The City of Bellevue has reached another milestone in its efforts to promote professional excellence and ensure delivery of high quality services to the community.

On Tuesday, Jan. 22, the City Council recognized the Transportation Department for becoming a fully accredited agency by the American Public Works Association (APWA). Additionally, the Utilities Department earned reaccreditation, after receiving full accreditation in 2004.

The APWA is dedicated to promoting professional excellence, competency and credibility in public works organizations, which must conform to a set of recommended best practices.

"I'm extremely proud of the staff in Transportation and Utilities departments for their hard work in achieving, and maintaining the APWA accreditation," said City Manager Steve Sarkozy. "This recognition by an outside organization is important because it tells residents their tax dollars are paying for high quality services."

The accreditation effort for each department lasted more than a year. During that time staff members documented and improved 408 business practices for evaluation by APWA. In November 2007, a four-person evaluation team visited the departments and compared each practice to internationally recognized best practices.

Both departments received a 100 percent compliant rating. Furthermore, the APWA accreditation team recognized 13 "model practices," identifying them as top practices for all of North America.

Bellevue Utilities was the 13th agency in the U.S. and Canada to earn its original accreditation in 2004. The Transportation Department is the 47th accredited agency.

The Transportation and Utilities departments are two of several city departments to be accredited by nationally recognized, professional organizations. Previously, the Police and Police Communications Center, Fire and Parks departments gained the distinction.

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