CASE STUDY
Helping Emerson-Franklin build a solid foundation for sustainable asset management.
Partnership Overview
The province of Manitoba released legislation implementing municipal governments to meet specific Asset Management legislation. Many Rural Municipalities have a large portion of infrastructure nearing the end of its life but no formal program in place to help guide decision on how to manage these aging infrastructure. There are significant challenges municipalities face while choosing to repair or replace its infrastructure; therefore, the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin partnered with MuniSight to begin building their program and meeting provincial requirements.
MuniSight was successful in securing grant funding from the FCM Municipal Asset Management Program for Emerson-Franklin. This particular grant is eligible to cover up to $50,000 or 80% of project costs.
About Emerson-Franklin
2,537
Population
8
Hours Municipal Staff Time For Project
3
Asset Classes Centralized
Before MuniSight
The Municipality of Emerson-Franklin did not possess any formal asset management documents or programs. Much of their asset information was scattered through a variety of departments, systems, and documents.
Senior Management and Council identified the benefits that asset management would deliver and that learning to be more proactive on asset planning, rather than reactive would benefit the municipality in the long term.
After learning about Emerson-Franklin, we identified that centralizing asset data, implementing guiding documents, and training municipal staff on asset management best practices, will help build a solid foundation for future asset management activities.
Challenges
Connecting & Simplifying Emerson-Franklin’s Municipal Information
Project Outcome
01. Asset Management Services
MuniSight was able to build an asset management program that includes:
- Asset Management Policy
- Asset Management Strategy
- Asset Management Plan
Project Outcome
02. Centralized Asset Database
MuniSight collected and compiled existing asset information from multiple sources and formats into one location. Staff are now able to access and manage asset data in a centralized user-friendly system.
Project Outcome
03. Asset Management Training
Emerson-Franklin staff attended asset management workshops in order to gain a solid understanding of asset management. Having a common understanding amongst the staff will help with asset management buy in implementation and management.
The Ongoing Journey
Centralized Database and Framework
Through implementing a centralized database and framework, Emerson-Franklin is now able to track asset management activity and use this data to make informed decisions on next steps.
Additionally, MuniSight developed a formal Asset Management Policy, Strategy, and Plan which enables Emerson-Franklin to forecast asset management priorities on current assets within the municipality.
Asset Management Readiness Scale
The Asset Management Readiness Scale is a tool that allows municipalities to assess their state of asset management capacity. Using this tool, we were able to assess the current state of Emerson-Franklin’s assets and what needed to be done to successfully practice effective asset management on a continual basis. The 5 competencies of the readiness scale form the practice of asset management; following this scale is key to a successful journey for Emerson-Franklin.
