CHICAGO (Standard&Poor's) Oct. 24, 2005—Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has revised its rating outlook on Polk County, Iowa's outstanding general obligation bonds and general obligation capital loan notes to positive from stable, reflecting the county's intention to implement more sophisticated management practices. The 'AA+' standard long-term and Standard&Poor's underlying rating (SPUR) on the bonds and the 'A+ standard long-term rating on the notes, issued for Polk County Health Services Inc., have been affirmed. The rating also reflects the county's participation in the strong and diverse Des Moines, Iowa metropolitan statistical area economy; economic vitality and growth stemming from considerable public and private investment in substantial capital projects; conservative management policies, which have resulted in consistent trends;
