SUBJECT
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING AND CONFIRMATION OF LEVIES FOR MOSQUITO, VECTOR, AND DISEASE CONTROL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT, AND MOSQUITO ABATEMENT AND VECTOR CONTROL SERVICE CHARGE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) Vector Control Program (VCP) protects residents and visitors from health risks associated with vectors, such as mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks that can transmit diseases including West Nile virus, Zika, dengue, plague, hantavirus, Lyme disease, and tularemia. VCP conducts mosquito abatement throughout the San Diego region, performs surveillance and testing of vectors that can cause human disease, and educates members of the public on actions to protect themselves from vectors. Each year, DEHQ has a goal to ensure the incidence of locally acquired West Nile virus remains below one case per 100,000 people, which was achieved in 2025. To help support this goal last year, VCP dedicated significant resources responding to elevated levels of West Nile virus in mosquitoes to help prevent the spread of illness to residents. Additionally, VCP continues to help prevent the spread of new and emerging vector-borne diseases like dengue, which surged globally in 2024, and resulted in the County’s first three cases of dengue being transmitted locally by mosquitoes.
The services performed by VCP are funded by the Mosquito, Vector, and Disease Control Benefit Assessment and the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Service Charge. According to California Proposition 218, approved by voters in 1996, property owners may approve a benefit assessment through a mail ballot measure and, in subsequent years, the governing body may continue or adjust the levy on properties within the limitations set by the measure. The benefit assessment rate is evaluated annually and must be approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board). On June 4, 2025 (3), the Board approved the continuation of the Mosquito, Vector, and Disease Control Benefit Assessment for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.
To continue to meet these program objectives and maintain levels of service expected by stakeholders and customers, DEHQ has determined that the Mosquito, Vector, and Disease Control Benefit Assessment rate must increase in FY 2026-27. The proposed single-family equivalent dwelling rate for the next fiscal year is the annual rate of $13.08, which is a $0.72 increase over the current rate of $12.36. The proposed amount is also under the maximum authorized rate of $15.56. Approximately 69% of VCP's costs are fixed, such as salary and benefits, retirement, enterprise-wide services and facilities, while 31% of the program’s costs, such as services and supplies, are based on operational needs.
Each year, VCP works to contain costs through innovation and efficiencies, so that costs can be kept as low as possible for ratepayers. DEHQ continues to apply about $443,528 new and ongoing savings from VCP cost containment measures to benefit ratepayers. Money saved through staff-led cost-cutting innovations, such as more efficient wide-area treatment methods, will offset the proposed increase next fiscal year by 2.7%. When possible, DEHQ also uses the Vector Control District Trust Fund to offset increasing costs and help ease future rate increases for customers. DEHQ will apply approximately $1.2 million from the Vector Control District Trust Fund balance and its interest for the upcoming fiscal year.
This is a request to adopt a resolution to approve the Engineer’s Report, confirm the assessment diagram and assessment, and order the levy of assessments for the updated Mosquito, Vector, and Disease Control Benefit Assessment for FY 2026-27 by placing it on the tax roll. Additionally, the Board is also being asked to approve the annual resolution necessary to place the unchanged Service Charge on the tax roll for FY 2026-27, which remains frozen at the per-parcel rates of $3.00 (Coastal Subregion), $2.28 (Inland Suburban Subregion), and $2.28 (Inland Rural Subregion).
If this item is not approved by the Board and the assessment and service charge are not placed on the tax roll for FY 2026-27, DEHQ would need to deplete the available Vector Control District Trust Fund balance of $8.3 Million and an additional $8.0 million in one-time alternative County funding would need to be allocated to provide the $16.3 million total to maintain the current levels of service. If the benefit assessment and service charge are not approved and one-time alternative County funding is not identified, then VCP would not be able to maintain mandated and effective service levels in reducing the risk to public health from vector-borne diseases.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find in accordance with Section 21080(b)(8) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15273 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines that this action is exempt from CEQA, because it modifies and approves a charge to meet the operating expenses and necessary financial reserves for an existing program, specifically the County Vector Control Program as described herein and in the Engineer’s Report.
