History

The first recorded mosquito control program was affected under the direction of the University of California professors against the salt marsh mosquitoes of the San Francisco Bay marshlands -1904 in San Rafael and 1905 in Burlingame.
           
In 1915, the California Legislature adopted the “Mosquito Abatement Act” which has been incorporated into the State Health and Safety Code as Chapter 5 Division 3.   This formed the Basis for the creation, governing powers, and functions of mosquito abatement districts.

In January of 1945 the Hanford Mosquito Abatement District (13 square miles), through special election, was formed to reduce levels of nuisance mosquitoes in an anticipation of the potential for mosquito borne disease transmission, through the return of American troops from abroad.  For similar reasons the Corcoran Mosquito Abatement District conducted its organizational meeting on July 9, 1947.  The two Districts were consolidated into the Kings Mosquito Abatement District by an act of the County Board of Supervisors, on April 19, 1961.  The District currently encompasses a 552 square mile area.

Organization

The District organizational chart is divided into two main units.  The Board of Trustees, which is the policy making unit and personnel, which include both administration and operations to implement policies established by the Board.
Chapter 5, Section 2240 of the California Health and Safety Code provided for the appointment of trustee representatives that form a district governing board (known as the Board of Trustees).
The elected councils of the three cities within the District (Hanford, Lemoore, and Corcoran) each appoint one trustee, with Tulare County appointing one, and Kings County appointing one to represent its constituency.  The first term of any member may not exceed two years.  Each subsequent consecutive reappointment, if any, may be for a term of two or four years, at the discretion of the appointing body.

The Board consists of individuals dedicated to community service and willing to accrue the knowledge required to effectively govern a mosquito abatement district.
Trustees serve terms without compensation; however do receive allowances for expenses incurred in attending business meetings of the board.  The regular business meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the District office located at 10871 Bonney View Lane, Hanford, California at 7: p.m..  Meetings are open to the public.

The District currently employees eleven full time employees.  One manager, one assistant manager/biologist, one secretary, one mechanic and seven mosquito control technicians.  With the exception of the secretary, mosquito certification by the State Department of Health is required by the District for continued employment.
The administration is accomplished by the District manager.  It is the responsibility of the Manager to insure implementation of Board Policy as well as govern the day to day activities of the District.  These duties include providing background to the Board in the areas of prospective policy, budgeting, procedure and personnel.  Technical duties are provided by the Manager and Assistant Manager/Biologist.  This responsibility includes such things as the assessment of scientific data and reports, all matters pertaining to mosquito biology, mosquito populations, disease potential, chemical resistance and source reduction.
The operational staff, both full time and temporary, fulfills required district field responsibilities as outlined by the Manager and authorized by the Board.