Memorandum
Date: June 1, 2021
To: The Honorable Bruno Sabatier, Chair, Lake County Air Quality Management District
Board of Directors
From: Douglas Gearhart, APCO
Subject: LCAQMD FY 21/22 Draft Budget Hearing, Budget Units #8799 & #8798.
Executive Summary: The Lake County Air Quality Management District (District) maintains an active and effective air quality management program to protect the health and welfare of the populace of the Lake County Air Basin. This is a shared mission with State and Federal agencies. The District has primary responsibility for stationary air pollution sources in conformance with all District regulations and State and Federal laws. As a designated Air Basin, the District participates in several Local, State and Federal programs by law. The District’s attainment status with all of the Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) has enabled flexibility when meeting State and Federal requirements.
The above referenced, June 9, 2021, draft budget hearing is intended to meet the requirements of California Health and Safety Code (H&SC) Section 40131.
A. The purpose of this hearing is to review, take public comment on, and consider the District’s FY 2021/2022 draft budget (See Attachment 1 and 2). The final budget is to be considered for adoption at a later date
B. Air Districts in general do not expect a further decrease in State subvention (the historical decrease was 30%), but such is possible given the State’s budget. Other revenue and expenditures are well balanced but because of the restrictive use of subvention, and increased number of State mandated activities, increasing subvention is essential to ongoing functions. Large non-attainment areas of the State receive significant funds for regional work, which the Legislature sees as funding going to Districts. This perception creates significant challenges for rural areas to show they are different, and don’t have access to any of those funds, but need additional funding to prevent significant impacts to the local economy. With the State increasing the District’s requirements and work load, additional funds are needed to implement these requirements, without subvention increases, fee increases are necessary to fund these activities.
C. Staff has taken an active role in CAPCOA to ensure Lake County (the only Full Attainment District) is represented in all statewide proceedings and discussions with the ARB. This provides visibility for Lake County, regular contact with State officials, and the need for ARB Executive staff to work on specific Lake County concerns. The benefit to Lake County has been significant financially with grant programs, and we have had a voice in changing some strict regulatory language and clearing up significant confusion in regulations that could affect Lake County businesses. Participation requires monthly Sacramento meetings (currently weekly Zoom meetings), and a few meetings in other parts of the State. This is a multi-year effort requiring a long-term commitment for participation on the CAPCOA Board.
D. The District is mandated to enforce Local, State, and Federal air quality laws, rules, and regulations in order to meet and maintain the AAQS and protect the public health and welfare pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act and State Implementation Plan. As such, much of the District’s activities are mandated, such as the permitting program, enforcement activities, air monitoring, complaint program, Variance/Hearing Board activities, air toxics emissions inventory, as well as numerous State and Federal reporting requirements. Pursuant to the 2003 Program Audit and Action Plan adopted by this Board on January 30, 2008, the District’s highest priorities are placed on potential health impacts and complaints of health impacts.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☐ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☐ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☐ Cost Savings
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
Which exemption is being requested?
How long has Agreement been in place?
When was purchase last rebid?
Reason for request to waive bid?
Recommended Action:
A. That the Board of Directors approve the FY 21/22 Draft Budget proposed for the District.
B. That the Board of Directors continue to be on record as opposed to any further State subvention cuts to the District, and support District staff seeking additional funding to support the additional work load placed on the District.
C. That the Board of Directors be on record as supporting District staff to continue to actively participate on the CAPCOA Board to represent the needs and interests of Lake County related to Air Quality program funding, regulations, and benefits.
D. That the Board of Directors continue their policy directive that health impacts, health risks, health based complaints, and mandated programs/requirements be given top priority, followed by activities that have regulatory time frames, and other funded activities which includes new permit issuance, periodic inspections, etc..., or as directed by the Board.