutional Class shares and Class A shares reflect the reinvestment of all distributions.

The Lipper Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Average compares funds that invest in municipal debt issues with dollar-weighted average maturities of 5 to 10 years and are exempt from taxation on a specified city or state basis.

Please see page 13 for a description of the index. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund (Institutional Class shares)    1-year return      +1.30%  

 

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund (Class A shares)    1-year return      +0.95%  

 

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index (benchmark)    1-year return      +0.49%  

 

Lipper Minnesota Municipal Debt Funds Average    1-year return      +0.20%  

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

For complete, annualized performance for Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, please see the table on page 14. Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service fee.

The performance of Class A shares excludes the applicable sales charge. Both Institutional Class shares and Class A shares reflect the reinvestment of all distributions.

The Lipper Minnesota Municipal Debt Funds Average compares funds that limit assets to those securities that are exempt from taxation in Minnesota (double tax-exempt) or a city in Minnesota (triple tax-exempt).

Please see page 17 for a description of the index. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

 

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Portfolio management review

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

Economic backdrop

US economic data remained healthy throughout the Funds’ fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2018, although concern about the longer-term impact of global trade conflict emerged toward period end.

US gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of the goods and services the nation produces, increased throughout the 12-month time frame. In the third quarter of 2017, for example, US GDP expanded by an annualized 2.8% rate, followed by a 2.3% increase in the final three months of 2017. US GDP grew by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2018 and an estimated 4.2% in the second quarter. That 4.2% annual pace was the largest quarterly gain in nearly four years. Employment trends also remained healthy, with the US jobless rate finishing August 2018 at 3.9%, down half a percentage point from a year earlier.

(Sources: US Bureau of Economic Analysis and US Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Against this backdrop of steady economic expansion, job growth, and manageable inflation, the US Federal Reserve continued to gradually raise interest rates. The Fed increased its target short-term interest rate by 0.25 percentage points on three separate occasions during the Funds’ fiscal year – in December 2017 and in March and June 2018. On Aug. 31, 2018, the federal funds rate ranged from 1.75% to 2.00%, up from 1.00% to 1.25% a year earlier.

(Source: Bloomberg.)

Municipal bond market conditions

In this strong economic environment, the US municipal bond market, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, returned +0.49% for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018. Longer-term municipal bonds outpaced their shorter-term counterparts as the yield curve flattened, meaning yields on short-term bonds rose more than those on long-term issues. Short-term yields rose in line with the Fed’s

interest rate increases, while fairly benign inflation kept a lid on long-term municipal yields.

To indicate the outperformance of longer-dated municipal debt relative to shorter-maturity municipal debt, the following table shows municipal bond returns by maturity for the 12 months ended Aug. 31, 2018:

 

Returns by maturity

      

5 years

     – 0.74%  

10 years

     – 0.10%  

22+ years

     1.28%  

Source: Bloomberg.

  

Much of the yield curve’s flattening took place in the fourth quarter of 2017, as investors sought to understand the potential market impact of federal tax reform legislation, which ultimately passed in late December. During this time, the supply of municipal bonds increased sharply, as issuers, anticipating unfavorable tax-policy changes, rushed debt to market. One of these expected changes – the ability to issue so-called private-activity bonds, a broad category that includes healthcare, private education, and toll road bonds, among others – didn’t make it into the final legislation.

However, another proposed change did come to pass: the elimination of advance refundings. Under the new legislation, issuers wishing to refinance bonds through the issuance of newer debt must do so within 90 days of the bonds’ call dates. Many issuers ultimately opted to bring their debt to market ahead of the law’s passage. This led to tighter bond supply in the second half of the Funds’ fiscal year, which, coupled with solid investor demand, provided a tailwind for the municipal bond market.

Continuing a trend in place for several years, bonds of lower-rated municipal issuers again outperformed bonds of higher-quality issuers – a situation known as credit spread narrowing. As investors anticipated that interest rates would continue to rise slowly, lower-rated, higher yielding

 

 

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municipal bonds remained attractive to investors in a continued low-rate environment. Bonds rated below investment grade (below BBB) performed especially well amid strong demand coupled with limited supply of the securities.

The following table, which provides municipal bond performance by credit quality rating for the Funds’ fiscal year, further highlights this trend:

 

Returns by credit rating

      

AAA

     – 0.23%  

AA

     0.22%  

A

     0.78%  

BBB

     2.76%  

BB and below

     6.21%  

Source: Bloomberg.

  

Focused on credit research

For the three Funds discussed in this report, we maintained a consistent management strategy, which we do regardless of market conditions. We have a bottom-up investment approach, meaning we evaluate individual securities one at a time. We rely on individual credit research to find securities that we believe provide a desirable risk-reward balance.

This approach often leads to substantial allocations within the Funds to bonds in the lower-investment-grade or below-investment-grade credit tiers, where we seek to add value for shareholders through higher yielding bonds that, in our view, display solid underlying credit.

As of the fiscal year end on Aug. 31, 2018, approximately 27% of the net assets of Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund was invested in bonds with credit ratings of A and BBB, the two lowest credit tiers of the investment grade bond universe. Roughly 35% of the net assets of Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund was held in these credit tiers.

In addition, both Funds had allocations to high yield municipal bonds, securities with credit ratings below BBB. By prospectus, these Funds

have the latitude to invest a portion of the portfolio in these credit tiers. When investing in this segment of the market, we pay close attention to credit risk, focusing on securities that we believe offer sufficiently attractive income relative to the added risk.

Consistent with its mandate, Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund had the largest exposure to below-investment-grade bonds of the three Funds. As of Aug. 31, 2018, 33% of the Fund’s net assets was invested in bonds rated below BBB, including nonrated bonds.

Portfolio positioning

We entered this fiscal year generally comfortable with the Funds’ positioning. As a result, we were highly selective about making new purchases, seeking securities that provided what we saw as a compelling risk-reward trade-off.

In all three Funds, and particularly in the longer-maturity Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, many of our holdings were originally purchased a decade or more ago when significantly higher yields were available. Thus, we have tended not to replace many existing positions with newer bonds, unless we believe they offer sufficient value to justify such an exchange. Once again, that remained our strategy over the past 12 months, and we expect to continue this approach as long as most of the Funds’ existing holdings remain more attractive to us than the new bonds available for purchase.

During the fiscal year, we periodically saw bonds exit the Funds’ portfolios, either via bond calls or advance refundings. Some of these departing bonds were of lower credit quality, and we sought to replace them with other lower-quality issues. However, because we remained highly selective in our purchases – we will not invest in higher yielding bonds that we do not find sufficiently creditworthy – we sometimes found this

 

 

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Portfolio management review

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

strategy difficult to execute in the relatively small Minnesota municipal market, which tends to have a limited supply of lower-rated bonds. In such an environment, our approach was to temporarily invest in higher-quality, liquid municipal bonds offering maturities comparable to the bonds exiting the portfolios. We expect that when suitable lower-rated bonds become available, these higher-rated issues will become attractive sales candidates to finance new purchases more suited to our long-term criteria.

Notable performance factors

As indicated earlier, bonds with longer maturities tended to outperform shorter-maturity bonds, while lower-rated issues generally performed better than bonds of higher credit quality. Accordingly, many of the Funds’ strongest- and weakest-performing securities during this fiscal year followed this trend.

The leading individual performer in both Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, for example, was a longer-dated, lower-quality corporate-backed bond issue for Gerdau Ameristeel in St. Paul, a steel manufacturer that demonstrated solid financial performance. Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund further benefited from a position in continuing care retirement community (CCRC) bonds for Minnesota Senior Living, a nonrated issue with a very long maturity date in 2052. In Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, a nonrated CCRC position for the Oakgreen Commons project also performed well, reflecting its lower credit rating and longer-term maturity date.

In Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, the biggest individual contribution came from a lower-rated, longer-dated position in bonds for the St. John’s Lutheran Community senior housing facility in Albert Lea, Minn. A position in student housing bonds for the Riverton

Community of the University of Minnesota also added value in this Fund.

The biggest individual detractor in Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund was a bond issue for Stride Academy Charter School in St. Cloud, Minn. Earlier management challenges caused the school’s certifying organization to put it on probation. Although the school’s management has demonstrated better results more recently, investors apparently were looking for a longer track record of improvement. These bonds, rated CCC-, declined more than 8%.

Both Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund were also hurt by our investment in pre-refunded bonds for HealthEast Care System. These securities’ near-term maturity and high credit quality, due to their backing by escrowed US government bonds, resulted in a modestly negative return. What also detracted in Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund was Minnesota general obligation debt maturing in 2026, while Northern Municipal Power Agency bonds maturing that same year weighed on the performance of Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund.

Minnesota economic backdrop

Minnesota has a fundamentally sound economy and is not dependent on any one sector. Employment is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, services, and trade similar to the United States. Other relevant notes:

 

  July 2018 nonfarm employment of 3.0 million grew 2.0% from a year earlier.

 

  The state’s unemployment rate of 3.0% in July 2018 was well below the national average of 3.9%.

 

 

Over the past five years, per capita personal income levels for the state have consistently

 

 

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been above the national average, ranging between 105% and 108%.

 

  Minnesota operates on a biennial basis. Fiscal year 2018 General Fund revenues are estimated to total $22.03 billion, 1.6% above projections and 5.1% above the prior year.

 

  Strong income tax receipts surpassed the budget by 2.9% and more than offset weak sales taxes, which were 1% below estimates.

The state approved a biennial budget for fiscal 2018 and 2019 of $45.56 billion, an 8.9% increase over the prior biennial budget.

 

  The state now projects a $329 million surplus for the current budget, with revenues projected to grow 3.7% for the 2020-2021 biennium, leading to a modest $313 million projected structural balance.
 

 

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Performance summaries   
Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund    August 31, 2018

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800 523-1918 or visiting delawarefunds.com/performance.

 

Fund and benchmark performance1, 2

     Average annual total returns through August 31, 2018  
     

 

1 year

 

   

5 years

 

   

10 years

 

   

Lifetime

 

 

Class A (Est. Feb. 27, 1984)

        

Excluding sales charge

     +0.26     +3.80     +3.98     +6.15

Including sales charge

     -4.25     +2.86     +3.50     +6.01

Class C (Est. May 4, 1994)

        

Excluding sales charge

     -0.49     +3.03     +3.20     +3.96

Including sales charge

     -1.45     +3.03     +3.20     +3.96

Institutional Class (Est. Dec. 31, 2013)

        

Excluding sales charge

     +0.51     n/a       n/a       +3.85

Including sales charge

     +0.51     n/a       n/a       +3.85

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index

     +0.49     +4.12     +4.32     +3.87 %* 

*The benchmark lifetime return is for Institutional Class share comparison only and is calculated using the last business day in the month of the Fund’s Institutional Class inception date.

 

1 Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions and are presented both with and without the applicable sales charges described below. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

Expense limitations were in effect for certain classes during some or all of the periods shown in the “Fund and benchmark performance” table. Expenses for each class are listed on the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 7. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect.

Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service fee.

Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.50%, and have an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. Performance for Class A shares,

excluding sales charges, assumes that no front-end sales charge applied.

Class C shares are sold with a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed during the first 12 months. They are also subject to an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets. Performance for Class C shares, excluding sales charges, assumes either that contingent deferred sales charges did not apply or that the investment was not redeemed.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt.

The Fund may also be subject to prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

 

 

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Funds that invest primarily in one state may be more susceptible to the economic, regulatory, regional, and other factors of that state than geographically diversified funds.

Substantially all dividend income derived from tax-free funds is exempt from federal income tax. Some income may be subject to state or local and/or the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) that applies to certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are taxable.

Duration number will change as market conditions change. Therefore, duration should not be solely relied upon to indicate a municipal bond fund’s potential volatility.

This document may mention bond ratings published by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) Standard & Poor’s,

Moody’s Investors Service, and Fitch, Inc. For securities rated by an NRSRO other than S&P, the rating is converted to the equivalent S&P credit rating. Bonds rated AAA are rated as having the highest quality and are generally considered to have the lowest degree of investment risk. Bonds rated AA are considered to be of high quality, but with a slightly higher degree of risk than bonds rated AAA. Bonds rated A are considered to have many favorable investment qualities, though they are somewhat more susceptible to adverse economic conditions. Bonds rated BBB are believed to be of medium-grade quality and generally riskier over the long term. Bonds rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, with BB indicating the least degree of speculation of the three.

 

2 The Fund’s expense ratios, as described in the most recent prospectus, are disclosed in the following “Fund expense ratios” table. Delaware Management Company has agreed to reimburse certain expenses and/or waive certain fees in order to prevent total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale and dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations (collectively, nonroutine expenses)) from exceeding 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets during the period from Sept. 1, 2017 to Aug. 31, 2018.** Please see the most recent prospectus and any applicable supplement(s) for additional information on these fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Fund expense ratios     

Class A

 

  

Class C

 

  

Institutional Class

 

Total annual operating expenses

     0.95%    1.70%    0.70%

(without fee waivers)

          

Net expenses

     0.85%    1.60%    0.60%

(including fee waivers, if any)

          

Type of waiver

 

     Contractual

 

   Contractual

 

   Contractual

 

**The aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from Dec. 29, 2016 through Dec. 29, 2018.

 

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Performance summaries

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

Performance of a $10,000 investment1

Class A shares

Average annual total returns from Aug. 31, 2008 through Aug. 31, 2018

 

LOGO

Institutional Class shares

Average annual total returns from Dec. 31, 2013 (inception date) through Aug. 31, 2018

 

LOGO

 

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1 The “Performance of a $10,000 investment” graph for Class A shares assumes $10,000 invested in Class A shares of the Fund on Aug. 31, 2008, and includes the effect of a 4.50% front-end sales charge and the reinvestment of all distributions. The graph also assumes $10,000 invested in the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index as of Aug. 31, 2008.

The “Performance of a $10,000 investment” graph for Institutional Class shares assumes $10,000 invested in Institutional Class shares of the Fund on Dec. 31, 2013, and includes the reinvestment of all distributions. The graph also assumes $10,000 invested in the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index as of Dec. 31, 2013.

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholders would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares. Expense

 

limitations were in effect for some or all of the periods shown. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect. Expenses are listed in the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 7. Please note additional details on pages 6 through 9.

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index measures the total return performance of the long-term, investment grade tax-exempt bond market.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Performance of other Fund share classes will vary due to different charges and expenses.

 

 
      Nasdaq symbols    CUSIPs                  

Class A

   DEFFX       928918101        

Class C

   DMOCX      928918408        

Institutional Class

   DMNIX       928918705                    

 

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Performance summaries   
Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund    August 31, 2018

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800 523-1918 or visiting delawarefunds.com/performance.

 

Fund and benchmark performance1, 2     

 

Average annual total returns through August 31, 2018

 

 

 

     

1 year

 

   

5 years

 

   

10 years

 

   

Lifetime

 

 

Class A (Est. Oct. 27, 1985)

        

Excluding sales charge

     -0.01     +3.04     +3.32     +4.66

Including sales charge

     -2.80     +2.46     +3.04     +4.57

Class C (Est. May 4, 1994)

        

Excluding sales charge

     -0.86     +2.17     +2.45     +3.19

Including sales charge

     -1.82     +2.17     +2.45     +3.19

Institutional Class (Est. Dec. 31, 2013)

        

Excluding sales charge

     +0.23     n/a       n/a       +3.00

Including sales charge

     +0.23     n/a       n/a       +3.00
Bloomberg Barclays 3–15 Year Blend Municipal Bond Index      +0.04     +3.43     +4.00     +3.20 %* 

*The benchmark lifetime return is for Institutional Class share comparison only and is calculated using the last business day in the month of the Fund’s Institutional Class inception date.

 

1 Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions and are presented both with and without the applicable sales charges described below. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

Expense limitations were in effect for certain classes during some or all of the periods shown in the “Fund and benchmark performance” table. Expenses for each class are listed on the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 11. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect.

Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service fee.

Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 2.75%, and have an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. This fee was contractually limited

to 0.15% of average daily net assets from Sept. 1, 2017 through Aug. 31, 2018.** Performance for Class A shares, excluding sales charges, assumes that no front-end sales charge applied.

Class C shares are sold with a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed during the first 12 months. They are also subject to an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets. Performance for Class C shares, excluding sales charges, assumes either that contingent deferred sales charges did not apply or that the investment was not redeemed.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt.

The Fund may also be subject to prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the

 

 

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time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

Funds that invest primarily in one state may be more susceptible to the economic, regulatory, regional, and other factors of that state than geographically diversified funds.

Substantially all dividend income derived from tax-free funds is exempt from federal income tax. Some income may be subject to state or local and/or the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) that applies to certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are taxable.

Duration number will change as market conditions change. Therefore, duration should not be solely relied upon to indicate a municipal bond fund’s potential volatility.

This document may mention bond ratings published by nationally recognized statistical

rating organizations (NRSROs) Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, and Fitch, Inc. For securities rated by an NRSRO other than S&P, the rating is converted to the equivalent S&P credit rating. Bonds rated AAA are rated as having the highest quality and are generally considered to have the lowest degree of investment risk. Bonds rated AA are considered to be of high quality, but with a slightly higher degree of risk than bonds rated AAA. Bonds rated A are considered to have many favorable investment qualities, though they are somewhat more susceptible to adverse economic conditions. Bonds rated BBB are believed to be of medium-grade quality and generally riskier over the long term. Bonds rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, with BB indicating the least degree of speculation of the three.

 

 

2 The Fund’s expense ratios, as described in the most recent prospectus, are disclosed in the following “Fund expense ratios” table. Delaware Management Company has agreed to reimburse certain expenses and/or waive certain fees in order to prevent total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale and dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations (collectively, nonroutine expenses)) from exceeding 0.56% of the Fund’s average daily net assets during the period from April 1, 2018 to Aug. 31, 2018.*** Please see the most recent prospectus and any applicable supplement(s) for additional information on these fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

 

Fund expense ratios

 

  

Class A

 

 

Class C

 

 

Institutional Class

 

    

Total annual operating expenses

   0.99%   1.74%   0.74%  

(without fee waivers)

        

Net expenses

   0.71%   1.56%   0.56%  

(including fee waivers, if any)

        

Type of waiver

   Contractual   Contractual   Contractual    

**The aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from Dec. 29, 2016 through Dec. 29, 2018.

***For the period Sept. 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, the waiver was set at 0.69% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from Dec. 29, 2016 through April 1, 2019.

 

11


Table of Contents
Performance summaries   
Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund   

 

Performance of a $10,000 investment1

Class A shares

Average annual total returns from Aug. 31, 2008 through Aug. 31, 2018

 

LOGO

Institutional Class shares

Average annual total returns from Dec. 31, 2013 (inception date) through Aug. 31, 2018

 

LOGO

 

12


Table of Contents
  

 

 

1 The “Performance of a $10,000 investment” graph for Class A shares assumes $10,000 invested in Class A shares of the Fund on Aug. 31, 2008, and includes the effect of a 2.75% front-end sales charge and the reinvestment of all distributions. The graph also assumes $10,000 invested in the Bloomberg Barclays 3–15 Year Blend Municipal Bond Index as of Aug. 31, 2008.

The “Performance of a $10,000 investment” graph for Institutional Class shares assumes $10,000 invested in Institutional Class shares of the Fund on Dec. 31, 2013, and includes the reinvestment of all distributions. The graph also assumes $10,000 invested in the Bloomberg Barclays 3–15 Year Blend Municipal Bond Index as of Dec. 31, 2013.

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholders would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares. Expense

 

limitations were in effect for some or all of the periods shown. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect. Expenses are listed in the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 11. Please note additional details on pages 10 through 13.

The Bloomberg Barclays 3–15 Year Blend Municipal Bond Index measures the total return performance of investment grade, US tax-exempt bonds with maturities from 2 to 17 years.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Performance of other Fund share classes will vary due to different charges and expenses.

 
      Nasdaq symbols    CUSIPs                  

    Class A

   DXCCX      928930106        

    Class C

   DVSCX      928930205        

    Institutional Class

   DMIIX         92910U109                    

 

13


Table of Contents
Performance summaries   
Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund    August 31, 2018

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800 523-1918 or visiting delawarefunds.com/performance.

 

Fund and benchmark performance1, 2

    

 

Average annual total returns through August 31, 2018

 

 

 

     

1 year

 

   

5 years

 

   

10 years

 

   

Lifetime

 

 

Class A (Est. June 4, 1996)

        

Excluding sales charge

     +0.95     +4.21     +4.42     +4.95

Including sales charge

     -3.57     +3.26     +3.94     +4.74

Class C (Est. June 7, 1996)

        

Excluding sales charge

     +0.19     +3.43     +3.64     +4.18

Including sales charge

     -0.79     +3.43     +3.64     +4.18

Institutional Class (Est. Dec. 31, 2013)

        

Excluding sales charge

     +1.30     n/a       n/a       +4.32

Including sales charge

     +1.30     n/a       n/a       +4.32

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index

     +0.49     +4.12     +4.32     +3.87 %* 

*The benchmark lifetime return is for Institutional Class share comparison only and is calculated using the last business day in the month of the Fund’s Institutional Class inception date.

