Niagara Region's Budget Chair says asset management plan is needed, to know what they're dealing with
The Chair of the Niagara Region's budget committee admits maintaining roads, sewers, parks, and other infrastructure for decades to come is scary.
Wayne Redekop says municipalities across Ontario face similar scenarios, which is why the province wants cities to have asset management plans.
He adds they try to balance existing infrastructure with new construction. "In the case of Fort Erie, in 2012, council of the day had the foresight to start putting aside about 2% of the general levy, to be utilized to maintain our assets, so we're far, far ahead."
He says about a decade ago the province wanted asset management plans, so cities know what they're dealing with.
It's a daunting task, with hundreds of millions of dollars in challenges, particularly for waste water treatment.
"Some of which, like storm water management systems, nobody really thinks too much about. But, the province requires municipalities to establish an asset management plan, which identifies the assets they own, the condition of those assets, and how much money it'll take to maintain those."
He admits the work can be overwhelming.
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