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Acceptable Levels of Service and Desired Performance 

Provide standards for maintaining infrastructure through their expected useful service life and beyond. Within City departments, these levels of service may be related to indicators and metrics for the Six Outcomes identified in the City’s Strategic Direction. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Age

One of the main factors that affects the physical condition of infrastructure assets, and thus it is a critical data element to collect. While advanced age does not necessarily mean that infrastructure is in imminent danger of failure, age can affect other factors that could lead to infrastructure failure. Aging infrastructure can last past its expected useful life with the proper maintenance, but without regular maintenance and investment, the condition of aging infrastructure can rapidly deteriorate if maintenance is repeatedly deferred. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM))

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Area Plans 

Area Plans are developed for a defined geographic area of the city, providing an opportunity for citizens to take a proactive role in the planning process to decide how the area will move into the future. The plans often address land use, transportation and urban design issues, and may include numerous implementation strategies, including policies, regulations, and desired City investments. Many of Austin’s area plans are developed by City staff in coordination with the community, and do not require funding for consultants. However, sometimes consultants are sought to either facilitate the planning process or provide specific technical assistance. Funding used for external consultants to assist with the development of citywide plans such as the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan or specific-area plans is often considered a capital expense. 

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Asset 

An item, thing, or entity that has potential or actual value to an organization (such as plant, machinery, buildings, etc.). (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Asset Hierarchy 

A framework for segmenting an asset base into appropriate classifications. The asset hierarchy can be based on asset function; asset type or a combination of the two. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

Asset Management Information System (AMIS) 

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A combination of processes, data, software, and hardware applied to provide the essential outputs for effective AM. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Capacity 

Measuring capacity is the ability to determine the maximum carrying load of an asset, whether the asset is “carrying” electricity, water, wastewater, stormwater, vehicles, airplanes, or people. Identifying betterments requires integration with land use planning practices in order to project future desired performance of specific assets and their respective systems. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Cash Transfers 

Cash transfers are transfers of cash from department operating budgets or revenues. Revenue generated through the sale of certain services, such as the provision of utilities, may be used to fund some capital improvement projects. This money is transferred from the operating fund of certain departments to the capital budget. Departments may also get income from fees, such as the Transportation User Fee, which is assessed each month as part of the electricity bill to residents and businesses based on traffic levels generated by each dwelling unit or business. Other fees that can fund capital improvement projects are those that developers provide to the City if the developer chooses not to create the required infrastructure with the development of a project. For example, some developers may opt to pay a parkland dedication fee instead of creating a park as part of a new residential development if that is an option. Similar to funds raised through services, fees are transferred to a department’s capital budget to fund capital improvement projects. 

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Certificate of Obligation 

A certificate of obligation (CO) is used to obtain quick financing for real property and construction. COs are secured by the full faith and credit of the City and are repaid over a 20-year period. According to Texas state law, the City’s intent to issue a certificate must be published in the local newspaper 30 days in advance. COs do not require voter approval unless 5% of qualified voters sign a petition to put it on the ballot and file it with the City Clerk. By official City policy, COs can be used to finance urgent, unanticipated expenditures or those that are necessary to prevent an economic loss to the City. They can also be used when the capital expenditure is revenue generating or when COs are the most cost-effective financing option. 

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Commercial Paper 

Commercial paper is a very short-term debt, usually due within 30-45 days and used as an interim financing instrument for capital expenditures that provides for lower interest costs and flexibility. Generally, the notes are backed by a line of credit with a bank.  

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CIP 

CIP stands for Capital Improvement Program. The CIP implements capital improvement projects, which typically cost more than $50,000, have a four-year or longer lifespan, and are funded through the Capital Budget. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Components 

Specific parts of an asset having independent physical or functional identity and having specific attributes such as different life expectancy, maintenance regimes, risk, or criticality. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Condition 

The physical state of the asset. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Condition Grade 

A measure of the physical integrity of an asset or component (A = Excellent; B = Good; C = Fair; D = Poor; F = Failing). (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Contractual Obligation 

Contractual Obligations (KOs) are a short-term debt instrument that does not require voter authorization. KOs are used to finance the purchase of items such as equipment and vehicles. By official City policy, KOs can be used to finance urgent, unanticipated expenditures or those that are necessary to prevent an economic loss to the City. They can also be used when the capital expenditure is revenue generating or when KOs are the most cost-effective financing option. 