 

1 Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions and are presented both with and without the applicable sales charges described below. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

Expense limitations were in effect for certain classes during some or all of the periods shown in the “Fund and benchmark performance” table. Expenses for each class are listed on the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 15. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect.

Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service fee.

Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.50%, and have an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. Performance for Class A shares,

excluding sales charges, assumes that no front-end sales charge applied.

Class C shares are sold with a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed during the first 12 months. They are also subject to an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets. Performance for Class C shares, excluding sales charges, assumes either that contingent deferred sales charges did not apply or that the investment was not redeemed.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt.

The Fund may also be subject to prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

 

 

14


Table of Contents
  

 

 

Funds that invest primarily in one state may be more susceptible to the economic, regulatory, regional, and other factors of that state than geographically diversified funds.

Substantially all dividend income derived from tax-free funds is exempt from federal income tax. Some income may be subject to state or local and/or the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) that applies to certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are taxable.

Duration number will change as market conditions change. Therefore, duration should not be solely relied upon to indicate a municipal bond fund’s potential volatility.

This document may mention bond ratings published by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) Standard & Poor’s,

Moody’s Investors Service, and Fitch, Inc. For securities rated by an NRSRO other than S&P, the rating is converted to the equivalent S&P credit rating. Bonds rated AAA are rated as having the highest quality and are generally considered to have the lowest degree of investment risk. Bonds rated AA are considered to be of high quality, but with a slightly higher degree of risk than bonds rated AAA. Bonds rated A are considered to have many favorable investment qualities, though they are somewhat more susceptible to adverse economic conditions. Bonds rated BBB are believed to be of medium-grade quality and generally riskier over the long term. Bonds rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, with BB indicating the least degree of speculation of the three.

 

 

2 The Fund’s expense ratios, as described in the most recent prospectus, are disclosed in the following “Fund expense ratios” table. Delaware Management Company has agreed to reimburse certain expenses and/or waive certain fees in order to prevent total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale and dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations (collectively, nonroutine expenses)) from exceeding 0.64% of the Fund’s average daily net assets during the period from Sept. 1, 2017 to Aug. 31, 2018.** Please see the most recent prospectus and any applicable supplement(s) for additional information on these fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

 

Fund expense ratios    Class A   Class C   Institutional Class     

Total annual operating expenses

   0.99%   1.74%   0.74%  

(without fee waivers)

        

Net expenses

   0.89%   1.64%   0.64%  

(including fee waivers, if any)

        

Type of waiver

   Contractual   Contractual   Contractual    

**The aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from Dec. 29, 2016 through Dec. 29, 2018.

 

15


Table of Contents

Performance summaries

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Performance of a $10,000 investment1

Class A shares

Average annual total returns from Aug. 31, 2008 through Aug. 31, 2018

 

LOGO

Institutional Class shares

Average annual total returns from Dec. 31, 2013 (inception date) through Aug. 31, 2018

 

LOGO

 

16


Table of Contents
  

 

 

1 The “Performance of a $10,000 investment” graph for Class A shares assumes $10,000 invested in Class A shares of the Fund on Aug. 31, 2008, and includes the effect of a 4.50% front-end sales charge and the reinvestment of all distributions. The graph also assumes $10,000 invested in the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index as of Aug. 31, 2008.

The “Performance of a $10,000 investment” graph for Institutional Class shares assumes $10,000 invested in Institutional Class shares of the Fund on Dec. 31, 2013, and includes the reinvestment of all distributions. The graph also assumes $10,000 invested in the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index as of Dec. 31, 2013.

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholders would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares. Expense

 

limitations were in effect for some or all of the periods shown. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect. Expenses are listed in the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 15. Please note additional details on pages 14 through 17.

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index measures the total return performance of the long-term, investment grade tax-exempt bond market.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Performance of other Fund share classes will vary due to different charges and expenses.

 

 
      Nasdaq symbols    CUSIPs                  

Class A

   DVMHX      928928316        

Class C

   DVMMX      928928282        

Institutional Class

   DMHIX        928928175                    

 

17


Table of Contents

Disclosure of Fund expenses

For the six-month period from March 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions; redemption fees; and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. These following examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period from March 1, 2018 to Aug. 31, 2018.

Actual expenses

The first section of the tables shown, “Actual Fund return,” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section of the table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second section of the tables shown, “Hypothetical 5% return,” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the second section of each table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher. The Funds’ expenses shown in the tables reflect fee waivers in effect. The expenses shown in each table assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

 

18


Table of Contents

 

 

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

 

     

Beginning
Account Value
3/1/18

 

    

Ending
Account Value

 

8/31/18

    

Annualized

Expense Ratio

 

   

Expenses

Paid During Period

3/1/18 to 8/31/18*

 

 

Actual Fund return

          

Class A

     $1,000.00          $1,012.70          0.85%         $4.31    

Class C

     1,000.00        1,008.90        1.60%         8.10  

Institutional Class

     1,000.00        1,014.00        0.60%         3.05  

Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)

          

Class A

     $1,000.00          $1,020.92          0.85%         $4.33    

Class C

     1,000.00        1,017.14        1.60%         8.13  

Institutional Class

     1,000.00        1,022.18        0.60%         3.06  

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

 

     

Beginning
Account Value

3/1/18

 

  

Ending
Account Value

8/31/18

 

  

Annualized

Expense Ratio

 

 

Expenses
Paid During Period

3/1/18 to 8/31/18*

 

Actual Fund return

          

Class A

   $1,000.00      $1,012.90      0.74%   $3.75

Class C

   1,000.00    1,008.60    1.59%   8.05

Institutional Class

   1,000.00    1,013.60    0.59%   2.99

Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)

          

Class A

   $1,000.00      $1,021.48      0.74%   $3.77  

Class C

   1,000.00    1,017.19    1.59%   8.08

Institutional Class

   1,000.00    1,022.23    0.59%   3.01

 

19


Table of Contents

Disclosure of Fund expenses

For the six-month period from March 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

 

     

Beginning
Account Value

3/1/18

 

    

Ending
Account Value

8/31/18

 

    

Annualized

Expense Ratio

 

   

Expenses
Paid During Period

3/1/18 to 8/31/18*

 

 

Actual Fund return

          

Class A

     $1,000.00        $1,017.10        0.89%       $4.52  

Class C

       1,000.00          1,013.20        1.64%         8.32  

Institutional Class

       1,000.00          1,018.30        0.64%         3.26  

Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)

          

Class A

     $1,000.00        $1,020.72        0.89%       $4.53  

Class C

       1,000.00          1,016.94        1.64%         8.34  

Institutional Class

       1,000.00          1,021.98        0.64%         3.26  

 

*

“Expenses Paid During Period” are equal to the relevant Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

Because actual returns reflect only the most recent six-month period, the returns shown may differ significantly from fiscal year returns.

 

20


Table of Contents

Security type / sector / state / territory allocations

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund    As of August 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different than the sector designations presented in other fund materials.

 

Security type / sector

 

  

Percentage of net assets

 

         

Municipal Bonds*

     98.97%                 

Corporate Revenue Bond

     0.62%                 

Education Revenue Bonds

     16.11%                 

Electric Revenue Bonds

     10.12%                 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds.

     24.77%                 

Housing Revenue Bonds

     0.47%                 

Lease Revenue Bonds

     2.96%                 

Local General Obligation Bonds.

     9.69%                 

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds

     14.33%                 

Special Tax Revenue Bonds

     1.47%                 

State General Obligation Bonds

     10.95%                 

Transportation Revenue Bonds

     3.51%                 

Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds

     3.97%                       

Short-Term Investments

     1.25%                       

Total Value of Securities

     100.22%                       

Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets

     (0.22%)                       

Total Net Assets

     100.00%                       

* As of the date of this report, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund held bonds issued by or on behalf of territories and the states of the US as follows:

 

State / territory    Percentage of net assets          

Guam

     0.72%                 

Minnesota

     99.11%                 

US Virgin Islands

     0.39%                       

Total Value of Securities

     100.22%                       

 

21


Table of Contents

Security type / sector / state / territory allocations

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund    As of August 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different than the sector designations presented in other fund materials.

 

Security type / sector

 

  

Percentage of net assets

 

         

Municipal Bonds*

     99.57%                 

Corporate Revenue Bond

     0.30%                 

Education Revenue Bonds

     13.81%                 

Electric Revenue Bonds

     12.15%                 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds

     29.73%                 

Housing Revenue Bond

     0.37%                 

Lease Revenue Bonds

     5.25%                 

Local General Obligation Bonds.

     6.41%                 

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds

     13.29%                 

Special Tax Revenue Bonds

     0.71%                 

State General Obligation Bonds

     8.70%                 

Transportation Revenue Bonds

     6.41%                 

Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds

     2.44%                       

Short-Term Investments

     1.45%                       

Total Value of Securities

     101.02%                       

Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets

     (1.02%)                      

Total Net Assets

     100.00%                       

* As of the date of this report, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund held bonds issued by or on behalf of territories and the states of the US as follows:

 

State / territory

 

  

Percentage of net assets

 

         

Guam

     0.88%                 

Minnesota

     100.14%                       

Total Value of Securities

     101.02%                       

 

22


Table of Contents

Security type / sector / state / territory allocations

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

   As of August 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different than the sector designations presented in other fund materials.

 

Security type / sector

 

  

Percentage of net assets

 

         

Municipal Bonds*

     99.66%                  

Corporate Revenue Bond

     1.04%                  

Education Revenue Bonds

     20.82%                  

Electric Revenue Bonds

     9.54 %                  

Healthcare Revenue Bonds.

     30.55%                  

Housing Revenue Bonds

     1.50%                  

Lease Revenue Bonds

     2.67%                  

Local General Obligation Bonds.

     10.26%                  

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds

     9.25%                  

Special Tax Revenue Bonds

     1.59%                  

State General Obligation Bonds

     7.00%                  

Transportation Revenue Bonds

     3.22%                  

Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds

     2.22%                        

Short-Term Investment

     1.48%                        

Total Value of Securities

     101.14%                        

Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets

     (1.14%)                       

Total Net Assets

     100.00%                        

* As of the date of this report, Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund held bonds issued by or on behalf of territories and the states of the US as follows:

 

State / territory

 

  

Percentage of net assets

 

         

Guam

     0.69%                 

Minnesota

     100.45%                       

Total Value of Securities

     101.14%                       

 

23


Table of Contents

Schedules of Investments

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund    August 31, 2018

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds – 98.97%

                 

Corporate Revenue Bond – 0.62%

     

St. Paul Port Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue

     

(Gerdau St. Paul Steel Mill Project)

     

Series 7 144A 4.50% 10/1/37 (AMT)#

     3,565,000      $         3,372,526  
     

 

 

 
        3,372,526  
     

 

 

 

Education Revenue Bonds – 16.11%

     

Bethel Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Spectrum High School Project)

     

Series A 4.00% 7/1/32

     840,000        844,309  

Series A 4.25% 7/1/47

     1,250,000        1,247,525  

Series A 4.375% 7/1/52

     400,000        400,412  

Brooklyn Park Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Prairie Seeds Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 3/1/34

     2,260,000        2,320,410  

Series A 5.00% 3/1/39

     385,000        390,324  

Cologne Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Cologne Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 7/1/34

     250,000        258,155  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/45

     1,390,000        1,396,867  

Deephaven Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Eagle Ridge Academy Project) Series A 5.50% 7/1/50

     2,000,000        2,119,840  

Duluth Housing & Redevelopment Authority Revenue

     

(Public Schools Academy) Series A 5.875% 11/1/40

     3,500,000        3,576,335  

Forest Lake Charter School Lease Revenue Fund

     

(Lakes International Language Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.50% 8/1/36

     580,000        614,783  

Series A 5.75% 8/1/44

     1,190,000        1,264,887  

Ham Lake Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Davinci Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 7/1/36

     765,000        779,826  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/47

     2,290,000        2,309,007  

Hugo Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Noble Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 7/1/34

     580,000        604,627  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/44

     1,770,000        1,820,250  

Minneapolis Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Hiawatha Academies Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 7/1/31

     885,000        907,391  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/47

     2,300,000        2,289,397  

Minneapolis Student Housing Revenue

     

(Riverton Community Housing Project)

     

5.25% 8/1/39

     470,000        494,553  

5.50% 8/1/49

     2,260,000        2,395,193  

 

24


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Education Revenue Bonds (continued)

  

Minnesota Colleges & Universities Revenue Fund

  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/26

     4,990,000      $       5,868,789  

Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue

  

(Bethel University)

  

5.00% 5/1/32

     1,375,000        1,527,804  

5.00% 5/1/37

     1,250,000        1,371,300  

5.00% 5/1/47

     250,000        271,555  

(Carleton College)

  

4.00% 3/1/35

     1,000,000        1,050,700  

4.00% 3/1/36

     415,000        434,787  

5.00% 3/1/34

     225,000        260,512  

5.00% 3/1/44

     2,085,000        2,378,693  

(College of St. Benedict) Series 8-K 4.00% 3/1/43

     1,000,000        1,010,970  

(Gustavus Adolphus College) 5.00% 10/1/47

     4,850,000        5,411,193  

(St. Catherine University)

  

Series 7-Q 5.00% 10/1/23

     350,000        388,689  

Series 7-Q 5.00% 10/1/24

     475,000        527,507  

Series 7-Q 5.00% 10/1/27

     200,000        222,108  

Series A 4.00% 10/1/36

     925,000        947,320  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/35

     875,000        994,123  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/45

     2,120,000        2,379,806  

(St. John’s University)

  

Series 8-I 5.00% 10/1/32

     500,000        563,625  

Series 8-I 5.00% 10/1/33

     250,000        280,965  

(St. Olaf College)

  

Series 8-G 5.00% 12/1/31

     670,000        768,785  

Series 8-G 5.00% 12/1/32

     670,000        767,364  

Series 8-N 4.00% 10/1/35

     500,000        527,520  

(St. Scholastica College) Series 7-J 6.30% 12/1/40

     1,800,000        1,872,270  

(Trustees of The Hamline University)

  

Series B 5.00% 10/1/37

     955,000        1,040,234  

Series B 5.00% 10/1/38

     580,000        630,501  

Series B 5.00% 10/1/39

     170,000        184,678  

Series B 5.00% 10/1/40

     625,000        678,056  

Series B 5.00% 10/1/47

     1,060,000        1,143,857  

(University of St. Thomas)

  

Series 8-L 5.00% 4/1/35

     1,250,000        1,409,175  

Series A 4.00% 10/1/34

     400,000        419,228  

Series A 4.00% 10/1/36

     500,000        520,860  

 

25


Table of Contents
Schedules of investments   

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

 

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Education Revenue Bonds (continued)

  

Otsego Charter School Lease Revenue

  

(Kaleidoscope Charter School)

  

Series A 5.00% 9/1/34

     520,000      $ 526,973  

Series A 5.00% 9/1/44

     1,165,000              1,167,982  

Rice County Educational Facilities Revenue

  

(Shattuck-St. Mary’s School) Series A 144A 5.00% 8/1/22 #

     2,855,000        3,011,739  

St. Cloud Charter School Lease Revenue

  

(Stride Academy Project) Series A 5.00% 4/1/46

     875,000        525,831  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Charter School Lease Revenue

  

(Academia Cesar Chavez School Project) Series A 5.25% 7/1/50

     1,945,000        1,847,011  

(Great River School Project)

  

Series A 144A 4.75% 7/1/29 #

     150,000        152,261  

Series A 144A 5.50% 7/1/52 #

     735,000        755,624  

(Nova Classical Academy Project) Series A 4.125% 9/1/47

     1,750,000        1,716,593  

(Twin Cities Academy Project) Series A 5.30% 7/1/45

     1,440,000        1,480,522  

University of Minnesota

  

Series A 5.00% 4/1/34

     925,000        1,062,973  

Series A 5.00% 9/1/34

     2,500,000        2,932,225  

Series A 5.00% 4/1/35

     3,175,000        3,636,931  

Series A 5.00% 4/1/36

     2,650,000        3,027,784  

Series A 5.00% 4/1/37

     1,125,000        1,282,916  

Series A 5.00% 9/1/40

     1,560,000        1,801,566  

Series A 5.00% 9/1/41

     1,000,000        1,153,150  
     

 

 

 
     87,969,146  
     

 

 

 

Electric Revenue Bonds – 10.12%

  

Chaska Electric Revenue

  

(Generating Facilities) Series A 5.00% 10/1/30

     1,150,000        1,297,119  

Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Electric Revenue

  

4.00% 10/1/41

     1,000,000        1,037,730  

5.00% 10/1/29

     395,000        449,830  

5.00% 10/1/30

     500,000        568,200  

5.00% 10/1/33

     1,205,000        1,363,566  

5.00% 10/1/47

     2,000,000        2,246,700  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/30

     1,060,000        1,204,584  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/34

     750,000        846,893  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/35

     1,525,000        1,719,285  

 

26


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Electric Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Northern Municipal Power Agency Electric System Revenue

     

5.00% 1/1/27

     540,000      $ 620,060  

5.00% 1/1/28

     560,000        643,884  

5.00% 1/1/29

     220,000        253,935  

5.00% 1/1/30

     520,000        588,988  

5.00% 1/1/31

     200,000        228,624  

5.00% 1/1/32

     210,000        238,896  

5.00% 1/1/35

     160,000        180,765  

5.00% 1/1/36

     180,000        202,939  

5.00% 1/1/41

     400,000        448,188  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/25

     125,000        137,831  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/26

     425,000        467,891  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/31

     520,000        565,141  

Rochester Electric Utility Revenue

  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/42

     1,395,000        1,586,352  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/47

     2,265,000        2,566,879  

Series B 5.00% 12/1/27

     295,000        333,934  

Series B 5.00% 12/1/28

     275,000        310,137  

Series B 5.00% 12/1/31

     1,365,000        1,534,397  

Series B 5.00% 12/1/33

     300,000        335,196  

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Revenue Capital Appreciation Series A

     

6.70% 1/1/25 (NATL)^

     5,000,000        4,217,550  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/41

     1,310,000        1,465,497  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/42

     1,500,000        1,712,190  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/46

     2,000,000        2,230,480  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/47

     3,130,000        3,559,248  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Energy Revenue

     

Series A 4.00% 10/1/30

     1,235,000        1,294,366  

Series A 4.00% 10/1/31

     885,000        922,621  

Series A 4.00% 10/1/33

     365,000        378,209  

Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 1/1/33

     1,000,000        1,120,650  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/34

     4,000,000        4,480,480  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/40

     3,935,000        4,366,315  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/46

     3,000,000        3,325,680  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/49

     3,675,000        4,218,606  
     

 

 

 
            55,269,836  
     

 

 

 

 

27


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds – 24.77%

     

Anoka Healthcare & Housing Facilities Revenue

     

(The Homestead at Anoka Project)

     

5.125% 11/1/49

     1,100,000      $ 1,132,967  

5.375% 11/1/34

     320,000        339,834  

Apple Valley Senior Housing Revenue

     

(PHS Apple Valley Senior Housing, Inc. - Orchard Path Project)

     

5.00% 9/1/43

     465,000        490,449  

5.00% 9/1/58

     3,220,000        3,327,097  

Apple Valley Senior Living Revenue

     

(Senior Living LLC Project)

     

2nd Tier Series B 5.00% 1/1/47

     1,725,000        1,771,040  

4th Tier Series D 7.00% 1/1/37

     1,665,000        1,667,880  

4th Tier Series D 7.25% 1/1/52

     2,500,000        2,529,150  

Bethel Senior Housing Revenue

     

(The Lodge at The Lakes at Stillwater Project)

     

5.00% 6/1/38

     450,000        464,148  

5.00% 6/1/48

     1,000,000        1,017,080  

5.00% 6/1/53

     600,000        606,798  

Breckenridge Catholic Health Initiatives

     

Series A 5.00% 5/1/30

     2,125,000        2,146,463  

Center City Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Project)

     

5.00% 11/1/26

     500,000        567,530  

Dakota County Community Development Agency Senior Housing Revenue

     

(Walker Highview Hills Project)

     

Series A 144A 5.00% 8/1/36 #

     280,000        284,550  

Series A 144A 5.00% 8/1/46 #

     2,380,000        2,404,252  

Deephaven Housing & Healthcare Revenue

     

(St. Therese Senior Living Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 4/1/38

