Without discussion from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, the board held a brief procedural hearing Tuesday to allow the public to comment on a proposed rate increase to fund expanded mosquito and rodent control services.
The county asked property owners this fall to approve an average $11.99 per year increase for the Santa Cruz County Mosquito and Vector Control department. As required by law, the county must hold a public hearing on the final day of the election.
After the hearing closed, shortly after 11 a.m., the county elections office began counting the votes. Officials are scheduled to announce the results at a follow-up hearing Nov. 18.
Just two public speakers, Becky Steinbruner and Marilyn Garrett, attended the meeting and spoke out critically of the proposed increase. Steinbruner said the proposal didn’t state clearly enough if the new increase is a general benefit for the community or specific benefit for certain households. Garrett said she voted no on the proposal, arguing that pesticides do more harm than good for the public.
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