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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">September 3, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: John Ogan
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Public Works
<br />City of Columbia
<br />John.Ogan@CoMo.gov
<br />573.239.1837</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City of Columbia Public Works, Utilities, Economic Development and Community Development departments achieve American Public Works Association accreditation for the seventh time</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - The City of Columbia departments of Public Works, Utilities, Economic Development and Community Development have recently received full accreditation by the American Public Works Association (APWA) for the seventh time. This accreditation formally verifies and recognizes that the agency is in full compliance with the recommended management practices set forth in APWA's Public Works Management Practices Manual.<br /><br />Open to all governmental agencies with responsibilities for public works functions, initial accreditation from APWA is for a four-year period, during which time semi-annual updates will be required to demonstrate continuing compliance. After that time, there is a re-accreditation process that builds on the original accreditation, encouraging continuous improvement and compliance with newly identified practices.<br /><br />The purpose of accreditation is to promote excellence in the
operation and management of a public works agency, its programs and employees. Accreditation is designed to assist the agency in continuous improvement of operations and management. It also works to provide a valid and objective evaluation of agency programs as a service to the public and the profession.<br /><br />"These four departments have dedicated themselves to continuous improvement and excellence, and I believe this accreditation highlights staff's commitment to going above and beyond in providing services and programs that our residents desire and deserve," says City Manager De'Carlon Seewood. <br /><br />APWA's accreditation process includes five major steps:<br /><br />
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<li><strong>Self-Assessment:</strong> Using the Public Works Management Practices Manual, an internal review of an agency's practices combined with a comparison of the recommended practices contained in the manual.</li>
<li><strong>Application:</strong> Once the decision has been made to commit to the accreditation program, the agency submits a formal application.</li>
<li><strong>Improvement:</strong> After the agency has completed the self-assessment and identified areas needing improvement, the agency will work to bring all practices into an acceptable level of compliance with the recommended practices.</li>
<li><strong>Evaluation:</strong> Following the completion of the improvement phase, the agency will request a site visit. The site visit will consist of a review and evaluation of the agency to determine the level of compliance with all applicable practices.</li>
<li><strong>Accreditation:</strong> The Accreditation Council will review the site visit results and recommendation from the team, voting to award or deny accreditation.</li>
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Formally awarded the prestigious accreditation by APWA's Accreditation Council for the seventh time, the City of Columbia Public Works, Utilities, Economic Development and Community Development departments were first awarded APWA Accreditation in 2001. In addition to Columbia, accredited agencies in Missouri include the cities of Belton, Chesterfield, Kansas City, Lee's Summit, Maryland Heights, Raymore and Springfield.<br /><br />For more information about APWA Accreditation, please contact APWA Accreditation Manager Nicole Shoemaker at nshoemaker@apwa.org or 816.595.5294.<br /><br /><strong>About the APWA</strong><br /><br />The American Public Works Association is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 32,000 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 has 63 chapters in North America.</div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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