Kern County Grand Jury reviews vector control district

Taft, Calif. —


The West Side Mosquito and Vector Control District got a positive review from the Kern County Grand Jury.
In a report issued Monday morning, the grand jury's county service and special districts committee did recommend that the local district consider consolidating with other nearby districts to save money.
The grand jury issued the four-page report following a lengthy interview with District Manager Don Black and it also researched mosquito abatement procedures.
The report said the local district, which has eight permanent employees, is one of three similar districts on the valley floor portion of Kern County and said the district should look at consolidation to save money through economy of scale.
The grand jury also recommended the district use a website to help it provide information.
Here is the entire report from the grand jury:


WEST SIDE MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT


PURPOSE OF INQUIRY:

The County Services and Special Districts Committee (Committee) of the 2010-2011 Kern County Grand Jury inquired into the services provided by the West Side Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) pursuant to California Penal Code §933.5.

PROCESS:

The Committee had a lengthy interview with the District Manager at the District office located at 7004 Gas Company Rd., Taft, CA prior to a short tour of the grounds. The Committee researched mosquito abatement procedures.

BACKGROUND:

The transmission of disease occurs in many ways. One means is through insects as in bubonic plague by fleas, Lyme disease by ticks and West Nile virus by mosquitoes; the insects carrying the disease are called vectors. Worldwide, mosquito borne diseases (malaria, dengue. etc.) are the leading cause of death and debilitation. Locally, West Nile virus and Equine Encephalitis (sleeping sickness) are now endemic but controlled. Control generally takes two forms; elimination of breeding habitat and eradication of mosquitoes. The two forms may be combined. No method proves to be 100% effective and overuse of some chemicals has detrimental effects on the environment. Mosquito abatement districts have been formed to provide the specialized services needed to protect citizens. Kern County Environmental Health Services also makes valuable contributions of public information and education.

The District was established as West Side Mosquito Abatement District by the Board of Supervisors Resolution of February 9, 1931, pursuant to Health & Safety Code Section 2240, et seq. The District name changed on March 8, 1991, to West Side Mosquito and Vector Control District.

FACTS:

The mosquito season usually runs from April through October depending on weather factors.

The District has eight permanent abatement employees.

Seasonal employees are hired to work the mosquito season.

The seasonal employees are supervised by full-time employees who are certified in mosquito control by the California Department of Public Health.

The District has I-9 cards on file in the office for all employees.

The current General Manager began employment with the District as an entomologist.

The District is a member of the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California for their information and training.

The District is headquartered in the former offices of Southern California Gas Co. and contains ample room for education services.

Water sources resulting from oilfield operations present unorthodox abatement issues that the District must and does solve.

Ground rig operations are used to control smaller mosquito sources such as storm drain sumps, catch basins and curb water in residential areas, agricultural sumps, dairy wastewater holding lagoons, etc. The District has a variety of unique, specialized vehicles and equipment.

Some spraying requires multiple applications at 10 to 14 day intervals.

Larger sources are treated by air, hiring helicopter service as necessary.

Treatment of privately owned pools within the District’s budget has increased.

The District has a written policy for purchases and for disposal of District property.

The District Board of Directors (Board) is made up of five directors, one each appointed by the Cities of Maricopa and Taft and three by the Kern County Board of Supervisors. The Board meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7 pm at the district office. District Counsel (County Counsel) is present as needed


FINDINGS:

The District is one of three contiguous mosquito abatement districts in the valley floor portion of the county.

The District does not have a website.

COMMENTS:

The principal methods of controlling mosquitoes (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI), Altosid, and mosquito fish) harm only the mosquitoes and not beneficial insects. Mosquito fish are often effective in oilfield locations. Oil is used selectively to control mosquito larvae in aquatic breeding sources that have a high organic content where BTI or Altosid would not perform well (e.g. Sewage Treatment Plant effluent) but may harm beneficial insects. Source reduction (of breeding areas) information needs to be easily available to the general public. The facility was clean and orderly. The General Manager was very cordial and cooperative.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

To take advantage of the economies of scale, the District should examine consolidation with contiguous districts.

The District should consider establishing a website as a means of disseminating information.

The District should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review.

Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at
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Note: Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed through the Kern County Library system and the Kern County Grand Jury website: HYPERLINK "http://www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury" www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury.

RESPONSE REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS TO:

PRESIDING JUDGE
KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301

cc: FOREMAN
KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY
1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301

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