The Health District’s Local Source Control (LSC) program is funded (salaries and benefits, plus 25% overhead) by the State Department of Ecology. The funds are distributed to participating agencies by means of two-year contracts that coincide with the State’s budget cycle. The application deadline for the next contract cycle is March 31, 2019.
LSC staff provide hands-on assistance and regulatory advice to help small businesses identify and resolve possible causes of pollution. Participation by businesses is completely voluntary in nature. The Health District has provided LSC services for approximately 10 years.
Recently, the Snohomish County Office of Energy & Sustainability has invited the Health District to become a participating agency in the EnviroStars program. Staff believe this would benefit the LSC program and have verified that Ecology will allow LSC contract funds to pay for EnviroStars membership costs. Government members in Washington currently include Snohomish County, Snohomish County PUD, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Whatcom County Health Department, Kitsap Public Health District, Spokane Regional Health District, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the United States EPA.
The current LSC contract expires June 30 and provides a total of $471,816 over a two-year period. Health District staff propose to increase the contract to $534,000. This reflects a 6% increase to help offset COLAs that have been implemented as well as an additional $34,000 for Health District dues to become an EnviroStars participating agency. Ecology can accept the Health District’s proposal or award a different dollar amount. LSC is currently budgeted at $240,000 in projected revenue in the 2019 budget. Any need for a budget amendment will be determined after the contract award amount is announced by Ecology.