06/12/2026
The City of Topeka Public Works and Utilities departments have recently received full accreditation by the American Public Works Association (APWA) for the 6th time. This accreditation formally verifies and recognizes that both departments are in full ompliance with the recommended management practices set forth in APWA’s Public Works Management Practices Manual.
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, and in providing a valid and objective evaluation of agency programs as a service to the public and the profession. This process provides an important opportunity to evaluate policies, procedures, and operations against nationally recognized best practices.
“Earning APWA accreditation for the sixth time is an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of our Public Works and Utilities teams,” said Deputy City Manager Braxton Copley. “I want to commend Public Works Director Jason Tryon and Utilities Director Sylvia Davis for their leadership in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within their
departments. Most importantly, this achievement belongs to the employees who work tirelessly to deliver essential services to all of us who live in Topeka.”
The Public Works and Utilities departments first earned this recognition in 2005. Topeka is one of seven accredited agencies in Kansas. 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 which builds on the original accreditation, encouraging continuous improvement and compliance with newly identified practices. APWA accreditation is open to all governmental agencies with responsibilities for public works functions.