Jeff C. Johnston

The board meeting primarily focused on the upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget, detailing funding reductions at the state and federal levels and outlining necessary expenditures for fleet vehicles, software database contracts, and state implementation plan updates. The board also received a report on the expansion of the residential burn notification system, which aims to provide standardized fire safety and air quality information across jurisdictions, with plans for further automation through database integration.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors included several action items, such as approval of the agenda and consent items, which covered the minutes from the February 2026 meeting and expenditures/disbursements for February 2026. Key discussions involved an update regarding the expansion of the residential burn notification system. The presentation section was focused on the Regional Focus on Thurston County. New business centered on proposed fee increases for the Asbestos/Demolition and Registration Programs. The meeting also included comprehensive Director's Reports covering executive updates, operations, compliance, air monitoring, and communications, followed by a Board Member Roundtable and an Executive Session.

The board meeting included a review of the State Auditor's exit conference report, covering an accountability audit, a financial audit, and an attestation engagement for the Air Operating Permit program, all spanning the fiscal period of July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2020. The accountability audit determined that agency operations complied with applicable laws and provided adequate controls. The financial audit resulted in an unmodified (clean) audit opinion, though an adverse GAAP opinion was noted due to the use of the cash basis method. The attestation procedures over the Air Operating Permit program found no issues. Following the audit presentation, public comments were raised regarding the lifting of the COVID burn ban and concerns about allowing structure fires for firefighting training while toxic materials remain in structures, citing health implications related to wildfire smoke and prescribed burning guidelines during the pandemic.

The board meeting commenced with introductions of board members and staff. Key discussion points included finalizing performance measures for the new Executive Director, with a draft expected by the April board meeting for potential adoption in April or May. The Chair also discussed the upcoming annual meeting in April, which will include elections for chair and vice-chair, and the first finance committee meeting to review financials and begin budget considerations. A presentation on the Mason County Saturation Study was delivered, detailing the use of PurpleAir sensors to assess the representativeness of the permanent air monitor. The presentation explained the methodology, including the development of a monthly correction factor due to seasonal dependency and non-linear comparison across PM2.5 ranges, noting that uncorrected PurpleAir sensors can over-predict particulate levels, especially in winter. The agency is working to streamline the posting of county-specific correction factors for public use.

The meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Meredith McCormack, a professor of medicine and division director at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, discussing the linkage between air quality and public health. Key topics included a detailed explanation of breathing mechanics, the function of the lungs' natural defenses against pollutants, and the significance of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and ultrafine particles) size and penetration into the bloodstream. Dr. McCormack detailed the multi-system health effects of air pollution, including increased risks for asthma, chronic lung disease, heart attacks, stroke, certain cancers, and impacts on lung development in children. The discussion also touched upon environmental justice issues, noting that lower-income communities and communities of color often face higher risks from outdoor air pollution, although indoor air quality is also critical. Scientific evidence was presented demonstrating that reducing air pollution standards leads to measurable health benefits, such as reduced mortality and hospitalizations.