City Bug-Control District Squashes Move to Disband

The Moorpark Mosquito Abatement District has rejected a move to disband after 37 years and turn its duties--and its $1.4 million in reserves--over to other government agencies.

The resolution to disband the district, formed to combat insect pests in the city, was suggested by former Moorpark City Councilwoman Eloise Brown. But in the end, only Brown, whose term on the district board began in June, and Robert Coughlon, another recent appointee, voted for the resolution.

Board President Jim Hartley, recently appointed Trustee Bruce Thomas and longtime Trustee William La Perch voted to maintain the district.

“The problem is we’re dealing with perception,” said La Perch. “We have some new members who like to think of the district as a political entity, and not in terms of what is good in the long term for the city.”

According to La Perch, those who want to disband the district--including the Moorpark City Council and county Supervisor Judy Mikels, who represents the area--desire control of the district’s reserve fund.

City residents pay $14 to $18 annually to the abatement district, while those living in cities where the county takes care of bug control pay $1.12.

While disappointed by the vote against her resolution, Brown said she is not deterred and will take a similar resolution to the Local Agency Formation Commission, which has the jurisdiction under state law to dissolve the abatement district. She has already petitioned the commission with her request.

Many Moorpark officials say the district has outlived its usefulness, and the city has filed a petition with the commission calling for an end to the bug-control district. The earliest the commission would consider the matter would be in September.

If the district is dissolved, the city would take over mosquito eradication activities for its residents, while the county would handle activities in the unincorporated areas. The fee for residents has not been determined.

But Hartley, who said the voters should have a say in the future of the district and its reserve fund, said he fears the city and the county will not provide residents with the service they have come to expect.

In response, Moorpark City Councilman Chris Evans said that if elected officials fail in maintaining service levels, “they’ll vote us out.”