Celebrated across the nation and throughout Georgia, National Public Works Week celebrates public works services provided in the community that are an integral part of residents’ everyday lives. Public works provides, maintains, and improves the structures and services that assure a higher quality of life for the community. 

Within the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGOV), the Central Services, Public Utilities, Solid Waste, Transit, and Transportation & Public Works departments provide public works services to Athens-Clarke County. 

This year’s National Public Works Week takes place May 19-25. On Wednesday, May 22, employees from these departments will be recognized as finalists for the 2019 Public Works Employee of the Year at a special luncheon. One of the finalists will then be named the 2019 Public Works Employee of the Year for their exceptional work in providing public works services to the community. For the second year in a row, the Solid Waste Department is coordinating waste reduction efforts for the luncheon with the goal of making it a zero waste event.

In preparation for Public Works Week, several departments took part in the Rolling Truck Tour on May 13-15 to showcase some of the vehicles and operators who are part of public works to area students. In three days, the tour brought five trucks to eight public and private schools and visited with 103 classes to see approximately 1,635 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The Rolling Truck Tour will make an additional visit to a school on Monday, May 20 during Public Works Week.

Public works includes systems, facilities, and programs such as: water; sewer; stormwater; public buildings; public transportation; solid waste collection; and street and alternative transportation infrastructure. The health, safety, and comfort of Athens-Clarke County residents and visitors greatly depends on the provision and upkeep of these facilities and services, while the quality and effectiveness of these facilities and services – including their planning, design, and construction – are vitally dependent upon the efforts and skill of public works employees.

National Public Works Week began in 1960 as part of an initiative by the American Public Works Association to highlight the importance of public works within community life. The theme of National Public Works Week for 2019 is "It Starts Here."