RE: Assistance for Treasury
- From
- Stephen Busch
Under GASB 34 old infrastructure (pre-1980) was not included in the required valuation of infrastructure
assets. However, GASB 34 does provide two methods (Depreciation and Modified) for calculating the value of an
infrastructure asset, Despite the 72 line being installed in 1965, perhaps one of these methods could be used to value
the asset.
In addition, to estimate historical cost of infrastructure, the government has to calculate the current replacement cost of
the infrastructure asset, including the costs of materials, equipment and labor used for construction, It then must apply
historical consumer price index values, deflating the current value and estimating the cost of the asset at the time it was
placed in service.
The only issue with an older asset such as this is what to do when the benchmark average lifecycle for that asset type is
less than the actual age of the asset.
Still trying to follow this approach would at least provide something in line with current accounting and asset
management standards.
Stephen Busch, P.E.
Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor
Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance
MDEQ
517-643-2314