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Policy: Strategic Asset Management Policy
No: 500-04
Section: Finance
Page 1 of 7
Effective Date: May 1, 2019
Resolution #: 12-04-19
Last Revision Date: July 2024
Purpose:
The Township of Zorra is committed to the goals that asset management programs and processes aim
to achieve. This policy is intended to guide the consistent use of the asset management across the
organization, to enable evidence-based decision-making for management of municipal infrastructure
assets and to support the delivery of sustainable community services now and in the future.
Definitions:
"Asset" A tangible item, thing or entity that has potential or actual value to an organization.
"Asset Management (AM)" The coordinated activity of an organization to realize value from assets. It
considers all asset types, and includes all activities involved in the asset's life cycle from planning and
acquisition/creation; to operational and maintenance activities, rehabilitation, and renewal; to
replacement or disposal and any remaining liabilities. Asset management is holistic and normally
involves balancing costs, risks, opportunities and performance benefits to achieve the total lowest
lifecycle cost for each asset (ISO 55000).
"Asset Management Plan (AMP)" A strategic document that states how an asset class is to be
managed over a period of time. The plan describes the characteristics and condition of assets the levels
of service expected from them, planned actions to ensure the assets are providing the expected level
of service and financing strategies to implement the planned actions.
"Capitalization Threshold" The value of a municipal infrastructure asset at or above which a
Township will capitalize the value of it and below which it will expense the value of it.
"Green Infrastructure Asset" An infrastructure asset consisting of natural or human-made elements
that provide ecological and hydrological functions and processes and includes natural heritage features
and systems, parklands, storm water management systems, street trees, forests, natural channels,
permeable surfaces and green roofs.
"Level of Service" Parameters, or combination of parameters, which reflect social, political,
environmental and economic outcomes that the organization delivers (ISO 55000).
"Lifecycle Activities" Activities undertaken with respect to a municipal infrastructure asset over its
useful life, including constructing, maintaining, renewing, operating and decommissioning, and all
engineering and design work associated with those activities.
"Municipal Infrastructure Asset" An infrastructure asset, including a green infrastructure asset,
directly owned by a Township or included on the consolidated financial statements of a Township.
"Useful Life" The total period during which a municipal asset is in use or is available to be used.
Policy:
Statement:
Policy: Strategic Asset Management Policy
No: 500-04
Section: Finance
Page 2 of 7
Effective Date: May 1, 2019
Resolution #: 12-04-19
Last Revision Date: July 2024
The Township will implement a comprehensive Asset Management Plan (AMP) in alignment with the
current strategic vision and mission, the requirements of the Township's Strategic Plan, and Ontario
Regulation 588/17. This inclusive framework sets out the strategic principles that will guide future
investments that support economic growth and respond to changing needs in a fiscally responsible
manner.
This policy applies to all staff involved in asset life cycle management including planning,
design/construction/acquisition, operation and maintenance, rehabilitation, renewal/disposal, and
monitoring/reporting of assets.
Guiding Principles: (Ont Reg 588/17 Section 3.4)
The Township has six (6) core Strategic Values which serve as the basis for defining and incorporating
the fourteen (14) principles required under the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, 2015 (IJPA).
The Township will strive to incorporate the following principles where possible into the day to day
operation of the Township:
Trust and Respect:
Policy: Strategic Asset Management Policy
No: 500-04
Section: Finance
Page 3 of 7
Effective Date: May 1, 2019
Resolution #: 12-04-19
Last Revision Date: July 2024
The Township shall take a long-term view in infrastructure planning and investment; and decision-
makers should take into account the needs of citizens by being mindful of, among other things,
demographic and economic trends (IJPA Sec 3.1).
The Township shall minimize the impact of infrastructure on the environment by:
1. Respecting and helping maintain ecological and biological diversity;
2. Augmenting resilience to the effects of climate change; and
3. Endeavoring to make use of acceptable recycled aggregates (IJPA Sec 3.11 and 3.12).
Innovation:
The Township shall promote economic competitiveness, productivity, job creation, and training
opportunities (IJPA Sec 3.5).
