Special Assessment
Money Would be Used to Build Lab
Tulare
County - Delta Vector Control District wants to improve its response
to mosquito problems – especially life-threatening diseases carried
by the small insects – and it is seeking property owner's assistance.
An assessment ballot was mailed to approximately 56,000 voters who reside within the mosquito control district's boundaries seeking approval of a 10-year assessment to pay for the construction of a laboratory.
“We are proposing to improve our services by building a lab,” explained Yolanda Lourenco, assistant manager of the district that includes the communities of Dinuba, Orosi, Visalia, Farmersville, Exeter and Woodlake.
She explained the lab will allow the district to determine if mosquitoes are carrying deadly viruses such as West Nile much quicker than it can do today. Right now, sample mosquitoes are sent to the state for testing and if the assessment is approved, the district will be able to do that testing at their site in Visalia.
“If we had our own lab it would be a 24-hour turnaround,” she explained. Right now, it takes three to seven days to get back test results.
“It will help us to respond more quickly,” she said, explaining it will allow them to notify the public if there is a problem or if West Nile has been found in a certain area.
Because mosquitoes can multiply quickly, a fast response is necessary. “It will allow us to nip things in the bud more quickly,” said Lourenco.
Mosquitoes can carry many life-threatening diseases, but the biggest threat the past several years has been West Nile Virus. Four deaths in the past year in the state were attributed to West Nile and mosquitoes. Tulare County reported four cases of West Nile Virus in 2009.
The district is holding a special mail-in vote where property owners are sent a ballot, then asked to mark it and mail it back. All ballots must be received by April 14, said Lourenco. Only a simple majority is needed for passage and if approved, the assessment will go into effect on July 1, 2010. The assessment would only be for 10 years.
The proposed assessment is $6.50 for single family residences on lots smaller than an acre. Other assessments are based on the number of dwelling units and size and commercial, industrial and agricultural properties will be assessed according to size, location and property type.
If approved, the assessment is designed to generate $473,000 a year, or roughly $4.7 million over the 10 year span of the assessment. That money would be used to construct the lab and purchase the needed equipment. Lourenco said the district already has the staff to do its own testing.
Once the balloting ends, the ballots will be turned over to the Tulare County Elections Department to be counted.
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