Title
Community Development Services, Environmental Management Department, recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation detailing vector control program services on the East and West Slopes of the County; and
2) Provide direction regarding the West Slope program service level. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: County Service Area 3 Parcel Fees, Local Taxes, and General Fund.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Community Development Services, Environmental Management Department (Environmental Management), recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation detailing vector control program services on the East and West Slopes of the County; and
2) Provide direction regarding the West Slope program service level.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In response to citizen complaints regarding mosquitoes, the Board adopted Resolution 9-63 in 1963, which established County Service Area 3 (CSA 3) to provide services in both the City of South Lake Tahoe and the unincorporated area of the Tahoe Basin (East Slope). CSA 3 was established for the control or destruction of insects injurious to plant life and the eradication of insects which could introduce dangerous, infectious, or communicable disease. In 1980, the East Slope vector control program (East Slope program) was expanded to a Vector Control District to provide a greater level of vector control services.
The East Slope program is fully funded by property taxes and CSA 3 parcel assessments, and provides comprehensive vector control services including, but not limited to: mosquito identification, breeding source identification, control and treatment; dead bird testing; plague and hanta virus surveillance and response; yellow jacket suppression; and extensive public education and outreach. This East Slope program is staffed seasonally with up to six Vector Control Technicians.
The West Slope mosquito program (West Slope program) was initiated in 2005 in response to the emergence of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in California. This West Slope program was initially funded by the General Fund, as well as a grant issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and staffed by four seasonal Vector Control Technicians. Initially, the program provided mosquito surveillance, breeding source identification, and treatment throughout the West Slope as well as public education and outreach. As a result of the gradual decline in CDPH grant funding (ultimately exhausted in 2007), staffing has been reduced to only one seasonal Vector Control Technician, funded initially by solid waste franchise fees and currently by the General Fund, with program services limited to only mosquito breeding source treatment, primarily in response to requests for service, as well as limited public education and outreach.
Environmental Management is providing the Board with a presentation regarding the aforementioned vector control services, including information regarding state-wide and regional emerging diseases associated with mosquitoes, and is seeking direction from the Board regarding the potential expansion of services on the West Slope. If the Board elects to explore the potential expansion of West Slope services, it is not recommended that additional services be funded by the General Fund, and that alternative funding sources should be identified.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to:
1) Maintain the West Slope program at existing staffing and funding levels; or
2) Direct Environmental Management to explore one or more of the alternative options provided in the presentation, as listed on Page 28 under “Next Steps” (Attachment A).
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is a potential increase to Net County Cost associated with this agenda item and will be determined following the Board’s direction.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety and Healthy Communities.
CONTACT
Greg Stanton, REHS, Director
Community Development Services, Environmental Management Department