2. Adopt a Resolution entitled: RESOLUTION OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVING ENGINEER'S REPORT, CONFIRMING ASSESSMENT DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT, AND ORDERING THE CONTINUATION OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 FOR THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL PROGRAM’S MOSQUITO, VECTOR AND DISEASE CONTROL ASSESSMENT.
3. Adopt a Resolution entitled: RESOLUTION OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EXERCISING THE POWERS OF THE MOSQUITO ABATEMENT AND VECTOR SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL DISTRICT ADOPTING SERVICE CHARGES AND CONFIRMING REPORTS REGARDING LEVIES TO BE COLLECTED ON THE TAX ROLL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
This action will result in continued protection of public health from the risks of vector borne diseases throughout the San Diego region. Available data from the Engineer’s Report and DEHQ Vector Control Program surveillance and control activities indicate the program is effective in reducing the transmission of vector borne diseases. DEHQ proposes to continue the implementation of an integrated vector management strategy, which incorporates the most effective ways to reduce mosquitoes and protect public health with the least negative impact to the environment. This approach also empowers the public to take preventive measures to protect themselves, their family, and their community through educational community engagement and outreach, which includes multi-lingual media campaigns with a focus on underserved communities.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed actions contribute to the County of San Diego's (County) Sustainability Goals: protect health and wellbeing; protect ecosystems habitats and biodiversity; and provide just and equitable access to County services. The proposed actions contribute to the County Sustainability Goal No.4 to protect health and wellbeing of the residents and visitors of the entire region, including underserved communities, and benefits individuals as well as the community at large. Implementation of an integrated vector management approach to mosquito and vector control services contributes to the County Sustainability Goal No. 6 to protect public health from diseases transmitted by vectors, and protects the ecosystems, habitat, and biodiversity of the region. The proposed actions also contribute to the County’s Sustainability Goal No.1 to provide just and equitable access to County services by involving stakeholders in a community needs assessment and using available resources to improve access to services and positive outcomes.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for these recommendations are included in the Fiscal Year FY 2026-27 CAO Recommended Operational Plan for DEHQ. If approved, the proposed actions will result in costs and revenue of $16.3 million. The funding sources are the Mosquito, Vector and Disease Control Benefit Assessment ($12.6 million), Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Service Charge ($2.5 million), available Vector Control District Trust Fund fund balance ($1.1 million), and income from interest and other service contracts ($0.1 million). Subsequent years’ assessments will be based on the Vector Control Program budget, approved annually by the Board of Supervisors (Board), and included in future years Operational Plans. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
Mosquitoes and other vectors hinder, annoy, and harm residents, businesses, and visitors. A vector-borne disease outbreak and other related public health risks would have a negative effect on agriculture, business, tourism, and residential activities in the region.
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
The County of San Diego Environmental Health and Quality Advisory Board (EHQAB) voted (6 yay- 0 nay- 0 abstained) during their meeting on May 13, 2026, to support the proposed benefit assessment rate and continuance of the service charge that allow for continued surveillance and response to vector-borne diseases, control of the vectors that spread those diseases, and outreach education to engage the community to partner in eliminating the public health risks from vectors, with a focus on underserved communities. EHQAB support letter has been provided to the Clerk of the Board.
BACKGROUND
The County of San Diego (County) has been protecting public health from disease-carrying vectors for over 40 years. Since July 1, 1989, the County Vector Control Program (VCP) within the Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) has provided region-wide vector prevention and control services to the entire San Diego region under the powers of a Vector Control District, as adopted by the County Board of Supervisors (Board) on May 23, 1989. The funding for services performed by VCP is generated through the Mosquito, Vector, and Disease Control Benefit Assessment, and the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Service Charge.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquitoes are the deadliest animals in the world. Their ability to rapidly breed in standing water and spread disease causes millions of deaths every year. In 2025, the VCP dedicated significant staff and resources to responding to elevated levels of West Nile virus in mosquitoes to help protect residents against the spread of disease. During this time, DEHQ detected West Nile virus in 182 batches of mosquitoes in different parts of the County, the most since 2003 when WNV was first detected in the county and almost double the amount of any other year since. The detections required a prompt response involving hundreds of mosquito inspections and multi-day comprehensive mosquito control efforts, including adulticide and larvicide applications, in neighborhoods, parks, and cemeteries to prevent local spread of West Nile virus.
