January 12, 2024 |
Photo – Truck spraying for mosquitos – Courtesy gettyimages.com
The Medicine Bow town council is considering changing the way residents pay for mosquito control.
Every summer across Carbon County, municipalities attempt to control mosquito populations using chemicals. The chemicals are often sprayed from a truck or a plane. Towns are reimbursed by the county for the chemicals, but residents pay to cover the cost of application.
In Medicine Bow, only residents with functioning water taps pay for mosquito control. The town council discussed adding a $10 monthly charge to lots that are sprayed for mosquitos, but aren’t hooked up to the town’s water supply.
During the January 8th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer said all property owners should contribute towards mosquito control. Town Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath said only lots able to receive water from the town pay for spraying.
Clerk Heath said many undeveloped lots without water hookup receive insecticide application. The town clerk said the council would need to amend the current mosquito control ordinance to make the fee apply to all lots regardless of water supply.
Mayor Justin George asked how much the town spent on mosquito spraying in 2023. Public Works Director Brian Lashley said two aerial applications cost $15,000 in total.
Carbon County Weed and Pest reimburses towns for the cost of insecticide.
Clerk Heath said if the council amends the mosquito control ordinance, lots without water hookups will be required to pay $10 a month. Councilwoman Wickizer said property owners with curb stops, or valves the city uses control water distribution, will see a $10 increase to their monthly bills.
A Medicine Bow resident told the council that he owns a field that is technically subdivided into 27 lots. The resident said he is concerned that the town will charge him a mosquito fee for each lot despite none being developed.
Another resident asked how the council came up with the $10 mosquito control fee. The man suggested the council divide the amount of money spend on spraying against the number of lots in town. Mayor George said the town would save any excess funding received, but more research is needed before any change to the ordinance is made.
Councilman Trevor Strauch motioned to table the mosquito control fee discussion until the town can collect more information. Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield seconded and the motion passed.
