Commissioners approve countywide mosquito district

County commissioners approved a countywide mosquito district Wednesday, but voters will have a say in how much money the district gets to spend.

After a public hearing aired diverse opinions, commissioners unanimously voted to dissolve two small districts in favor of a comprehensive, countywide control program.

But because the county has only about a quarter mill left in discretionary taxing authority, commissioners discussed placing a separate mill levy before voters in the next general election.

State statutes limit levies for mosquito control districts to two mills or less. On a home with $100,000 valuation, one mill is estimated to cost taxpayers about $2.90 a year and two mills is estimated at about $6 annually.

Each mill would raise about $166,000 for mosquito abatement.

"The public gets to decide if they want to have it," Commissioner Joe Brenneman said.

Deputy County Attorney Jonathan Smith clarified that the vote would address just the money, not the district formation. But a "no" vote would tie the hands of the five-member mosquito control district board established in the resolution.

0002000007C5000004807BF,Commission Chairman Gary Hall invited people who testified at the Wednesday hearing as well as other county residents to contact the commissioners' office to express their interest in serving on the board.

According to Hall, the district board members will work with the Flathead City-County Health Department to combat disease carried by mosquitoes. County health officer Joe Russell has been a driving force for a new district.

He said the threat of West Nile virus in nearby states makes mosquito abatement a public health concern.

"The two existing mosquito control districts are not capable of controlling mosquitoes countywide," Russell said.

With Kalispell/Evergreen and Somers districts dissolved, revenue from those districts return to the general fund for reallocation to the countywide effort.

Commissioners expect to appoint the new board by this fall. The resolution gives members the authority to administer a mosquito abatement plan, including hiring employees.

Hall said commissioners had discussed the possibility of contracting out the mosquito control work.

"This would be a good opportunity for a business to provide the manpower," he said.

Jed Fisher, a county employee who contracts mosquito control work in his off-duty hours, has said he doesn't have enough time to continue. However, he answered concerns raised about the accountability of contractors.

Fisher used the county's weed control contract as an example. He said the contract specifies the chemicals used and application areas.

"It's all spelled out," Fisher said.

Russell said that he supported getting citizens involved in the deciding how the county controls mosquitos.

"Every good program begins with public scoping," he said.

Hall said the county was always open to public involvement but he was concerned that it not delay tackling the mosquito problem.

"We need to get going on it," Hall said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com