     730,000        735,606  

Series A 5.00% 4/1/40

     705,000        709,836  

Series A 5.00% 4/1/48

     315,000        316,263  

Duluth Economic Development Authority

     

(St. Luke’s Hospital of Duluth Obligated Group)

     

5.75% 6/15/32

     1,850,000        2,007,583  

6.00% 6/15/39

     3,570,000        3,917,504  

Fergus Falls HealthCare Facilities Revenue

     

(Lake Region Health Care)

     

5.15% 8/1/35

     1,250,000        1,250,913  

5.40% 8/1/40

     1,000,000        1,001,220  

 

28


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Glencoe Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Glencoe Regional Health Services Project)

     

4.00% 4/1/24

     500,000      $ 517,840  

4.00% 4/1/25

     660,000        681,285  

4.00% 4/1/31

     60,000        61,079  

Hayward Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(American Baptist Homes Midwest Obligated Group)

     

5.375% 8/1/34

     660,000        669,794  

5.75% 2/1/44

     500,000        512,780  

(St. John’s Lutheran Home of Albert Lea Project)

     

5.375% 10/1/44

     900,000        940,914  

Maple Grove Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Maple Grove Hospital Corporation)

     

4.00% 5/1/37

     2,000,000        2,021,820  

5.00% 5/1/27

     1,400,000        1,627,066  

5.00% 5/1/29

     1,000,000        1,144,870  

5.00% 5/1/30

     850,000        966,909  

5.00% 5/1/31

     500,000        565,130  

5.00% 5/1/32

     500,000        562,720  

(North Memorial Health Care)

  

5.00% 9/1/31

     1,000,000        1,104,670  

5.00% 9/1/32

     1,000,000        1,101,400  

Minneapolis Health Care System Revenue

     

(Fairview Health Services)

     

Series A 5.00% 11/15/33

     500,000        564,950  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/34

     500,000        563,570  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/44

     1,000,000        1,108,710  

Series B Unrefunded Balance 6.50% 11/15/38 (AGC)

     1,730,000        1,746,677  

Minneapolis Senior Housing & Healthcare Revenue

     

(Ecumen-Abiitan Mill City Project)

     

5.00% 11/1/35

     500,000        514,385  

5.25% 11/1/45

     1,950,000        2,018,153  

5.375% 11/1/50

     455,000        472,299  

Minneapolis – St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Allina Health System) Series A 5.00% 11/15/28

     1,550,000        1,816,693  

(Children’s Health Care) Series A 5.25% 8/15/35

     2,085,000        2,211,518  

Minnesota Agricultural & Economic Development Board Revenue

     

(Essenthia Health Obligated Group)

     

Series C-1 5.00% 2/15/30 (AGC)

     5,725,000        5,978,274  

 

29


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Minnesota Agricultural & Economic Development Board Revenue

     

(Essenthia Health Obligated Group)

     

Series C-1 5.25% 2/15/23 (AGC)

     5,000,000      $ 5,258,050  

Series C-1 5.50% 2/15/25 (AGC)

     5,120,000        5,389,619  

Red Wing Senior Housing

     

(Deer Crest Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 11/1/27

     430,000        451,285  

Series A 5.00% 11/1/32

     330,000        344,150  

Series A 5.00% 11/1/42

     1,250,000        1,297,500  

Rochester Health Care & Housing Revenue

     

(The Homestead at Rochester Project) Series A

     

6.875% 12/1/48

     2,980,000        3,376,578  

Rochester Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Mayo Clinic)

     

4.00% 11/15/41

     4,515,000        4,627,062  

Series D Remarketing 5.00% 11/15/38

     6,405,000        6,722,304  

(Olmsted Medical Center Project)

  

5.00% 7/1/24

     295,000        330,721  

5.00% 7/1/33

     650,000        707,629  

5.875% 7/1/30

     1,850,000        1,971,749  

Sartell Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Country Manor Campus Project)

     

Series A 5.25% 9/1/27

     1,280,000        1,399,091  

Series A 5.30% 9/1/37

     1,200,000        1,306,680  

Sauk Rapids Health Care Housing Facilities Revenue

     

(Good Shepherd Lutheran Home) 5.125% 1/1/39

     1,350,000        1,377,931  

Shakopee Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(St. Francis Regional Medical Center)

     

4.00% 9/1/31

     915,000        947,528  

5.00% 9/1/24

     575,000        647,680  

5.00% 9/1/25

     750,000        841,275  

5.00% 9/1/26

     575,000        640,613  

5.00% 9/1/27

     405,000        449,801  

5.00% 9/1/28

     425,000        470,539  

5.00% 9/1/29

     425,000        468,826  

5.00% 9/1/34

     730,000        794,452  

St. Cloud Health Care Revenue

     

(Centracare Health System Project)

     

Series A 4.00% 5/1/37

     965,000        1,003,706  

Series A 5.00% 5/1/46

     3,715,000        4,109,905  

Unrefunded Balance 5.125% 5/1/30

     740,000        778,695  

 

30


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Allina Health System) Series A-1 Unrefunded Balance

     

5.25% 11/15/29

     2,825,000      $ 2,956,786  

(Fairview Health Services)

     

Series A 4.00% 11/15/43

     2,450,000        2,506,742  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/47

     1,560,000        1,752,972  

(HealthPartners Obligated Group Project)

  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/29

     2,200,000        2,507,384  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/32

     3,000,000        3,387,300  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/33

     1,260,000        1,418,508  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Housing & Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Episcopal Homes Project) 5.125% 5/1/48

     3,100,000        3,109,331  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Multifamily Housing Revenue

     

(Marian Center Project)

     

Series A 5.30% 11/1/30

     500,000        492,920  

Series A 5.375% 5/1/43

     500,000        479,860  

Wayzata Senior Housing Revenue

     

(Folkestone Senior Living Community)

     

Series A 5.50% 11/1/32

     1,050,000        1,085,081  

Series A 5.75% 11/1/39

     2,365,000        2,445,623  

Series A 6.00% 5/1/47

     3,685,000        3,814,307  

West St. Paul Housing and Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Walker Westwood Ridge Campus Project)

     

4.50% 11/1/40

     250,000        252,885  

4.75% 11/1/52

     750,000        766,845  

Winona Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Winona Health Obligation Group)

     

4.50% 7/1/25

     850,000        871,233  

4.65% 7/1/26

     540,000        554,040  

Woodbury Housing & Redevelopment Authority Revenue

     

(St. Therese of Woodbury)

     

5.00% 12/1/34

     500,000        521,165  

5.125% 12/1/44

     1,605,000        1,670,436  

5.25% 12/1/49

     750,000        783,570  
     

 

 

 
            135,252,026  
     

 

 

 

Housing Revenue Bonds – 0.47%

     

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Homeownership

     

Finance (Mortgage-Backed Securities Program)

     

Series D 4.70% 1/1/31 (GNMA) (FNMA) (FHLMC)

     1,170,000        1,208,692  

 

31


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Housing Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Northwest Multi-County Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

(Pooled Housing Program) 5.50% 7/1/45

     1,330,000      $ 1,354,086  
     

 

 

 
            2,562,778  
     

 

 

 

Lease Revenue Bonds – 2.96%

     

Minnesota General Fund Revenue Appropriations

     

Series A 5.00% 6/1/38

     1,250,000        1,383,487  

Series A 5.00% 6/1/43

     3,835,000        4,233,725  

Series B 5.00% 3/1/28

     2,500,000        2,743,550  

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

     

(State Appropriation – Housing Infrastructure)

     

Series C 5.00% 8/1/34

     1,565,000        1,768,450  

Series C 5.00% 8/1/35

     1,645,000        1,856,925  

University of Minnesota Special Purpose Revenue

     

(State Supported Biomed Science Research Facilities Funding Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 8/1/35

     3,960,000        4,180,968  
     

 

 

 
            16,167,105  
     

 

 

 

Local General Obligation Bonds – 9.69%

     

Anoka County Capital Improvement

     

Series A 5.00% 2/1/22

     500,000        506,630  

Brainerd Independent School District No. 181

     

(School Building)

     

Series A 4.00% 2/1/23

     5,990,000        6,044,629  

Series A 4.00% 2/1/38

     1,500,000        1,563,060  

Series A 4.00% 2/1/43

     3,500,000        3,608,360  

Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Independent School District No. 191

     

(Alternative Facilities)

  

Series A 4.00% 2/1/28

     920,000        991,585  

Series A 4.00% 2/1/29

     1,800,000        1,935,666  

Chaska Independent School District No. 112

     

(School Building) Series A 5.00% 2/1/27

     1,905,000        2,225,097  

Duluth

     

(DECC Improvement)

     

Series A 5.00% 2/1/32

     1,000,000        1,148,360  

Series A 5.00% 2/1/33

     3,585,000        4,103,965  

Duluth Independent School District No. 709

     

Series A 4.00% 2/1/27

     160,000        170,880  

Series A 4.00% 2/1/28

     1,250,000        1,327,300  

Edina Independent School District No. 273

     

Series A 5.00% 2/1/27

     1,500,000        1,739,910  

 

32


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Local General Obligation Bonds (continued)

     

Hennepin County

     

Series A 5.00% 12/1/26

     1,885,000      $ 2,258,682  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/36

     940,000        1,091,180  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/37

     2,850,000        3,321,846  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/38

     3,310,000        3,846,385  

Series B 5.00% 12/1/30

     1,000,000        1,179,360  

Series C 5.00% 12/1/28

     1,500,000        1,838,370  

Series C 5.00% 12/1/30

     1,245,000        1,468,303  

Series C 5.00% 12/1/37

     3,000,000        3,475,290  

Mounds View Independent School District No. 621

     

(Minnesota School District Credit Enhancement Program)

Series A 4.00% 2/1/43

     3,000,000        3,110,550  

Mountain Iron-Buhl Independent School District No. 712

     

(School Building) Series A 4.00% 2/1/26

     1,315,000        1,450,379  

St. Michael-Albertville Independent School District No. 885

     

(School Building) Series A 5.00% 2/1/27

     1,865,000        2,186,638  

Wayzata Independent School District No. 284

     

Series A 5.00% 2/1/28

     1,950,000        2,317,477  
     

 

 

 
            52,909,902  
     

 

 

 

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds – 14.33%

     

Anoka Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(The Homestead at Anoka Project)

     

Series A 7.00% 11/1/40-19§

     1,000,000        1,067,890  

Series A 7.00% 11/1/46-19§

     1,220,000        1,302,826  

Anoka Housing Facilities Revenue

     

(Senior Homestead Anoka Project)

     

Series B 6.875% 11/1/34-19§

     2,015,000        2,152,544  

Dakota & Washington Counties Housing & Redevelopment Authority Single Family Residential Mortgage Revenue

     

(City of Anoka) 8.45% 9/1/19 (GNMA) (AMT)

     9,000,000        9,581,220  

(City of Bloomington)

  

Series B 8.375% 9/1/21 (GNMA) (AMT)

     14,115,000        16,506,646  

Minneapolis Health Care System Revenue

     

(Fairview Health Services)

     

Series A 6.625% 11/15/28-18§

     3,000,000        3,029,880  

Series B 6.50% 11/15/38-18 (AGC)§

     175,000        176,701  

Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue

     

(University of St. Thomas) Series 7-A 5.00% 10/1/39-19§

     2,000,000        2,069,160  

Rochester Healthcare & Housing Revenue

     

(Samaritan Bethany Project) Series A

     

7.375% 12/1/41-19§

     5,220,000        5,574,751  

 

33


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (continued)

     

St. Cloud Health Care Revenue

     

(Centracare Health System Project)

     

5.375% 5/1/31-19 (AGC)§

     1,000,000      $ 1,024,100  

5.50% 5/1/39-19 (AGC)§

     6,000,000        6,149,460  

St. Louis Park Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Park Nicollet Health Services) 5.75% 7/1/39-19§

     12,025,000        12,425,673  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Hospital Facility Revenue

     

(Healtheast Care System Project)

  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/29-25§

     910,000        1,067,421  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/30-25§

     670,000        785,903  

University of Minnesota

     

Series A 5.25% 12/1/29-20§

     1,850,000        1,991,932  

Series A 5.50% 7/1/21

     12,500,000        13,312,625  
     

 

 

 
            78,218,732  
     

 

 

 

Special Tax Revenue Bonds – 1.47%

     

Minneapolis Development Revenue

     

(Limited Tax Supported Common Bond Fund)

     

Series 2-A 6.00% 12/1/40

     3,000,000        3,259,290  

Minneapolis Revenue

     

(YMCA Greater Twin Cities Project) 4.00% 6/1/30

     250,000        262,903  

St. Paul Sales Tax Revenue

     

Series G 5.00% 11/1/30

     655,000        739,095  

Series G 5.00% 11/1/31

     1,500,000        1,689,870  

Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority

     

(Matching Fund Senior Lien) 5.00% 10/1/29 (AGM)

     2,000,000        2,096,600  
     

 

 

 
            8,047,758  
     

 

 

 

State General Obligation Bonds – 10.95%

     

Minnesota

     

5.00% 10/1/26

     3,395,000        4,044,701  

Series A 5.00% 8/1/27

     7,590,000        8,849,257  

Series A 5.00% 8/1/29

     2,500,000        2,899,250  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/33

     1,000,000        1,181,310  

Series A Unrefunded Balance 5.00% 10/1/24

     4,555,000        4,970,097  

Series A Unrefunded Balance 5.00% 10/1/27

     5,200,000        5,660,876  

Series D 5.00% 8/1/26

     6,000,000        7,131,360  

Series D 5.00% 8/1/27

     2,500,000        2,961,525  

(State Trunk Highway) Series B 5.00% 10/1/29

     5,000,000        5,436,950  

(Various Purposes)

     

Series A 5.00% 8/1/25

     5,545,000        6,383,737  

Series A 5.00% 8/1/30

     4,200,000        4,800,348  

Series A 5.00% 8/1/32

     3,875,000        4,419,709  

 

34


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

State General Obligation Bonds (continued)

     

Minnesota

     

(Various Purposes)

     

Series A Unrefunded Balance 4.00% 8/1/27

     955,000      $ 1,017,132  
     

 

 

 
            59,756,252  
     

 

 

 

Transportation Revenue Bonds – 3.51%

     

Minneapolis – St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission

     

Revenue

     

Senior

  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/28

     1,250,000        1,301,000  

Series C 5.00% 1/1/29

     350,000        411,625  

Series C 5.00% 1/1/33

     850,000        983,153  

Series C 5.00% 1/1/36

     600,000        687,774  

Series C 5.00% 1/1/41

     600,000        682,560  

Series C 5.00% 1/1/46

     1,595,000        1,808,220  

Subordinate

  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/35

     1,000,000        1,106,480  

Series B 5.00% 1/1/26

     575,000        626,675  

Series B 5.00% 1/1/27

     1,160,000        1,263,472  

Series B 5.00% 1/1/28

     2,750,000        2,993,457  

Series B 5.00% 1/1/29

     120,000        130,543  

Series B 5.00% 1/1/30

     1,675,000        1,809,318  

Series B 5.00% 1/1/31

     1,750,000        1,888,583  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Revenue

     

(Parking Enterprise) Series A 3.125% 8/1/34

     130,000        124,397  

St. Paul Port Authority Revenue

     

(Amherst H. Wilder Foundation) Series 3 5.00% 12/1/36

     3,200,000        3,343,104  
     

 

 

 
        19,160,361  
     

 

 

 

Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds – 3.97%

     

Guam Government Waterworks Authority

     

5.00% 7/1/40

     1,930,000        2,131,048  

5.00% 1/1/46

     1,670,000        1,819,749  

Metropolitan Council General Obligation Wastewater

     

Revenue (Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area)

     

Series B 4.00% 9/1/27

     2,400,000        2,547,120  

Series B 5.00% 9/1/25

     2,000,000        2,228,120  

Series C 4.00% 3/1/31

     3,120,000        3,371,722  

Series C 4.00% 3/1/32

     3,225,000        3,460,103  

Series E 5.00% 9/1/23

     2,000,000        2,233,000  

Minnesota Public Facilities Authority

     

Series B 4.00% 3/1/26

     3,500,000        3,902,080  
     

 

 

 
        21,692,942  
     

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $528,948,159)

        540,379,364  
     

 

 

 

 

35


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 1.25%

     

 

 

Variable Rate Demand Notes – 1.25%¤

     

Minneapolis – St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Allina Health System)

     

Series B-1 1.46% 11/15/35

     

(LOC – JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.)

     2,800,000      $ 2,800,000  

Series B-2 1.43% 11/15/35

     

(LOC – JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.)

     850,000        850,000  

(Children’s Hospitals & Clinics)

     

Series A 1.53% 8/15/34 (AGM) (SPA – US Bank N.A.)

     1,090,000        1,090,000  

Series A 1.53% 8/15/37 (AGM) (SPA – US Bank N.A.)

     2,075,000        2,075,000  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $6,815,000)

        6,815,000  
     

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities – 100.22%
(cost $535,763,159)

      $     547,194,364  
     

 

 

 

 

#

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At Aug. 31, 2018, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $9,980,952, which represents 1.83% of the Fund’s net assets. See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

¤

Tax-exempt obligations that contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period (generally up to 30 days) prior to specified dates either from the issuer or by drawing on a bank letter of credit, a guarantee, or insurance issued with respect to such instrument. Each rate shown is as of Aug. 31, 2018.

 

§

Pre-refunded bonds. Municipal bonds that are generally backed or secured by US Treasury bonds. For pre-refunded bonds, the stated maturity is followed by the year in which the bond will be pre-refunded. See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

°

Principal amount shown is stated in US Dollars unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.

 

^

Zero coupon security. The rate shown is the effective yield at the time of purchase.