The following is a summary of various VCP program activities from 2025:
• Complaint and Service Responses: Includes inspections for mosquito breeding sources, excessive mosquito activity, dead bird recovery, neglected pools and spas that may allow for breeding mosquitoes, rat harborage or exclusion, and vector-borne disease investigations. In 2025, VCP provided around 3,300 vector-related complaint and service responses for residents throughout the San Diego region, including 33 disease investigations. This number of responses showed a slight decrease compared to the prior year due to normal seasonal fluctuations in vector activity.
• Inspecting and Treating Known Mosquito Breeding Sources: There are approximately 1,600 known mosquito breeding sources throughout the region that VCP staff regularly inspects and treats with larvicide, as needed, throughout the year. These locations are known to be sources of mosquito breeding adjacent to human populations, and if during the inspection there is mosquito breeding observed, VCP staff will apply larvicide in a variety of ways, including by hand and by helicopter, to water bodies to reduce the population of mosquito larvae before they become biting adults.
• Mosquito-Transmissible Disease Response: From October 2014 through 2025, VCP investigated over 600 suspected, probable, or confirmed travel-related and locally acquired cases of mosquito-borne illness referred from County Public Health Services (PHS), including 33 cases in 2025. In 2025, VCP conducted intensive mosquito monitoring and abatement operations throughout much of the mosquito season to prevent the spread of West Nile virus in the County. This included rapid response to 182 detections of West Nile virus in mosquitoes to help prevent disease spread to residents. In comparison, VCP had zero positive detections of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the prior year.
• Inspecting and Treating Tidal Areas: Staff inspect and treat with larvicide that is safe for tidal wildlife, when necessary, tidal lagoons impacted by high tides within 48 hours of the end of the tidal event. These inspections and treatments occur throughout the mosquito breeding season and span the coastline from the Tijuana Estuary to Buena Vista Lagoon in Carlsbad and Oceanside. This helps reduce mosquito breeding in lagoons and surrounding areas that could hold water from the tidal event. For king tides, VCP may apply larvicides from the ground and/or a helicopter to the tidal areas holding water and breeding mosquitoes.
• Mosquito Monitoring: Historically, VCP mosquito monitoring focused on larger bodies of water, including creeks, rivers, lagoons, and pools, which are the preferred breeding locations of native mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus. However, the establishment of invasive Aedes mosquitoes locally necessitated VCP to develop additional strategies to protect the public, as invasive Aedes are capable of transmitting diseases like Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and dengue. In 2025, VCP had to increase services and responses to protect the public by responding to 216 detections of West Nile virus in birds and mosquitoes (up from 8 in 2024), 33 cases of travel-associated dengue, Zika, and malaria to prevent local transmission, and the continuing impacts of invasive Aedes in the County.
• Laboratory Testing: With increased monitoring and trapping of native and invasive mosquito species and the development of additional tests to detect a wide range of vector-borne pathogens, the number of specimens tested by the VCP disease and diagnostic lab increased 23% from the prior year. The lab tests mosquitoes, ticks, dead birds, and rodents for different diseases and can produce same-day results, when necessary. This helps with operational decisions and allows for timely treatments and public health messaging.
• Conducting Public Outreach and Engagement: A comprehensive media campaign is conducted each year to educate the public on how to prevent and protect themselves from West Nile virus and invasive Aedes mosquitoes. DEHQ also partners with other County departments to extend educational vector information to their customers. The 2025 media campaign was conducted in nine threshold languages including English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Filipino, Korean, Somali, and Vietnamese, and was weighted toward underserved communities throughout the county. In 2025 VCP won a National Association of Counties (NACo) award for the VCP Translation Media Campaign to address identified language barriers associated with lower levels of requests for service.
