BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Approve the Submission of Ballots Approving the Proposed Mosquito, Vector and Disease Control Assessment from the Santa Clara County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Approve a “Yes” vote for the proposed Mosquito, Vector and Disease Control assessment and direct staff to return the completed ballots before the voting period closes.
Body
SUMMARY:
Property owners in Santa Clara County began receiving mail-in ballots on March 18, 2026, asking them to vote on a proposed Mosquito, Vector and Disease Control Assessment to maintain and strengthen mosquito and vector control services. To keep up with rising costs and increased service needs from the community, the County’s Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) is proposing a new assessment that would result in additional charges to property owners. A benefit assessment is a property-related charge that property owners vote on and pay to fund specific programs and local services, such as mosquito and vector control.
About the Mosquito and Vector Control District:
The Mosquito and Vector Control District is funded through two benefit assessments on property owners that the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, acting as the Board of Trustees, approved in 1996, and property owners approved in 2005.
The District provides vital services to preserve public health and keep the Santa Clara County community safe. The district works year-round to protect people and pets from insects, arachnids (e.g., ticks), and other wildlife that can spread diseases. These animals are known as vectors and can include mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, rodents, raccoons, and more. The District also monitors diseases such as West Nile virus, Dengue virus and Lyme disease that can cause severe illness, and conducts education and outreach efforts to help the community learn how to stay protected against vector-borne diseases.
About the Proposed Mosquito, Vector and Disease Control Assessment:
The existing assessments for the District total $14.90 per year for a single-family home. These rates have increased by only $1.46 over the past 30 years. Meanwhile, operational costs have climbed sharply due to inflation, increased service demand, and higher prices for essentials, such as larvicides and field equipment. In 2024, the District responded to approximately 4,600 service requests, a 21% increase from 2023. Since 2020, revenue has grown by 9.6%, while expenses have increased by over 29%.
If approved, the new proposed assessment for a typical single-family home would be $15.75 annually, or about $1.31 per month, to sustain and increase essential mosquito, vector, and disease control services that protect our community’s health. These funds are dedicated to mosquito, vector, and disease control services and may not be used for any other purpose.
The proposed assessment will allow the District to maintain and enhance essential surveillance, prevention and response efforts to reduce vector-borne disease risks and protect the community from emerging threats, most notably the expanding invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can transmit dengue, Zika and other viruses.
Status of Proposed Assessment:
There is a 45-day voting period that began on March 18, 2026, and signed mail-in ballot must be returned by no later than May 19, 2026. Only official ballots that are received before the close of the public input portion of the Public Hearing at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Chambers on May 19, 2026, will be counted. Postmarks do not count. Ballots must be signed and marked with the property owner’s support or opposition by marking the oval next to “Yes” or “No.”
Ballots are weighted based on each property’s proposed assessment amount. If at least 50% of the weighted ballots are in support, the assessment may be levied beginning in Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
The results of the tabulation will be announced at the public hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 2, 2026, in the Board Chambers for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.
Importance to Valley Water:
Valley Water received more than 100 ballots related to the proposed Mosquito, Vector and Disease Control Assessment for all parcels that the agency owns. Although government-owned property in California is exempt from property taxes when located within their own boundaries, certain Valley Water-owned properties acquired by the Real Estate Services Unit (RESU) pay the assessment, currently totaling $2,227 for FY 2026. If this new assessment is approved, Valley Water would pay an additional $597.20 in assessments, for a new total of $2,824.20 for FY 2027.
Pros:
• If approved by Santa Clara County property owners, the Mosquito and Vector Control District will be able to continue vector control services and prevent the spread of diseases, not just on Valley Water properties, but for the entire community.
• If approved, funds from this assessment can only be used to maintain and improve mosquito, vector, and disease control services in Santa Clara County. These funds will be placed in a dedicated account that cannot be used for other purposes.
Cons:
• If approved, the assessment will result in an increase in charges to Valley Water and other property owners in Santa Clara County.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
Effective vector control is a crucial component of public health. Some communities live in environments with high vector density and bear a disproportionate burden of vector-borne diseases. If approved, the new assessment will allow the Mosquito and Vector Control District to continue providing the current level of services to protect public health and to address emerging threats to protect all communities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
If approved by property owners in Santa Clara County, the cost to Valley Water would be an incremental $2,824.20 per year beginning in FY 2027. This assessment will be collected annually until the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, acting as the Board of Trustees, determines that the assessment is no longer necessary.
After FY 2027, the maximum allowed assessment rate will only be adjusted for inflation by an amount not to exceed the annual change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward (CPI).
CEQA:
The Santa Clara County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s Board of Trustees (VCD Trustees) adopted Resolution VCD-2026-1 on January 13, 2026, providing notice of its intention to levy a new benefit assessment and approving the mailing of assessment ballots for the Santa Clara County Mosquito and Vector Control District, 2026 Mosquito, Vector and Disease Control Assessment. As the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lead agency decision-makers, the VCD Trustees determined the implementation of the proposed 2026 Assessment is not a project under CEQA Guidelines section 15378 because it is the creation of a funding mechanism to support ongoing operations of the Santa Clara County Mosquito and Vector Control District. The VCD Trustees also concluded the 2026 Assessment is exempt from CEQA under California Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(8) and CEQA Guidelines section 15273 because it is a charge by a public agency for the purposes of meeting operating expenses and for meeting financial reserve needs and requirements.
Valley Water is not a responsible agency for implementation of the activities funded by the proposed assessment as it has no responsibility or authority over the proposed program and local services. The recommended action is limited to a vote of approval of a property-related charge that is exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15273 which exempts approval of rates or other charges by public agencies which the public agency finds are for the purpose of meeting operating expenses and financial reserve needs and requirements.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Example Ballot
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Joshua Golka, 408-630-4508