Voters approved a tax increase Tuesday to fund more staff for the Animas Mosquito Control District, but they rejected a waiver on term limits on the board of directors.
The Animas Mosquito Control District said in recent weeks it needed more money to battle the biting insect, saying its $677,000 budget collected from tax revenues is not enough to cover operations.
Unofficial results show 3,380 people voted in favor of the tax increase, while 2,977 voted against it.
“We very much appreciate the voters and property owners supporting us,” said Butch Knowlton with the district. “The Animas Valley is a huge breeding ground for mosquitoes. A lot of people don’t realize that. It’s a big fight.”
The district uses a variety of methods, namely spraying and eliminating breeding grounds, to reduce mosquito populations from Bakers Bridge to La Posta Road (County Road 213).
The need for more funds became apparent after a wet winter and spring this past year, giving rise to an increased number of mosquitoes, Knowlton said.
The district plans to use the additional funds to add two staff members to its team of four and expand its building to better store equipment and products.
A request from the district to eliminate term limits for its five-member board was defeated 3,652 to 2,558. The request by the district was made because of the difficulty of finding residents to serve on the committee.
“We’re disappointed with that,” Knowlton said. “I hope we can find people that have the right mind to work with property owners and the various needs of the population in the district, and continue all the good work done by this board and past members.”
jromeo@durangoherald.com