 

36


Table of Contents

 

 

 

Summary of abbreviations:

AGC – Insured by Assured Guaranty Corporation

AGM – Insured by Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMT – Subject to Alternative Minimum Tax

FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation collateral

FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association collateral

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association collateral

LOC – Letter of Credit

N.A. – National Association

NATL – Insured by National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation

SPA – Stand-by Purchase Agreement

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

37


Table of Contents
Schedules of investments   
Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund    August 31, 2018

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds – 99.57%

                 

Corporate Revenue Bond – 0.30%

     

St. Paul Port Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue

     

(Gerdau St. Paul Steel Mill Project) Series 7 144A

     

4.50% 10/1/37 (AMT)#

     255,000      $ 241,233  
     

 

 

 
            241,233  
     

 

 

 

Education Revenue Bonds – 13.81%

     

Bethel Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Spectrum High School Project) Series A 4.00% 7/1/32

     425,000        427,180  

Brooklyn Park Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Prairie Seeds Academy Project) Series A 5.00% 3/1/34

     485,000        497,964  

Cologne Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Cologne Academy Project) Series A 5.00% 7/1/29

     305,000        322,507  

Forest Lake Charter School Lease Revenue Fund

     

(Lakes International Language Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.50% 8/1/36

     420,000        445,187  

Hugo Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Noble Academy Project) Series A 5.00% 7/1/29

     530,000        560,077  

Minneapolis Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Hiawatha Academies Project) Series A 5.00% 7/1/31

     500,000        512,650  

Minneapolis Student Housing Revenue

     

(Riverton Community Housing Project) 5.25% 8/1/39

     525,000        552,426  

Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue

     

(Bethel University) 5.00% 5/1/32

     525,000        583,343  

(Carleton College) 5.00% 3/1/34

     275,000        318,403  

(Gustavus Adolphus College)

     

5.00% 10/1/34

     435,000        497,327  

5.00% 10/1/35

     555,000        630,302  

(St. Catherine University)

     

Series 7-Q 5.00% 10/1/22

     425,000        471,980  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/35

     565,000        641,919  

(St. Johns University) Series 8-I 5.00% 10/1/31

     130,000        146,719  

(St. Olaf College)

     

Series 8-G 5.00% 12/1/31

     125,000        143,430  

Series 8-G 5.00% 12/1/32

     125,000        143,165  

(St. Scholastica College) Series H 5.125% 12/1/30

     1,000,000        1,033,280  

(Trustees of The Hamline University) Series B

     

5.00% 10/1/38

     420,000        456,569  

(University of St. Thomas) Series 7-U 4.00% 4/1/26

     1,400,000        1,488,928  

Rice County Educational Facilities Revenue

     

(Shattuck-St. Mary’s School) Series A 144A

     

5.00% 8/1/22 #

     325,000        342,843  

 

38


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Education Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Academia Cesar Chavez School Project) Series A 5.25% 7/1/50

     340,000      $ 322,871  

(Great River School Project) Series A 144A 5.25% 7/1/33 #

     140,000        144,682  

(Twin Cities Academy Project) Series A 5.30% 7/1/45

     260,000        267,316  
     

 

 

 
        10,951,068  
     

 

 

 

Electric Revenue Bonds – 12.15%

     

Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency

     

(Brookings Twin Cities Transmission Project)

     

Series E 5.00% 1/1/21

     1,095,000        1,167,861  

Series E 5.00% 1/1/23

     1,000,000        1,087,860  

Chaska Electric Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 10/1/28

     250,000        284,545  

Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Electric Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 10/1/29

     500,000        569,405  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/30

     240,000        272,736  

Northern Municipal Power Agency Electric System Revenue

     

5.00% 1/1/29

     150,000        170,640  

5.00% 1/1/30

     235,000        269,937  

5.00% 1/1/31

     350,000        394,716  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/25

     200,000        220,530  

Rochester Electric Utility Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 12/1/28

     300,000        350,652  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/29

     500,000        582,010  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/31

     575,000        665,183  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Energy Revenue

     

Series A 4.00% 10/1/30

     425,000        445,430  

Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 1/1/33

     2,250,000        2,521,463  

(Red Rock Hydroelectric Project) Series A 5.00% 1/1/49

     550,000        631,356  
     

 

 

 
        9,634,324  
     

 

 

 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds – 29.73%

     

Anoka Healthcare & Housing Facilities Revenue

     

(The Homestead at Anoka Project) 5.375% 11/1/34

     270,000        286,735  

Apple Valley Senior Housing Revenue

     

(PHS Senior Housing, Inc. – Orchard Path Project)

     

4.375% 9/1/48

     645,000        643,387  

5.00% 9/1/43

     535,000        564,281  

 

39


Table of Contents
Schedules of investments   
Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund   

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Apple Valley Senior Living Revenue

     

(Senior Living LLC Project)

     

3rd Tier Series C 4.25% 1/1/27

     500,000      $ 499,975  

3rd Tier Series C 5.00% 1/1/32

     420,000        422,906  

Bethel Senior Housing Revenue

     

(The Lodge at the Lakes at Stillwater Project)

     

5.00% 6/1/38

     250,000        257,860  

Center City Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Project)

     

5.00% 11/1/24

     600,000        690,984  

Dakota County Community Development Agency Senior Housing Revenue

     

(Walker Highview Hills Project) Series A 144A

     

5.00% 8/1/36 #

     480,000        487,800  

Duluth Economic Development Authority

     

(St. Luke’s Hospital of Duluth Obligated Group)

     

5.75% 6/15/32

     750,000        813,885  

Fergus Falls Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Lake Region Health Care) 4.75% 8/1/25

     500,000        500,810  

Glencoe Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Glencoe Regional Health Services Project)

     

4.00% 4/1/26

     270,000        277,322  

Hayward Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(American Baptist Homes Midwest Obligated Group)

     

4.25% 8/1/24

     653,442        658,064  

(St. John’s Lutheran Home of Albert Lea Project)

     

5.375% 10/1/44

     185,000        193,410  

Maple Grove Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Maple Grove Hospital Corporation)

     

4.00% 5/1/37

     500,000        505,455  

5.00% 5/1/28

     1,000,000        1,150,610  

(North Memorial Health Care) 5.00% 9/1/31

     320,000        353,494  

Minneapolis Health Care System Revenue

     

(Fairview Health Services)

     

Series A 5.00% 11/15/33

     500,000        564,950  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/34

     500,000        563,570  

Series B Unrefunded Balance 6.50% 11/15/38 (AGC)

     700,000        706,748  

Minneapolis Senior Housing & Healthcare Revenue

     

(Ecumen-Abiitan Mill City Project) 5.00% 11/1/35

     530,000        545,248  

Minneapolis – St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Allina Health System) Series A 5.00% 11/15/27

     1,205,000        1,418,454  

(Children’s Health Care) Series A 5.25% 8/15/25

     1,000,000        1,060,880  

 

40


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Minnesota Agricultural & Economic Development Board Revenue

     

(Essenthia Health Obligated Group) Series C-1

     

5.50% 2/15/25 (AGC)

     2,500,000      $ 2,631,650  

Rochester Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Mayo Clinic) Series C 4.50% 11/15/38 •

     925,000        993,811  

(Olmsted Medical Center Project) 5.125% 7/1/20

     430,000        448,954  

Sartell Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Country Manor Campus Project) Series A 5.00% 9/1/21

     1,050,000        1,138,715  

Sauk Rapids Health Care Housing Facilities Revenue

     

(Good Shepherd Lutheran Home) 5.125% 1/1/39

     575,000        586,897  

St. Cloud Health Care Revenue

     

(Centracare Health System Project) Unrefunded Balance

     

5.125% 5/1/30

     360,000        378,824  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Allina Health System) Unrefunded Balance Series A-2

     

5.25% 11/15/28

     975,000        1,016,204  

(Fairview Health Services) Series A 5.00% 11/15/47

     275,000        309,018  

(HealthPartners Obligated Group Project)

     

5.00% 7/1/32

     1,000,000        1,129,100  

5.00% 7/1/33

     200,000        225,160  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Housing & Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Episcopal Homes Project) 5.00% 5/1/33

     500,000        507,430  

West St. Paul, Housing and Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Walker Westwood Ridge Campus Project)

     

5.00% 11/1/37

     500,000        523,530  

Woodbury Housing & Redevelopment Authority Revenue

     

(St. Therese of Woodbury) 5.00% 12/1/34

     500,000        521,165  
     

 

 

 
        23,577,286  
     

 

 

 

Housing Revenue Bond – 0.37%

     

Northwest Multi-County Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

(Pooled Housing Program) 5.50% 7/1/45

     285,000        290,161  
     

 

 

 
        290,161  
     

 

 

 

Lease Revenue Bonds – 5.25%

     

Minnesota General Fund Revenue Appropriations

     

Series A 5.00% 6/1/38

     1,100,000        1,217,469  

Series A 5.00% 6/1/43

     715,000        789,339  

Series B 5.00% 3/1/27

     1,000,000        1,097,770  

 

41


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund

 

     Principal amount°              Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Lease Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

(Minnesota Public Radio Project) 5.00% 12/1/25

     1,000,000      $ 1,061,260  
     

 

 

 
        4,165,838  
     

 

 

 

Local General Obligation Bonds – 6.41%

     

Duluth Independent School District No. 709

     

Series A 4.00% 2/1/28

     250,000        265,460  

Hennepin County

     

Series A 5.00% 12/1/36

     2,125,000        2,466,764  

Series C 5.00% 12/1/30

     1,500,000        1,769,040  

St. Michael-Albertville Independent School District No. 885

     

(School Building) Series A 5.00% 2/1/27

     500,000        586,230  
     

 

 

 
        5,087,494  
     

 

 

 

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds – 13.29%

     

Anoka Housing Facilities Revenue

     

(Senior Homestead Anoka Project) Series B

     

6.875% 11/1/34-19§

     750,000        801,195  

Mankato Independent School District No. 77

     

(School Building) Series A 4.125% 2/1/22

     1,000,000        1,009,250  

Minneapolis Health Care System Revenue

     

(Fairview Health Services) Series A

     

6.625% 11/15/28-18§

     1,500,000        1,514,940  

Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue

     

(St. Johns University)

     

Series 6-U 4.40% 10/1/21-18§

     325,000        325,683  

Series 6-U 4.50% 10/1/23-18§

     265,000        265,575  

Rochester Healthcare & Housing Revenue

     

(Samaritan Bethany Project) Series A

     

6.875% 12/1/29-19§

     950,000        1,008,767  

St. Louis Park Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Park Nicollet Health Services) 5.50% 7/1/29-19§

     1,000,000        1,031,290  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Allina Health System) Series A-2 5.25% 11/15/28-19§

     1,025,000        1,067,322  

(Gillette Children’s Specialty Project) 5.00% 2/1/27-19§

     1,000,000        1,013,590  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Hospital Revenue

     

(Healtheast Care System Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 11/15/29-25§

     165,000        193,543  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/30-25§

     120,000        140,759  

University of Minnesota

     

Series A 5.00% 12/1/23-20§

     1,000,000        1,071,250  

 

42


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (continued)

     

University of Minnesota

     

Series D 5.00% 12/1/26-21§

     1,000,000      $ 1,098,890  
     

 

 

 
              10,542,054  
     

 

 

 

Special Tax Revenue Bonds – 0.71%

     

Minneapolis Revenue

     

(YMCA Greater Twin Cities Project) 4.00% 6/1/27

     100,000        107,429  

St. Paul Sales Tax Revenue

     

Series G 5.00% 11/1/28

     400,000        454,268  
     

 

 

 
        561,697  
     

 

 

 

State General Obligation Bonds – 8.70%

     

Minnesota

     

5.00% 10/1/26

     500,000        595,685  

Series D 5.00% 8/1/26

     2,500,000        2,971,400  

Series D 5.00% 8/1/27

     1,500,000        1,776,915  

(State Trunk Highway) Series B 5.00% 10/1/22

     400,000        437,204  

(Various Purposes) Series F 5.00% 10/1/22

     1,000,000        1,117,580  
     

 

 

 
        6,898,784  
     

 

 

 

Transportation Revenue Bonds – 6.41%

     

Minneapolis – St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission

     

Revenue

     

Senior Series B 5.00% 1/1/22 (AMT)

     1,000,000        1,010,000  

Subordinate

     

Series B 5.00% 1/1/26

     710,000        773,808  

Series B 5.00% 1/1/31

     750,000        809,393  

Series D 5.00% 1/1/22 (AMT)

     1,000,000        1,039,730  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

(Parking Enterprise)

     

Series A 4.00% 8/1/26

     450,000        489,582  

Series A 4.00% 8/1/27

     545,000        588,638  

Series A 4.00% 8/1/28

     350,000        375,515  
     

 

 

 
        5,086,666  
     

 

 

 

Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds – 2.44%

     

Guam Government Waterworks Authority

     

5.00% 7/1/35

     330,000        367,013  

5.00% 1/1/46

     305,000        332,349  

Metropolitan Council General Obligation Wastewater

     

Revenue (Minneapolis – St. Paul Metropolitan Area)

     

Series C 4.00% 3/1/31

     565,000        610,584  

Series C 4.00% 3/1/32

     585,000        627,647  
     

 

 

 
        1,937,593  
     

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $77,402,664)

        78,974,198  
     

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 1.45%

     

 

 

Variable Rate Demand Notes – 1.45%¤

     

Minneapolis – St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Children’s Hospitals and Clinics)

     

Series A-l 1.53% 8/15/37 (AGM) (SPA – US Bank N.A.)

     475,000      $ 475,000  

Series A-ll 1.53% 8/15/37 (AGM) (SPA – US Bank N.A.)

     675,000        675,000  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $1,150,000)

        1,150,000  
     

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities – 101.02%
(cost $78,552,664)

      $   80,124,198  
     

 

 

 

 

#

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At Aug. 31, 2018, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $1,216,558, which represents 1.53% of the Fund’s net assets. See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

¤

Tax-exempt obligations that contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period (generally up to 30 days) prior to specified dates either from the issuer or by drawing on a bank letter of credit, a guarantee, or insurance issued with respect to such instrument. Each rate shown is as of Aug. 31, 2018.

 

§

Pre-refunded bonds. Municipal bonds that are generally backed or secured by US Treasury bonds. For pre-refunded bonds, the stated maturity is followed by the year in which the bond will be pre-refunded. See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

°

Principal amount shown is stated in US Dollars unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.

 

Variable rate investment. Rates reset periodically. Rate shown reflects the rate in effect at Aug. 31, 2018. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in their description above. The reference rate descriptions (i.e. LIBOR03M, LIBOR06M, etc.) used in this report are identical for different securities, but the underlying reference rates may differ due to the timing of the reset period. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above.

 

44


Table of Contents
  

 

 

Summary of abbreviations:

AGC – Insured by Assured Guaranty Corporation

AGM – Insured by Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMT – Subject to Alternative Minimum Tax

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LIBOR03M – ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month

LIBOR06M – ICE LIBOR USD 6 Month

SPA – Stand-by Purchase Agreement

USD – US Dollar

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

45


Table of Contents
Schedules of investments   
Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund    August 31, 2018

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds – 99.66%

                 

Corporate Revenue Bond – 1.04%

     

St. Paul Port Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue

     

(Gerdau St. Paul Steel Mill Project)

     

Series 7 144A 4.50% 10/1/37 (AMT) #

     1,920,000      $       1,816,339  
     

 

 

 
        1,816,339  
     

 

 

 

Education Revenue Bonds – 20.82%

     

Bethel Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Spectrum High School Project) Series A 4.00% 7/1/37

     850,000        836,697  

Brooklyn Park Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Prairie Seeds Academy Project) Series A 5.00% 3/1/39

     1,270,000        1,287,564  

Cologne Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Cologne Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 7/1/34

     250,000        258,155  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/45

     230,000        231,136  

Deephaven Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Eagle Ridge Academy Project) Series A 5.50% 7/1/50

     1,000,000        1,059,920  

Duluth Housing & Redevelopment Authority Revenue

     

(Public Schools Academy) Series A 5.875% 11/1/40

     1,000,000        1,021,810  

Forest Lake Charter School Lease Revenue Fund

     

(Lakes International Language Academy)

     

Series A 5.75% 8/1/44

     585,000        621,814  

Ham Lake Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Davinci Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 7/1/36

     235,000        239,554  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/47

     710,000        715,893  

(Parnassus Preparatory School Project) Series A 5.00% 11/1/47

     650,000        664,371  

Hugo Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Noble Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 7/1/34

     165,000        172,006  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/44

     495,000        509,053  

Minneapolis Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Hiawatha Academies Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 7/1/36

     1,000,000        1,008,950  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/47

     800,000        796,312  

Minneapolis Student Housing Revenue

     

(Riverton Community Housing Project)

     

144A 4.75% 8/1/43 #

     750,000        770,363  

144A 5.00% 8/1/53 #

     500,000        516,790  

5.25% 8/1/39

     800,000        841,792  

Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue

     

(Bethel University) 5.00% 5/1/47

     1,500,000        1,629,330  

(Carleton College) 4.00% 3/1/37

     635,000        663,842  

 

46


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Education Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue

     

(Gustavus Adolphus College) 5.00% 10/1/47

     750,000      $ 836,783  

(Minneapolis College of Art & Design)

     

4.00% 5/1/24

     250,000        265,360  

4.00% 5/1/25

     200,000        209,778  

4.00% 5/1/26

     100,000        103,827  

(St. Catherine University)

     

Series 7-Q 5.00% 10/1/25

     325,000        360,925  

Series 7-Q 5.00% 10/1/26

     280,000        310,951  

Series A 4.00% 10/1/37

     580,000        592,528  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/45

     670,000        752,109  

(St. John’s University) Series 8-I 5.00% 10/1/34

     215,000        240,903  

(St. Olaf College)

     

Series 8-G 5.00% 12/1/31

     205,000        235,225  

Series 8-G 5.00% 12/1/32

     205,000        234,791  

Series 8-N 4.00% 10/1/34

     800,000        846,368  

Series 8-N 4.00% 10/1/35

     590,000        622,474  

(St. Scholastica College) Series H 5.125% 12/1/40

     750,000        763,327  

(Trustees of the Hamline University of Minnesota)

     

Series B 5.00% 10/1/37

     300,000        326,775  

Series B 5.00% 10/1/39

     770,000        836,482  

(University of St. Thomas) Series A 4.00% 10/1/35

     400,000        417,956  

Otsego Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Kaleidoscope Charter School) Series A 5.00% 9/1/44

     1,435,000        1,438,674  

Rice County Educational Facilities Revenue

     

(Shattuck-St. Mary’s School) Series A 144A 5.00% 8/1/22 #

     770,000        812,273  

St. Cloud Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Stride Academy Project) Series A 5.00% 4/1/46

     750,000        450,713  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Academia Cesar Chavez School Project) Series A 5.25% 7/1/50

     1,750,000        1,661,835  

(Great River School Project) Series A 144A 5.50% 7/1/52 #

     265,000        272,436  

(Hmong College Preparatory Academy Project)

     

Series A 5.75% 9/1/46

     500,000        529,850  

Series A 6.00% 9/1/51

     500,000        534,635  

(Nova Classical Academy Project)

     

Series A 4.00% 9/1/36

     1,270,000        1,253,947  

Series A 4.125% 9/1/47

     500,000        490,455  

(St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists) Series A 4.625% 3/1/43

     445,000        422,185  

 

47


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Education Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Twin Cities Academy Project) Series A 5.375% 7/1/50

     1,500,000      $ 1,541,655  

University of Minnesota

     

Series A 5.00% 4/1/34

     2,115,000        2,430,473  

Series A 5.00% 9/1/40

     900,000        1,039,365  

Series A 5.00% 9/1/41

     1,370,000        1,579,815  
     

 

 

 
            36,260,225  
     

 

 

 

Electric Revenue Bonds – 9.54%

     

Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency

     

(Brookings Twin Cities Transmission Project) 5.00% 1/1/42

     1,500,000        1,596,570  

Chaska Electric Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 10/1/28

     350,000        398,363  

Hutchinson Utilities Commission Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 12/1/22

     490,000        548,173  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/26

     360,000        396,734  

Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Electric Revenue

     

5.00% 10/1/27

     165,000        188,202  

5.00% 10/1/47

     745,000        836,896  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/28

     500,000        570,010  

Northern Municipal Power Agency Electric System Revenue

     

5.00% 1/1/26

     500,000        578,440  

5.00% 1/1/28

     500,000        571,635  

5.00% 1/1/29

     470,000        534,672  

5.00% 1/1/33

     225,000        255,256  

5.00% 1/1/34

     200,000        226,424  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/24

     335,000        369,388  

Rochester Electric Utility Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 12/1/34

     450,000        515,601  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/35

     500,000        572,100  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/36

     520,000        593,356  

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 1/1/41

     400,000        447,480  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Energy Revenue

     

Series A 4.00% 10/1/32

     800,000        832,112  

Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Revenue

     

Series A 5.00% 1/1/30

     500,000        561,385  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/33

     1,750,000        1,961,137  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/34

     450,000        504,054  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/40

     2,000,000        2,219,220  

 

48


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Electric Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Revenue

     

(Red Rock Hydroelectric Project) Series A 5.00% 1/1/49

     1,165,000      $ 1,337,327  
     

 

 

 
            16,614,535  
     

 

 

 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds – 30.55%

     

Anoka Healthcare & Housing Facilities Revenue

     

(The Homestead at Anoka Project) 5.125% 11/1/49

     400,000        411,988  

Anoka Housing & Redevelopment Authority Revenue

     

(Fridley Medical Center Project) Series A 6.875% 5/1/40

     1,000,000        1,025,670  

Apple Valley Senior Housing Revenue

     

(PHS Senior Housing, Inc. Orchard Path Project)

     

4.375% 9/1/48

     355,000        354,113  

4.50% 9/1/53

     1,000,000        993,010  

5.00% 9/1/58

     1,175,000        1,214,081  

Apple Valley Senior Living Revenue

     

(Senior Living LLC Project)

     

2nd Tier Series B 5.00% 1/1/47

     525,000        539,012  

4th Tier Series D 7.00% 1/1/37

     515,000        515,891  

4th Tier Series D 7.25% 1/1/52

     1,500,000        1,517,490  

Bethel Senior Housing Revenue

     

(The Lodge at the Lakes at Stillwater Project) 5.25% 6/1/58

     725,000        740,609  

Breckenridge Catholic Health Initiatives Series A 5.00% 5/1/30

     1,675,000        1,691,917  

Brooklyn Center Multifamily Housing Revenue

     

(Sanctuary at Brooklyn Center Project) Series A 5.50% 11/1/35

     750,000        751,875  

City of West St. Paul Minnesota

     

(Walker Westwood Ridge Campus Project) 5.00% 11/1/49

     1,500,000        1,559,310  

Cloquet Housing Facilities

     

(HADC Cloquet Project) Series A 5.00% 8/1/48

     850,000        862,113  

Dakota County Community Development Agency Senior Housing Revenue

     

(Walker Highview Hills Project) Series A 144A 5.00% 8/1/51 #

     870,000        877,325  

Deephaven Housing & Healthcare Revenue

     

(St. Therese Senior Living Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 4/1/38

     335,000        337,573  

Series A 5.00% 4/1/40

     315,000        317,161  

Series A 5.00% 4/1/48

     185,000        185,742  

 

49


Table of Contents
Schedules of investments   
Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Duluth Economic Development Authority

     

(St. Luke’s Hospital of Duluth Obligated Group)

     

5.75% 6/15/32

     750,000      $ 813,885  

6.00% 6/15/39

     1,000,000              1,097,340  

Glencoe Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Glencoe Regional Health Services Project) 4.00% 4/1/31

     185,000        188,326  

Hayward Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(American Baptist Homes Midwest Obligated Group) 5.375% 8/1/34

