Newsletter Volume No., Issue No.

Don't Get Left in the Dark

How GIS services help local governments and utilities manage assets

Improving the quality of life for the citizens of their communities is a common goal for local governments. Having safe, reliable, cost-effective electric, water, and sewer services is often taken for granted, and many citizens are "in the dark" about the tremendous resources required to keep the lights on. "By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into their workflow, our utility clients are making better, more informed business decisions." said Mark Nelson, GIS Director and Vice President at Jones Edmunds & Associates, Inc. "It is becoming increasingly important for utilities to do more with less, and GIS helps make this possible." Local governments and utilities (both public and private) routinely seek ways to improve service for their constituents.

The integration of GIS into utility operations represents a significant advance in the ability to manage utility systems while improving their reliability and service. From tracking scheduled flushing of sewer systems to finding the right valves to isolate in a water main break to modeling system modifications or tracing the source of a power outage, GIS can be a valuable tool for tracking and analyzing utility information.

A utility's GIS database contains spatial representations of the objects in the utility network, including valves, pipes, and meters for a water utility; poles, transformers, meters and conductors for an electric utility; and so on. With GIS software, the GIS database is used to mimic the behavior of the various utility networks. Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) use GIS to map, model, and analyze complex networks such as their water, sewer, and electrical systems. For example, if there is a service interruption, GIS can be used to identify potential sources (i.e. transformers, fuses, etc) and map any associated impacted features (i.e. services), so quick action can be taken whenever there's a break or interruption in service. Although GIS data can't turn the lights back on, it can need response whenever and wherever problems occur.

Jones Edmunds combines its water resources, water and wastewater, and electrical project experience with each GIS implementation. The GIS team at Jones Edmunds regularly draws on this knowledge and experience to deliver a comprehensive, user-friendly solution.

We bring our pool of experts together to help our clients make the most out of their technology investment, Nelson said. It helps to work with a company that has both GIS expertise and utility
engineering backgrounds. We help save our clients time and money by removing
the guesswork and providing comprehensive solutions to meet their utility needs.

Adopted in 1999 with implementation requirements beginning in 2002, GASB 34 redefines the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that govern state and local government accounting and financial reporting.

Considered one of the most significant changes in the history of governmental accounting, the goal of GASB 34 is to ensure that state and local governments provide enough information to better determine their financial position and create accountability in the care and management of their assets.

Under this regulation, financial reporting on all infrastructure assets, dating back to at least 1980, is required for the first time. Assets must be identified and recorded at an actual, or at an estimated historical cost, as well as depreciated to the current reporting period. In order to receive government funding for improvement projects, and new projects alike, city and county governments need to have an accurate system to manage data and track resources. This requirement is forcing unilateral use of data through several departments that previously worked autonomously with their own data system.

KEY DEFINITIONS (defined by GASB 34)

CAPITAL ASSETS
Land, improvements to land, easements, buildings, building improvements, vehicles, machinery,
equipment, works of art and historical treasures, infrastructure, and all other tangible
and intangible assets that are used in operations and have initial useful lives extending beyond a single reporting period

INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS
Long-lived capital assets that normally are stationary in nature and normally can be preserved
for a significantly greater number of years than most capital assets. Examples of infrastructure assets include roads, bridges, tunnels, drainage systems, water and sewer systems, dams, and lightning systems.

ASSET MANAGMENT
Refers to a set of processes or activities addressing the proactive management of capital assets and/or infrastructure as follows:

· maintaining a systematic record of individual assets with regard to acquisition cost, original and remaining useful life, physical condition and cost history for maintenance and repair;
· having a defined program for sustaining the aggregate body of assets through planned maintenance, repair and/or replacement; and
· implementing and managing information systems in support of these elements.

Although GASB 34 is not a government regulation, non-compliance requires outside auditors to render adverse opinions on financial statements. This, in turn, adversely impacts a government's financial capabilities.

Jones Edmunds ranks 136th among the Nation's Top 200 Environmental Engineering Firms

In the most recent issue of Engineering News Record (ENR), a highly reflected publication in the engineering industry, Jones Edmunds placed 136th of ENRÃ?'s Top 200 Environmental Firms in the nation. This is Jones Edmunds first appearance
on the list.

Firms were ranked by gross revenue for environmental services reported in 2004. Design, construction, project management, equipment manufacture, technology research and development, laboratory and analytic services, and contract operations firms were all evaluated
in the rankings.

We take great pride in providing our clients with unparalleled, quality service, said Ken Vogel, Corporate Marketing Director at Jones Edmunds. We are honored to be recognized by this prestigious industry publication (ENR) for our environmental work.

Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project Wins State Award

Jones Edmunds & Associates was recognized with the Project of the Year award by the Florida Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for its Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project in Alachua County. In partnership with the County and Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), the project was designed to capture and convert methane gas to electricity and distribute it as green energy to the community.

We're very proud that the engineering community in the state of Florida has recognized this project to be a significant achievement. By working with our community partners, Alachua County and Gainesville Regional Utilities, the Landfill Gas-to-Energy project is a great example of how as a community we can work together towards the same goal of conserving the environment, said John Arnold, Jones Edmunds Vice President and Solid Waste Discipline Director.
GIS Wins Work in Hillsborough County Jones Edmunds was recently awarded three separate 2-year continuing services contracts for GIS in Hillsborough County for GIS Consulting Management, GIS Support and GIS Application Development.

Client Spotlight: City of St. Cloud

"Come celebrate small town life in St. Cloud, Florida"

The slogan for the City of St. Cloud, Florida urges its residents and visitors to celebrate the small town style captured in this community located just outside of Orlando. St. Cloud is located in Osceola County and is growing exponentially. Keeping track of and accounting for all of its assets has become an issue for St. Cloud, just as it has for many cities. As the City grows, it will need the infrastructure to support that growth. Recent construction projects in the City include a new Senior Center/Evacuation Center and a City Hall. The City is also expanding its marina to host 140 boat slips and constructing a lakefront eatery and banquet rental facility.