Proposed Benefit Assessment & Service Charge
On March 23, 2005 (7), the Board initiated mail ballot proceedings for the Mosquito, Vector, and Disease Control Measure in compliance with Proposition 218, and established a Mosquito, Vector, and Disease Control Benefit Assessment. The voter-approved ballot proceedings granted authority for the governing body to levy the assessment for future years, with annual increases of the maximum authorized rate tied to the San Diego Area Consumer Price Index (CPI). The proposed benefit assessment for FY 2026-27 is $13.08 which is under the maximum authorized rate of $15.56.
The Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Service Charge, established in 1989 by the Board, is assessed on all taxable parcels of land throughout the region. When Proposition 218 was passed in 1996, the service charge was frozen at the annual rates of $3.00 (Coastal Subregion), $2.28 (Inland Suburban Subregion), and $2.28 (Inland Rural Subregion), which resulted in decreased response times, minimal service for rat complaints, and less ability to protect public health from vector-borne disease. Because the service charge had been frozen at these rates, it no longer provided adequate program funding by 2005. The benefit assessment was subsequently introduced in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005-06 for improved vector control services as approved by property owners within the region, which has been continued every year since, along with the service charge. The current annual revenue from the service charge is about $2.5 million.
The Engineer’s Report (Attachment C) defines the proposed benefit assessment by outlining the assessment diagram, program components, costs, and assessment required based on the program size. The benefit assessment would provide funding for mosquito, vector, and disease surveillance and control services for all incorporated and unincorporated areas throughout the region.
If this item is not approved by the Board and the assessment and service charge are not placed on the tax roll for FY 2026-27, DEHQ would need to completely deplete all of the available Vector Control District Trust Fund balance of $8.3 Million and an additional $8.0 million in one-time alternative County funding would need to be allocated to provide for the $16.3 million total to maintain the current levels of service. If the benefit assessment and service charge are not approved and one-time alternative County funding is not identified, then VCP would not be able to maintain mandated and effective service levels such as performing comprehensive year-round vector surveillance and control to protect public health, by reducing vectors or exposure to vectors that transmit diseases to people.
More Information on Proposed Vector Benefit Assessment Rate
The single-family equivalent (SFE) assessment rate proposed today for FY 2026-27 is necessary to address cost changes experienced by VCP. Approximately 69% of VCP's costs are fixed, such as salary and benefits, retirement, enterprise-wide services, and facilities, while 31% of the programs’ costs, such as services and supplies, are discretionary, meaning costs are determined by VCP based on operational needs, including equipment and supplies used for mosquito control.
The proposed FY 2026-27 rate is necessary to address cost changes including increased facility and equipment costs, supply costs, and increased salary and benefit costs. Salary and benefit costs reflect standard assumptions made by the County for planning purposes associated with anticipated salary and benefit increases, which has fully addressed cost increases based on the existing negotiated labor agreements. The proposed cost increase is also necessary to support program services that benefit quality of life and public health, including routine and response services to help prevent the spread of dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Additionally, in response to the increased service level necessary to address dengue and other emerging issues, in the upcoming fiscal year, the program will also begin a multi-year project to evaluate the long-term viability of its current funding sources.
Each year, VCP staff work to contain costs by developing innovative and efficient solutions to challenges facing the program. In addition to the cost-saving measures implemented in prior years, this fiscal year DEHQ has achieved approximately $38,525 in new operational savings through efficiencies and streamlining measures introduced since the last vector benefit assessment. In 2025 VCP won a California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH) award in recognition of its innovative 3D printed equipment components, such an enhanced battery housing for mosquito traps.
