The Merced County Mosquito Abatement District (MCMAD) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, for its new facilities at 3478 Beachwood Drive in Merced.
The event was attended by approximately 50 guests and featured remarks from Executive Director Rhiannon Jones, Merced County Treasurer and Tax Collector Karen Adams, and Board of Trustees President Ron Borrelli.
“We stand at the threshold of a new era for Merced County Mosquito Abatement District,” Jones told those assembled. “This building before us is more than just our new headquarters; it’s a physical manifestation of our organization’s growth, our vision for the future, and our commitment to innovation as we serve the residents of our community by protecting public health.”
This year marks the MCMAD’s 79th year serving the residents of Merced County. MCMAD is a public agency funded by property taxes, and staff works year-round to protect the community from mosquito-borne illnesses. The MCMAD team monitors local mosquito populations and tests for diseases such as West Nile virus, treating affected areas as needed to protect public health.
During mosquito season, they ask residents to help reduce mosquito breeding by eliminating standing water (mosquitoes can breed in as little as a bottle cap of water), mowing tall grasses, avoiding over-irrigation of both yards and pastures, and wearing insect repellent outdoors. If service is needed, residents can easily submit a request at mcmosquito.org.
The new facility stands on the same site where the District has always been located, making this a significant investment in the revitalization of the Beachwood area. The building complex was designed with the future in mind, featuring expanded space for mosquito control technicians, additional truck storage, and more office space to support continued growth.
The project was carefully researched and planned by Executive Director Rhiannon Jones and Director of Finance Aric Barnett-Lynch, who visited other mosquito abatement districts with the MCMAD Board of Trustees to gather best practices. Their goal was to ensure that public funds were used wisely and efficiently in creating a facility that will serve the community for decades to come.
The construction was also a result of a partnership with the Merced County Treasury which provides essential banking and fixed-income investment services to its pool participants.
“With a robust investment portfolio exceeding $2 billion, the Treasury serves as a financial steward, ensuring that local agencies have access to their monetary resources to grow and thrive,” said County Treasurer Karen Adams. “The Mosquito Abatement District is one of many local agency participants in the Merced County Treasury investment pool. As a trusted member, the Treasury provided the District a competitive loan to fund the construction of the project. This collaboration is not just a win for the district, but it benefits all participants in the investment pool.
“The District obtained a lower interest rate than they would have obtained on the open market. At the same time, the interest earned by the Treasury is higher than the fixed income market yield. What makes this partnership even more impactful is that the interest paid by the district on their loan is added to the Treasury pool’s earnings, which benefits all participants including the District. While the District gains the necessary funding for their project, all pool participants see financial growth as a result— creating a cycle of mutual benefit and sustainable community investment.”
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed tours of the facility, an education booth, mosquito control gear displays, light refreshments, and giveaways items.