Dwindling Revenue Forces AQMD to Reduce Its Staff
The South Coast Air Quality Management District plans to reduce its staff through attrition by 6% because emissions fees and equipment operating fees from recession-plagued businesses are expected to drop this year.
AQMD Executive Officer James M. Lents acknowledged that “some air quality programs will suffer” as a result. AQMD spokesman Tom Eichhorn said the agency is committed to keeping recent promises on providing a quicker turnaround on permit applications. The agency, headquartered in Diamond Bar, is trying to cut the number of employees to 981, Eichhorn said. About 70% of the AQMD’s $113-million budget comes from the fees.
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