BOARD MEETING DATE: October 9, 1998 AGENDA NO. 6
PROPOSAL:
Authorize Twelve New Positions and the Transfer of Funds for the Enhanced Compliance Inspections Program for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
SYNOPSIS:
Additional Air Quality Inspector and clerical positions are required by Stationary Source Compliance to implement an enhanced compliance inspection program for gasoline dispensing facilities. The Board, as part of the FY 1998-99 Budget, allocated $1,000,000 in Stationary Source Compliance to fund an enhanced service station compliance program. This action is to approve twelve additional positions and transfer program funding from the Professional and Special Services Account to the Salary and Employee Benefits, Fixed Assets, and Services and Supplies accounts within Stationary Source Compliance to implement the program
COMMITTEE:
Administrative and Stationary Source, September 18, 1998, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Transfer $1,000,000 from the Stationary Source Compliance, Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account to the following Accounts within the Stationary Source Compliance Budget:
a) Salaries and Employee Benefits $733,100 b) Fixed Assets 209,000 c) Services & Supplies 57,900 Total . $1,000,000 - Authorize the hiring of 12 additional compliance personnel (one Air Quality Inspector III, nine Air Quality Inspector IIs, two Office Assistants) to handle more frequent inspections and related compliance activities at retail gasoline dispensing facilities.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer
Background
Recent audits have shown unacceptable compliance rates in the service station industry. While the AQMD has reallocated some resources to stationary source enforcement, the compliance improvement has been disappointing. To achieve a satisfactory compliance level, a significant increase in resources devoted to service station enforcement is needed. On May 8, 1998, the Board approved an additional per-nozzle annual compliance assessment fee for the 4,100 retail and 3,000 commercial gasoline dispensing facilities in the basin. Additional revenue is projected to be $1,032,000 for the first year. Of this amount, the Board allocated $1,000,000 in the FY 1998-99 budget to fund an enhanced service station compliance program.
Proposal
To fund the expenditures associated with increased inspection frequencies and other compliance activities, staff proposes that the Board authorize the transfer of $1,000,000, currently classified in the FY 1998-99 budget as Stationary Source Compliance, Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Expense Account, to the following Expense Accounts within the Stationary Source Compliance Budget:
| 1) Salaries and Employee Benefits | $733,100 |
| 2) Fixed Assets | 209,000 |
| 3) Services & Supplies | 57,900 |
| Total | .$1,000,000 |
Furthermore, staff proposes that the Board authorize the hiring of 12 additional compliance personnel to support the enhanced compliance program. A description of these 12 positions is as follows:
| No. of Positions | ||
| Air Quality Inspector III | 1 | |
| Air Quality Inspector II | 9 | |
| Office Assistant | 2 |
This matter has been discussed with California Teamsters Local 911 and they concur with the proposed action.
Resource Impacts
A total of $1,000,000 is needed to support the enhanced service station compliance program. Through this Board action, the funds will be transferred from one SSC budget account to other SSC accounts. Staffing will change from 741 to 753 positions. The purchase of the required ten vehicles, as fixed assets, is included under separate cover in a request to purchase vehicles for the AQMD fleet.
Attachment
Exhibit A – Cost Breakdown
Salary and Employee Benefits
| No. of Positions | Salary | Benefits | Total | |
| AQ Inspector III | 1 | 59,856 | 10,390 | 70,246 |
| AQ Inspector II | 9 | 54,705 | 10,037 | 582,678 |
| Office Assistant | 2 | 32,149 | 7,939 | 80,176 |
| TOTAL Salary/Benefits | $733,100 |
Fixed Assets
| Quantity | Amount Each | Total | |
| Vehicles | 10 | $18,000 | $180,000 |
| Notebook Computers | 10 | 2,500 | 25,000 |
| Personal Computers, including software | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| TOTAL Fixed Assets | $209,000 |
Services & Supplies *
| Office Expense, | 7,900 |
| Communications, | 10,000 |
| Rents & Leases of Equipment, etc | 40,000 |
| TOTAL Services & Supplies | $57,900 |
| GRAND TOTAL | $1,000,000 |
* Transfers will be made during the year as actual expenses are determined.
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