(Monday, March 17, 2008)  The City of West Palm Beach’s Construction Services Department has become the first such municipal department in the state of Florida, and only the fifth in the nation, to receive a prestigious honor from an industry group.

The Construction Services Department has earned the Building Department Accreditation awarded by the International Accreditation Services (IAS).  The accreditation certifies that the Construction Services Department is operating effectively, maintaining high standards and doing business in an ethical, legal and professional manner.

“This honor recognizes the West Palm Beach Construction Services Department as one of the best building departments in the country,” said Director Neil Melick.  “The accreditation proves we are following all building guidelines for protecting public safety in our City.”

In order to get the accreditation, the department voluntarily submitted to intense scrutiny by the IAS, an independent, third-party agency.  The evaluation covered policies, procedures, processes, information systems and management practices.  An IAS team visited the department, interviewing personnel and representatives from the local construction industry.

The IAS is a non-profit public-benefit corporation that has been a recognized accreditation body since 1975 and is recognized as one of the leading accreditation bodies in the United States.  The IAS is a subsidiary of the International Code Council.