COMMISSIONERS MINUTES AUGUST 30, 2006
The Commissioners met in special session on the above date in the Commissioner’s Room, basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Present at the meeting were Chairperson Mary Egusquiza, Commissioners Larry Rose and Connie Cruser. Also present was Clerk Merrilee Hiler and Disaster Services Coordinator Nick Schilz.
Chairperson Egusquiza stated she asked Central District Health to give an update on the West Nile Virus problem here in Elmore County.
Russ Duke, current Director for Central District Health, Marty Jones and Rob Howarth, from Central District Health, appeared before the Board. Chairperson Egusquiza stated the Commissioners understood that it would not do any good to declare a disaster if we did not have a mosquito abatement program. Mr. Duke stated that after a meeting with the Governor’s office he agreed with that statement. Mr. Duke stated declaring a disaster is one thing, funding the disaster is another issue. There needs to be a clear abatement plan declaring a disaster in order to receive State funds.
A proposal for an abatement plan was distributed to the Commissioners and audience. There are four key areas that the Governor wanted to see regarding an abatement plan. This proposal was developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Fish and Game Department, and the Department of Health and Welfare. The four key areas are: Number 1. Identify mosquito breeding areas. 2. Conduct a Public Education Campaign throughout the County and District Health Department 3. Pesticide application, and 4. Adequate and appropriate notification of the Public, Businesses and Government.
Commissioner Rose questioned that if Elmore County has half the deaths in Idaho, wouldn’t that be a major consideration to the Governor’s office regarding the request of funds. Mr. Duke stated that yes, Elmore County has a high rate of death and that the health status of the person contributes to contracting West Nile Virus. If the people who are contracting West Nile Virus are elderly or their immune system is low it contributes to the outcome, it is not necessarily the cause of death.
Commissioner Cruser stated that the City is putting tablets in their lagoons, the school district is spraying the Junior High, Eastside Park and the High School once a week.
Commissioner Cruser stated it costs about $1,500 every time they spray and lasts for 3 days. She stated she has had several calls regarding the pond that the State owns, and upon investigation nothing has been done at that pond.
Rose Cook, 350 South 10th, Daniels Road, who was in the audience, spoke about the ponds near her home and the lagoons. She stated last night she went to the lagoons and there were mosquitoes everywhere, even though the tablets have been dropped in them. She stated they can’t go outside. Her concern was how many people have to get sick and die before something is done.
Mr. Duke stated the funding is not 100%, it is 75% funded by the State with the County funding 25%.
Discussion followed regarding the southern part of Elmore County was targeted to form a mosquito abatement district two years ago. There were not enough registered voters who signed the petition to get the issue on the ballot.
A Declaration of Disaster was declared at the regular meeting of August 21, 2006. Commissioner Rose stated that is why we are meeting today, to come up with a plan to present to the Governor to receive funding.
Chairperson Egusquiza stated a mosquito abatement district would try to be formed for next year. She reviewed the process of forming an abatement district. A person from the audience asked if it wouldn’t be a good idea to put it on the General election ballot. It was discussed there was not enough time to get it on the General election ballot. There would have to be a special election.
Clerk Hiler stated we could get a list of those who voted in the last election and work off that list to get the signatures on the petitions.
Chairperson Egusquiza stated the four items needed that were listed above were the focus of this meeting so the County can receive funding. Chairperson Egusquiza asked Mir Seyedbagheri, Extension Agent, how long it would take to get organized and get the information to the Governor. He stated if we can get help from other agencies, about a week. Chairperson asked Nick if a week was realistic. He stated he was not sure, coordinating with other agencies was crucial. Identifying the areas was discussed. Mir stated with aerial photos we can identify the water areas where mosquitoes breed.
An employee from Paul’s Market discussed that in the morning and evening it is terrible at the store. She stated Paul’s Market has supplied mosquito spray for their customers to use. She wanted the group to know that the problem is in the City also, not just outlying areas.
Complaints are coming from all over the County. Using some of the data already collected was discussed in putting together the packet that is going to the Governor’s office.
Commissioner Rose stated with Mir’s knowledge we should utilize him on this project, along with the fact that part of his budget is Pest Control.
A county wide abatement district was suggested. Discussion followed on what areas would be sprayed. If the abatement district was County wide and some areas did not have a mosquito problem, those areas would not be sprayed but the residents would still be paying taxes. The cost to the taxpayer was discussed as it is not that much per year.
Mir Seyedbahgeri and Nick Schilz discussed spraying and the coordination necessary to do that. Nick will coordinate with Mir and put a packet together to take to the Governor’s Office.
Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to adjourn.
EGUSQUIZA................................................ - AYE
ROSE............................................................ - AYE
CRUSER....................................................... - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
/S/ MARY EGUSQUIZA, Chairperson
ATTEST: /S/ MERRILEE HILER, Clerk
