Hayward, CA – The Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance.

“This award is a testament to Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District’s commitment to open government,” said Ryan Clausnitzer, District Manager. “The entire District staff is to be commended for their contributions that empower the public with information and facilitate engagement and oversight.”

In order to receive the award, a special district must demonstrate the completion of eight essential governance transparency requirements, including conduction ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner.

The Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District also fulfilled fifteen website requirements, including providing readily available information to the public, such as board agendas, past minutes, current District budget, and the most recent financial audit.

Finally, the District must demonstrate outreach to its constituents that engages the public in its governance, through a regular District newsletter and special community engagement project.

The Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District is a non-enterprise independent special district, currently serving all of Alameda County except for the City of Albany. The District is 815 square miles and provides mosquito control for approximately 1.5 million people. The District is governed by a Board of Trustees, consisting of 14 members. Each City Council within the District and the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County appoint one Trustee, who serves a two-year term and can be reappointed.

SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation and other recognition programs.

Special districts are independent public agencies that deliver core local services to communities, such as water, fire protection, parks and recreation, healthcare, sanitation, mosquito abatement, ports, libraries, public cemeteries and more. Districts are established by voters and their funding is approved by voters in order to meet specific needs through focused service. They can be specially molded to serve large regions or small neighborhoods depending on the need.

The mission of Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District is to control mosquitoes to enhance public health and comfort, act as an information resource on mosquito biology, control, and prevention, identify insects and associated disease transmission, and operate in a safe, ecologically-sound and publicly accessible manner.