     750,000        761,130  

(St. John’s Lutheran Home of Albert Lea Project) 5.375% 10/1/44

     265,000        277,047  

Maple Grove Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Maple Grove Hospital Corporation)

     

4.00% 5/1/37

     1,155,000        1,167,601  

5.00% 5/1/26

     1,300,000        1,498,705  

5.00% 5/1/29

     500,000        572,435  

(North Memorial Health Care) 5.00% 9/1/30

     610,000        675,856  

Minneapolis Health Care System Revenue

     

(Fairview Health Services)

     

Series A 5.00% 11/15/33

     1,200,000        1,355,880  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/34

     500,000        563,570  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/44

     1,000,000        1,108,710  

Series B Unrefunded Balance 6.50% 11/15/38 (AGC)

     210,000        212,024  

Minneapolis Senior Housing & Healthcare Revenue

     

(Ecumen-Abiitan Mill City Project) 5.375% 11/1/50

     1,700,000        1,764,634  

Minneapolis – St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Allina Health System) Series A 5.00% 11/15/29

     415,000        482,226  

Oakdale Senior Housing

     

(Oak Meadows Project) 5.00% 4/1/34

     500,000        505,990  

Rochester Health Care & Housing Revenue

     

(The Homestead at Rochester Project)

     

Series A 5.25% 12/1/23

     175,000        192,523  

Series A 6.875% 12/1/48

     800,000        906,464  

Rochester Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Mayo Clinic) 4.00% 11/15/41

     1,790,000        1,834,428  

(Olmsted Medical Center Project)

     

5.00% 7/1/22

     350,000        386,267  

5.00% 7/1/27

     245,000        271,597  

5.00% 7/1/28

     225,000        248,886  

 

50


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Sartell Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Country Manor Campus Project) Series A 5.25% 9/1/22

     1,080,000      $     1,206,889  

Sauk Rapids Health Care Housing Facilities Revenue

     

(Good Shepherd Lutheran Home) 5.125% 1/1/39

     825,000        842,069  

Shakopee Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(St. Francis Regional Medical Center)

     

4.00% 9/1/31

     130,000        134,621  

5.00% 9/1/34

     105,000        114,270  

St. Cloud Health Care Revenue

     

(Centracare Health System Project)

     

Unrefunded Balance 5.125% 5/1/30

     15,000        15,784  

Series A 4.00% 5/1/37

     1,440,000        1,497,758  

Series A 5.00% 5/1/46

     2,000,000        2,212,600  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Fairview Health Services)

     

Series A 4.00% 11/15/43

     645,000        659,938  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/47

     485,000        544,995  

(HealthPartners Obligated Group Project)

     

Series A 4.00% 7/1/33

     1,320,000        1,365,368  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/29

     1,000,000        1,139,720  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/32

     900,000        1,016,190  

Series A 5.00% 7/1/33

     1,540,000        1,733,732  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Housing & Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Episcopal Homes Project)

     

5.125% 5/1/48

     1,700,000        1,705,117  

Series A 5.15% 11/1/42

     775,000        777,767  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Multifamily Housing Revenue

     

(Marian Center Project) Series A 5.375% 5/1/43

     1,000,000        959,720  

Twin Valley Congregate Housing Revenue

     

(Living Options Project) 5.95% 11/1/28

     1,825,000        1,825,018  

Victoria Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Augustana Emerald Care Project) 5.00% 8/1/39

     1,500,000        1,531,620  

Wayzata Senior Housing Revenue

     

(Folkestone Senior Living Community)

     

Series A 5.50% 11/1/32

     260,000        268,687  

Series A 5.75% 11/1/39

     590,000        610,113  

Series A 6.00% 5/1/47

     920,000        952,283  

 

51


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Healthcare Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Woodbury Housing & Redevelopment Authority Revenue

     

(St. Therese of Woodbury) 5.25% 12/1/49

     1,250,000      $ 1,305,950  
     

 

 

 
              53,200,613  
     

 

 

 

Housing Revenue Bonds – 1.50%

     

Minneapolis Multifamily Housing Revenue

     

(Olson Townhomes Project) 6.00% 12/1/19 (AMT)

     440,000        440,774  

Minneapolis – St. Paul Housing Finance Board Single

     

Family Mortgage-Backed Securities Program

     

(City Living Project) Series A-2

     

5.00% 12/1/38 (GNMA) (FNMA) (FHLMC) (AMT)

     12,249        12,266  

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency State Appropriation

     

(Housing Infrastructure) Series C 5.00% 8/1/33

     100,000        113,116  

Northwest Multi-County Housing & Redevelopment Authority

     

(Pooled Housing Program) 5.50% 7/1/45

     1,275,000        1,298,090  

Stillwater Multifamily Housing Revenue

     

(Orleans Homes Project) 5.50% 2/1/42 (AMT)

     750,000        750,105  
     

 

 

 
        2,614,351  
     

 

 

 

Lease Revenue Bonds – 2.67%

     

Minnesota General Fund Revenue Appropriations

     

Series A 5.00% 6/1/38

     1,750,000        1,936,883  

Series A 5.00% 6/1/43

     1,000,000        1,103,970  

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency State Appropriation

     

(Housing Infrastructure) Series C 5.00% 8/1/32

     1,415,000        1,603,082  
     

 

 

 
        4,643,935  
     

 

 

 

Local General Obligation Bonds – 10.26%

     

Chaska Independent School District No. 112

     

(School Building) Series A 5.00% 2/1/28

     2,240,000        2,604,874  

Duluth General Obligation Entertainment Convention Center Improvement

     

Series A 5.00% 2/1/34

     1,000,000        1,141,880  

Duluth Independent School District No. 709

     

Series A 4.00% 2/1/27

     440,000        469,920  

Foley Independent School District No. 51

     

(School Building) Series A 5.00% 2/1/21

     1,105,000        1,107,829  

Hennepin County

     

Series A 5.00% 12/1/26

     750,000        898,680  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/36

     1,500,000        1,741,245  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/37

     910,000        1,060,660  

Series A 5.00% 12/1/38

     1,055,000        1,225,963  

Series C 5.00% 12/1/37

     2,500,000        2,896,075  

 

52


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Local General Obligation Bonds (continued)

     

Mahtomedi Independent School District No. 832

     

(School Building)

     

Series A 5.00% 2/1/28

     1,000,000      $ 1,149,020  

Series A 5.00% 2/1/29

     1,000,000        1,144,560  

Series A 5.00% 2/1/30

     445,000        507,353  

Series A 5.00% 2/1/31

     1,000,000        1,136,960  

Wayzata Independent School District No. 284

     

(School Building) Series A 5.00% 2/1/28

     650,000        772,493  
     

 

 

 
              17,857,512  
     

 

 

 

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds – 9.25%

     

Anoka Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(The Homestead at Anoka Project) Series A 7.00% 11/1/46-19§

     1,650,000        1,762,019  

Deephaven Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Eagle Ridge Academy Project) Series A 5.50% 7/1/43-23§

     500,000        576,570  

Minneapolis Health Care System Revenue

     

(Fairview Health Services) Series A 6.625% 11/15/28-18§

     1,100,000        1,110,956  

Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue

     

(University of St. Thomas) Series 7-A 5.00% 10/1/39-19§

     1,000,000        1,034,580  

Oak Park Heights Housing Revenue

     

(Oakgreen Commons Project) 7.00% 8/1/45-20§

     1,500,000        1,643,355  

Rochester Healthcare & Housing Revenue

     

(Samaritan Bethany Project)

     

Series A 6.875% 12/1/29-19§

     1,000,000        1,061,860  

Series A 7.375% 12/1/41-19§

     375,000        400,485  

St. Cloud Health Care Revenue

     

(Centracare Health System Project)

     

5.50% 5/1/39-19 (AGC)§

     1,500,000        1,537,365  

St. Louis Park Health Care Facilities Revenue

     

(Park Nicollet Health Services) 5.75% 7/1/39-19§

     2,005,000        2,071,807  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Charter School Lease Revenue

     

(Nova Classical Academy Project) Series A 6.625% 9/1/42-21§

     1,500,000        1,703,580  

St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Hospital Facility Revenue

     

(Healtheast Care System Project)

     

Series A 5.00% 11/15/29-25§

     275,000        322,572  

Series A 5.00% 11/15/30-25§

     205,000        240,463  

University of Minnesota

     

Series A 5.125% 4/1/34-19§

     1,000,000        1,020,330  

 

53


Table of Contents

Schedules of investments

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

                 

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (continued)

     

University of Minnesota

     

Series A 5.25% 12/1/28-20§

     1,500,000      $ 1,615,080  
     

 

 

 
              16,101,022  
     

 

 

 

Special Tax Revenue Bonds – 1.59%

     

Minneapolis Revenue

     

(YMCA Greater Twin Cities Project) 4.00% 6/1/31

     250,000        261,335  

Minneapolis Tax Increment Revenue

     

(Giant Park Project)

     

4.00% 3/1/27

     200,000        204,410  

4.00% 3/1/30

     260,000        263,091  

(Village of St. Anthony Falls Project)

     

4.00% 3/1/24

     700,000        714,420  

4.00% 3/1/27

     650,000        644,917  

St. Paul Sales Tax Revenue

     

Series G 5.00% 11/1/28

     600,000        681,402  
     

 

 

 
        2,769,575  
     

 

 

 

State General Obligation Bonds – 7.00%

     

Minnesota

     

Series A 5.00% 8/1/24

     500,000        578,025  

Series A 5.00% 8/1/27

     1,000,000        1,165,910  

Series A 5.00% 8/1/29

     1,000,000        1,159,700  

Series A 5.00% 10/1/33

     2,000,000        2,362,620  

Series A Unrefunded Balance 5.00% 10/1/24

     985,000        1,074,763  

Series D 5.00% 8/1/26

     1,000,000        1,188,560  

Series D 5.00% 8/1/27

     1,000,000        1,184,610  

Series E 5.00% 10/1/26

     1,085,000        1,292,636  

(Various Purposes) Series A 5.00% 8/1/32

     1,915,000        2,184,192  
     

 

 

 
        12,191,016  
     

 

 

 

Transportation Revenue Bonds – 3.22%

     

Minneapolis – St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission

     

Revenue

     

Senior

     

Series A 5.00% 1/1/32

     1,245,000        1,445,022  

Series C 5.00% 1/1/46

     185,000        209,731  

Subordinate

     

Series A 5.00% 1/1/22

     1,000,000        1,069,600  

Series A 5.00% 1/1/32

     500,000        556,115  

Series B 5.00% 1/1/29

     2,130,000        2,317,142  
     

 

 

 
        5,597,610  
     

 

 

 

Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds – 2.22%

     

Guam Government Waterworks Authority 5.00% 7/1/37

     575,000        636,732  

 

54


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

 

 

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

 

 

Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds (continued)

     

Guam Government Waterworks Authority 5.00% 1/1/46

     515,000      $ 561,180  

Metropolitan Council General Obligation Wastewater

     

Revenue (Minneapolis – St. Paul Metropolitan Area)

     

Series C 4.00% 3/1/31

     965,000        1,042,856  

Series C 4.00% 3/1/32

     1,000,000        1,072,900  

Minnesota Public Facilities Authority Series B 4.00% 3/1/26

     500,000        557,440  
     

 

 

 
        3,871,108  
     

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $171,422,626)

        173,537,841  
     

 

 

 
                   

Short-Term Investment – 1.48%

     

 

 

Variable Rate Demand Note—1.48%¤

     

Minneapolis – St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority Health Care Facilities Revenue (Children’s Hospitals and Clinics) Series A

     

1.53% 8/15/34 (AGM) (SPA – US Bank N.A.)

     2,575,000        2,575,000  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment (cost $2,575,000)

        2,575,000  
     

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities – 101.14%

    (cost $173,997,626)

      $   176,112,841  
     

 

 

 

 

#

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At Aug. 31, 2018, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $5,065,526, which represents 2.91% of the Fund’s net assets. See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

¤

Tax-exempt obligations that contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period (generally up to 30 days) prior to specified dates either from the issuer or by drawing on a bank letter of credit, a guarantee, or insurance issued with respect to such instrument. Each rate shown is as of Aug. 31, 2018.

 

§

Pre-refunded bonds. Municipal bonds that are generally backed or secured by US Treasury bonds. For pre-refunded bonds, the stated maturity is followed by the year in which the bond will be pre-refunded. See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

°

Principal amount shown is stated in US Dollars unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.

 

55


Table of Contents
Schedules of investments   
Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund   

Summary of abbreviations:

AGC – Insured by Assured Guaranty Corporation

AGM – Insured by Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

AMT – Subject to Alternative Minimum Tax

FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation collateral

FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association collateral

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association collateral

N.A. – National Association

SPA – Stand-by Purchase Agreement

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

56


Table of Contents

Statements of assets and liabilities

August 31, 2018

 

    

Delaware

Tax-Free

Minnesota

Fund

   

Delaware

Tax-Free
Minnesota
Intermediate
Fund

   

Delaware
Minnesota
High-Yield
Municipal

Bond Fund

 

Assets:

      

Investments, at value1

   $ 547,194,364     $ 80,124,198     $ 176,112,841  

Cash

     1,287,149       447,877       133,145  

Interest receivable

     6,862,604       857,952       2,125,107  

Receivable for fund shares sold

     464,180       2,940       206,659  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     555,808,297       81,432,967       178,577,752  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

      

Payable for securities purchased

     8,116,793       1,839,689       3,885,054  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     812,409       144,272       267,919  

Distribution payable

     394,218       55,659       125,937  

Investment management fees payable to affiliates

     242,102       36,351       76,137  

Distribution fees payable to affiliates

     113,717       14,947       39,834  

Other accrued expenses

     96,251       22,783       40,827  

Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses payable to affiliates

     8,884       1,294       2,837  

Audit and tax fees payable

     4,727       4,727       4,727  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable to affiliates

     3,148       463       1,005  

Accounting and administration expenses payable to affiliates

     2,075       593       894  

Legal fees payable to affiliates

     905       129       287  

Reports and statements to shareholders expenses payable to affiliates

     351       51       112  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     9,795,580       2,120,958       4,445,570  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Assets

   $ 546,012,717     $ 79,312,009     $ 174,132,182  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

      

Paid-in capital

   $ 535,249,687     $ 77,847,870     $ 172,916,359  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (240,388     (4,190      

Accumulated net realized loss on investments

     (427,787     (103,205     (899,392

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     11,431,205       1,571,534       2,115,215  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Assets

   $ 546,012,717     $ 79,312,009     $ 174,132,182  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

57


Table of Contents

Statements of assets and liabilities

 

    

Delaware

Tax-Free
Minnesota

Fund

   

Delaware

Tax-Free
Minnesota
Intermediate
Fund

    Delaware
Minnesota
High-Yield
Municipal
Bond Fund
 

Net Asset Value

      

Class A:

      

Net assets

   $ 390,476,795     $ 59,283,983     $ 98,980,384  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     32,152,896       5,478,236       9,284,014  

Net asset value per share

   $ 12.14     $ 10.82     $ 10.66  

Sales charge

     4.50     2.75     4.50

Offering price per share, equal to net asset value per share/(1 – sales charge)

   $ 12.71     $ 11.13     $ 11.16  

Class C:

      

Net assets

   $ 35,641,559     $ 8,558,485     $ 21,651,242  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     2,925,280       789,238       2,026,814  

Net asset value per share

   $ 12.18     $ 10.84     $ 10.68  

Institutional Class:

      

Net assets

   $ 119,894,363     $ 11,469,541     $ 53,500,556  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     9,874,511       1,059,502       5,019,773  

Net asset value per share

   $ 12.14     $ 10.83     $ 10.66  

 

      

1 Investments, at cost

   $ 535,763,159     $ 78,552,664     $ 173,997,626  

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

58


Table of Contents

Statements of operations

Year ended August 31, 2018

 

    

Delaware

Tax-Free
Minnesota

Fund

    Delaware
Tax-Free
Minnesota
Intermediate
Fund
    Delaware
Minnesota
High-Yield
Municipal
Bond Fund
 

Investment Income:

      

Interest

   $ 21,132,875     $ 3,207,777     $ 6,808,329  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

      

Management fees

     3,001,023       449,857       967,349  

Distribution expenses — Class A

     1,015,423       159,610       243,018  

Distribution expenses — Class C

     457,646       107,143       296,891  

Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses

     397,026       71,560       140,739  

Accounting and administration expenses

     127,403       45,095       60,441  

Reports and statements to shareholders expenses

     53,122       17,185       21,066  

Registration fees

     44,986       16,352       15,829  

Audit and tax fees

     44,480       44,480       44,480  

Legal fees

     44,193       8,448       14,280  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     25,704       4,222       8,213  

Custodian fees

     13,956       3,335       5,530  

Other

     45,512       19,602       27,345  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     5,270,474       946,889       1,845,181  

Less expenses waived

     (491,841     (102,749     (178,304

Less waived distribution expenses — Class A

           (63,844      

Less expenses paid indirectly

     (2,998     (936     (962
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     4,775,635       779,360       1,665,915  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     16,357,240       2,428,417       5,142,414  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

      

Net realized gain (loss)

     299,568       72,266       (71,151

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     (15,406,873     (2,687,546     (3,485,137
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Loss

     (15,107,305     (2,615,280     (3,556,288
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 1,249,935     $ (186,863   $ 1,586,126  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

59


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

 

     Year ended  
     8/31/18     8/31/17  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 16,357,240     $ 17,071,341  

Net realized gain

     299,568       3,679,670  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (15,406,873     (18,824,613
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     1,249,935       1,926,398  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

    

Net investment income:

    

Class A

     (12,134,393     (13,728,190

Class C

     (1,024,249     (1,216,526

Institutional Class

     (3,183,679     (2,215,895

Net realized gain:

    

Class A

     (2,113,066      

Class C

     (249,964      

Institutional Class

     (454,513      
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (19,159,864     (17,160,611
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares sold:

    

Class A

     38,349,082       34,147,763  

Class C

     2,636,660       6,466,911  

Institutional Class

     54,835,728       59,311,879  

Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

    

Class A

     12,235,255       11,416,767  

Class C

     1,195,247       1,104,881  

Institutional Class

     3,287,427       1,976,859  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     112,539,399       114,425,060  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

60


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Year ended  
     8/31/18     8/31/17  

Capital Share Transactions (continued):

    

Cost of shares redeemed:

    

Class A

   $ (70,209,949   $ (90,242,074

Class C

     (17,670,338     (8,627,762

Institutional Class

     (24,104,373     (24,653,789
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (111,984,660     (123,523,625
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

     554,739       (9,098,565
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets

     (17,355,190     (24,332,778

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of year

     563,367,907       587,700,685  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 546,012,717     $ 563,367,907  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions in excess of net investment income

   $ (240,388   $ (215,430
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

61


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund

 

     Year ended  
     8/31/18     8/31/17  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,428,417     $ 2,724,683  

Net realized gain

     72,266       272,027  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (2,687,546     (2,617,465
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (186,863     379,245  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

    

Net investment income:

    

Class A

     (1,771,652     (2,003,337

Class C

     (205,693     (241,177

Institutional Class

     (450,722     (480,415

Net realized gain:

    

Class A

     (260,008     (106,466

Class C

     (44,209     (18,615

Institutional Class

     (68,175     (18,418
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (2,800,459     (2,868,428
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares sold:

    

Class A

     4,764,864       2,977,155  

Class C

     670,790       1,326,646  

Institutional Class

     5,446,733       11,040,900  

Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

    

Class A

     1,731,184       1,808,316  

Class C

     237,000       247,603  

Institutional Class

     499,540       468,456  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     13,350,111       17,869,076  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

62


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Year ended  
     8/31/18     8/31/17  

Capital Share Transactions (continued):

    

Cost of shares redeemed:

    

Class A

   $ (14,067,022   $ (13,609,683

Class C

     (3,881,824     (2,669,175

Institutional Class

     (12,720,892     (5,221,186
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (30,669,738     (21,500,044
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

     (17,319,627     (3,630,968
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets

     (20,306,949     (6,120,151

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of year

     99,618,958       105,739,109  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 79,312,009     $ 99,618,958  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions in excess of net investment income

   $ (4,190   $ (786
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

63


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

     Year ended  
     8/31/18     8/31/17  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 5,142,414     $ 5,269,932  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (71,151     809,652  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (3,485,137     (5,379,286
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     1,586,126       700,298  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

    

Net investment income:

    

Class A

     (2,914,141     (3,365,896

Class C

     (667,362     (788,348

Institutional Class

     (1,591,025     (1,142,511
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (5,172,528     (5,296,755
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares sold:

    

Class A

     16,270,537       11,398,520  

Class C

     3,339,629       2,597,707  

Institutional Class

     24,537,706       32,544,758  

Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

    

Class A

     2,338,287       2,697,626  

Class C

     598,928       681,425  

Institutional Class

     1,536,871       1,029,137  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     48,621,958       50,949,173  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

64


Table of Contents
  

 

 

     Year ended  
     8/31/18     8/31/17  

Capital Share Transactions (continued):

    

Cost of shares redeemed:

    

Class A

   $ (16,152,757   $ (33,747,538

Class C

     (13,869,963     (5,963,054

Institutional Class

     (16,399,941     (19,247,512
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (46,422,661     (58,958,104
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

     2,199,297       (8,008,931
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets

     (1,387,105     (12,605,388

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of year

     175,519,287       188,124,675  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year (there was no undistributed net investment income at either year end)

   $ 174,132,182     $ 175,519,287  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

65


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund Class A

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

2 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

3 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

66


Table of Contents
  

 

 

 

    Year ended  
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 12.54       $ 12.87       $ 12.60       $ 12.67       $ 11.97  
                 
    0.37         0.38         0.41         0.44         0.45  
    (0.34       (0.32       0.28         (0.06       0.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.03         0.06         0.69         0.38         1.18  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.37       (0.39       (0.42       (0.45       (0.44
    (0.06                               (0.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.43       (0.39       (0.42       (0.45       (0.48
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 12.14       $ 12.54       $ 12.87       $ 12.60       $ 12.67  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.26%         0.49%         5.52%         3.02%         10.03%  
                 
  $ 390,477       $ 423,497       $ 481,066       $ 479,275       $ 503,072  
    0.85%         0.85%         0.85%         0.87%         0.90%  
    0.94%         0.95%         0.95%         0.96%         0.95%  
    2.99%         3.08%         3.25%         3.51%         3.61%  
    2.90%         2.98%         3.15%         3.42%         3.56%  
      16%           17%           15%           11%           10%  

 

67


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund Class C

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

2 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

3 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

68


Table of Contents
  

 

 

 

    Year ended  
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 12.58       $ 12.91       $ 12.64       $ 12.71       $ 12.01  
                 
    0.28         0.29         0.32         0.35         0.35  
    (0.34       (0.33       0.27         (0.07       0.74  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.06       (0.04       0.59         0.28         1.09  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.28       (0.29       (0.32       (0.35       (0.35
    (0.06                               (0.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.34       (0.29       (0.32       (0.35       (0.39
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 12.18       $ 12.58       $ 12.91       $ 12.64       $ 12.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.49%)         (0.25%)         4.73%         2.25%         9.19%  
                 
  $ 35,642       $ 51,045       $ 53,502       $ 45,393       $ 41,612  
    1.60%         1.60%         1.60%         1.62%         1.65%  
    1.69%         1.70%         1.70%         1.71%         1.70%  
    2.24%         2.33%         2.50%         2.76%         2.86%  
    2.15%         2.23%         2.40%         2.67%         2.81%  
      16%           17%           15%           11%           10%  

 

69


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund Institutional Class

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income2

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return3

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived4

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

Date of commencement of operations; ratios have been annualized and total return has not been annualized.

