City of Owen Sound Achieves Significant Milestone with Completion of 2024 Non-Core Asset Management Plan

The City of Owen Sound is proud to announce the completion of its 2024 Non-Core Asset Management Plan, which will be presented to the Corporate Services Committee on November 14, 2024. This initiative, aligned with Ontario Regulation 588/17, represents a significant building block in our ongoing commitment to effective asset management and fiscal responsibility.

For the first time, the City has developed the foundation for maintaining the data related to the state of its non-core assets.  Non-core assets include items such as park benches, playgrounds, sports fields, and recreation centres. The City’s Non-Core Asset Management Plan reviews the current state of these assets, tracking costs, conditions, performance, and maintenance needs based on the current service levels. This plan will help inform future decision-making to ensure these resources are managed sustainably for long-term community use.

Notably, this plan was completed internally by City staff without the use of third-party consultants, a path many municipalities have opted to take.  By doing so, Owen Sound achieved considerable cost savings and gained a deeper internal understanding of its assets, enhancing our capacity to make informed and strategic decisions.

The 2024 Non-Core Asset Management Plan captures the current state of its assets including the following, where data exists:

• A summary of assets;
• The replacement cost of assets;
• The average age of assets;
• The condition of assets;
• The current levels of service being provided;
• The current performance of assets; and
• The lifecycle activities that are completed to maintain the current level of service and the associated costs to do so.

This understanding, combined with the 2022 Core Infrastructure Asset Management Plan is critical as the City moves towards developing the 2025 Asset Management Plan, where proposed levels of service for all core and non-core assets and financing strategies will be integral components.

The 2024 Non-Core Asset Management Plan meets all legislated requirements, demonstrating the City’s dedication to following provincial guidelines to enhance municipal infrastructure planning and sustainability.  The completion of this plan sets a strong foundation, enabling the City to make informed decisions that will improve service delivery and ensure the long-term resilience of our assets.

Looking ahead to 2025, this plan will serve as a critical tool in crafting a balanced approach to asset management, where proposed service levels, performance goals, and the corresponding financial frameworks will be carefully considered. The objective of future asset management plans is to:

• Provide levels of service that meet the needs of the community;
• Provide an asset management process that is effective, achievable, and efficient;
• Develop operating, maintenance, and capital financial plans that support the defined levels of service;
• Manage the assets in a sustainable manner; and
• Enable the collection, coordination, sharing, and communication of information in support of all the above.

For more information, please contact Bradey Carbert, Manager of Corporate Services, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1240 or email bcarbert@owensound.ca .

Quotes:

"This plan is more than a list of non-core assets; it’s a strategic tool for prioritizing maintenance and investments in ways that directly impact residents' lives.  With a clear view of each asset’s condition and costs, we can address issues proactively, reduce unexpected expenses, and plan effectively for the future.  I’m proud of City staff completing this plan in-house, saving costs and deepening our internal expertise. This accomplishment reflects our commitment to Owen Sound’s future.”

- Mayor Ian Boddy

Quick Facts:

• The City’s Core Infrastructure Asset Management Plan was developed and approved by Council in 2022.
• Ontario’s Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure Regulation, O. Reg. 588/17 (as amended by O. Reg. 193/21 aims to improve municipal infrastructure planning through consistent standards.
  
• The current replacement cost of the City’s Non-core assets is more than $297 million.

-30-