|
 Asset and resource management may sound like
a pretty dense task, but really it’s just about doing more with less. As
public works departments get larger, it helps to have a cockpit reading of
how all the moving parts are performing. Software gives you this view.
In Monterey, California, Deputy Public Works
Director, Hans Uslar is using the data he’s getting
from his management software to turn up dollars where they’d previously been
buried.
For example, he knew the city was doing a lot
of free “locator” services for citizens. If someone wanted to build a new
driveway, the city would go out and locate where the utilities, water lines,
fiber cables, and electricity were. But, when looking at the data, he was
surprised to find they were doing over 1200 a year. His reports told him
that many times these services were subsequently associated with new, costly
work. Something needed to change. The city will still do “locator” services
for free, but now charges for pulling the permit when new work is required.
It’s created an entirely new revenue stream.
Along the same lines, Uslar combined data he
pulled from his management system and plugged it into his pavement
management system. With the two together, he could run “what if” scenarios
into the future. He could determine what construction in a certain area
would mean to public streets based on existing scenarios. Now, the city
charges appropriate construction impact fees that have generated an
additional $500 to $600 thousand annually.
Uslar also checks his software before
deciding what to buy versus what to rent versus what to outsource. And, when
excess capacity is found, it’s now sold to other municipalities. For
example, the city recently determined it would be cheaper to buy a
Vectra truck (a huge vacuum truck on wheels used to suck
debris out of storm drains) instead of renting. They had been cleaning the
drains each spring and fall and renting each time. After checking the data
it was clear that they’d save by buying their machine.
Now, when the city isn’t using the truck they
rent it to the neighboring city of Carmel and to a local Army garrison, for
extra dollars.
A plane without cockpit readings is
frightening in this day and age. But today’s public works departments have
as many moving parts or more. Software solutions can give decision makers
the info they need to navigate a better course.
Do you have a similar success story? Please
share it with us; call Jennifer Burr at (970)
379-3061.
Table of Contents Volume 4, Edition 1
| 
