Score: +3 (7/10/4)

Contra Costa County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control - "The Good Guys on Your Side"

Published: May 19, 2025 15 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 16 findings

The Mosquito and Vector Control District (MVCD) uses state-of-the-art Integrative Vector Management, which includes physical, biological and chemical control of vectors, in addition to vector surveillance and public education.

No recommendations for this finding

The MVCD had an excess of revenues over expenditures of more than two million dollars in each of the past three fiscal years.

No recommendations for this finding

Awareness by residents of how to identify and report Aedes mosquitos can assist in Aedes control.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to explore additional avenues to educate residents on how to recognize and report Aedes mosquitos.

Promotion of the MVCD’s residential inspection service will aide in detection of invasive Aedes.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to explore additional avenues to educate residents on how to recognize and report Aedes mosquitos.

Public education in how residents can eliminate Aedes eggs in their yards will assist in stopping the spread of invasive Aedes.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to explore additional avenues to educate residents on how to recognize and report Aedes mosquitos.

MVCD uniformed inspectors sometimes encounter a level of misunderstanding regarding their mission, resulting in denial or delay of entry to property.

No recommendations for this finding

When residents deny inspections, it delays mosquito identification and eradication efforts.

No recommendations for this finding

The Antioch vacancy on the MVCD Board of Trustees contributed to a delay in the MCVD presentation on Aedes to the Antioch City Council.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should recruit to ensure a complete Board of Trustees.

The MVCD website does not explain what activities should be reported to the Animal Services Department as opposed to the MVCD.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to work with the Animal Control Services Agency to provide a link on their websites for reporting suspected Aedes mosquitos to the MVCD.

F10

The MVCD website does not have a link to the Animal Services Department.

Related Recommendations (1)

F11

There are no prominent, direct links for reporting mosquitos on the home page of the MVCD website or the Animal Services Department website.

Related Recommendations (1)

F12

The MVCD does not currently leave their educational “Invasive Mosquito Species of California” identification brochure during home inspections for other vectors.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to offer their existing brochure, “Invasive Mosquito Species of California” to residents during all requested home inspections for vectors.

F13

There are no current marketing partnership agreements with other counties to explore cost- effective public education and awareness.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to explore the costs of coordinating public information campaigns with neighboring counties during Aedes infestations.

F14

The MVCD does not currently distribute their existing Aedes information through relevant retail establishments and other public agencies unless requested.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to offer their existing brochure, “Invasive Mosquito Species of California” or other informational material to other public agencies and relevant retail establishments (for example garden and pool stores).

F15

As of May 2025, the MVCD social media presence is limited to Facebook (60 followers), Instagram (232 followers), Nextdoor, and 1,432 followers on X.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to provide an opt-in/opt-out email service to send alerts and news releases when Aedes infestations are discovered.

F16

The MVCD does not cross-market educational or promotional YouTube videos on other social media platforms.

Related Recommendations (1)

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to provide an opt-in/opt-out email service to send alerts and news releases when Aedes infestations are discovered.

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Mosquito Vector and Control Board of Trustees

July 31, 2025 • 7 pages • 22 responses • Score: +3 (+7, 10, -4) View Details ▾

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22 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

(1) agree F2. The MVCD had an excess of revenues over expenditures of more than two million dollars in each of the past three fiscal years. Response: (3) partially disagree - Over the past three fiscal years, the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District's (District) total net position has increased by an average of more than two million dollars annually. However, the majority of these funds are either restricted or designated in accordance with the District's Reserve Policy. Designated reserves include invasive species and other public health emergencies and reserves intended to pay f...

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to explore additional avenues to educate residents on how to recognize and report Aedes mosquitos.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

(4) The recommendation will not be implemented - The District already educates residents on how to recognize the potential presence of invasive mosquitoes by highlighting behavioral characteristics such as daytime and ankle-biting activity. Because accurate species identification requires microscopic examination, residents are not expected to identify the mosquito themselves. Instead, the District encourages the public to report any biting mosquito activity, regardless of time of day and bite location, so that staff can investigate and determine the species as needed. R2. By February 1, 2026, ...

The MVCD had an excess of revenues over expenditures of more than two million dollars in each of the past three fiscal years.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agree F2.

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should recruit to ensure a complete Board of Trustees.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

(4) The recommendation will not be implemented. Pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code, appointment of Trustees to positions allocated to a county or city is a right and responsibility possessed by the appointing agency. Contra Costa County and each city within it have their own processes and procedures for recruiting and appointing representatives to other boards, including the MVCD. While the MVCD has, and will continue, to communicate regularly with the city and county clerks and other appropriate staff when vacancies arise and when Trustee terms are closing, directly recruiting ...

Awareness by residents of how to identify and report Aedes mosquitos can assist in Aedes control.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

(1) agree F4. Promotion of the MVCD's residential inspection service will aide in detection of invasive Aedes. Response: (1) agree F5. Public education in how residents can eliminate Aedes eggs in their yards will assist in stopping the spread of invasive Aedes. Response: (1) agree F6. MVCD uniformed inspectors sometimes encounter a level of misunderstanding regarding their mission, resulting in denial or delay of entry to property. Response: (1) agree F7. When residents deny inspections, it delays mosquito identification and eradication efforts. Response: (1) agree F8. The Antioch vacancy on...

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

(1) The recommendation has been implemented - The Board has discussed the recommendation with District staff, and staff will contact Animal Services to discuss cross linking the websites. R4. By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to offer their existing brochure, "Invasive Mosquito Species of California" to residents during all requested home inspections for vectors. Response: (1) The recommendation has been implemented - While the current brochure is best suited for areas where invasive mosquitoes have already been detected, the District is in the ...

