ASSET MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE SERVICE DELIVERY: “Projects have a beginning, a middle, and an end. But the asset management parade never ends – it is cyclic,” stated Bill Sims (Winter 2023 issue of Asset Management BC Newsletter)
Note to Reader:
The Winter 2023 edition of the Asset Management BC Newsletter includes an article by Bill Sims, General Manager of Engineering and Public Works with the City of Nanaimo, wherein he provides her perspective on what to say to a new Council about asset management for sustainable service delivery. Her article is one of a set of 9 articles representing different perspectives. The theme for the Winter 2023 edition is Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery: Why Should Council Care?
Perspective from a General Manager,
Engineering & Public Works
“A key consideration is intergenerational equity. This is finding the right balance between spreading the cost of services over citizens who benefit now and in the future without burdening future generations with the inability to sustain services,” wrote Bill Sims.
“It is a core responsibility of a Council – enshrined in BC’s Community Charter – to provide for the stewardship of the public assets of the community.
“The key idea is that we deliver services communally. Local governments do not serve customers as a business may. Communal services are those that everyone contributes toward, for the benefit of all. The rationale is that everyone contributing funds toward a service is much more efficient than everyone activating the service individually.”
“To help everyone, especially citizens, appreciate the balance – we must communicate, understand, and tradeoff “levels of service,” – that is the degree to which we provide each service. It should be easy to understand that the level of service delivered is proportional to investment. Shouldn’t it?”
“Over a few decades, I’ve managed a parade of projects. Projects have a beginning, a middle, and an end. But the asset management parade never ends – it is cyclic. It’s critical to ensure we are facing the right direction – advancing and improving our community’s infrastructure, protecting it for future generations, and investing as much as possible so future generations aren’t burdened with cost shocks or significant failures.”
“Our role is to leave our communities a better place than we found them and pass the torch to the next generation. Is there any higher calling than improving life for others in a spirit of service?
TO LEARN MORE:
To read the complete article, download the Winter 2023 issue of the Asset Management BC Newsletter.
