Douglas CountyâÂÂs ozone levels are creeping toward a regulatory danger zone that could end up costing area residents time, money and convenience, according to a new county report.

The report, compiled by the countyâÂÂs Air Quality Advisory Committee, showed that tests this year found that the countyâÂÂs air had not yet exceeded federal guidelines for ozone.

But the Kansas City metropolitan areaâÂÂs air contains enough ozone, and reaches high levels often enough, to subject the area to tighter federal controls on emissions, the committee found.

If Douglas County gets pulled into the metro area for regulatory purposes, county residents could one day be required to buy more environmentally sensitive fuels and businesses could face tighter controls on emissions and other regulations.

âÂÂItâÂÂs a surprise – an unpleasant surprise,â County Administrator Craig Weinaug said of the report. âÂÂAnything that happens, once youâÂÂre declared to be out of compliance, involves specially formulated gasoline and things that basically drive up the cost of living for people living in that metropolitan area – so itâÂÂs not in Douglas CountyâÂÂs interest to be lumped in with Kansas City.âÂÂ

County commissioners will consider the report during their meeting Monday at the county courthouse, 1100 Mass. The meetingâÂÂs start is being postponed from 9 a.m. to 6:35 p.m., to accommodate a commissionerâÂÂs schedule.

Also in the meeting agenda:

⢠Notify townships about plans to issue licenses for businesses to sell cereal malt beverages.

⢠Approve a zoning change previously approved by commissioners in 1994 but not yet endorsed by resolution.

⢠Approve an emergency vehicle permit for Steve Weese, who has completed a training program and intends to drive a vehicle to handle emergency responses in the Lecompton area.

⢠Discuss possible floodplain regulations being considered by a committee of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.

⢠Learn about the economic effects of arts on the Lawrence area.

⢠Consider a request to help finance a Heritage Summit.

⢠Discuss possible responses of county government to budget cuts announced Tuesday by Gov. Bill Graves, including a $1.6 million loss for the county.