One example included the successful use of a truck-mounted larvicide application system to treat large mosquito-producing properties, such as cemeteries that can have numerous small sources of standing water. These areas can produce thousands of mosquitoes, and this method allows staff to treat them quickly and effectively while significantly reducing labor hours compared to traditional approaches such as hand treatment. By improving treatment efficiency, staff can cover larger areas in less time, reduce overall field hours, and respond more proactively to emerging mosquito populations. This is one example of various cost containment strategies. Together, these efforts build on efficiencies achieved in prior years and demonstrate VCP’s continued commitment to maximizing operational effectiveness, reducing staff workload where possible, and ensuring mosquito control resources are used as efficiently as possible to protect public health. DEHQ has been able to apply a total of $443,528 in savings from all the cost containment measures to this proposal, reducing costs by 2.7%. In addition to these savings, DEHQ proposes to apply approximately $1.1 million from the Vector Control District Trust Fund fund balance and $0.1 million from interest to reduce the overall benefit assessment rate by 7.5%.
The SFE assessment included in the Engineer’s Report for FY 2026-27 is proposed at the calculated rate of $13.08, which is a $0.72 increase, or 5.8%, since the rate was adjusted to $12.36 in FY 2025-26. A summary of the proposed benefit assessment rates by property type can be found in Attachment D. This attachment also compares proposed rates for FY 2026-27 with FY 2025-26 rates.
Vector Control Program Cost
The proposed cost of the VCP for FY 2026-27 is approximately $16.3 million.
• $10.2 million in salaries and benefits for permanent staff and seasonal positions;
• $4.6 million in services and supplies (including larvicide, aerial applications, and outreach materials);
• $0.7 million in transportation and equipment costs (including auto maintenance, fuel, and other minor equipment); and
• $0.8 million in external support and other costs.
Vector Control Program Revenue
It is proposed that $16.3 million in revenue will be received as follows:
• $12.6 million from the benefit assessment at the proposed SFE rate of $13.08;
• $2.5 million from the Mosquito and Vector Control service charge;
• $1.1 million from available fund balance in the Vector Control District Trust Fund, used as part of a multi-year plan to help offset increases in the assessment; and
• $0.1 million from interest income and contracts to perform work for other departments and districts.
Stakeholder Engagement
DEHQ solicited input on the Vector Benefit assessment from multiple stakeholders through various outreach methods. DEHQ posted virtual presentations in English and Spanish on the DEHQ website, announced their availability on social media, and sent emails to approximately 7,100 stakeholders. Translation of the information into the other County threshold languages was also offered. DEHQ staff contact information was also provided for businesses and members of the public to submit comments, feedback, or ask questions. In addition to the virtual presentations available to any interested party, DEHQ also met with specific stakeholder groups, such as the Southern California Rental Housing Association, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, and the San Diego County Farm Bureau regarding the Engineer’s Report, service charge, and proposed assessment rates for FY 2026-27.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The proposed activity is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines. Per Section 21080(b)(8) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15273(a) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have significant effect on the environment and that it is therefore exempt from CEQA. In addition, this action is exempt from CEQA, because it renews a charge to meet the operating expenses and necessary financial reserves for an existing program, specifically the County Vector Control Program as described herein and in the Engineer’s Report.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the Sustainability, Equity and Community Strategic Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan. These actions will align services to available resources to maintain fiscal stability and provide innovative technology to ensure superior service delivery to the public. Today’s requests promote an environment where communities can prosper and residents can enjoy parks, open spaces, clean air and water, and outdoor experiences while making neighborhoods healthy and safe places to live, work, and play. Approval of these requests advances these Strategic Initiatives by funding the continuation of the public health protective efforts of the Vector Control Program.
Respectfully submitted,
Dahvia Lynch
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - Resolution of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Approving Engineer’s Report, Confirming Assessment Diagram, and Assessment and Ordering the Continuation of Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-27 for the San Diego County Vector Control Program’s Mosquito, Vector, and Disease Control Benefit Assessment
Attachment B - Resolution of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Exercising the Powers of the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Surveillance and Control District Adopting Service Charges and Confirming Reports Regarding Levies to be Collected on the Tax Roll for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Attachment C - Engineer’s Report
Attachment D - Summary of the Proposed Benefit Assessment Rates by Property Type
Attachment E - Stakeholder Meetings and Outreach
Attachment F - CEQA Finding