The County’s roadways have a “pavement condition index” (PCI) of 62, or “fair.”

But 37 percent of the County’s roads are graded poor or very poor — the direct result of avoiding scheduled road rehabilitation in hopes of squeezing out a few more years of service by way of the cold patch dance.

Shire Hall is working on a 10-year Asset Management Plan for its infrastructure, one that takes into account the costs to manage, maintain, and, eventually, replace roads, bridges, parks, and buildings. 

A provincial requirement, a functional plan is “the responsible way to manage assets so the costs are not entirely borne by future generations,” said acting finance director Arryn McNichol. 

It also might mean our roads get better, more consistent treatment. But that costs money and demands strategic thinking.

Asset planning assesses infrastructure lifecycle and risks, incorporates periodic condition assessments, and determines appropriate service levels through community consultation.

Council began its planning April 24 by considering just how dire the municipality’s road infrastructure is and what the needs are. Mr. McNichol suggested a pair of options that would bring the County’s 1,046 km road network up to par. Neither will be particularly attractive to the beleaguered taxpayer. They involve spending between $20-$25 million more every year over the next decade to raise the collective quality ratings of the County’s roads above a “C.”

Assets are everything the County owns, such as roads and bridges, vehicles, parks, buildings, and equipment. They are essential to the services the County performs across the municipality.

“The performance and condition of our assets directly impacts service quality,” he said.

Community Consultation

For sessions two and three, Council will meet with Mr. McNichol and senior staff to assess the state of our bridges and buildings on May 15, and Fire and Corporate Fleet needs as well as Parks & Recreation on June 12. Department heads, including Lisa Lindsay and Fire and Rescue Chief Chad Brown, will present details on the current services their departments provide and how changes will affect tax rates.

Taxpayers will join the conversation on a 10-year Asset Management Plan through the Have Your Say portal on the municipal website, social media, public workshops, and pop up events at various locations in July. 

At the August 25 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council will consider preferred LoS and the associated financing strategy for the AMP, which will then inform the 2026 Budget.