Air Quality Management Division Organizational Audit

The Northern Nevada Public Health District Board of Health requested that all NNPH divisions conduct a regulatory and organizational effectiveness audit. For NNPH’s Air Quality Management Division, key audit questions included:

• Is AQMD meeting and delivering on community needs such as public education, engagement, and addressing community concerns?
• Is AQMD utilizing best business and operating practices?
• Is AQMD identifying and addressing areas for operational improvement?
• What process and procedural changes could improve important AQMD work outcomes, including public health and environmental protection, transparency, and the regulated community’s ability to comply with AQMD regulations?

AQMD selected ERG to conduct an organizational audit to evaluate AQMD’s strengths, weaknesses, and challenges across key areas, including permit actions and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and requirements; compliance and enforcement actions, metrics, and policies; transparency in operations and responsiveness to community needs; and overall operational efficiencies and business practices. ERG conducted interviews, a desk review, and reviews of AQMD’s permitting and compliance programs to identify areas for improvement and opportunities to enhance AQMD’s efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery. Based on this input, ERG developed actionable recommendations to help AQMD improve internally and externally in delivering its services.