Subject:
Title
Application and Accreditation Agreement for reaccreditation with the American Public Works Association, Accreditation Council.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the Public Works Director of the Application for reaccreditation and approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Accreditation Agreement with the American Public Works Association (APWA), Accreditation Council.
• Department of Public Works was accredited by APWA in April of 2018.
• Reaccreditation is for four years from date of accreditation with renewals every four years thereafter.
• Reaccreditation acknowledges Department in compliance with best available, nationally recognized management practices and recognized as a premiere, best-managed professional Public Works Department in America.
• County Administrator to also sign Statement of Support letter attached.
Cost of reaccreditation is $10,375.00; Agreement term is four years from date of execution, with renewals every four years thereafter. Body
Strategic Plan:
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
5.4 Strive to exceed customer expectations
Summary:
Approval of the Accreditation Agreement provides opportunity for the Public Works 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 $10,375.00.
Background/Explanation:
The County Public Works Department was accredited by the APWA in March 2018. The Department must undergo reaccreditation to maintain certification. Achieving reaccreditation by the APWA provides acknowledgment 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 manner 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, private sector 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 for the reaccreditation is $10,375.00. The reaccreditation process is virtual, therefore travel expenses were not incurred. Funding is available in the Public Works, Customer Service Division operating budget for Fiscal Year 2022 and funded through the following fund source allocations: General Fund (17%), Transportation Trust Fund (54%), and Surface Water Fund (29%).
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
American Public Works Association
Attachments:
Application and Accreditation Agreement
Statement of Support Letter
Existing Accreditation Agreement