Title
El Dorado County Air Quality Management District recommending the Board, acting as the Board of Directors for the Air Quality Management District:
1) Authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to execute Agreement 8534 with NBS Government Finance Group to prepare a study of the fee structure for a total compensation amount of $24,380 for a term effective upon execution through April 30, 2025; and
2) Authorize Air Pollution Control Officer to execute any necessary amendments relating to Agreement 8534, excluding term extension and increases to the compensation, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Subvention / DMV surcharge operational funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
AQMD's Rule 601, adopted in 2000 and amended in 2005, establishes AQMD's fee structure and set a fee amount for the different types of stationary equipment requiring annual permitting and for one-time AQMD fees. An annual adjustment is required based on the change in the California Consumer Price Index (CPI), and this adjustment is presented to the Board during AQMD's annual proposed budget public hearing.
During AQMD's FY2023/24 proposed budget public hearing, a current permittee expressed concern about the fee structure for his business and AQMD's APCO proposed to the Board that AQMD could hire a consultant to perform a fee study for the District. The Board directed AQMD to include the funding for a fee structure review in the FY2023/24 when AQMD returned on June 20, 2023 for the adoption of the AQMD budget. Since NBS Government Finance Group (NBS) has performed recent fee studies for County departments, AQMD's APCO requested a fee study proposal from NBS and this consultant contract would allow the fee study to be initiated for presentation to the Board upon completion.
ALTERNATIVES
Board could not approve AQMD's APCO to execute the contract and continue with the current fee structure and fees, only making annual adjustments based on the California CPI.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On June 6, 2023, during the AQMD FY2023/24 budget hearing (Legistar #23-0048), the Board directed AQMD to include funding in its FY2023/24 budget to hire a consultant to perform a study of the fee structure for AQMD. AQMD added a line item in professional & specialized services for $50,000 for this work which was approved as part of the FY2023/24 AQMD adopted budget on June 20, 2023.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Procurement/Contracts & County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No General Fund impact. Fee study to be fully funded by AQMD Subvention and/or DMV surcharge operational funding.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk to provide Minute Order to AQMD.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Rania Serieh, Interim Air Pollution Control Officer