Asset Management for Elected Officials

Primer for Elected Officials

Local governments exist to provide safe, secure, and sustainable municipal services in a predictable and cost-effective manner. This requires keeping infrastructure assets in a state of good repair. These assets make up our roads, bridges and transit networks, water and wastewater systems, community and recreation centres, social housing and much more. They are essential for driving economic growth and a major reason why our residents and businesses choose to live and operate in different communities.

The significant costs associated with managing these assets is an important component of municipal budgets. This is why it is important for Council members to have a good understanding of the role of councils in adopting a structured approach to strategically determine infrastructure investment priorities in their municipalities.

With limited financial capacity, staff resources, and increasing service expectations, planning for future capital investments while minimizing risk exposure is challenging. And yet it is a key responsibility of elected officials.

AMO has developed a primer to educate elected officials about asset management as they are stewards of public infrastructure and set strategic direction on allocation of financial resources that affect the quality and delivery of services provided to their communities. It will provide councils with a better understanding of their role in adopting a strategic approach to determine infrastructure investment priorities.

The following topics are covered in the primer:

• Managing municipal infrastructure assets
• Asset management fundamentals
• Developing an asset management policy
• Determining service levels
• Community engagement
• Anticipating emerging risks
• Reviewing and implementing asset management plans
• Checklist for councils
• Available support

Click here to download the asset management primer for elected officials in pdf format.