TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Application for Voluntary Re-Accreditation and the Accreditation Agreement between the City of North Port and the Accreditation Council of the American Public Works Association (APWA).
Recommended Action
Option 1: Authorize the City Manager to execute the Application for Voluntary Re-Accreditation and the Accreditation Agreement between the City of North Port and the Accreditation Council of the American Public Works Association (APWA).
City Commission Options
Option 1: Authorize the City Manager to execute the Application for Voluntary Re-Accreditation and the Accreditation Agreement between the City of North Port and the Accreditation Council of the American Public Works Association (APWA).
• Pros: Maintains the City’s internationally recognized accreditation status, reinforces a culture of continuous improvement, strengthens operational performance,documentation practices, and supports accountability and risk reduction.
• Cons: Staff has not identified any foreseeable consequence for the voluntary re-accreditation.
Option 2: Deny authorization for the City Manager to execute the Application for Voluntary Re-Accreditation and the Accreditation Agreement between the City of North Port and the Accreditation Council of the American Public Works Association (APWA).
• Pros: Staff has not identified any foreseeable benefit to deny the voluntary re-accreditation.
• Cons: Without American Public Works Association (APWA) accreditation, the City may appear less committed to recognized industry standards and professional excellence, making it less attractive to highly qualified candidates seeking reputable and career advancing employers across Public Works and other Departments.
Background Information
On May 23, 2014, the Department of Public Works became the 91st APWA accredited agency and the 8th in Florida to receive full accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA).
Since 2014, the Department of Public Works has continuously reviewed and updated practices developed as part of the re-accreditation process. The re-accreditation received by the Department of Public Works in May 2022 expires in May 2026. Therefore, the Department of Public Works requests approval to move forward with voluntary re-accreditation. The application cost for re-accreditation is $6,525.00.
The following are the five stages of the re-accreditation process:
1. Application:
The Department of Public Works will submit an application for Voluntary Re-Accreditation and a fee in the amount of $6,525.00 (budgeted in account number 107-5000-541.31-00)
2. Self-Assessment:
The Department of Public Works performs a a comprehensive internal review of its practices using the criteria contained in the APWA Public Works Management Practices Manual ( 10th Edition) to evaluate compliance with established best practices.
3. Improvements:
Using the results of the self-assessment, the Department of Public Works makes improvements identified in the process.
4. Evaluation:
In May 2026, an APWA review team will conduct a virtual site visit to examine documentation, verify compliance, and interview staff. The team will submit a final report to the APWA Accreditation Council for their consideration.
5. Re-Accreditation:
Upon review and confirmation of compliance, the Accreditation Council may award re-accreditation for a four-year period.
Some of the benefits the City of North Port Department of Public Works will continue to receive from APWA Re-Accreditation are as follows:
Ø Established agency wide culture of continuous improvement
Ø Improved operational performance and efficiency
Ø Enhances team development and succestion planning
Ø Centralized documentation and standardized operating procedures
Ø Increased efficiencies/reduced duplication and wasted resources
Ø Improved internal and external communication
Ø Support for budget justification
Ø Potential reduction in organizational liability
The Application for Voluntary Re-Accreditation and the Accreditation Agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office and is legally correct as to form.
The Application and Accreditation Agreement was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on February 13, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan
Good Governance
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $6,525.00 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026 Road and Drainage District Budget, account number 107-5000-541.31-00.
Procurement
The American Public Works Association Re-Accreditation will be procured pursuant to Chapter 2 - Administration, Article VIII - Procurement, Section 2-403(a)(2) of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, which provides an exemption for procurement contracts between the City and nonprofit organizations, other governments, or other public entities.
The internal procurement form will be completed following an approval from the City Commission.
American Public Works Association
1200 Main Street
Suite 1400
Kansas City, MO 64105
Attachments:
1. Application for Voluntary Re-Accreditation
2. Re-Accreditation Agreement
3. Florida Division of Corporations Document
Prepared by: Chelsea Buell, Administrative Services Specialist
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Public Works Director