Agency initially accredited in 2003 by American Public Works Association
The Newport News Department of Public Works has recently been awarded its third prestigious American Public Works Association (APWA) Re-Accreditation. The APWA Accreditation program recognizes public works agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices established nationally in the public works industry, as contained in the APWA Public Works Management Practices Manual. The City of Newport News’ Public Works Department received its original APWA Accreditation in April, 2003, was previously re-accredited in 2006 and 2010, and most recently again last month. Newport News’ Public Works Re-Accreditation indicates the department has met all applicable Accreditation documentation and practices over time. “The awarding of the APWA Re-Accreditation shows we have dedicated ourselves to concepts of improvement and in-depth self-assessment of department policies, procedures and practices. The heroes of this prestigious APWA award are the public works staff whose mission is to provide public works services and programs that contribute to making Newport News a great city,” said Public Works Director H. Reed Fowler, Jr. The Newport News Public Works Department’s mission is, “To enhance the quality of life for city residents by providing professional public works services to safely and efficiently manage the infrastructure with which we have been entrusted.” The Public Works department’s divisions include: Administration, which supports the operations divisions; Asset Management, which supports hardware, software, communications and GIS; Building Services, which maintains safe, secure and clean environment for city employees and citizens who use city buildings and facilities; Security Services that ensures a safe and secure environment for people visiting libraries, community and cultural arts centers and those conducting business at city government centers or criminal justice agencies. Other divisions include Solid Waste, providing environmentally responsible collection and disposal of residential waste, and promoting clean community programs and policies; Stormwater, which maintains all components of the stormwater reducing potential for mosquito borne diseases and improves the capacity through effective and timely cleaning; Street Maintenance, which provides responsive and effective management and maintenance of city streets; and Wastewater, which protects public health and the environment through effective and innovative management, operation and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system. For the Newport News’ Public Works Re-Accreditation review, a team of public works professionals from Union Township, OH, Blue Springs, MO and Kansas City, MO, completed a thorough evaluation of operations during their November, 2014 site visit. “It is great to have the Newport News Department of Public Works reach full compliance for the third time with their practices. I commend their continued and renewed commitment to the detailed review of the agency’s policies and procedures to qualify,” said APWA Director of Accreditation Ann Daniels. The City of Newport News Public Works Department was the 11th agency in North America to receive Accreditation and the first in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which also includes Alexandria, Chesapeake, Prince William County, Richmond, Virginia Beach and Smithfield. About APWA The American Public Works Association is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 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 63 chapters in North America.