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Board signs off on Lake County Air Quality Management District draft budget and directs staff on priorities
Summary
The Lake County Board of Supervisors, sitting as the air district board, approved the Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD) fiscal year 2025-26 draft budget and issued several policy directions including opposing state subvention cuts and continuing to prioritize mandated programs.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors, acting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD) board of directors, approved the district's fiscal year 2025-26 draft budget and gave staff a set of policy directions aimed at protecting air monitoring and enforcement capacity.
LCAQMD Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Deerhart presented the draft budget during a public hearing, describing a balanced budget that reflects continued cost pressures, staff vacancies and the prospect of potential state subvention reductions. Deerhart said a loss of state subvention would require permit-fee increases or cuts in mandated activities. He also described growing workload from geothermal monitoring, indirect-source reporting proposals and rising equipment replacement costs for monitoring instrumentation.
The board took the following actions (each motion carries): they approved the draft FY25-26 budget; directed staff to oppose further state subvention cuts and to pursue increased state funding for rural districts; encouraged LCAQMD staff to re-engage with the California Association of Air Pollution Control Officers (CAPCOA) when feasible; directed staff to prioritize mandated health-risk, permitting and enforcement responsibilities over voluntary programs; and directed staff to work with county HR and administration on long-term recruitment and retention proposals.
During debate supervisors asked about the district reserve levels and the timeline for planned fee changes. Deerhart said the air district had established an operating reserve to buffer funding shocks and that a formal reserve policy would be presented after fee rule-making concludes. The board also discussed the Geysers Air Monitoring Program and shifting administrative responsibilities as neighboring Sonoma County withdraws some support.
Why it matters: The motions underscore the board's intent to protect basic air quality monitoring and regulatory duties despite limited staff and growing requirements from state and federal programs. Several items will return to the board as staff develops fee-rule proposals, reserve policies and potential staffing investments.
