With mosquito populations expected to wreak havoc again next summer, Utah County's Mosquito Abatement Division is asking for an extra $291,000 to get the bugs before they get people.
Last year, Utah County health officials budgeted roughly $400,000 for mosquito abatement, while this year they are being asked to budget more than $690,000 - half of which will come from health department surplus funds.
The increased money will be mostly used for air spraying pesticides over hard-to-reach mosquito havens near Utah Lake and in southwest Utah County.
“These services are really quite crucial to keep it under control as much as possible,” said Ralph Clegg, deputy director for the Utah County Health Department.
Clegg and other officials are concerned that they are having to budget for the increased mosquito control when they feel it should be a county-funded item.
They are also worried about drying up surplus funds when the money is needed for other projects, such as the future health department building in north Utah County.
“We don't want to compromise public health,” said Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn, a member of the county board of health. “If, in fact, there was additional need past the surplus [funds], would [the county] help?”
UCHD Executive Director Joseph Miner said county officials are not assisting in mosquito abatement funding for two reasons: they want to see the health department's healthy surplus funds used and they want to hold tax contributions to public health constant to avoid increased property taxes.
County Commissioner Larry Ellertson, who also serves on the health board, said the county could pursue a special service district for mosquito abatement in the future to ease the financial burden on the health department.
John B. Amadio, regional epidemiologist for the state health department, said sooner would be better than later.
“You can't wait until you're in crisis to create a mosquito abatement district,” Amadio said. “We've got to be ready when that money quits.”
thollingshead@sltrib.com