The Township shall foster innovation by creating opportunities to make use of innovative technologies,
services and practices, particularly where doing so would utilize technology, techniques and practices
developed in Ontario (IJPA Sec 3.7).
Accountability:
The Township shall take into account any applicable budgets or fiscal plans, including those adopted
through Ontario Legislation (IJPA Sec 3.2).
The Township shall clearly identify infrastructure priorities which will drive investment decisions
(IJPA Sect 3.3).
The Township shall ensure the continued provision of core public services within the Township's
jurisdiction (IJPA Sect 3.4).
Teamwork:
The Township shall ensure that the health and safety of workers involved in the construction and
maintenance of infrastructure assets is protected (IJPA Sect 3.6).
The Township shall promote community benefits, being the supplementary social and economic
benefits arising from an infrastructure project that are intended to improve the well-being of a community
affected by the project, such as: 1. Local job creation and training opportunities (including for
apprentices, within the meaning of section 9 of the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, 2015), 2.
Improvement of public space within the community, and 3. Promoting accessibility for persons with
disabilities (IJPA Sect 3.10 and 3.13).
Transparency:
The Township shall, where relevant and appropriate, be mindful and consider the principles and content
of non-binding provincial or municipal plans and strategies established under an Act or otherwise, in
Policy: Strategic Asset Management Policy
No: 500-04
Section: Finance
Page 4 of 7
Effective Date: May 1, 2019
Resolution #: 12-04-19
Last Revision Date: July 2024
planning and making decisions surrounding the infrastructure that supports them (IJPA Sect 3.9 and
3.14),
The Township shall be evidence-based and transparent, basing decision on publicly shared information
and make info available to the public (IJPA Sect 3.8).
Governance and Continuous Improvement: (Ont Reg 588/17 Section 3.3, 3.10 and 3.11)
In accordance with, Ontario Regulation 588/17 made under the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity
Act, 2015, the policy requires the commitment of key stakeholders within the Township of Zorra
organization to ensure the policy guides the development of a clear plan that can be implemented,
reviewed and updated.
Council is entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing, on behalf of citizens, a large range of
services provided through a diverse portfolio of assets. Council, having stewardship responsibility, is
the final decision maker on all matters related to asset management in the Township. The Council
and senior management are committed to the success of asset management planning. The following
details the responsibilities of the key stakeholders within the Township:
Council:
- Approve by resolution the Asset Management Plan (AMP) and its updates every five years
from the date when it is fully completed under Section 6 of the regulation;
- Conduct annual reviews of the management plan implementation progress on or before July
1st of every year, starting the year after the AMP is completed and the review must address:
-
Progress on ongoing efforts to implement the Township's AMP;
-
Any factors affecting the ability of the Township to implement its AMP;
-
A strategy to address these factors where applicable; and
-
Support ongoing efforts to continuously improve and implement the Township's AMP.
Director of Finance: (Executive Lead)
- Maintain compliance with the asset management policy and provincial asset management
regulations.
- Work with staff to ensure asset management planning incorporates all departments and staff
that deal with assets.
Senior Management Team:
- Oversee asset management planning activities that fall within their service area and in
support of others.
Strategic Alignment: (Ont Reg 588/17 Section 3.1)
Policy: Strategic Asset Management Policy
No: 500-04
Section: Finance
Page 5 of 7
Effective Date: May 1, 2019
Resolution #: 12-04-19
Last Revision Date: July 2024
Achieving this vision will require that an integrated asset management approach be followed to
successfully develop the Asset Management Plan (AMP) in alignment with existing policies and plans
that have been undertaken throughout the Township:
Township of Zorra's Strategic Plan
County of Oxford Official Plan and Township of Zorra's Zoning By-law.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Recreation Master Plan
Road Needs Study and Bridge Inspection Reports
These plans were designed to meet the legislative requirements and work together to achieve the
Township's goals and objectives. Spending requirements defined in the budgeting process and in long-
term financial planning will reflect the objectives of these plans. Asset management planning therefore
will not occur in isolation from other municipal goals, plans and policies.
