The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District board on a recorded vote approved two sets of grants: a community air protection (CAP) incentive funding package totaling $1,635,687 for an electric school bus project and a public charging infrastructure project, and a separate Clean Air Fund grant of up to $27,333 to assist the County of Ventura Sustainability Division in purchasing indoor air purifiers and replacement filters for selected county schools.

Tyler Harris, planning rules and incentives manager for the APCD, told the board the CAP package stems from the district’s incentive program and competitive application process. “Staff received 116 total applications for projects through the incentive programs in 2024, of which 36 qualified for CAP funding,” Harris said. He described the two projects approved by the board: one qualified electric school bus project and one infrastructure project to install 25 Level 3 heavy-duty public charging stations. Harris reported the total value of the proposed CAP grants is $1,635,687 and said the total cost of the projects including applicant cost share was stated during the presentation.

Separately, Harris explained the Clean Air Fund Advisory Committee recommended partial funding of the county’s project to buy air purifiers for schools. The board authorized an agreement with the County of Ventura Sustainability Division for “not to exceed $27,333” and authorized the Air Pollution Control Officer to sign the grant agreement and the auditor-controller to process required budget transactions.

Why it matters: Board members and staff said both CAP projects and the school purifier purchases are targeted to communities designated as disadvantaged or low income under state criteria; Harris said both proposed CAP projects are located in those communities. Harris also said the district will use carryover CAP year funds, CAP interest funds and AB 923 DMV-authorized funds as part of funding. The board approved the CAP funding and the Clean Air Fund grant after motions to approve staff recommendations; the CAP item and the Clean Air Fund item each required and received six affirmative votes when noted.

Process and oversight: Staff will administer the grant agreements, verify contract requirements prior to payment, and monitor completed projects according to program requirements. No members of the public spoke during these agenda items.

Next steps: Staff will finalize grant agreements, monitor project implementation and return with any required reporting to the board according to program terms.