Subject:
Title
Application and Accreditation Agreement and associated Letter of Support for reaccreditation for the American Public Works Association, Accreditation Council.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Application and Accreditation Agreement and associated Letter of Support for the American Public Works Association (APWA), Accreditation Council.
• Public Works Department (Department) was accredited by APWA in June 2018, then completed its first re-accreditation in June 2022.
• Reaccreditation is for four (4) years from date of accreditation with renewals every four (4) years thereafter.
• Reaccreditation acknowledges Department in compliance with best available, nationally recognized management practices and recognized as a premiere, best-managed professional Department in America.
• Funding of $10,275.00 is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget for Public Works within the General Fund, Surface Water Utility Fund, and County Transportation Trust Fund.
Cost of reaccreditation is $10,275.00; Agreement term is four (4) years from date of execution, with renewals every four (4) years thereafter.
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Strategic Priorities:
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.3 Improve efficiency of service delivery through technology.
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement
Summary:
Approval of the Application and Accreditation Agreement provides opportunity for the Department to become reaccredited by the APWA, following the outcome of a virtual assessment of Department policies and management practices. The Department must undergo reaccreditation every four (4) years to maintain certification. The reaccreditation process involves a virtual review of the Department’s management practices compared to other public works’ management practices, as approved by the APWA. Term of reaccreditation is four (4) years from the date of issuance of the accreditation, with renewals every four (4) years thereafter. Cost related to this reaccreditation is estimated at $10,275.00.
Background/Explanation:
The Department was accredited by the APWA in June 2018 then completed its first re-accreditation in June of 2022. Achieving reaccreditation by the APWA provided acknowledgement that:
1) the Department continues to be recognized as one of the premier, best-managed, professional Public Works Department in North America,
2) the Department’s management practices and policies have been retested against nationally-established practices through an independent review by public works professionals from across the nation,
3) citizens of the County can feel confident that their Public Works Department is committed to continuous improvement in providing responsible stewardship of the County’s infrastructure,
4) the Department is providing services in the most efficient management possible,
5) the Department is in compliance with the best available, nationally-recognized management practices, and
6) ensures the Department is adhering to the most sustainable methods of conducting its operations.
The APWA is an international educational and professional association of public agencies, provide section companies, and individuals dedicated to providing high quality public works goods and services. The APWA has created the Accreditation Council to recognize public works agencies in having policies and practices addressing subject areas as set forth in the Public Works Management Practices Manual.
Fiscal Impact:
The estimated cost of reaccreditation is $10,275.00. The reaccreditation process is virtual, therefore travel expenses were not incurred.
Funding for this agreement is included in the FY 2026 budget for Public Works within the General Fund, Surface Water Utility Fund, and County Transportation Trust Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement and associated Letter of Support is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a) (1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
APWA
Attachments:
Application and Accreditation Agreement
State of Support Letter
Existing Accreditation Agreement