Budget cut concerns for Mosquito and Vector Control District in Santa Clara Co.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — Starting next year, the Mosquito and Vector Control District may have to cut services in Santa Clara County.

On Wednesday, employees and former employees brought concerns to a county commission.

Lindsay Pineda was a vector control technician and union steward for eight years. She quit three weeks ago.

“If the mosquito population increases, like you feel that, you feel that in your own comfort in your own home, you feel that in your backyard, you feel that at the park,” Pineda said.

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Pineda says their plea for budget transparency comes as other large California counties are adding to their staff.

“San Diego and LA are the big ones at this point, they have to hire extra staff just to cover Aedes,” Pineda said.

The Director of the County of Santa Clara Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency told ABC7 that Vector Control’s revenue is not keeping up with escalating costs – primarily due to increasing payroll. As a result, the agency may need to reduce services by approximately 30% in future fiscal years.

The Mosquito and Vector Control District is primarily funded through property taxes. After Wednesday’s meeting, Supervisor Otto Lee called the County Executive to learn more.

“When you get your property tax bill there’s all these different line items the Vector Control is one of those items that a lot of people don’t pay attention to but they’re one of those things and it turns out that the current rate that we’ve been collecting on that adjustment is very, very little per year so it really doesn’t match what the true cost of inflation is,” Supervisor Lee said.

He expects this upcoming spring, the county will bring forward a proposal to increase the tax. Everyone agrees that the services the Vector Control District provides are essential.

“Prevention of disease, allowing people to be comfortable outside,” Pineda said.

The county says Vector Control remains fully operational. Supervisor Lee has also asked the union steward to create a list of any services that have been impacted.