Promotion of the MVCD’s residential inspection service will aide in detection of invasive Aedes.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agree F4.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

(1) The recommendation has been implemented - While the current brochure is best suited for areas where invasive mosquitoes have already been detected, the District is in the process of developing an alternative brochure to be distributed during all vector inspections. This new version will carry a slightly different message, focusing on raising public awareness about invasive mosquitoes and encouraging residents to report any suspected sightings and biting activity to the District. R5. By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to explore the costs of c...

Public education in how residents can eliminate Aedes eggs in their yards will assist in stopping the spread of invasive Aedes.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agree F5.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

(4) The recommendation will not be implemented - as noted in the response to finding F13, the District already coordinates public information efforts with other agencies, including those in neighboring counties. When invasive mosquitos are discovered across jurisdictional boundaries, these activities will include materials specific to the invasive species. R6. By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to offer their existing brochure, "Invasive Mosquito Species of California" or other informational material to other public agencies and relevant retail e...

MVCD uniformed inspectors sometimes encounter a level of misunderstanding regarding their mission, resulting in denial or delay of entry to property.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agree F6.

When residents deny inspections, it delays mosquito identification and eradication efforts.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agree F7.

By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to provide an opt-in/opt-out email service to send alerts and news releases when Aedes infestations are discovered.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

(1) The recommendation has been implemented - The Board of Trustees has discussed with District staff, the existing process for email and news subscribers to receive news and other releases. To further enhance communication, the District will update the website's subscription options to include notifications related to invasive mosquito detections.

The Antioch vacancy on the MVCD Board of Trustees contributed to a delay in the MCVD presentation on Aedes to the Antioch City Council.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

are uniquely situated to identify candidates and to appoint Trustees who can represent the interests and priorities of, and communicate effectively with, their appointing agency. District staff has, over the past several years, increased its outreach frequency with the local appointing agencies and will continue this practice in the future. R3. By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to work with the Animal Control Services Agency to provide a link on their websites for reporting suspected Aedes mosquitos to the MVCD. Response: (1) The recommendation...

The MVCD website does not explain what activities should be reported to the Animal Services Department as opposed to the MVCD.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

(1) agree F10. The MVCD website does not have a link to the Animal Services Department. Response: (1) agree F11. There are no prominent, direct links for reporting mosquitos on the home page of the MVCD website or the Animal Services Department website. Response: (3) partially disagree - Previously, residents submitted mosquito-related concerns by navigating through the "I Want To" tab and selecting "Request Service." To improve clarity and ease of access, the District recently added a direct "Report Mosquitoes" link under the "I Want To" tab, streamlining the process for users. F12. The MVCD...

F10

The MVCD website does not have a link to the Animal Services Department.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agree F10.

F11

There are no prominent, direct links for reporting mosquitos on the home page of the MVCD website or the Animal Services Department website.

Response: Agree Score: +1

agree F11.

F12

The MVCD does not currently leave their educational “Invasive Mosquito Species of California” identification brochure during home inspections for other vectors.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

(3) partially disagree - The District leaves the brochure about invasive mosquitoes when providing services for other vectors, if they are in the area where the District has found Aedes aegypti, i.e. Martinez and Antioch, but currently does not provide that in other areas. F13. There are no current marketing partnership agreements with other counties to explore cost effective public education and awareness. Response: (3) partially disagree - Although there is no formal agreement specifically designated for marketing partnerships, the District participates in a mutual aid agreement with the Ala...

F13

There are no current marketing partnership agreements with other counties to explore cost- effective public education and awareness.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

(3) partially disagree - Although there is no formal agreement specifically designated for marketing partnerships, the District participates in a mutual aid agreement with the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District, and Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. Additionally, District staff actively engage with public health agencies across multiple counties through regular meetings and collaborative efforts. These interactions serve as a platform for sharing expertise, ideas, and communication materials as needed. For instance, ...

F14

The MVCD does not currently distribute their existing Aedes information through relevant retail establishments and other public agencies unless requested.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

(3) partially disagree - The District frequently provides information and brochures about invasive mosquitoes to other public agencies. With the 2024 discovery of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Antioch, the District reached out to various public agencies and retail establishments to provide information. As a result, information was provided to the Antioch City Council, City Hall, the Antioch Department of Recreation, Antioch Libraries, Tri-Delta Transit, the Chamber of Commerce, the Lone Tree Golf and Event Center, Antioch Starbucks restaurants, and all 22 Antioch public schools. In addition, sta...

F15

As of May 2025, the MVCD social media presence is limited to Facebook (60 followers), Instagram (232 followers), Nextdoor, and 1,432 followers on X.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

(3) partially disagree - The District also has a YouTube account (https://www.youtube.com/@ccmvcd), with 343 subscribers, and 52 videos published. The District's choice of social media platforms is based on data from a survey of county residents, which is done every 3-5 years. F16. The MVCD does not cross-market educational or promotional YouTube videos on other social media platforms. Response: (2) disagree - The District has posted their YouTube videos across multiple social media platforms on multiple occasions. For example, on May 14, 2025 the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSGEoII...

F16

The MVCD does not cross-market educational or promotional YouTube videos on other social media platforms.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

(2) disagree - The District has posted their YouTube videos across multiple social media platforms on multiple occasions. For example, on May 14, 2025 the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSGEoIIOHdE appeared on Instagram, Twitter (X), Facebook, and Nextdoor; on September 18, 2024 the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftwxc012Jro appeared on Instagram, Facebook, and Nextdoor. RECOMMENDATIONS R1. By February 1, 2026, the MVCD Board of Trustees should consider directing the MVCD to explore additional avenues to educate residents on how to recognize and report Aedes mosquitos. Response: ...