Countywide : County, Cities Vie to Administer Safety Codes

A state law designed to create consistent and more efficient enforcement of environmental laws is causing friction between the county and some city fire departments.

The law is meant to reduce the amount of money businesses spend to comply with various health, safety and environmental codes. It requires that each county establish a “lead agency” to administer enforcement programs.

The county wants to be that lead agency, but several cities are resisting the idea. Each jurisdiction presently handles enforcement for businesses within its boundaries.

County officials envision a new system in which the entire county would be governed by the same environmental regulations and fee schedule. Under the county plan, permits would be the same throughout the county and would be available at a central location.

Local fire departments still would handle enforcement in their communities, but they would have to comply with the countywide rules and regulations.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to submit the county plan before the California Environmental Protection Agency, which will eventually select a lead agency.

But several fire departments opposed language in the plan that would establish the county as the board’s choice for administrator. Several cities, including Huntington Beach, might form a joint powers authority and attempt to retain control of environmental enforcement. A few other cities want to keep all enforcement powers within their boundaries.

Board to Get County Regulations Review

A list of government regulations that might be eliminated or modified in an effort to boost the local economy will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in a few weeks.

County employees have been asked to contribute to the list, which is similar to a comprehensive review of state regulations recently ordered by Gov. Pete Wilson.

Supervisor Don Saltarelli suggested the review, saying fewer rules would stimulate economic activity and reduce the amount of money the county spends on enforcement.

“I’m very pleased with the response we’ve received so far,” Saltarelli said. “It’s been my experience . . . that the people in the organization can best suggest positive changes.”

Once the list is completed, officials will identify rules “that no longer seem needed or are a barrier to economic activity,” he said.

Anti-tax activists praised Saltarelli for getting the process started.

“I think there are some regulations that can be cut to make businesses move into our area,” said Carole Walters, president of the Orange Taxpayers Assn. “It makes sense.”

Saltarelli also has asked county officials to investigate the feasibility of encouraging the private sector to get into the bus service business by easing or eliminating regulations.

On Tuesday, supervisors directed officials to examine the issue. Saltarelli said private carriers could operate small bus lines that move people within cities or to and from certain attractions.

Private bus services could ease the burden on the Orange County Transportation Authority as it attempts to cope with reductions in revenue caused by the county bankruptcy, he said.