2 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

4 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

5 

Portfolio turnover is representative of the Fund for the entire year.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

70


Table of Contents
  

 

 

    Year ended         12/31/131
to
 
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 12.54       $ 12.87       $ 12.59       $ 12.66       $ 12.07  
                 
    0.40         0.41         0.45         0.48         0.34  
    (0.34       (0.32       0.28         (0.07       0.59  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.06         0.09         0.73         0.41         0.93  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.40       (0.42       (0.45       (0.48       (0.34
    (0.06                                
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.46       (0.42       (0.45       (0.48       (0.34
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 12.14       $ 12.54       $ 12.87       $ 12.59       $ 12.66  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.51%         0.75%         5.87%         3.27%         7.74%  
                 
  $ 119,894       $ 88,826       $ 53,133       $ 32,084       $ 17,533  
    0.60%         0.60%         0.60%         0.62%         0.65%  
    0.69%         0.70%         0.70%         0.71%         0.70%  
    3.24%         3.33%         3.50%         3.76%         3.84%  
    3.15%         3.23%         3.40%         3.67%         3.79%  
      16%           17%           15%           11%           10%5  

 

71


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund Class A

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

2 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects waivers by the manager and/or distributor. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.

3 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

72


Table of Contents
  

 

 

 

    Year ended  
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 11.17       $ 11.44       $ 11.22       $ 11.32       $ 10.84  
                 
    0.30         0.31         0.33         0.34         0.34  
    (0.31       (0.25       0.22         (0.10       0.49  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.01       0.06         0.55         0.24         0.83  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.30       (0.31       (0.33       (0.34       (0.34
    (0.04       (0.02                       (0.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.34       (0.33       (0.33       (0.34       (0.35
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.82       $ 11.17       $ 11.44       $ 11.22       $ 11.32  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.01%)         0.55%         4.98%         2.12%         7.79%  
                 
  $ 59,284       $ 68,934       $ 79,730       $ 84,663       $ 90,571  
    0.79%         0.84%         0.84%         0.85%         0.84%  
    1.00%         0.99%         0.97%         0.98%         0.98%  
    2.77%         2.79%         2.92%         2.98%         3.08%  
    2.56%         2.64%         2.79%         2.85%         2.94%  
      17%           22%           14%           14%           14%  

 

73


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund Class C

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

2 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

3 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

74


Table of Contents
  

 

 

 

    Year ended  
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 11.19       $ 11.47       $ 11.24       $ 11.35       $ 10.86  
                 
    0.21         0.22         0.24         0.24         0.25  
    (0.31       (0.26       0.23         (0.11       0.50  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.10       (0.04       0.47         0.13         0.75  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.21       (0.22       (0.24       (0.24       (0.25
    (0.04       (0.02                       (0.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.25       (0.24       (0.24       (0.24       (0.26
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.84       $ 11.19       $ 11.47       $ 11.24       $ 11.35  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.86%)         (0.39%)         4.17%         1.16%         6.96%  
                 
  $ 8,558       $ 11,885       $ 13,315       $ 11,740       $ 12,651  
    1.64%         1.69%         1.69%         1.70%         1.69%  
    1.75%         1.74%         1.72%         1.73%         1.73%  
    1.92%         1.94%         2.07%         2.13%         2.23%  
    1.81%         1.89%         2.04%         2.10%         2.19%  
      17%           22%           14%           14%           14%  

 

75


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund Institutional Class

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income2

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return3

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived4

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

Date of commencement of operations; ratios have been annualized and total return has not been annualized.

2 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

4 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

5 

Portfolio turnover is representative of the Fund for the entire year.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

76


Table of Contents
  

 

 

 

    Year ended         12/31/131
to
 
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 11.17       $ 11.45       $ 11.22       $ 11.33       $ 10.95  
                 
    0.32         0.33         0.35         0.35         0.26  
    (0.30       (0.26       0.23         (0.11       0.38  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.02         0.07         0.58         0.24         0.64  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.32       (0.33       (0.35       (0.35       (0.26
    (0.04       (0.02                        
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.36       (0.35       (0.35       (0.35       (0.26
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.83       $ 11.17       $ 11.45       $ 11.22       $ 11.33  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.23%         0.61%         5.22%         2.18%         5.85%  
                 
  $ 11,470       $ 18,800       $ 12,694       $ 4,402       $ 2,376  
    0.64%         0.69%         0.69%         0.70%         0.69%  
    0.75%         0.74%         0.72%         0.73%         0.73%  
    2.92%         2.94%         3.07%         3.13%         3.21%  
    2.81%         2.89%         3.04%         3.10%         3.17%  
      17%           22%           14%           14%           14%5  

 

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Financial highlights

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

2 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

3 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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    Year ended  
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 10.88       $ 11.13       $ 10.84       $ 10.88       $ 10.25  
                 
    0.32         0.33         0.36         0.38         0.40  
    (0.22       (0.25       0.29         (0.04       0.63  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.10         0.08         0.65         0.34         1.03  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.32)         (0.33       (0.36       (0.38       (0.40
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.32)         (0.33       (0.36       (0.38       (0.40
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.66       $ 10.88       $ 11.13       $ 10.84       $ 10.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.95%         0.84%         6.12%         3.20%         10.25%  
                 
  $ 98,980       $ 98,491       $ 121,168       $ 122,618       $ 119,044  
    0.89%         0.89%         0.89%         0.91%         0.89%  
    0.99%         0.99%         0.98%         1.01%         0.99%  
    2.98%         3.08%         3.23%         3.52%         3.82%  
    2.88%         2.98%         3.14%         3.42%         3.72%  
      14%           19%           15%           16%           15%  

 

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Financial highlights

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class C

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

2 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

3 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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    Year ended  
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 10.90       $ 11.15       $ 10.87       $ 10.90       $ 10.27  
                 
    0.24         0.25         0.27         0.30         0.33  
    (0.22       (0.25       0.29         (0.03       0.62  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.02                 0.56         0.27         0.95  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.24       (0.25       (0.28       (0.30       (0.32
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.24       (0.25       (0.28       (0.30       (0.32
  $ 10.68       $ 10.90       $ 11.15       $ 10.87       $ 10.90  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.19%         0.09%         5.22%         2.53%         9.41%  
                 
  $ 21,651       $ 32,223       $ 35,751       $ 32,174       $ 32,279  
    1.64%         1.64%         1.64%         1.66%         1.64%  
    1.74%         1.74%         1.73%         1.76%         1.74%  
    2.23%         2.33%         2.48%         2.77%         3.07%  
    2.13%         2.23%         2.39%         2.67%         2.97%  
      14%           19%           15%           16%           15%  

 

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Financial highlights

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund Institutional Class

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

  

Net investment income2

  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

  

Total from investment operations

  

Less dividends and distributions from:

  

Net investment income

  

Total dividends and distributions

  

Net asset value, end of period.

  

Total return3

  

Ratios and supplemental data:

  

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4

  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived4

  

Portfolio turnover

  

 

 

 

1 

Date of commencement of operations; ratios have been annualized and total return has not been annualized.

2 

The average shares outstanding have been applied for per share information.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total investment return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

4 

Expenses paid indirectly were not material and had no impact on the ratios disclosed. Expenses paid indirectly for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 are reflected on the “Statements of operations.”

5 

Portfolio turnover is representative of the Fund for the entire year.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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    Year ended         12/31/131
to
 
     8/31/18          8/31/17          8/31/16          8/31/15          8/31/14  
  $ 10.87       $ 11.12       $ 10.84       $ 10.88       $ 10.35  
                 
    0.35         0.36         0.38         0.41         0.31  
    (0.21       (0.25       0.29         (0.04       0.53  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    0.14         0.11         0.67         0.37         0.84  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    (0.35       (0.36       (0.39       (0.41       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.35       (0.36       (0.39       (0.41       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.66       $ 10.87       $ 11.12       $ 10.84       $ 10.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    1.30%         1.09%         6.28%         3.46%         8.21%  
                 
  $ 53,501       $ 44,805       $ 31,206       $ 14,841       $ 6,470  
    0.64%         0.64%         0.64%         0.66%         0.64%  
    0.74%         0.74%         0.73%         0.76%         0.74%  
    3.23%         3.33%         3.48%         3.77%         4.04%  
    3.13%         3.23%         3.39%         3.67%         3.94%  
      14%           19%           15%           16%           15%5  

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds      August 31, 2018  

Voyageur Mutual Funds is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers five series: Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, Delaware National High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, Delaware Tax-Free California Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Idaho Fund, and Delaware Tax-Free New York Fund. Voyageur Tax-Free Funds is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund. Voyageur Intermediate Tax-Free Funds is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund. Voyageur Mutual Funds, Voyageur Tax-Free Funds, and Voyageur Intermediate Tax-Free Funds are each referred to as a Trust, or collectively, as the Trusts. These financial statements and the related notes pertain to Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund (each a Fund, or collectively, the Funds). Each Fund is an open-end investment company. The Funds are considered diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), and offer Class A, Class C, and Institutional Class shares. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.50% for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, and 2.75% for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund. Class A share purchases of $1,000,000 or more will incur a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) instead of a front-end sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed during the first year, and 0.50% during the second year for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, and 0.75% for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, if redeemed within the first year, provided that Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP) paid a financial advisor a commission on the purchase of those shares. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1.00%, which will be incurred if redeemed during the first 12 months. Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors.

The investment objective of Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund is to seek as high a level of current income exempt from federal income tax and from Minnesota state personal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

The investment objective of Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund is to seek to provide investors with preservation of capital and, secondarily, current income exempt from federal income tax and Minnesota state personal income taxes, by maintaining a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity of 10 years or less.

The investment objective of Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund is to seek a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax and from Minnesota state personal income taxes, primarily through investment in medium- and lower-grade municipal obligations.

1. Significant Accounting Policies

The following accounting policies are in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and are consistently followed by the Funds. Each Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies.

Security Valuation — Debt securities are valued based upon valuations provided by an independent pricing service or broker and reviewed by management. To the extent current market prices are not available, the pricing service may take into account developments related to the specific security, as well

 

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as transactions in comparable securities. Valuations for fixed income securities utilize matrix systems, which reflect such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, and ratings, and are supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations. Generally, other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under the direction of each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each, a Board, or collectively, the Boards). In determining whether market quotations are readily available or fair valuation will be used, various factors will be taken into consideration, such as market closures or suspension of trading in a security. Restricted securities are valued at fair value using methods approved by the Boards.

Federal Income Taxes — No provision for federal income taxes has been made as each Fund intends to continue to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to shareholders. Each Fund evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing each Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed each Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on each Fund’s federal income tax returns through the year ended Aug. 31, 2018 and for all open tax years (years ended Aug. 31, 2015–Aug. 31, 2017), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in each Fund’s financial statements. If applicable, each Fund recognizes interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in other expenses on the “Statements of operations.” During the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, the Funds did not incur any interest or tax penalties.

Class Accounting — Investment income and common expenses are allocated to the various classes of each Fund on the basis of “settled shares” of each class in relation to the net assets of each Fund. Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments are allocated to the various classes of each Fund on the basis of daily net assets of each class. Distribution expenses relating to a specific class are charged directly to that class.

Use of Estimates — Each Fund is an investment company, whose financial statements are prepared in conformity with US GAAP. Therefore, each Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidelines for investment companies. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Other — Expenses directly attributable to a Fund are charged directly to that Fund. Other expenses common to various funds within the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie (Delaware Funds) are generally allocated among such funds on the basis of average net assets. Management fees and certain other expenses are paid monthly. Security transactions are recorded on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date) for financial reporting purposes. Costs used in calculating realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are accreted or amortized to interest income, respectively, over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Each

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

 

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fund declares dividends daily from net investment income and pays the dividends monthly and declares and pays distributions from net realized gain on investments, if any, annually. Each Fund may distribute more frequently, if necessary for tax purposes. Dividends and distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Each Fund receives earnings credits from its custodian when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset custody fees. The expenses paid under this arrangement is included on the “Statements of operations” under “Custodian fees” with the corresponding expense offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.” For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, each Fund earned the following amounts under this arrangement:

 

          Delaware Tax-Free    Delaware Minnesota
     Delaware Tax-Free    Minnesota    High-Yield Municipal
     Minnesota Fund    Intermediate Fund    Bond Fund
   $2,524    $849    $791

Each Fund receives earnings credits from its transfer agent when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset transfer agent fees. If the amount earned is greater than $1, the expense paid under this arrangement is included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses” with the corresponding expense offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.” For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, each Fund earned the following amounts under this arrangement:

 

          Delaware Tax-Free    Delaware Minnesota
     Delaware Tax-Free    Minnesota    High-Yield Municipal
     Minnesota Fund    Intermediate Fund    Bond Fund
   $474    $87    $171

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates

In accordance with the terms of its respective investment management agreement, each Fund pays Delaware Management Company (DMC), a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust and the investment manager, an annual fee which is calculated daily and paid monthly based on each Fund’s average daily net assets as follows:

 

     Delaware
Tax-Free
Minnesota Fund
  Delaware Tax-Free
Minnesota
Intermediate Fund
  Delaware Minnesota
High-Yield Municipal
Bond Fund

On the first $500 million

   0.550%   0.500%   0.550%

On the next $500 million

   0.500%   0.475%   0.500%

On the next $1.5 billion

   0.450%   0.450%   0.450%

In excess of $2.5 billion

   0.425%   0.425%   0.425%

DMC has contractually agreed to waive that portion, if any, of its management fees and/or pay/reimburse each Fund to the extent necessary to ensure that total annual operating expenses (excluding any distribution and service (12b-1) fees, taxes, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses, inverse floater program expenses, short sale, dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain

 

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insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations), do not exceed the following percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets from Sept. 1, 2017 through Aug. 31, 2018.* These waivers and reimbursements apply only to expenses paid directly by each Fund and may only be terminated by agreement of DMC and each Fund. The waivers and reimbursements are accrued daily and received monthly.

 

     Delaware   Delaware Tax-Free   Delaware Minnesota
     Tax-Free   Minnesota   High-Yield Municipal
     Minnesota Fund   Intermediate Fund   Bond Fund

Operating expense limitation as a percentage of average daily net assets
(April 1, 2018 through Aug. 31, 2018)

   0.60%   0.56%   0.64%

Operating expense limitation as a percentage of average daily net assets
(Sept. 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018)

   0.60%   0.69%   0.64%

Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (DIFSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administration oversight services to each Fund. For these services, DIFSC’s fees were calculated daily and paid monthly based on the aggregate daily net assets of all funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rate: 0.00475% of the first $35 billion; 0.0040% of the next $10 billion; and 0.0025% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $45 billion (Total Fee). Each Fund in the Delaware Funds pays a minimum of $4,000, which, in aggregate, is subtracted from the Total Fee. Each Fund then pays its portion of the remainder of the Total Fee on a relative net asset value (NAV) basis. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Accounting and administration expenses.” For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, the Funds were charged for these services as follows:

 

     Delaware    Delaware Tax-Free    Delaware Minnesota
     Tax-Free    Minnesota    High-Yield Municipal
     Minnesota Fund    Intermediate Fund    Bond Fund
   $24,797    $7,402    $10,648

DIFSC is also the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Funds. For these services, DIFSC’s fees were calculated daily and paid monthly based on the aggregate daily net assets of the retail funds within the Delaware Funds from Sep. 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 at the following annual rate: 0.025% of the first $20 billion; 0.020% of the next $5 billion; 0.015% of the next $5 billion; and 0.013% of average daily net assets in excess of $30 billion. Effective July 1, 2018, each Fund as well as the other Delaware Funds entered into an amendment to the DIFSC agreement. Under the amendment to the DIFSC agreement, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly based on the aggregate daily net assets of the retail funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rate: 0.014% of the first

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

 

 

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

$20 billion; 0.011% of the next $5 billion; 0.007% of the next $5 billion; 0.005% of the next $20 billion; and 0.0025% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 billion. The fees payable to DIFSC under the transfer agent agreement described above are allocated among all retail funds in the Delaware Funds on a relative NAV basis. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, each Fund was charged for these services as follows:

 

     Delaware    Delaware Tax-Free    Delaware Minnesota
     Tax-Free    Minnesota    High-Yield Municipal
     Minnesota Fund    Intermediate Fund    Bond Fund
   $107,114    $17,525    $34,239

Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DIFSC and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYMIS), BNYMIS provides certain sub-transfer agency services to each Fund. Sub-transfer agency fees are paid by each Fund and are also included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.”

Pursuant to a distribution agreement and distribution plan, each Fund pays DDLP, the distributor and an affiliate of DMC, an annual 12b-1 fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares. DDLP has contracted to waive Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund’s Class A shares 12b-1 fee to 0.15% of average daily net assets from Sept. 1, 2017 through Aug. 31, 2018.* The fees are calculated daily and paid monthly. Institutional Class shares pay no 12b-1 fees.

As provided in the investment management agreement, each Fund bears a portion of the cost of certain resources shared with DMC, including the cost of internal personnel of DMC and/or its affiliates that provide legal, tax, and regulatory reporting services to each Fund. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Legal fees.” For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, each Fund was charged for internal legal, tax, and regulatory reporting services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees as follows:

 

     Delaware    Delaware Tax-Free    Delaware Minnesota
     Tax-Free    Minnesota    High-Yield Municipal
     Minnesota Fund    Intermediate Fund    Bond Fund
   $11,574    $2,481    $3,411

For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, DDLP earned commissions on sales of Class A shares for each Fund as follows:

 

     Delaware    Delaware Tax-Free    Delaware Minnesota
     Tax-Free    Minnesota    High-Yield Municipal
     Minnesota Fund    Intermediate Fund    Bond Fund
   $21,136    $3,346    $13,796

 

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For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, DDLP received gross CDSC commissions on redemptions of each Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, respectively, and these commissions were entirely used to offset upfront commissions previously paid by DDLP to broker/dealers on sales of those shares. The amounts received were as follows:

 

     Delaware    Delaware Tax-Free    Delaware Minnesota
     Tax-Free    Minnesota    High-Yield Municipal
    

Minnesota Fund

   Intermediate Fund    Bond Fund

Class A

   $4,334     $—    $—

Class C

   3,430    327    453

Trustees’ fees include expenses accrued by each Fund for each Trustee’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC, DIFSC, and DDLP are officers and/or Trustees of the Trusts. These officers and Trustees are paid no compensation by the Funds.

