Public Works
Public Works celebrates 25 years of APWA accreditation
Public Works is proud to announce its seventh American Public Works Association( APWA) reaccreditation, marking a milestone of 25 years of continuous APWA accreditation. The department made history in Florida on July 20, 2001, by becoming the first accredited Public Works agency in the state and the seventh in all of North America.
The APWA Accreditation Program distinguishes agencies that exceed nationally established management practices in the Public Works industry. This prestigious recognition celebrates the dedication and daily efforts of the department’ s staff to uphold the highest standards of service and professionalism.
The original push for accreditation in 2001 was led by Larry Thacker, then director of Public Works, and John Gonzalez, deputy director and accreditation manager. Their goal was to professionalize the department, spotlight best practices and ensure staff accountability. Achieving accreditation not only brought national recognition but also positively impacted the City’ s bond ratings. Port St. Lucie’ s Public Works Department was the first City department to earn accreditation, setting an example for others to pursue similar professional benchmarks.
Since the initial accreditation, the department has voluntarily adhered to APWA’ s rigorous standards, seeking reaccreditation every four years: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and most recently in 2026. The latest reaccreditation was led by Colt Schwerdt, Public Works Director, and Valerie Delgado, accreditation and performance manager, who guided the department to achieve a perfect 100 percent compliance score. The review notably highlighted the City’ s traffic calming policy for its transparent approach and effective blend of engineering analysis and community engagement.
Public Works is storm ready
Public Works ' Drainage Division works diligently throughout the year to maintain swale drainage, rights-of-way, waterways and Cityowned canals. Alongside routine upkeep, the division completes new projects annually to enhance drainage infrastructure and ensure our community is ready for incoming rain events and storms.
When a storm is on the horizon, Public Works springs into action. Teams immediately inspect major drainage structures, grates, outfalls, catch basins and canal crossings across the City. Continuous monitoring of water levels at control structures, those that ultimately release into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, keeps the City prepared for heavy rainfall. Crews remain on standby and on call during significant rain events, staying up-to-date with weather and rainfall information from the South Florida Water Management District. This proactive approach is crucial to minimizing flooding risks and protecting residents.
Looking forward, Public Works remains dedicated to developing innovative, data-driven solutions that will continue to shape Port St. Lucie’ s future and maintain its reputation for excellence in public service.
www. CityofPSL. com / PublicWorks
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