Kansas City, MO. - The City of Arlington, Texas, Department of Public Works and Transportation was recognized recently with a prestigious American Public Works Association (APWA) Accreditation award. Arlington is only the third city in Texas, and the 60th agency in the country, to accomplish this level of public works agency recognition. The presentation of the APWA Accreditation award will be made at the Arlington City Council meeting at City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, on August 3, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

The APWA Accreditation program recognizes public works agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices established nationally in the public works industry. On a daily basis, accredited agencies meet or exceed standards of performance in areas such as water, solid waste management, street/sewer repair and maintenance, engineering, building maintenance, storm water drainage, traffic safety, environmental services, and vehicle maintenance. The agencies that receive APWA Accreditation are recognized for their commitment to processes that promote good government and to policies and procedures that promote effective delivery of projects and services.

Accredited agencies must also conduct a needs assessment to ensure that all critical services have been addressed, set goals for improvement, and accomplish increased productivity and effectiveness through evaluation of programs and services. In addition, they must establish performance measurement systems and standards for all functions, provide opportunities for professional development of the Agency's staff, and must stay knowledgeable about the latest developments in public works operation and maintenance.

"The City of Arlington is to be congratulated on earning this important accreditation," said Ann Daniels, Director of APWA Credentialing. "The staff is to be congratulated as well for their perseverance, hard work and dedication to improving their organization. They proved that an agency with the desire can expend the effort to attain the highest level of achievement," she said.

For the accreditation award, a team of public works professionals from Washington, Kansas, and Missouri completed a thorough evaluation of operations during their June 13-15, 2010 site visit. The Arlington Public Works and Transportation Director Bob Lowry can testify to the amount of work and dedication that went into the APWA Accreditation. "All the department staff have worked very hard over the last three years to review, evaluate, update, and streamline everything we do," said Lowry.

"We are certainly proud to now be among this elite group of APWA accredited agencies," he said.

"It's exciting to complete the detailed review of an agency's policies and procedures, and then recommend them for accreditation," said Ann Daniels, APWA credentialing director. "The City of Arlington's Public Works Department is to be highly commended for their excellent commitment to improving operations and enhancing their internal performance, as well as providing assurance to their community that they meet or exceed national standards."

For more information on the APWA Accreditation, please contact APWA Director of Credentialing Ann Daniels at [email protected]. For media queries, please contact APWA Media Relations Manager, Laura Bynum, at [email protected].

About APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 29,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C. and 64 chapters in North America.