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Criticality 

Represents how the degradation or failure of an asset affects the safety, health, security, and economy of the public.  Critical assets are those that are likely to result in a more significant financial, environmental and social cost in terms of impact on organizational objectives. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Electric Infrastructure 

Capital improvement needs under this category include creating new and or improving existing electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems infrastructure including, but not limited to, studies, design, new construction, realignment of, replacement of, deepening or widening of, or closing existing infrastructure. 

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Enterprise Government Department 

Enterprise Government Departments are able to generate revenue to pay for their capital needs. Examples include infrastructure like water lines, telecommunications and energy. Revenue may be generated through user fees, such as electric and water utility rates; airport passenger facility charges; drainage utility fees; and pay-as-you go fees for waste pick up and disposal. 

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Expected Useful Life 

The anticipated lifespan of any asset based on the design and construction of that asset.  Routine maintenance and repairs are maximize the expected useful life of any asset and prevent a straight degradation of the condition of that asset.  The Realistic Asset Life Cycle (below) illustrates how different street maintenance and renewal activities can improve the condition of the street over time and extend the expected useful life of a street to 80 years.  

 

 Example of how maintenance & renewal activities can improve the condition of a street over time and extend its expected useful life (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

 

Facilities 

Capital improvement needs under this category include improvements related to an expansion or renovation to an already existing facility or facilities and all activities related to the construction of a new facility or facilities. 

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Gap Analysis 

A method of assessing the gap between an organization’s current AM practices and the future desirable AM practices. Also called AM 'needs analysis' or 'status assessment'. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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General Government Department 

General Government Departments do not generally generate revenue in amounts sufficient to pay for their capital project needs. Therefore, these departments need outside funding sources such as voter-approved bonds and/or federal grants. 

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Grants 

Grants are funds disbursed by one party (grant makers)—often a government department, corporation, foundation or trust—to a recipient, which is often a nonprofit or government entity, educational institution, a business or an individual. Most grants are made to fund a specific project and require some level of compliance and reporting. Additionally, a funding “match” is often required at a certain split, e.g. 80-20 in which the grant recipient provides 20% of total project cost and receives a grant for the remaining 80%. Grants are a good way to leverage bond funds, so many capital improvement projects are funded in part by grants. An example of a grant-funded/leveraged project is East Austin’s Colony District Park, a 93-acre park that underwent extensive planning and visioning in 2014 and 2015, and which received a $725,000 state grant to leverage $731,000 of 2012 Bond Program funding and $60,000 from parkland dedication fees to pay for the first phase of improvements in the park master plan. 

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Housing 

Capital improvement needs under this category include activities related to neighborhood and/or community housing and development. 

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Inventory 

A list of assets and their principal components. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) 

A performance measure that is considered important to the organization. A performance measure is a qualitative or quantitative measure used to measure actual performance against a standard or other target. Performance measures are used to indicate how the organization is doing in relation to delivering levels of service. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Land Acquisition 

Capital improvement needs under this category include activities related to the purchase or acquisition of land including, but not limited to, park land, open spaces, easements, or land on which to build new facilities. 

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Level of Risk 

The level of risk is its magnitude. It is estimated by considering and combining consequences and likelihoods. A level of risk can be assigned to a single risk or to a combination of risks. A consequence is the outcome of an event and has an effect on objectives. Likelihood is the chance that something might happen. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Level of Service 

The parameters or combination of parameters that reflect social, political, economic, and environmental outcomes that the organization delivers. Levels of service statements describe the outputs or objectives an organization or activity intends to deliver to customers. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Life/Expected Useful Life 

A measure of the anticipated life of an asset or component; such as time, number of cycles, distance intervals, etc. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Lifecycle 

The time interval that commences with the identification of the need for an asset and terminates with the decommissioning of the asset or any liabilities thereafter. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Maintenance 

All actions necessary for retaining an asset as near practicable to its original condition, but excluding rehabilitation or renewal. Maintenance does not increase the service potential of the asset or keep it in its original condition, it slows down deterioration and delays when rehabilitation or replacement is necessary. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Mobility Infrastructure 

Capital improvement needs under this category include the creation of new and/or improvements to existing transportation infrastructure including, but not limited to, preliminary engineering, designs, streets, sidewalks, trails, pedestrian improvements, signs, signals, markings, traffic mitigation, bridges and mass transit infrastructure-related activities such as transit plans, and to fund matching initiatives.   

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Other Infrastructure Improvements 

Capital improvement needs under this category include needs that do not fit neatly into the other infrastructure types listed previously. 

