The Lake County Board of Supervisors wants the County Air Management District to reconsider its plan to raise its fees. The district says it needs more money to do its job to implement local, state, and federal air quality regulations. They’re asking for a 35 percent fee increase in the first year of a three-year phased rollout of the higher charges. The board is questioning that plan and would like the district to consider a 20% first-year increase, with a five-year rollout. The district hasn’t had a major fee hike in almost 30 years, with only periodic cost-of-living adjustments and the burn fee that was started in 2003. Air Pollution Control Officer Douglas Gearhart says the district needs the money quickly to keep up with unfunded federal and state mandates. Supervisors say the more rapid fee increase would be a burden for those who need permits and have offered the five-year plan as an alternative. Supervisors put off a decision until after a follow-up meeting on a future board agenda.
Congressman Mike Thompson–amg those critical of the decision to cut millions of dollars from the federal budget allocated for public radio and TV. Thompson was among the democratic “no” votes when Congress approved the cuts earlier this week. He says public media is an important part of the communication landscape, especially in rural areas. He says Congress is hypocritical to cut public broadcasting and foreign aid, while adding to the national debt under the big, beautiful budget bill signed by President Trump earlier this month. Those who voted yes on the cuts say taxpayers shouldn’t pay for what the administration calls biased and unfair programming
Watch out for some road work in Hopland. Cal trans says paving on. 101 in Hopland from Mountain House Road to Hewlett Sturtevant Road is scheduled Monday through Friday next week. On Monday, crews will be out from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from Tuesday through Friday, from 4 p.m. to midnight. One-way traffic control will be in effect, so you can plan for 5-minute delays. There will be no Parking allowed during paving, and signs have been posted in the impacted areas