Cross trades for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, were executed by each Fund pursuant to procedures adopted by the Boards designed to ensure compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds of investment companies, or between a fund of an investment company and another entity, that are or could be considered affiliates by virtue of having a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common directors/trustees and/or common officers. At their regularly scheduled meetings, the Boards review such transactions for compliance with the procedures adopted by the Boards. Pursuant to these procedures, for the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, the Funds engaged in the following Rule 17a-7 securities purchases and securities sales, which resulted in net realized losses as follows:

 

     Delaware     Delaware Tax-Free     Delaware Minnesota  
     Tax-Free     Minnesota     High-Yield Municipal  
     Minnesota Fund     Intermediate Fund     Bond Fund  

Purchases

   $ 34,894,482       $14,285,119       $15,814,911  

Sales

     37,503,810       18,050,246       18,070,781  

Net realized losses

     (397,426     (123,817     (150,486

 

*For Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund, the aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from Dec. 29, 2016 through Dec. 29, 2018. For Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, the aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from Dec. 29, 2016 through April 1, 2019.

3. Investments

For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, each Fund made purchases and sales of investment securities other than short-term investments as follows:

 

     Delaware      Delaware Tax-Free      Delaware Minnesota  
     Tax-Free      Minnesota      High-Yield Municipal  
     Minnesota Fund      Intermediate Fund      Bond Fund  

Purchases

   $ 91,294,553        $14,661,963        $29,744,168  

Sales

     85,952,472        30,456,962        25,032,722  

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

 

 

3. Investments (continued)

 

The tax cost of investments includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be final tax cost basis adjustments, but approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. At Aug. 31, 2018, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for federal income tax purposes for each Fund were as follows:

 

     Delaware     Delaware Tax-Free     Delaware Minnesota  
     Tax-Free     Minnesota     High-Yield Municipal  
     Minnesota Fund     Intermediate Fund     Bond Fund  

Cost of investments

   $ 536,019,816     $ 78,552,576     $ 174,076,537  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investments

   $ 13,696,242     $ 1,731,925     $ 3,589,638  

Aggregate unrealized depreciation of investments

     (2,521,694     (160,303     (1,553,334
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

   $ 11,174,548     $ 1,571,622     $ 2,036,304  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

US GAAP defines fair value as the price that each Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. A three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements has been established based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. Each Fund’s investment in its entirety is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

Level  1  –

Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. (Examples: equity securities, open-end investment companies, futures contracts, exchange-traded options contracts)

 

Level  2  –

Other observable inputs, including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates), or other market-corroborated inputs. (Examples: debt securities, government securities, swap contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign securities utilizing international fair value pricing, broker-quoted securities, fair valued securities)

 

Level  3  –

Significant unobservable inputs, including each Fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments. (Examples: broker-quoted securities, fair valued securities)

 

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Level 3 investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs. Each Fund may also use an income-based valuation approach in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Valuations may also be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity, and industry. The derived value of a Level 3 investment may not represent the value which is received upon disposition and this could impact the results of operations.

The following tables summarize the valuation of each Fund’s investments by fair value hierarchy levels as of Aug. 31, 2018:

 

     Delaware
Tax-Free
Minnesota Fund
    

Level 2

Securities

    

Assets:

    

Municipal Bonds

     $ 540,379,364

Short-Term Investments

       6,815,000
    

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities

     $ 547,194,364
    

 

 

 
     Delaware Tax-Free
Minnesota
Intermediate Fund
    

Level 2

Securities

    

Assets:

    

Municipal Bonds

     $ 78,974,198

Short-Term Investments

       1,150,000
    

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities

     $ 80,124,198
    

 

 

 
     Delaware Minnesota
High-Yield Municipal
Bond Fund
    

Level 2

Securities

    

Assets:

    

Municipal Bonds

     $ 173,537,841

Short-Term Investments

       2,575,000
    

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities

     $ 176,112,841
    

 

 

 

During the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, there were no transfers between Level 1 investments, Level 2 investments, or Level 3 investments that had a significant impact to each Fund. Each Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels based on fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

 

 

3. Investments (continued)

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when each Fund has a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning, interim, or end of the period in relation to net assets. During the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments.

4. Dividend and Distribution Information

Income and long-term capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Additionally, distributions from net short-term gains on sales of investment securities are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended Aug. 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

 

     Delaware      Delaware Tax-Free      Delaware Minnesota  
     Tax-Free      Minnesota      High-Yield Municipal  
     Minnesota Fund      Intermediate Fund      Bond Fund  

Year ended 8/31/18

        

Ordinary income

   $ 24,273      $      $ 30,002  

Tax-exempt income

     16,367,225        2,431,471        5,142,526  

Long-term capital gains

     2,768,366        368,988         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 19,159,864      $ 2,800,459      $ 5,172,528  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended 8/31/17

        

Ordinary income

   $ 86,993      $      $ 29,439  

Tax-exempt income

     17,073,618        2,724,929        5,267,316  

Long-term capital gains

            143,499         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 17,160,611      $ 2,868,428      $ 5,296,755  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis

As of Aug. 31, 2018, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Delaware     Delaware Tax-Free     Delaware Minnesota  
     Tax-Free     Minnesota     High-Yield Municipal  
     Minnesota Fund     Intermediate Fund     Bond Fund  

Shares of beneficial interest

   $ 535,249,687     $ 77,847,870     $ 172,916,359  

Undistributed tax-exempt income

     153,830       51,469       125,937  

Qualified late year loss deferrals

     (171,130     (103,293      

Capital loss carryforwards

                 (820,481

Distributions payable

     (394,218     (55,659     (125,937

Unrealized appreciation of investments

     11,174,548       1,571,622       2,036,304  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 546,012,717     $ 79,312,009     $ 174,132,182  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The differences between book basis and tax basis components of net assets are primarily attributable to tax treatment of market discount and premium on debt instruments and tax deferral of losses due to wash sales, if applicable.

Qualified late year capital losses represent losses realized from Nov. 1, 2017 through Aug. 31, 2018, that in accordance with federal income tax regulations, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund have elected to defer and treat as having arisen in the following fiscal year.

For financial reporting purposes, capital accounts are adjusted to reflect the tax character of permanent book/tax differences. Reclassifications are primarily due to tax treatment of market discount and premium on certain debt instruments, redesignation of distributions, and expiration of capital loss carryforwards. Results of operations and net assets were not affected by these reclassifications.

For the year ended Aug. 31, 2018, each Fund recorded the following reclassifications:

 

     Delaware     Delaware Tax-Free     Delaware Minnesota  
     Tax-Free     Minnesota     High-Yield Municipal  
     Minnesota Fund     Intermediate Fund     Bond Fund  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

   $ (39,877   $ (3,754   $ 30,114  

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

     39,877       3,754       2,944,398  

Paid-in capital

                 (2,974,512

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

 

 

5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis (continued)

 

For federal income tax purposes, capital loss carryforwards may be carried forward and applied against future capital gains. At Aug. 31, 2018, $2,974,512 of capital loss carryforwards expired for Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (Act), net capital losses recognized for tax years beginning after Dec. 22, 2010 may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses. At Aug. 31, 2018, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund and Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

At Aug. 31, 2018, capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains for Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund were as follows:

 

    

No expiration
Post-enactment capital loss character

    
    

Short-term

  

Long-term

  

Total

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

     $ 820,481      $      $ 820,481

 

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6. Capital Shares

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

                 Delaware Tax-Free     Delaware Minnesota  
     Delaware Tax-Free     Minnesota     High-Yield Municipal  
     Minnesota Fund     Intermediate Fund     Bond Fund  
    

 

Year ended

 

   

 

Year ended

 

   

 

Year ended

 

 
     8/31/18     8/31/17     8/31/18     8/31/17     8/31/18     8/31/17  

Shares sold:

            

Class A

     3,125,082       2,747,811       436,654       269,504       1,521,905       1,060,326  

Class C

     213,991       517,770       61,309       119,496       310,619       241,813  

Institutional Class

     4,490,186       4,787,117       499,420       1,004,436       2,291,763       3,027,526  

Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

 

Class A

     996,278       917,146       158,251       163,261       218,090       250,746  

Class C

     96,954       88,474       21,615       22,320       55,726       63,226  

Institutional Class

     267,851       158,787       45,617       42,296       143,414       95,656  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     9,190,342       9,217,105       1,222,866       1,621,313       4,541,517       4,739,293  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares redeemed:

            

Class A

     (5,728,359     (7,273,577     (1,288,814     (1,227,248     (1,510,584     (3,146,683

Class C

     (1,441,859     (692,757     (355,611     (240,858     (1,296,104     (555,354

Institutional Class

     (1,965,838     (1,991,890     (1,168,219     (472,778     (1,535,704     (1,808,540
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (9,136,056     (9,958,224     (2,812,644     (1,940,884     (4,342,392     (5,510,577
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     54,286       (741,119     (1,589,778     (319,571     199,125       (771,284
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

 

 

6. Capital Shares (continued)

 

Certain shareholders may exchange shares of one class for shares of another class in the same Fund. These exchange transactions are included as subscriptions and redemptions in the tables on the previous page and on the “Statements of changes in net assets.” For the years ended Aug. 31, 2018 and 2017, the Funds had the following exchange transactions:

 

     Year ended
8/31/18
 
    

Exchange

Redemptions

    

Exchange

Subscriptions

        
     Class A
Shares
     Class C
Shares
     Class A
Shares
     Institutional
Class
Shares
     Value  

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

     179,677        324,507        282,986        222,704      $ 6,195,653  

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund

     24,209        52,010        43,368        33,036        833,306  

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

     47,282        241,837        232,144        57,805        3,092,167  

 

     Year ended
8/31/17
 
     Exchange Redemptions      Exchange
Subscriptions
        
     Class A
Shares
     Class C
Shares
     Institutional
Class
Shares
     Class A
Shares
     Institutional
Class
Shares
     Value  

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

     1,100,450        32,124        3,022        6,248        1,131,525      $ 14,020,023  

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund

     181,773        2,496                      184,436        2,027,196  

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

     723,695        16,753                      742,303        7,897,713  

7. Line of Credit

Each Fund, along with certain other funds in the Delaware Funds (Participants), was a participant in a $155,000,000 revolving line of credit intended to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to fund redemptions of investor shares. Under the agreement, the Participants were charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which was generally allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The Participants were permitted to borrow up to a maximum of one-third of their net assets under the agreement. Each Participant was individually, and not jointly, liable for its particular advances, if any, under the line of credit. The line of credit available under the agreement expired on Nov. 6, 2017.

 

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On Nov. 6, 2017, each Fund, along with the other Participants, entered into an amendment to the agreement for a $155,000,000 revolving line of credit. The line of credit is to be used as described above and operates in substantially the same manner as the original agreement. The line of credit available under the agreement expires on Nov. 5, 2018.

The Funds had no amounts outstanding as of Aug. 31, 2018, or at any time during the year then ended.

8. Geographic, Credit, and Market Risks

The Funds concentrate their investments in securities issued by municipalities, mainly in Minnesota, and may be subject to geographic concentration risk. In addition, the Funds have the flexibility to invest in issuers in US territories and possessions such as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam, whose bonds are also free of federal and individual state income taxes.

The value of the Funds’ investments may be adversely affected by new legislation within the US state or territories, regional or local economic conditions, and differing levels of supply and demand for municipal bonds. Many municipalities insure repayment for their obligations. Although bond insurance reduces the risk of loss due to default by an issuer, such bonds remain subject to the risk that value may fluctuate for other reasons, and there is no certainty that the insurance company will meet its obligations. A real or perceived decline in creditworthiness of a bond insurer can have an adverse impact on the value of insured bonds held in each Fund. At Aug. 31, 2018, the percentages of each Fund’s net assets insured by bond insurers are listed below, and these securities have been identified in the “Schedules of investments.”

 

     Delaware   Delaware Tax-Free   Delaware Minnesota
     Tax-Free   Minnesota   High-Yield Municipal
     Minnesota Fund   Intermediate Fund   Bond Fund

Assured Guaranty Corporation

       4.71 %       4.21 %       1.00 %

Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

       0.96 %       1.45 %       1.48 %

National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation

       0.77 %            
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
       6.44 %       5.66 %       2.48 %
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Each Fund invests a portion of its assets in high yield fixed income securities, which are securities rated lower than BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (S&P), lower than Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service Inc. (Moody’s), or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Investments in these higher yielding securities are generally accompanied by a greater degree of credit risk than higher rated securities. Additionally, lower rated securities may be more susceptible to adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities.

When interest rates rise, fixed income securities (i.e., debt obligations) generally will decline in value. These declines in value are greater for fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations.

Each Fund invests in certain obligations that may have liquidity protection designed to ensure that the receipt of payments due on the underlying security is timely. Such protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies, or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor through third parties,

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

 

 

 

8. Geographic, Credit, and Market Risks (continued)

 

through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. Each Fund will not pay any additional fees for such credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

Each Fund may invest in advance refunded bonds, escrow secured bonds, or defeased bonds. Under current federal tax laws and regulations, state and local government borrowers are permitted to refinance outstanding bonds by issuing new bonds. The issuer refinances the outstanding debt to either reduce interest costs or to remove or alter restrictive covenants imposed by the bonds being refinanced. A refunding transaction where the municipal securities are being refunded within 90 days from the issuance of the refunding issue is known as a “current refunding.” Advance refunded bonds are bonds in which the refunded bond issue remains outstanding for more than 90 days following the issuance of the refunding issue. In an advance refunding, the issuer will use the proceeds of a new bond issue to purchase high grade interest bearing debt securities, which are then deposited in an irrevocable escrow account held by an escrow agent to secure all future payments of principal and interest and bond premium of the advance refunded bond. Bonds are “escrowed to maturity” when the proceeds of the refunding issue are deposited in an escrow account for investment sufficient to pay all of the principal and interest on the original interest payment and maturity dates.

Bonds are considered “pre-refunded” when the refunding issue’s proceeds are escrowed only until a permitted call date or dates on the refunded issue with the refunded issue being redeemed at the time, including any required premium. Bonds become “defeased” when the rights and interests of the bondholders and of their lien on the pledged revenues or other security under the terms of the bond contract are substituted with an alternative source of revenues (the escrow securities) sufficient to meet payments of principal and interest to maturity or to the first call dates. Escrowed secured bonds will often receive a rating of AAA from Moody’s, S&P, and/or Fitch Ratings due to the strong credit quality of the escrow securities and the irrevocable nature of the escrow deposit agreement.

Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may include securities with contractual restrictions on resale, securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other securities which may not be readily marketable. The relative illiquidity of these securities may impair each Fund from disposing of them in a timely manner and at a fair price when it is necessary or desirable to do so. While maintaining oversight, each Board has delegated to DMC, the day-to-day functions of determining whether individual securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, which are determined to be liquid, are not subject to each Fund’s 15% limit on investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A securities have been identified on the “Schedules of investments.” Restricted securities are valued pursuant to the security valuation procedures described in Note 1.

9. Contractual Obligations

Each Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, each

 

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Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed each Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2017-08, Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. The ASU 2017-08 does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after Dec. 15, 2018. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of these changes on the financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2018-13, which changes certain fair value measurement disclosure requirements. The ASU 2018-13, in addition to other modifications and additions, removes the requirement to disclose the amount and reason for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for the timing of transfers between levels and the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after Dec. 15, 2019. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of these changes on the financial statements.

11. Subsequent Events

On Sept. 6, 2018, the credit facility that each Fund participates in was reduced from $155,000,000 to a $130,000,000 revolving line of credit. This line of credit will expire on Nov. 5, 2018.

Management has determined that no other material events or transactions occurred subsequent to Aug. 31, 2018, that would require recognition or disclosure in the Funds’ financial statements.

 

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Report of independent registered

public accounting firm

To the Board of Trustees of Voyageur Tax-Free Funds, Voyageur Intermediate Tax-Free Funds and Voyageur Mutual Funds and Shareholders of Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (constituting Voyageur Tax-Free Funds), Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund (constituting Voyageur Intermediate Tax-Free Funds) and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund (one of the funds constituting Voyageur Mutual Funds) (hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2018, the related statements of operations for the year ended August 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2018, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2018 and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 17, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Delaware Funds® by Macquarie since 2010.

 

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Other Fund information (Unaudited)

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

Tax Information

The information set forth below is for each Fund’s fiscal year as required by federal income tax laws. Shareholders, however, must report distributions on a calendar year basis for income tax purposes, which may include distributions for portions of two fiscal years of the Funds. Accordingly, the information needed by shareholders for income tax purposes will be sent to them in January of each year. Please consult your tax advisor for proper treatment of this information.

All disclosures are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly are subject to change. For any and all items requiring reporting, it is the intention of the Funds to report the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.

For the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2018, each Fund reports distributions paid during the year as follows:

 

     (A)   (B)   (C)    
    

 

Ordinary

 

 

Tax-Exempt

 

 

Long-Term

   
     Income   Income   Capital Gain   Total
             Distributions                   Distributions                   Distributions                   Distributions        
     (Tax Basis)   (Tax Basis)   (Tax Basis)   (Tax Basis)

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund

       0.13 %       85.42 %       14.45 %       100.00 %

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund

             86.82 %       13.18 %       100.00 %

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

       0.58 %       99.42 %             100.00 %

(A), (B) and (C) are based on a percentage of each Fund’s total distributions.

Board consideration of advisory agreements for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund

At a meeting held on Aug. 15-16, 2018 (the “Annual Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of disinterested or independent Trustees, approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”). In making its decision, the Board considered information furnished at regular quarterly Board meetings, including reports detailing Fund performance, investment strategies, and expenses, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with the renewal of the investment advisory contracts. Information furnished specifically in connection with the renewal of the Investment Management Agreement with Delaware Management Company (“DMC”), a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (“MIMBT”) included materials provided by DMC and its affiliates (collectively, “Macquarie Investment Management”) concerning, among other things, the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Funds; the costs of such services to the Funds; economies of scale; and the investment manager’s financial condition and profitability. In addition, in connection with

 

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Other Fund information (Unaudited)

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

Board consideration of advisory agreements for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund (continued)

the Annual Meeting, materials were provided to the Trustees in May 2018, including reports provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions (“Broadridge”). The Broadridge reports compared each Fund’s investment performance and expenses with those of other comparable mutual funds. The Independent Trustees reviewed and discussed the Broadridge reports with independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition to the information noted above, the Board also requested and received information regarding DMC’s policy with respect to advisory fee levels and its breakpoint philosophy; the structure of portfolio manager compensation; comparative client fee information; and any constraints or limitations on the availability of securities for certain investment styles, which had in the past year inhibited, or which were likely in the future to inhibit, the investment manager’s ability to invest fully in accordance with Fund policies.

In considering information relating to the approval of each Fund’s advisory agreement, the Independent Trustees received assistance and advice from and met separately with independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees and also from an experienced and knowledgeable independent fund consultant, JDL Consultants, LLC (“JDL”). Although the Board gave attention to all information furnished, the following discussion identifies, under separate headings, the primary factors taken into account by the Board during its contract renewal considerations.

Nature, extent, and quality of service. The Board considered the services provided by DMC to the Funds and their shareholders. In reviewing the nature, extent, and quality of services, the Board considered reports furnished to it throughout the year, which covered matters such as the relative performance of the Funds; compliance of portfolio managers with the investment policies, strategies, and restrictions for the Funds; compliance by DMC and Delaware Distributors, L.P. (together, “Management”) personnel with the Code of Ethics adopted throughout the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie (“Delaware Funds”); and adherence to fair value pricing procedures as established by the Board. The Board was pleased with the current staffing of DMC and the emphasis placed on research in the investment process. The Board recognized DMC’s receipt of certain favorable industry distinctions during the past several years. The Board gave favorable consideration to DMC’s efforts to control expenses while maintaining service levels committed to Fund matters. The Board also noted the benefits provided to Fund shareholders (a) through each shareholder’s ability to: (i) exchange an investment in one Delaware Fund for the same class of shares in another Delaware Fund without a sales charge, or (ii) to reinvest Fund dividends into additional shares of the Fund or into additional shares of other Delaware Funds, and (b) the privilege to combine holdings in other Delaware Funds to obtain a reduced sales charge. The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent, and quality of the overall services provided by DMC.

