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1
Asset Retirement Obligation Policy
POLICY NO. 96
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION POLICY
1.0
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Policy is to identify the accounting treatment for Asset Retirement
Obligations (ARO) to comply with the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) Section
3280, as well as inform Council and the users of the end-of-life asset obligations.
2.0
SCOPE
All full-time and part-time Municipal employees, who manage Municipal assets shall fall
within the scope of this policy and must adhere to the police statement contained
within this document.
3.0
DEFINITIONS
3.1
"Accretion Expenses" means the increase in the carrying amount of a liability for
asset retirement obligations due to the passage of time.
3.2
"Asset Retirement Activities" means all activities related to an asset retirement
obligation. These may include, but are not limited to:
- decommissioning or dismantling a tangible capital asset that was acquired;
- constructed, developed or leased;
- remediation of contamination of a tangible capital asset created by its normal
use;
- post-retirement activities such as monitoring; and
- constructing other tangible capital assets to perform post-retirement activities.
3.3
"Asset Retirement Cost" means the estimated amount required to retire a
tangible capital asset.
3.4
"Asset Retirement Obligation" means the legal obligation associated with the
retirement of a tangible capital asset.
3.5
"Retirement of Asset" means the permanent removal of a tangible capital asset
from service. This term encompasses sale, abandonment or disposal in some
other manner but not its temporary idling.
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Asset Retirement Obligation Policy
3.6
"Tangible Capital Assets" means non-financial assets having physical substance
that:
- are held for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to
other, for administrative purposes or for the development, construction,
maintenance or repair of other Municipal tangible capital assets;
- have useful economic lives extending beyond an accounting period;
- are to be used on a continuing basis in municipality's operations; and
- are not for sale in the ordinary course of operations.
4.0
POLICY STATEMENT
The Municipality shall account for and report on Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) in
compliance with the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) Handbook, Section 3280.
Recognition
4.1
A liability should be recognized when, as at the financial report date:
4.1.1 There is a legal obligation to incur retirement costs in relation to a tangible
capital asset;
4.1.2 The past transaction or event giving rise to the liability has occurred;
4.1.3 It is expected that future economic benefits will be given up; and
4.1.4 A reasonable estimate of the amount can be made.
4.2
A liability for an asset retirement obligation cannot be recognized unless all of
the criteria above are satisfied.
4.3
The estimate of the liability would be based on requirements in existing
agreements, contracts, legislation or legally enforceable obligations, and
technology expected to be used in asset retirement activities.
4.4
The estimate of a liability should include costs directly attributable to asset
retirement activities. Costs would include post-retirement operation,
maintenance and monitoring that are an integral part of the retirement of the
tangible capital asset.
4.5
Directly attributable costs would include, but are not limited to, payroll and
benefits, equipment and facilities, materials, legal and other professional fees,
and overhead costs directly attributable to the asset retirement activity.
4.6
Upon initial recognition of a liability for an asset retirement obligation, the
Municipality will recognize an asset retirement cost by increasing the carrying
amount of the related tangible capital asset (or a component thereof) by the
same amount as the liability. Where the obligation relates to an asset which is
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Asset Retirement Obligation Policy
no longer in service, and no longer providing economic benefit, or to an item not
recorded by the Municipality as an asset, the obligation is expensed upon
recognition.
4.7
The capitalization thresholds applicable to the different asset categories will also
be applied to the asset retirement obligations to be recognized within each of
those asset categories.
Subsequent Measurement
4.8
The asset retirement costs will be allocated to accretion expense in a rational
and systemic manner (straight-line method) over the useful life of a tangible
capital asset or a component of the asset.
4.9
On an annual basis, the existing asset retirement obligations will be assessed for
any changes in expected cost, term to retirement or any changes that may
impact the estimated obligation. In addition, any new obligations identified will
also be assessed.
Presentation and Disclosure
4.10
The liability for asset retirement obligations will be disclosed in the financial
statements.
Clerk's Annotation for Official Policy Book
Date of Notice to Council members of Intent to Consider
October 10, 2023
Date of Passage of current Policy
October 24, 2023
I certify that Policy No. 96 "Asset Retirement Obligation Policy" was adopted by
Council as indicated above.
_________________________ ___________________________
Lesa Rossetti Date
Municipal Clerk
VERSION LOG
Version
Number
Amendment Description
Approved
By
Approval Date
1
Approved Policy of Council
Council
October 24, 2023