To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: PROCLAIM the Week of May 17-23, 2026, as “National Public Works Week” in Contra Costa County
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution proclaiming the week of May 17-23, 2026, as "National Public Works Week" in Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Public Works Director, Countywide.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
National Public Works Week (NPWW) is observed each year during the third full week of May. NPWW is a celebration of the public works employees who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community” acknowledges that the roots of service run deep in public works. It’s what has propelled public works innovations that have helped our communities evolve into places where people can lead lives of purpose and possibility.
Instituted as a public education campaign by the American Public Works Association (APWA) in 1960, NPWW calls attention to the importance of public works in community life. Public Works agencies across the nation seek to enhance the prestige of the often-unsung heroes of our society-the professionals who serve the public every day with quiet dedication. That quiet dedication includes emergency response at all hours of the day and night. The Public Works Maintenance and Facilities Divisions receive emergency call outs every week, not including calls during normal work hours. During wet winter months, they respond to numerous calls daily. County Public Works crews are well trained to perform a necessary duty to protect life and property in our communities. They respond to everything from flooding in our roadways and County buildings to large landslides.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Contra Costa County will not be able to participate in the nationwide Public Works Week.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF recognizing National Public Works Week May 17-23, 2026;
WHEREAS, public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of Contra Costa County; and
WHEREAS, the infrastructure, facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who are engineers, maintenance workers, technicians, tradespeople, and many other managers and employees at all levels of government and the private sector, who are responsible for rebuilding, improving and protecting our nation’s transportation, flood control, public buildings, parks, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the citizens and civic leaders in Contra Costa County to gain knowledge of and to maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities; and,
WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association/Canadian Public Works Association,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County does hereby recognize the week May 17-23, 2026, as National Public Works Week in Contra Costa County We urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies to recognize our public works employees and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national health, safety, and advancing quality of life for all.