Financial Planning and Budgeting: (Ont Reg 588/17 Section 3.2 and 3.6)
The Township will integrate asset management planning into the annual capital budget, operating
budget and its long-term financial plan. The asset management plan (AMP) will be used as a resource
in order to:
Identifying all potential revenues and costs (including operating, maintenance, replacement and
decommission) associated with asset management decisions;
Evaluating each significant new (growth related) capital asset, including considering the impact
on future operation costs
Incorporating new revenue tools and alternative funding strategies where possible.
Departmental staff will work closely with financial staff in the preparation of the operating and capital
budgets to ensure that the lifecycle activities budgeted are necessary to achieve agreed upon levels of
service and accommodate growth over the 10-year capital planning horizon.
Climate Change: (Ont Reg 588/17 Section 3.5)
The Township will consider the risks and vulnerabilities of capital assets to climate change and the
resulting actions that may be required. The Township will ensure alignment with local, county,
provincial and national policies and strategies including construction standards, water use policies and
energy standards.
Policy: Strategic Asset Management Policy
No: 500-04
Section: Finance
Page 6 of 7
Effective Date: May 1, 2019
Resolution #: 12-04-19
Last Revision Date: July 2024
Commitment will be made to the development of tailored actions that make the best use of our
resources to mitigate and adapt to climate change, in accordance with our local reduction
targets, financial capacity and stakeholder support.
A balance will be struck between levels of service delivered through operations, lifecycle management,
maintenance schedules, disaster response plans, contingency funding and capital investments. The
asset management plan will encompass this sustainable approach to climate change mitigation and
adaptation.
Land Use Planning: (Ont Reg 588/17 Section 3.7)
Asset management planning will be aligned with the County of Oxford's Official Plan and the 2014
Provincial Policy Statement of the Planning Act. The asset management plan will reflect how the
community is projected to change with respect to development. The objective being to ensure that
infrastructure and public service facilities are provided in a coordinated, efficient and cost-effective
manner and that planning for infrastructure is integrated with land use planning so that they are
financially viable over their life cycle and available to meet current and projected needs.
To accomplish this objective, the Township will consult with the County of Oxford when the Official Plan
is being prepared and/or reviewed and the direction established through the Official Plan and any
supporting studies, assumptions and data will be referenced in the development of the asset
management plan.
The County of Oxford's Official Plan incorporates the strategic initiatives to protect agricultural and rural
natural resources: Prime agricultural areas will be designated, protected and preserved for current and
future agricultural production and as a permanent, integral feature of the heritage of Oxford County.
Capitalization Thresholds: (Ont Reg 588/17 Section 3.8)
The policy applies to all assets whose role in service delivery requires deliberate management by the
Township. The service-focus intent of this policy differentiates its requirements for identifying assets
from the capitalization thresholds which are developed for the purposes of financial reporting. For this
reason, assets in the asset management plan are not to be subject to a capitalization threshold, and
are to be included based on judgement of whether the asset has value to the overall asset class. The
capitalization threshold applied by asset class will be defined in the Tangible Capital Asset Policy.
Stakeholder Engagement: (Ont Reg 588/17 Section 3.9 and 3.12)
The Township Strategic Plan commits to informing and engaging with citizens: "We are an engaged
community that values all members and actively encourages involvement, engagement, openness and
transparency."
The Township will provide information and seek input on asset management planning through:
Policy: Strategic Asset Management Policy
No: 500-04
Section: Finance
Page 7 of 7
Effective Date: May 1, 2019
Resolution #: 12-04-19
Last Revision Date: July 2024
Opportunities for residents and other stakeholders served by the Township to provide input
in asset management planning; and
Coordinating asset management planning with other infrastructure asset owning agencies
such as municipal bodies and regulated utilities.
Next revision date: (every five years)
July 2029.
Accessible Formats:
If you require this document to be in an accessible format, please contact the Director of Corporate
Services at [email protected] or 519-485-2490 ext. 7228.