Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AAA' standard long-term rating, and stable outlook, to Polk County, Iowa's series 2008 general obligation (GO) bonds and affirmed its 'AAA' standard long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR), with a stable outlook, on the county's existing GO bonds. In our opinion, the ratings reflect the county's: Participation in the strong and diverse Des Moines metropolitan statistical area (MSA) economy; Continued economic diversification with growth in the financial services, insurance, and health care sector; Very strong fund balances and conservative budgeting practices; and Low debt burden. Polk County forms the base of the Des Moines MSA, which is a growing and diversified regional economic center in central Iowa. A number of firms in the
