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Shasta County Air District shortfall triggers planned assessments and fee review
Summary
Resource Management and AQMD staff told the board the Air Pollution Control District has run persistent deficits and drew down restricted carryover funds. Staff said they will pursue better use of restricted funds, prepare fee increases and notify member jurisdictions of potential per-capita assessments.
Shasta County resource management staff briefed the Board of Supervisors April 22 on a multi-year shortfall within the Shasta County Air Pollution Control District and described steps to limit the county’s fiscal exposure.
Sean Ewing, director of Resource Management and the county’s Air Pollution Control Officer, said district spending exceeded revenues for several years and that the district began drawing on restricted program funds. A routine change in accounting presentation by the county auditor-controller made the negative unassigned general-purpose balance visible.
Ewing said his review of the district’s history shows deficits date back to fiscal year 2013–14 and that restricted carryover funds remained available for several years, masking an underlying deficit. “It appears that the district was operating with expenditures exceeding revenues year after year for several years leading up to fiscal year 2013 and 14,” Ewing said. He added staff are now evaluating prior-year expenditures to determine which restricted funds, if any, can legitimately be used to reduce the required assessments.
Planned next steps - District staff will complete a review of prior-year restricted funds, reconcile records with the county auditor-controller and identify legitimate uses of restricted balances. Ewing said that work may reduce the amount member jurisdictions ultimately must contribute. - The district will bring fee adjustments to the Air Pollution Control Board in June and additional fee proposals later in the year, to take effect January 2026, as allowed by state law (which caps single-year fee increases in some categories). - If restricted funds can’t cover the gap, the district expects to allocate the remaining shortfall among member jurisdictions on a per-capita basis, pursuant to Health and Safety Code guidance.
Why it matters - The Air District administers grants and programs aimed at reducing pollutants from mobile and non-stationary sources. Persistent deficits could require direct contributions from the member jurisdictions and affect grant program delivery. - Ewing said staff will prioritize minimizing assessments while preserving essential district services and grant programs.
Board response and oversight - Supervisors asked about past meetings on the matter and requested more detail on the auditor-controller’s reconciliation. Auditor-Controller Nola Short confirmed the deficit surfaced when fund balances were reported with restricted carryovers separated. - The board asked staff to report back after the district completes its reconciliation and to present recommended fee changes and any proposed assessments so supervisors can evaluate options.
Ending District staff will complete the financial reconciliation, coordinate with the auditor-controller and return to the board and Air Pollution Control Board with final figures, proposed fee changes and a recommended assessment plan for member jurisdictions if needed.
