Antonovich to Seek Audit of AQMD

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, citing a 184% increase in the Air Quality Management District’s budget over the last five years, said Wednesday he will ask for an independent audit of the agency.

At a news conference where he was joined by members of the business community, Antonovich charged that the AQMD’s proposed $80.2-million 1989-90 budget unfairly assesses businesses through across-the-board 19.5% increases in annual fees, permit application fees and emission fees.

Antonovich, a member of the AQMD’s board of directors, complained that industry is responsible for 30% of the air pollution in the basin, compared to 70% for motor vehicles, but is being asked to finance 85% of AQMD’s budget.

AQMD spokesman Bill Kelly, while acknowledging that Antonovich’s statistics were “essentially accurate,” said industry is indirectly responsible for a greater share of pollution as a result of emissions from vehicles used by employees during their commute and on the job.