CHICAGO (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 5, 2003—Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has assigned its 'AA+' rating to Polk County, Iowa's $6.805 million GO bonds and GO refunding bonds, series 2003A and 2003B, reflecting the county's participation in the stable and diverse Des Moines, Iowa metropolitan statistical area economy. The bonds are scheduled to sell on Dec. 9. The outlook is stable. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'AA+' standard long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR) on the county's outstanding debt and 'A+' rating on Polk County Health Service's outstanding debt. "The rating also reflects the county's consistently strong financial performance and moderate overall net debt levels," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Helen Samuelson. The stable outlook
