LAKEPORT — A pilot program providing assistance to small agricultural operations for stationary diesel engines was approved Tuesday by the Lake County Board of Supervisors (BOS).
The BOS adjourned and reconvened as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Air Quality Management District (AQMD) for the item.
Doug Gearhart, air pollution control officer, said the one-year pilot program was created to assist county farmers with new state air quality regulations for diesel engines.
He said it is a voluntary developer program for local owner-operators who need assistance with meeting the new regulations for stationary diesel equipment.
One of the requirements of the pilot program is that the piece of equipment emits less than 10 tons per year of any single pollutant and less than 20 tons per year of all pollutants.
Other requirements include the equipment be compliant with AQMD standards and regulations for the past three years, that the operation is independently owned and operated wholly within Lake County, is not dominant in its field of operation and has annual receipts of less than $750,000.
Gearhart said an annual permit renewal fee is required for the program, which will cost $110 per engine.
“This is very important for small operators,” District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock said.
The pilot program was unanimously approved.
“This is a step in the right direction,” BOS Chair Rob Brown said.
In other matters, the BOS approved the purchase of 59 computers for the Social Services Department in the amount of $52,402.
Carol Huchingson, Social Services director, said the computers were needed to continue using C-IV, a web-based system used by 38 counties to determine eligibility for welfare programs and for granting public assistance.
The department is required by a Joint Powers Agreement to periodically upgrade the computers because of changing technology.
Huchingson said about one-third of the department”s computers will be replaced this year, continuing each year until its computers are current.
She said the purchase cost was included and approved in its 2012-13 budget.
Brown asked Huchingson if the surplus computers could be provided to other county departments, which she said was possible.
An afternoon session was scheduled for five assessment appeal hearings, though four were withdrawn in advance of the meeting.
The BOS adjourned and reconvened as the Lake County Local Board of Equalization.
Staff informed the board that the applicants for the fifth assessment appeal hearing indicated they would withdraw their request, though the paperwork was not received by Tuesday afternoon.
The board voted 4-0 to deny the appeal without prejudice.
District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing was absent for the afternoon session.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14. Follow on Twitter: @KevinNHume.
