Book Description

This report presents the findings from an examination of public agency practices (federal, state, and local) in analyzing and reporting deferred maintenance on their facilities, such as roads, bridges, buildings, water or sewer systems, etc. The study team examined existing literature (the results of which are presented in detail in a separate report), and followed up on a small number of past and active Federal, state, and local agency efforts (including field visits to review the activities in New York City and San Jose, California). The study revealed a highly limited amount of either literature or actual ongoing efforts by public agencies directly addressed to the analysis and reporting of deferred maintenance. A consensus appears to exist that "deferred maintenance" should be defined to mean that maintenance and repair needed to bring current assets up to at least a minimum-acceptable physical condition level. Improvements in the asset's capacity or its capability over the original intent for the assets should not be included. Deferred maintenance is usually expressed in reports as the cost to bring assets back to an acceptable physical condition. The needed repairs can include costs that are considered to be capital costs. That is, costs are not limited to only those funded out of operating budget appropriations. The literature and field interviews make a strong case for reporting annually the amount of deferred maintenance. Such information is needed for proper stewardship of public assets and can provide needed information to public officials to help them make more informed judgments as to the allocation of scarce public resources.