South Coast Air Quality Management District

Recognize and Appropriate Additional Subvention Funds from CARB for Enforcement and Compliance Projects and Add Positions

SYNOPSIS: 

An increase in state subvention funding to local districts will result in approximately $3.45 million in additional funding to the AQMD to carry out enhanced enforcement and compliance activities. This action is to recognize and appropriate these funds to the FY 2000-01 Budget and to add thirty-two positions.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, February 9, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Recognize $3,447,325 in additional State subvention funding to carry out CARB approved enforcement and compliance program expenditures.
   
   
2. Upon CARB approval, appropriate $3,447,325 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the FY 2000-01 Budget in the following Major Objects: Salary and Employee Benefits, $1,968,050; Services and Supplies, $361,275; and Fixed Assets, $1,118,000.
   
   
3. Add and allocate thirty-two positions as indicated in the attachment.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The air district subvention program was initiated in FY 1972-73 in recognition that local air districts were performing functions whose costs should properly be covered by state funding sources. The funding level gradually increased until FY 1986-87 where it was held constant until this year, despite the fact that a number of factors added costs to local air districts that went unrecognized by the state subvention program. Over the last two years efforts were renewed to increase state subventions for local air districts. This year the effort has been successful in getting an increase in subvention funding approved in the state's budget.

Proposal

At the September 15, 2000 Governing Board meeting, the Board approved the Executive Officers proposed draft expenditure plan for additional subvention funds. This plan incorporated current agency needs in the areas of enforcement and compliance. Since the development and approval of this plan, CARB has refined the subvention allocation to local agencies and released the Revised 2000-01 Subvention Guidance Package. Based on the new guidance package, the AQMD should receive approximately $3.45 million in additional funding. The attached list of enforcement and compliance related program enhancements, which builds upon the September Board approved list, details AQMD’s $3.45 million funding request. The items are arranged in priority order and will be funded by the Executive Officer in that order, based on the final allocation from CARB. Generally speaking, about 44% of the anticipated $3.45 million will be used to hire and equip permit processing engineers and inspectors. This would result in about a 15% increase in permit processing staff and would allow us to have inspectors in all the designated geographic sectors rather than having sectors share an inspector. In addition, this request includes two mobile platforms targeted for community monitoring and the purchase of source test and other laboratory equipment needed for compliance analysis. Additional resources are also included in the District Prosecutor's Office, Public Affairs’ Office, and Area Sources to facilitate and enhance compliance by providing compliance assistance, customer service, and response to complaints.

Resource Impacts

This additional funding will enhance AQMDs Enforcement and Compliance activities and will provided needed funding to upgrade or replace obsolete equipment.

Attachment

List of Items to be funded from Increased Subvention Funds

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