Structural Pest Control Board approves fee and regulatory package after budget review; rejects most public comments

The Structural Pest Control Board voted to move forward with a package of fee and regulatory changes after staff presented fund-condition statements showing the board faces a structural budget deficit.

Board staff told members the board had a beginning base budget of about $6.8 million and projected expenditures that would reduce reserves, and the Department of Consumer Affairs budget office presented year-to-date and projected revenues showing a continuing gap between revenue and ongoing costs. Ryan Harrington, budget analyst, said the board ended fiscal year 2023–24 with about $2.6 million in reserve and that current-year projections leave the board with a smaller reserve that requires action to avoid service reductions.

Staff and the executive officer recommended the board reject public comments opposing increases to some Wood‑Destroying Organism (WDO) activity reporting fees and proceed with the package as noticed. Executive staff said most license and renewal fees are already at their statutory maximums and that unpredictable fine revenue cannot reliably…