It is important to the maintenance of accurate records that each asset category be precisely defined and that all persons responsible for records maintenance be fully aware of the categorization system. This section further clarifies the asset definitions by major category.
BUILDINGS.
(1) All structures designed and erected to house equipment services or functions are included. This includes systems, services, and fixtures within buildings and attachments such as porches, stairs, fire escapes, canopies, areaways, lighting fixtures, flagpoles, and all other such units that serve the building.
(2) Plumbing systems, lighting systems, heating, cooling, ventilating and air handling systems, alarm systems, sound systems, surveillance systems, passenger and freight elevators, escalators, build-in casework, walk-in coolers and freezers, fixed shelving, and other fixed equipment are included with the building, if owned. Communication antennas and/or towers are not included as buildings. These are parts of the equipment units that they serve.
EQUIPMENT. All other types of physical property within the scope of the fixed asset management system not previously classified. Included within this category are office mechanical equipment, office furniture, appliances, furnishings, machinery items, maintenance equipment, communication equipment, police, fire, sanitation and park department, laboratory equipment, vehicles, road equipment, aircraft, emergency equipment, earth moving equipment, text equipment, civil defense equipment, and data processing equipment. All supplies are excluded.
IMPROVEMENTS OTHER THAN BUILDINGS.
(1) Examples of civil city assets in this category are walks, parking areas and drives, fencing, retaining walls, pools, fountains, planters, underground sprinkler systems, and other similar items.
(2) Examples of city utilities assets in this category are water supply mains, collection sewers, wells, dams, fences, intake pipes, manholes, and fire hydrants.
INFRASTRUCTURE.
(1) Long-lived capital that normally can be preserved for a significantly greater number of years than most capital and that are normally stationary in nature. Examples include roads, streetlights, traffic signals, drainage systems, and water systems. Infrastructure assets do not include buildings, drives, parking lots, or any other examples given above that are incidental to property or access to the property above.
(2) Additions and improvements to infrastructure, which increase the capacity or efficiency of the asset, will be capitalized. Maintenance/repairs will be considered as necessary to maintain theexisting asset, and therefore not capitalized. For example, patching, resurfacing, snow removal, etc. are considered maintenance activities and will be expensed. Also, normal department operating activities such as feasibility studies, and preliminary engineering and design, will be expensed and not capitalized as an element of the infrastructure asset.
(3) Alleys will not be included as part of infrastructure; the land under alleys will be added to total land.
LAND. Specified land, lots, parcels, or acreage including rights-of-way, owned by the city and its various departments, boards, or authorities, regardless of the method or date of acquisition. Easements will not be included, as the city does not own them, but as an interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specified limited use.
(Ord. 2005-24, passed 9-19-05)