Insect Agency Takes Step to Disband

After months of debate, the city’s embattled Mosquito Abatement District, which is charged with fighting insect pests, took the first step toward putting itself out of business.

In a 3-2 vote, the board on Tuesday agreed to send a resolution to the Local Agency Formation Commission asking it to decide whether to disband the abatement district and turn over its operation to both the city and county.

The move could give the city control of the more than $1.4 million the district has amassed in assessments over the years.

Board member Bruce Thomas, who had voted against disbanding the district in the past, was the swing vote this time. He said that after researching the matter, he determined that the change would mean one less bureaucratic agency and more convenience to residents.

“The district has done a fine job, but people look at the city or the county for services, because they are entities they’re used to looking at,” Thomas said.

The Mosquito Abatement District was formed in Moorpark 37 years ago, when there were still more chickens and turkeys than residents and the city was still unincorporated. The district’s mission was to reduce the number of flies and mosquitoes that the fowl attracted.

Few chicken ranches exist now. Development continues to boom in Moorpark, and the bug problem has dipped considerably over the decades. But the district and city agree that the district still provides needed management of insects that could transmit diseases through animals.

The bigger question is which agency should have access to the district assessments, 91% of which come from Moorpark residents and 9% of which come from residents of nearby county unincorporated area.

New board member Eloise Brown, who has urged elimination of the district, brought up the disbandment issue during her first meeting in early June.

On Tuesday, the board finally voted on her earlier request that it dissolve the agency.

Moorpark Councilman Chris Evans, who has pushed aggressively for the city to take over the district, argued that taxpayers should have a greater say in how their money is spent.

He pointed out that the board’s five members are all appointed, with just one picked by the City Council. The other four were chosen by County Supervisor Judy Mikels.

“There is a need for services, but not for a separate government agency of appointed individuals to control the district, because our government calls for elected representatives,” Evans said. “What you have here is clearly taxation without representation.”

Board members Bill La Perch and Jim Hartley, who opposed the resolution, said such an argument is just a ruse.

In reality, the city mainly wants to acquire the district’s $1.4 million, but has provided no assurances that that money will be spent to control bugs, Hartley said.

“We want to make sure the money is for vector control,” Hartley said.

“I’m convinced it won’t be. I’m convinced the only way that will happen is if LAFCO or the state law forces them to do it.”