Dysart et al council learned last week that it would cost $265 million to replace all municipally-owned buildings and assets in the township.
Sarah Craig, a senior asset management adviser with PSD Citywide Inc., told elected officials during a Nov. 25 meeting that 78 percent of the municipality’s existing infrastructure is in fair condition or better, with the overall condition considered good, ranked at 68 per cent.
She told council, however, that if it wants to maintain that score it will have to drastically increase the amount it’s putting away for future investments.
By continuing to invest around $2.4 million into capital costs, Craig said the township’s assets would decline to poor quality, ranked at 39 per cent, over the next 100 years. Increasing the investment to $5.5 million per year would maintain current standards, while upping the spend to $6.1 million would utilize all assets as they’re intended through their lifecycle.
The total value of assets breaks down to: $120.3 million for roads and related infrastructure; $57.3 million for wastewater services; $35.2 million for facilities; $22.7 million for bridges and culverts; $12.9 million for fleet; $6.8 million for land improvements; $5.1 million for equipment; and $4.8 million for stormwater services.
The township’s bridges and culverts were ranked fair at 60 per cent, with all other areas considered to be in good condition.
“The condition year over year is declining, though,” Craig said.
She recommended council consider a 2.2 per cent tax increase dedicated purely to capital costs over the next 10 years, while upping wastewater rates 5.1 per cent, noting that should help the municipality catch up with its infrastructure shortfall.
Council opted to receive the report without taking any action.
