San Benito County supervisors Tuesday set in motion an increase in the mosquito abatement fee from $10.90 to $11.22 per single-family equivalent.
Supervisors unanimously OK’d the potential increase, with a public hearing set for July 21.
Agricultural Commissioner Karen Overstreet reported that a preliminary engineer’s report determined the proposed assessment rate. There had been no increase for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
The maximum allowable levy under state law is $11.74, Overstreet said.
She said the increase is needed to maintain current service levels. The agricultural commissioner’s office has overseen the mosquito abatement program since 2007. Outside of tree spraying, Overstreet said the office treats storm drains annually, more than 2,500 of them now, and inspects cemeteries monthly. The office also handles neglected green pools, the number of which has decreased significantly since the housing crisis.
“We do quite a lot of preventative work,” she said.