 

Park Infrastructure 

Capital improvement needs under this category include all activities related to the creation of or improvement to parks and recreation infrastructure including, but not limited to, amenities, structures, playscapes, sport courts and fields, pools, golf courses, field lighting, path creation or improvements, master plans or studies, or design of projects. (Note: improvements or construction of new Parks and Recreation facilities are listed under the Facilities category.) 

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Public Improvement District 

A PID is a defined geographical area established to provide specific types of improvements or maintenance within the area, which are financed by taxation of the properties within the PID. PIDs are established through approval by City Council at the request of members of the PID. PIDs can provide a means to fund services and improvements to meet community needs that could not otherwise be constructed. Examples include the Austin Downtown Public Improvement District, created in 1993, and the newer South Congress Avenue PID. Both PIDs provide a funding source that leverages other City infrastructure investments in their respective district. 

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Rehabilitation 

Works to rebuild or replace parts or components of an asset, to restore it to a required functional condition and extend its life, which may incorporate some modification. Generally involves repairing the asset to deliver its original level of service (i.e. heavy patching of roads, sliplining of sewer mains, etc.) without resorting to significant upgrading or renewal, using available techniques and standards. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Renewal 

Works to replace existing assets or facilities with assets or facilities of equivalent capacity or performance capability. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Replacement Cost/Current Replacement Value 

The cost the entity would incur to acquire the asset on the reporting date. The cost is measured by reference to the lowest cost at which the gross future economic benefits could be obtained in the normal course of business or the minimum it would cost, to replace the existing asset with a new modern equivalent asset (not a secondhand one) with the same economic benefits allowing for any differences in the quantity and quality of output and in operating costs. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Resiliency 

Relates to both existing disaster risks and growing climate impacts.  It is defined by the United Nations as: “The ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions” (UNISDR, 2009). (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Revenue Bonds 

Revenue bonds are repaid from a specific source of revenue and do not affect the property tax rate. Repayment may be derived from operation of the revenue bond-financed project, grants, sales, or other taxes that are not property taxes. 

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Risk 

The probability of failure multiplied by the consequences of failure, and is magnified when infrastructure systems are interdependent on each other since a failure in one system can lead to failures or shutdowns of other systems. The risk of infrastructure failure increases when infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate without regular maintenance. Other factors contributing to infrastructure risk are extensive heavy-use or overloading; the existence of a harsh service environment; or damaging events such as accidents, floods, or storms.  Risk events are events which may compromise the delivery of the organization’s strategic objectives. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Stormwater Infrastructure 

Capital improvement needs under this category include the creation of new and/or improvements to existing drainage infrastructure including, but not limited to studies, design, new construction, realignment of existing infrastructure, replacement of existing infrastructure, deepening or widening of existing infrastructure, or closing existing infrastructure. 

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Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 

TIFs are a method to use future gains in taxes to subsidize current improvements, which are projected to create the conditions for projected tax gains. The completion of a public or private project often results in an increase in the value of surrounding real estate, which generates additional tax revenue. The Waller Creek Tunnel project is an example of a TIF-funded project in the CIP. City Council created the Waller Creek Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone No. 17 in 2007 to finance the construction of flood control improvements along lower Waller Creek, which will create desirable conditions for public and private development. The City will dedicate 100% of its tax increment revenue to repay itself for the improvements and Travis County will dedicate 50% of its tax increment revenue from the TIF district. 

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Useful Life 

Either: the period over which an asset or component is expected to be available for use by an entity; or the number of production or similar units expected to be obtained from the asset or component by the entity. (Source:  2015 International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM)) 

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Voter-Approved Bond Programs 

When voters consider bond propositions on an election ballot, they are considering allowing the City to issue general obligation (GO) bonds. GO bonds give cities a tool to raise funds for capital improvement projects, such as roads, bridges, bikeways and urban trails and parks, that are otherwise not funded by City revenue. Voter-approved GO bonds are repaid through property taxes. The property tax rate is composed of two parts: the Operations and Maintenance rate and the debt service rate. The debt service rate is set in order to generate the revenue necessary to make the City’s payments for tax-supported debt. When voters approve bond propositions, the City does not issue all of the debt immediately. Instead, debt issuances are spread out over several years according to the annual spending needs of the bond program.  

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Water Infrastructure 

Capital improvement needs under this category include new and/or improvements to existing water, wastewater, and reclaimed water infrastructure including, but not limited to, studies, design, new construction, realignment of existing infrastructure, replacement of existing infrastructure, deepening or widening of existing infrastructure, or abandoning existing infrastructure.