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SUBJECTS › GOVERNANCE › MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICTS › History of Consideration of Creation of Franklin County Mosquito Control District
Franklin County History of Consideration of Creation of Franklin County Mosquito Control District

Franklin County
History of Consideration of Creation of Franklin County Mosquito Control District

The following is a brief history of Board meetings leading up to the election on March 11, 2003, for voters to consider formation and funding of a Franklin County Mosquito Control District.

Previous to the following dates, the Board had received several requests for mosquito control help over a period of years, including twice from the City of Connell.

Prepared February 25, 2003, by Mary Withers, Clerk to the Board

August 28, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document134 KB) The Board discussed the idea of sending a letter to cities asking if they are interested in having a Mosquito Control District reinstated. (page 706 of minutes)

Dr. Larry Jecha of the Health District met with the Board. He told them about the West Nile virus, emphasizing that we need to at least have planning in place before the West Nile virus arrives. (pages 714 and 715 of minutes)

September 4, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document221 KB) Letter sent to all cities in Franklin County about mosquito control. (page 721 of minutes) (letter included)

September 9, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document66 KB) The Board approved a letter to congressmen requesting funds to deal with West Nile virus. (page 742 of minutes) (letter included)

October 16, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document45 KB) Dr. Jecha of the Health District told the Board a dead bird was found in Washington that tested positive for West Nile virus. (page 856 of minutes)

October 28, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document54 KB) The Board requested that Prosecutor Steve Lowe find the procedures about formation of a Mosquito Control District. (page 883 of minutes)

November 25, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document89 KB) Prosecutor Steve Lowe told the Board the county itself can put the formation of a Mosquito Control District on the ballot or can form a Mosquito Control District if it receives signatures of 10% of the county's voters. He told them of other guidelines. More research is being done by his office. (pages 1059 and 1060 of minutes)

December 4, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document86 KB) Resolution of intent to create a mosquito control district in Franklin County was signed. Resolution 2002-482. (page 1095 and 1096 of minutes) (Resolution 2002-482 is attached.)

December 11, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document51 KB) Assessor Steve Marks was asked to prepare an estimate for a separate assessment for a Mosquito Control District prior to a public hearing. (page 1125 of minutes)

December 18, 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document54 KB) The Board decided to have Commissioner Frank Brock be the contact for mosquito control work. (page 1144 of minutes)

January 6, 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document94 KB) Mr. Brock reported he was working with others to figure out how an assessment for mosquito control could work. (page 3 of minutes)

Prosecutor Steve Lowe said the ballot can show an assessment up to a certain amount would be collected for mosquito control. (page 5 of minutes)

January 8, 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document331 KB) Public Hearing was held to take testimony for and against establishing a Mosquito Control District within Franklin County. (pages 22-27 of minutes)

January 9, 2003 The Board held a workshop session about formation of a mosquito control district to discuss possible boundaries and assessment information. No decisions were made. No minutes are taken of workshop sessions. (page 29 of minutes)

January 13, 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document83 KB) Resolution 2003-030 (Adobe Acrobat Document79 KB)was approved, calling for a special election on March 11, 2003, regarding proposal to establish a Mosquito Control District. A copy of the resolution was sent to the Elections Department. (pages 43 and 44 of minutes)

January 27, 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document59 KB) The City of Pasco does not want to be included in a mosquito control district boundary but would be willing to contract with the county. The Board discussed that the whole county will be included in the boundary. (page 79 of minutes)

Deputy Prosecutor Darin Campbell informed the Board that the formation of a mosquito control district requires 50% approval to pass, while the levy ballot issue requires three-fifths (which is 60%) approval to pass. (page 79 of minutes)

Mr. Brock said some of the permits for spraying for mosquito control require 45 to 60 days before approval so they are being prepared in case the mosquito control district is formed and funded. (page 82 of minutes)

February 3, 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document51 KB) Attorney Jeff Nave of Foster Pepper Sheffelman has reviewed the proposed Mosquito Control ballot issue and said it is fine. (Clerk's Note: This was done as a double-check because of a previous unrelated bond issue not being worded properly for the ballot.) (page 96 of minutes)

February 24, 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document47 KB) Mr. Brock reported on questions he has had about the mosquito control election, including that the district would be county-wide. Mrs. Corkrum has had inquiries about whether senior citizens would be exempt from the mosquito levy. (page 8 of minutes)