Public Works Department prepares for crucial reaccreditation review next week

The City of Fort Myers Building & Zoning Oversight Committee convened on February 27, 2025, to discuss ongoing projects and updates within the city's public works and community development sectors. The meeting began with Nicole Setzer, representing the engineering and public works department, providing an overview of the department's reaccreditation process, which occurs every four years.

Setzer noted that the reaccreditation, originally scheduled for September 2024, was postponed due to the impact of hurricanes and is now set to be reviewed next week. The reaccreditation process involves a thorough evaluation of over 400 practices related to public works and city operations, with a focus on continuous improvement rather than a simple pass/fail outcome. Setzer emphasized the importance of this process as a means of self-driven accountability and third-party oversight, allowing the department to assess its progress and identify areas for enhancement.

The discussion highlighted significant changes within the department since the last reaccreditation, including new management and the division of the department into three separate entities. Setzer mentioned the implementation of Procore, a project management software, which has transformed operational procedures. She expressed optimism about the upcoming review, noting that it provides an opportunity to showcase the department's evolution and improvements over the past four years.

Committee members expressed appreciation for the efforts involved in the reaccreditation process and acknowledged the collaborative nature of the work, which includes contributions from various city departments such as legal, HR, and finance. Setzer confirmed that feedback from the reaccreditation team would be valuable, as they provide insights and suggestions based on their extensive experience in the field.

Following Setzer's update, Beth Stark, the program and fiscal manager for community development, was introduced to present on permit revenues. The meeting concluded with a commitment to share the results of the reaccreditation review in the following month, underscoring the city's dedication to maintaining high standards in public works and community development.