Background: Santa Clara County Mosquito & Vector Control District
Q: What is a 'Vector'?
A: A vector is any animal that can spread disease, cause discomfort, or injury to humans. This can include mosquitoes, flies, mites, ticks, rodents, and even some wildlife. Many vectors are insects that feed on blood. When they bite an infected animal, the vector ingests microorganisms found in the sick animal’s blood that cause illness. When the vector bites a healthy animal or human, it transmits the pathogens - making them sick. That's why it's important to control them.
Q: What is the Santa Clara County Mosquito & Vector Control District ?
A: The District’s mission is to detect and to minimize vector-borne diseases, abate mosquitoes, and assist the public in resolving problems with rodents, wildlife, and insects that can cause disease, discomfort or injury to humans.
See https://stopmosquitoes.org for additional information.
Q: What is the governing body of the Santa Clara County Mosquito & Vector Control District?
A: The County Board of Supervisors acts as the Board of Trustees for the Mosquito & Vector Control District.
Q: How does the Mosquito & Vector Control District relate to Santa Clara County?
A: The District boundaries are the same as the County boundaries. The District does not receive funds from the County’s general fund. At the same time, its governing board is the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The District is managed by County employees with staff assigned to fieldwork, facility support, laboratory operations, and public outreach.
The Proposed Assessment
Q: What is the purpose of the assessment?
A: The District currently has a funding gap, and states that the funds are needed to close the gap, to increase resources to adequately respond to an increasing mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) infestation, and to allow the District to maintain and enhance other critical services.
Without additional funding, the District projects over $3 million in budget shortfall for fiscal year 2026-2027. This shortfall would result in service reductions of up to 30%.
The proposed assessment revenues would be restricted to the use of the District. While the assessment revenues would be more than is currently needed, it would allow the District to build reserves. The reserves are projected to support the District until 2043.
Se ehttps://vector.santaclaracounty.gov/press-release-march-18-2026 for additional details.
Q: How much will the assessment be if it is enacted?
A: The amount of the assessment depends on the size and type of property.
A single family homeowner would be assessed an additional $15.75 per year.
A condominium owner would be charged an additional $9.45 per year.
There are different rates for apartment buildings, office buildings, and vacant properties.
See https://vector.santaclaracounty.gov/how-we-are-funded/how-we-are-funded for additional information.
Q: When I look at my property taxes, I see that there are currently two charges from the Mosquito & Vector Control District. Would this assessment replace them? Or is it an additional, third charge?
A: This assessment would not replace the two existing charges. It would be an additional third charge. This means for a single family home the annual charges would be $30.65: $14.90 as the amount of the two prior assessments plus $15.75 as the amount of the current proposed third assessment.
Q: Is there a time limit on how long the new assessment would be charged?
A: No.
Q: Could this assessment increase in the future?
A: It can be adjusted annually for inflation by a vote by the Board of Supervisors in its capacity as the Board of Trustees for the District.
Q: Is there a time limit on how long the two current assessments will be charged?
A: No, there is no expiration date on the assessments.
Voting and Next Steps
Q: Who is eligible to vote and how does voting take place?
A: Mail-in ballots have been sent to everyone who owns property in Santa Clara County. Each parcel is allowed one vote.
Voting takes place by mail and ballots must be received no later than May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Be sure to mail your ballot well in advance of May 19 to ensure it arrives in time.
Ballots may also be hand-delivered before the close of the public input portion of the public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on May 19, 2026, at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Chambers at 70 West Hedding Street in San José.
Q: What if I wish to object to the proposed assessment?
A: If you wish to object to the assessment on the grounds that you believe it does not comply with the California Constitution (Proposition 218), please submit a written objection, with the specific grounds on which you contend it does not comply with the Constitution, to the Santa Clara County Mosquito and Vector Control District, 1580 Berger Drive, San José, CA 95112, by May 5, 2026.
Q: What happens after the ballots are received?
A: There will be a public hearing on May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Board Chambers located at 70 W. Hedding Street, San José. The results of the tabulation of votes will be announced on June 2, 2026, at a continued public hearing on June 2, 2026, at 10:00 at the Board Chambers.
Q: What if I mistakenly threw out my ballot?
A: Please call (408) 918-4470 ASAP.