Board approves Lake County Air Quality District draft budget, endorses state funding advocacy

The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted June 9 to approve the draft fiscal year 2026–27 budget for the Lake County Air Quality Management District and to continue pressing the state for additional sustained funding to meet mandated monitoring and enforcement obligations.

Doug Gard, the district’s air pollution control officer, told the board the district is operating with "4.8 full‑time staff positions" and described how recent state and federal mandates and equipment requirements have increased workload and capital needs. He said one‑time carryover funds and recently adopted fee increases will allow the district to hire at least one additional staff member once annual renewal fees are collected.

Board members focused on the budget’s fee changes and the effects on small permit holders. Supervisors noted that some of the increases were phased in after the September 2025 fee adoption and that certain permit categories (for example, burn permits and retail gasoline station renewals) now reflect increases that will better align fee revenue with program costs.

Gard recommended the board remain on record opposing further state cuts to local districts and urged continued state funding to cover the workload tied to state‑mandated programs, monitoring requirements and equipment replacement schedules. He warned that EPA and ARB rule changes are increasing technical requirements — including equipment replacement and calibration obligations — at substantial cost.

After public comment and discussion, the board moved and approved the draft budget so staff may proceed to the next steps required by law. The board also voted to record a formal position opposing further state funding reductions and to encourage additional state support for district mandates. The board will consider final adoption at a later meeting following required public processes.