About Us

The Air Pollution Control Officer
Boards and Committees Information
Financial Reports
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The District was formed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in 1968, in response to the county's first air pollution study. The study identified Ventura County as having a severe air quality problem. Currently, Ventura County does not meet the federal air quality standards for ozone. It also exceeds the state standards for ozone and particulate matter. With over 800,000 county residents, the District is committed to programs that will clean the air to protect public health.
 
The Air Pollution Control District has a staff of about fifty employees including inspectors, engineers, planners, technicians, and support staff. The District works with business and industry to reduce emissions from new and existing sources. The District is divided into divisions. They include Administrative Services, Compliance, Engineering, Rule Development & Incentive Programs, Information Services, Monitoring, Planning and Evaluation, and Public Information.

 

The Air Pollution Control Officer

The District's Executive Officer is charged with the authority to direct APCD staff. The APCO makes policy recommendations to the Air Pollution Control Board and is responsible for implementing Board decisions.

Michael J. Villegas was appointed by the APCD Board to be the Air Pollution Control Officer effective August 18, 2002. Mike started his career with the District in 1988 as an air pollution control engineer responsible for rules relating to emission controls, air toxics, new source review, and Title V permitting. Promoted to manager in 1994, he has been responsible for the development of all APCD Rules and Regulations, providing staff support to the Ventura County Clean Air Fund Advisory Committee, and implementation of the District's Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction Grant Programs. Prior to joining the District, he was a project engineer for the Navy's alternative fuel vehicle program. While working at the Navy's Arctic Submarine Laboratory and Undersea Weapons Group, he also performed research on arctic sea ice growth and hydrodynamics.