Investment performance. The Board placed significant emphasis on the investment performance of the Funds in view of the importance of investment performance to shareholders. Although the Board considered performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at Investment Committee meetings throughout the year, the Board gave particular weight to the Broadridge reports furnished for the Annual Meeting. The Broadridge reports prepared for each Fund showed the investment performance of its Class A shares in comparison to a group of similar funds as selected by Broadridge

 

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(the “Performance Universe”). A fund with the best performance ranked first, and a fund with the poorest performance ranked last. The highest/best performing 25% of funds in the Performance Universe make up the first quartile; the next 25%, the second quartile; the next 25%, the third quartile; and the poorest/worst performing 25% of funds in the Performance Universe make up the fourth quartile. Comparative annualized performance for each Fund was shown for the past 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods, to the extent applicable, ended Jan. 31, 2018. The Board’s objective is that each Fund’s performance for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods be at or above the median of its Performance Universe.

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all retail and institutional Minnesota municipal debt funds as selected by Broadridge. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Board was satisfied with performance.

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all retail and institutional “other states” intermediate municipal debt funds as selected by Broadridge. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. The Board was satisfied with performance.

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund – Broadridge currently classifies the Fund as a Minnesota municipal debt fund. However, Management believes that it is more appropriate to include the Fund in the high yield municipal debt funds category, to provide a comparison to a representative peer group based on credit quality instead of a peer group based on state of issuance. Accordingly, the Broadridge report prepared for the Fund compares the Fund’s performance to two separate Performance Universes – one consisting of the Fund and all retail and institutional Minnesota municipal debt funds and the other consisting of the Fund and all retail and institutional high yield municipal debt funds. When compared to other Minnesota municipal debt funds, the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. When compared to other high yield municipal debt funds, the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe and the Fund’s total return for the 10-year period was in the third quartile of its Performance Universe. The Board observed that, when compared to Minnesota municipal debt funds, the Fund’s performance was in line with the Board’s objective; however, when compared to high yield municipal debt funds, the Fund’s performance results were not in line with the Board’s objective. In evaluating the Fund’s performance, the Board considered the numerous investment and performance reports and other information delivered by Management personnel to the Board’s Investments Committee. The Board was satisfied that Management was taking action to improve comparative Fund performance and to meet the Board’s performance objective.

Comparative expenses. The Board considered expense data for the Delaware Funds. Management provided the Board with information on pricing levels and fee structures for each Fund as of its most recently completed fiscal year. The Board also focused on the comparative analysis of effective management fees and total expense ratios of each Fund versus effective management fees and total expense ratios of a group of similar funds as selected by Broadridge (the “Expense Group”). In reviewing comparative costs, each Fund’s contractual management fee and the actual management fee incurred

 

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Table of Contents

Other Fund information (Unaudited)

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Minnesota municipal bond funds

Board consideration of advisory agreements for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund (continued)

by the Fund were compared with the contractual management fees (assuming all funds in the Expense Group were similar in size to the Fund) and actual management fees (as reported by each fund) within the Expense Group, taking into account any applicable breakpoints and fee waivers. Each Fund’s total expenses were also compared with those of its Expense Group. The Broadridge total expenses, for comparative consistency, were shown by Broadridge for Class A shares and comparative total expenses including 12b-1 and non-12b-1 service fees. The Board’s objective is for each Fund’s total expense ratio to be competitive with those of the peer funds within its Expense Group.

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was in the quartile with the second lowest expenses of its Expense Group and its total expenses were in the quartile with the highest expenses of its Expense Group. The Board gave favorable consideration to the Fund’s management fee, but noted that the Fund’s total expenses were not in line with the Board’s objective. In evaluating the total expenses, the Board considered waivers in place through December 2018 and various initiatives implemented by Management, such as the negotiation of lower fees for fund accounting and fund accounting oversight services, which had created an opportunity for a further reduction in expenses. The Board was satisfied with Management’s efforts to improve the Fund’s total expense ratio and to bring it in line with the Board’s objective.

Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee and total expenses were in the quartile with the second highest expenses of its Expense Group. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee and total expenses were not in line with the Board’s objective. In evaluating the total expenses, the Board considered waivers in place through December 2018 and various initiatives implemented by Management, such as the negotiation of lower fees for fund accounting, fund accounting oversight services, and custody, which had created an opportunity for a further reduction in expenses. The Board was satisfied with Management’s efforts to improve the Fund’s total expense ratio and to bring it in line with the Board’s objective.

Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund – When compared to other Minnesota municipal debt funds, the expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was in the quartile with the second highest expenses in its Expense Group and its total expenses were in the quartile with the highest expenses of the Expense Group. When compared to high yield municipal debt funds, the expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was in the quartile with the second lowest expenses of its Expense Group and its total expenses were in the quartile with the highest expenses of the Expense. The Board noted that the Fund’s total expenses were not in line with the Board’s objective. In evaluating the total expenses, the Board considered fee waivers in place through December 2018 and various initiatives implemented by Management, such as the negotiation of lower fees for fund accounting, fund accounting oversight services, and custody, which had created an opportunity for a further reduction in expenses. The Board was satisfied with Management’s efforts to improve the Fund’s total expense ratio and to bring it in line with the Board’s objective.

Management profitability. The Board considered the level of profits realized by DMC in connection with the operation of the Funds. In this respect, the Board reviewed the Investment Management Profitability

 

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Analysis that addressed the overall profitability of DMC’s business in providing management and other services to each of the individual funds and the Delaware Funds as a whole. Specific attention was given to the methodology used by DMC in allocating costs for the purpose of determining profitability. Management stated that the level of profits of DMC, to a certain extent, reflects recent operational cost savings and efficiencies initiated by DMC. The Board considered DMC’s efforts to improve services provided to Fund shareholders and to meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from recent industry-wide Securities and Exchange Commission initiatives. The Board also considered the extent to which DMC might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including the potential for procuring additional business as a result of the prestige and visibility associated with its role as service provider to the Delaware Funds and the benefits from allocation of fund brokerage to improve trading efficiencies. As part of its work, the Board also reviewed a report prepared by JDL regarding MIMBT profitability as compared to certain peer fund complexes and the Independent Trustees met with JDL personnel to discuss DMC’s profitability in such context. The Board found that the management fees were reasonable in light of the services rendered and the level of profitability of DMC.

Economies of scale. The Trustees considered whether economies of scale are realized by DMC as each Fund’s assets increase and the extent to which any economies of scale are reflected in the level of management fees charged. The Trustees reviewed the Funds’ advisory fee pricing and structure, approved by the Board and shareholders, which includes breakpoints, and which applies to most funds in the Delaware Funds complex. Breakpoints in the advisory fee occur when the advisory fee rate is reduced on assets in excess of specified levels. Breakpoints result in a lower advisory fee than would otherwise be the case in the absence of breakpoints, when the asset levels specified in the breakpoints are exceeded. The Board noted that, as of March 31, 2018, assets of Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund exceeded the first breakpoint level. The Board believed that, given the extent to which economies of scale might be realized by DMC and its affiliates, the schedule of fees under the Investment Management Agreement provides a sharing of benefits with the Fund and its shareholders. Although, as of March 31, 2018, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund had not reached a size at which they could take advantage of any breakpoints in the applicable fee schedule, the Board recognized that each Fund’s fee was structured so that if the Fund increases sufficiently in size, then economies of scale may be shared.

 

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Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

A mutual fund is governed by a Board of Trustees/Directors (“Trustees”), which has oversight responsibility for the management of a fund’s business affairs. Trustees establish procedures and oversee and review the performance of the investment manager, the distributor, and others who perform services for the fund. The independent fund trustees, in particular, are advocates

 

Name, Address,

and Birth Date

  

Position(s)

Held with Fund(s)

  

Length of

Time Served

 

Interested Trustee

 

     

Shawn K. Lytle1, 2

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

February 1970

  

President,

Chief Executive Officer,

and Trustee

  

Trustee since

September 2015

 

President and

Chief Executive Officer

since August 2015

 

 

Independent Trustees

 

     

Thomas L. Bennett

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

October 1947

   Chair and Trustee   

Trustee since

March 2005

 

Chair since

March 2015

 

Ann D. Borowiec

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

November 1958

 

   Trustee    Since March 2015

Joseph W. Chow

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

January 1953

 

 

   Trustee    Since January 2013

 

1 

Shawn K. Lytle is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he is an executive officer of the Fund’s(s’) investment advisor.

2 

Shawn K. Lytle, David F. Connor, Daniel V. Geatens, and Richard Salus serve in similar capacities for the six portfolios of the Optimum Fund Trust, which have the same investment advisor, principal underwriter, and transfer agent as the registrant. Mr. Geatens also serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund Inc., which has an affiliated investment manager.

 

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for shareholder interests. Each trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was elected to or appointed to the Board of Trustees, and will continue to serve until his or her retirement or the election of a new trustee in his or her place. The following is a list of the Trustees and Officers with certain background and related information.

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past Five Years

  

Number of Portfolios in

Fund Complex Overseen

by Trustee or Officer

  

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee or Officer

     

President — Macquarie

Investment Management3

(June 2015–Present)

 

Regional Head of

Americas — UBS Global

Asset Management

(April 2010–May 2015)

   59   

Trustee — UBS

Relationship Funds,

SMA Relationship

Trust, and UBS Funds

(May 2010–April 2015)

     

Private Investor

(March 2004–Present)

   59   

None

 

Chief Executive Officer,

Private Wealth Management

(2011–2013) and

Market Manager,

New Jersey Private

Bank (2005–2011) —

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   59   

Director —

Banco Santander International (October 2016–Present)

 

Director —

Santander Bank, N.A.

(December 2016–Present)

 

Private Investor

(April 2011–Present)

   59   

Director and Audit Committee

Member — Hercules

Technology Growth

Capital, Inc.

(July 2004–July 2014)

 

 

  3 

Macquarie Investment Management is the marketing name for Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Fund’s(s’) investment advisor, principal underwriter, and its transfer agent.

 

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Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,

and Birth Date

  

Position(s)

Held with Fund(s)

  

Length of

Time Served

 

Independent Trustees (continued)

 

     

John A. Fry

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

May 1960

 

   Trustee    Since January 2001

Lucinda S. Landreth

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

June 1947

 

   Trustee    Since March 2005

Frances A. Sevilla-Sacasa

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

January 1956

 

   Trustee    Since September 2011

 

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Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past Five Years

  

Number of Portfolios in

Fund Complex Overseen

by Trustee or Officer

  

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee or Officer

     

President —

Drexel University

(August 2010–Present)

 

President —

Franklin & Marshall College

(July 2002–July 2010)

   59   

Director; Compensation

Committee and

Governance Committee

Member — Community

Health Systems

 

Director — Drexel

Morgan & Co.

 

Director; Audit Committee

Member — vTv

Therapeutics LLC

 

Director; Audit Committee

Member — FS Credit Real

Estate Income Trust, Inc.

Private Investor

(2004–Present)

 

   59    None

Private Investor

(January 2017–Present)

 

Chief Executive Officer —

Banco Itaú

International

(April 2012–December 2016)

 

Executive Advisor to Dean

(August 2011–March 2012)

and Interim Dean

(January 2011–July 2011) —

University of Miami School of

Business Administration

 

   59   

Trust Manager and

Audit Committee

Chair — Camden

Property Trust

(August 2011–Present)

 

Director —

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

(March 2018–Present)

President — U.S. Trust,

Bank of America Private

Wealth Management

(Private Banking)

(July 2007–December 2008)

 

         

 

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Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,

and Birth Date

  

Position(s)

Held with Fund(s)

  

Length of

Time Served

 

Independent Trustees (continued)

 

     

Thomas K. Whitford

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

March 1956

 

   Trustee    Since January 2013

Janet L. Yeomans

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

July 1948

 

   Trustee    Since April 1999

 

Officers

 

     

David F. Connor

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

December 1963

  

Senior Vice President,

General Counsel,

and Secretary

  

Senior Vice President

since May 2013;

General Counsel

since May 2015;

Secretary since

October 2005

 

Daniel V. Geatens

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

October 1972

 

  

Vice President

and Treasurer

  

Vice President and

Treasurer since October 2007

Richard Salus

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

October 1963

 

  

Senior Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

since November 2006

The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund(s) includes additional information about the Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800 523-1918.

 

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Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past Five Years

 

Number of Portfolios in

Fund Complex Overseen

by Trustee or Officer

 

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee or Officer

   

Vice Chairman

(2010–April 2013) —

PNC Financial

Services Group

  59  

Director — HSBC Finance

Corporation and HSBC

North America Holdings Inc.

(December 2013–Present)

 

Director —

HSBC USA Inc.

(July 2014–March 2017)

Vice President and Treasurer

(January 2006–July 2012),

Vice President —

Mergers & Acquisitions

(January 2003–January 2006),

and Vice President

and Treasurer

(July 1995–January 2003) —

3M Company

  59  

Director (2009–2017);

Personnel and Compensation

Committee Chair; Member of

Nominating, Investments, and

Audit Committees for various

periods throughout

directorship —

Okabena Company

   

David F. Connor has served

in various capacities at

different times at

Macquarie Investment

Management.

 

  59   None2

Daniel V. Geatens has served

in various capacities at

different times at

Macquarie Investment

Management.

 

  59   None2

Richard Salus has served

in various executive capacities

at different times at

Macquarie Investment

Management.

 

  59   None2

 

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Table of Contents

About the organization

 

Board of trustees         

Shawn K. Lytle

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Delaware Funds®

by Macquarie

Philadelphia, PA

 

Thomas L. Bennett

Chairman of the Board

Delaware Funds

by Macquarie

Private Investor

Rosemont, PA

  

Ann D. Borowiec

Former Chief Executive

Officer

Private Wealth Management

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

New York, NY

 

Joseph W. Chow

Former Executive Vice

President

State Street Corporation

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

  

John A. Fry

President

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

 

Lucinda S. Landreth

Former Chief Investment

Officer

Assurant, Inc.

New York, NY

   Frances A.

Sevilla-Sacasa

Former Chief Executive

Officer

Banco Itaú International

Miami, FL

 

Thomas K. Whitford

Former Vice Chairman

PNC Financial Services Group

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Janet L. Yeomans

Former Vice President and
Treasurer

3M Company

St. Paul, MN

 

Affiliated officers         
David F. Connor    Daniel V. Geatens    Richard Salus   
Senior Vice President,    Vice President and    Senior Vice President and   
General Counsel,    Treasurer    Chief Financial Officer   
and Secretary    Delaware Funds    Delaware Funds   
Delaware Funds    by Macquarie    by Macquarie   

by Macquarie

Philadelphia, PA

   Philadelphia, PA    Philadelphia, PA   

This annual report is for the information of Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund, Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund, and Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund shareholders, but it may be used with prospective investors when preceded or accompanied by the Delaware Fund fact sheet for the most recently completed calendar quarter. These documents are available at delawarefunds.com/literature.

 

 

Each Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Each Fund’s Forms N-Q, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities are available without charge (i) upon request, by calling 800 523-1918; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. In addition, a description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities and the Schedules of Investments included in the Funds’ most recent Forms N-Q are available without charge on the Funds’ website at delawarefunds.com/literature. Each Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800 SEC-0330.

Information (if any) regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Funds’ website at delawarefunds.com/proxy; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

 

112


Item 2. Code of Ethics

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. A copy of the registrant’s Code of Business Ethics has been posted on the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Internet Web site at www.delawarefunds.com. Any amendments to the Code of Business Ethics, and information on any waiver from its provisions granted by the registrant, will also be posted on this Web site within five business days of such amendment or waiver and will remain on the Web site for at least 12 months.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant’s Board of Trustees/Directors has determined that certain members of the registrant’s Audit Committee are audit committee financial experts, as defined below. For purposes of this item, an “audit committee financial expert” is a person who has the following attributes:

a. An understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;

b. The ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves;

c. Experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrant’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;

d. An understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and

e. An understanding of audit committee functions.

An “audit committee financial expert” shall have acquired such attributes through:

a. Education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, or auditor or experience in one or more positions that involve the performance of similar functions;

b. Experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, auditor, or person performing similar functions;

c. Experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing, or evaluation of financial statements; or

d. Other relevant experience.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees/Directors has also determined that each member of the registrant’s Audit Committee is independent. In order to be “independent” for purposes of this item, the Audit Committee member may not: (i) other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Board of Trustees/Directors or any committee thereof, accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the issuer; or (ii) be an “interested person” of the registrant as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.


The names of the audit committee financial experts on the registrant’s Audit Committee are set forth below:

Joseph W. Chow
John A. Fry
Lucinda S. Landreth
Thomas K. Whitford
Janet L. Yeomans

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

(a) Audit fees.

The aggregate fees billed for services provided to the registrant by its independent auditors for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $38,500 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018.

The aggregate fees billed for services provided to the registrant by its independent auditors for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $38,500 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.

(b) Audit-related fees.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $640,000 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These audit-related services were as follows: year end audit procedures, group reporting and subsidiary statutory audits.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $640,000 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2017. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These audit-related services were as follows: year end audit procedures, group reporting and subsidiary statutory audits.


(c) Tax fees.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant were $4,584 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These tax-related services were as follows: review of income tax returns and review of annual excise distribution calculations.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant were $4,727 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These tax-related services were as follows: review of income tax returns and review of annual excise distribution calculations.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2017. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.

(d) All other fees.

The aggregate fees billed for all services provided by the independent auditors to the registrant other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018.

The aggregate fees billed for all services other than those set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Item provided by the registrant’s independent auditors to the registrant’s adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.

The aggregate fees billed for all services provided by the independent auditors to the registrant other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.


The aggregate fees billed for all services other than those set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Item provided by the registrant’s independent auditors to the registrant’s adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2017. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.

(e) The registrant’s Audit Committee has established pre-approval policies and procedures as permitted by Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(B) of Regulation S-X (the “Pre-Approval Policy”) with respect to services provided by the registrant’s independent auditors. Pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the services set forth in the table below with respect to the registrant up to the specified fee limits. Certain fee limits are based on aggregate fees to the registrant and other registrants within the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie.

Service Range of Fees
Audit Services
Statutory audits or financial audits for new Funds up to $40,000 per Fund
Services associated with SEC registration statements (e.g., Form N-1A, Form N-14, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., comfort letters for closed-end Fund offerings, consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters up to $10,000 per Fund
Consultations by Fund management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be considered “audit-related services” rather than “audit services”) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
Audit-Related Services
Consultations by Fund management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and /or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be considered “audit services” rather than “audit-related services”) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
Tax Services
U.S. federal, state and local and international tax planning and advice (e.g., consulting on statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, evaluation of Funds’ tax compliance function, etc.) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
U.S. federal, state and local tax compliance (e.g., excise distribution reviews, etc.) up to $5,000 per Fund
Review of federal, state, local and international income, franchise and other tax returns up to $5,000 per Fund


Under the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has also pre-approved the services set forth in the table below with respect to the registrant’s investment adviser and other entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provide ongoing services to the registrant (the “Control Affiliates”) up to the specified fee limit. This fee limit is based on aggregate fees to the investment adviser and its Control Affiliates.

Service Range of Fees
Non-Audit Services
Services associated with periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters up to $10,000 in the aggregate

The Pre-Approval Policy requires the registrant’s independent auditors to report to the Audit Committee at each of its regular meetings regarding all services initiated since the last such report was rendered, including those services authorized by the Pre-Approval Policy.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services rendered to the registrant and to its investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser were $11,748,000 and $11,180,000 for the registrant’s fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and August 31, 2017, respectively.

(h) In connection with its selection of the independent auditors, the registrant’s Audit Committee has considered the independent auditors’ provision of non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser that were not required to be pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X. The Audit Committee has determined that the independent auditors’ provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments

(a) Included as part of report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

(b) Divestment of securities in accordance with Section 13(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.


Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing of this report and have concluded that they are effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant in its reports or statements filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by the report to stockholders included herein (i.e., the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits

(a) (1) Code of Ethics

Not applicable.

(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

(3) Written solicitations to purchase securities pursuant to Rule 23c-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Not applicable.

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf, by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

VOYAGEUR TAX FREE FUNDS

SHAWN K. LYTLE
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:   November 6, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

SHAWN K. LYTLE
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:   November 6, 2018
 
RICHARD SALUS
By: Richard Salus
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
Date:   November 6, 2018