No replacements found for Vector Control Board members

By LeAnn Eckroth, Senior Staff Writer

Williston's infamous mosquito problem may amass much worse in 2008.

The Williams County Commission Tuesday weighed turning the reins of Vector Control to the City of Williston after it was noted that all three Vector Control Board members have resigned, and a director for the program has not been found to replace Dave Benth.

County Auditor Beth Innis said all three board members will be done at the end of December.

Helen Askim of County Human Resources said the director position has been advertised, but the board has received no applicants.

"I am a little worried about the clock ticking," she said.

The county currently levies $25,370 for the mosquito control program. According to City Auditor John Kautzman, the city charges $140,000 annually through a voter-approved deduction on the water bill.

The city uses a larvicide and adult-spraying strategy to counter the mosquitoes. Kautzman said a liaison committee meeting between the city and county is pending on the matter.

"Maybe we ought to explore a joint powers agreement and hand it all back to them," said County Commission Chair Dan Kalil of the county. County Board members said the program only covers a minimal amount of mosquito control for the county.

"It's not much, just around the city," said County Commissioner Don Arnson.

Innis and the board members debated if the responsibility of hiring a new Vector Control director would revert to the County Commission if there is no Vector Control Board.

Benth, who headed the program for several years, resigned as director of Vector Control after his family received threatening and harassing phone calls over the volume of mosquitoes and disputes over mosquito management methods. Williston voters also nixed a ballot item to exact a third dollar to pay for the mosquito control this summer. Williams County commissioners said an inventory of the Vector Control supplies and equipment would be done in the near future.

Calls made to Vector Control Board members were not returned as of late Wednesday afternoon.

In other business:

  • Williams County Sheriff Scott Busching was also given the nod to purchase two vehicles with a trade-in of two others after the bid was awarded to Murphy Motors for two Chevrolet vehicles at a cost of $49,430. He said he was getting just over $14,000 credit for the trade-ins.

  • Williams County Engineer Monte Meiers detailed upcoming federal road projects. These included the 11.7-mile stretch between Ray and Wildrose for a cost of $1.32 million ($915,000 in federal aid) to be started in 2008 and the 11.4-mile stretch on Williams County No. 5 near Grenora for 2010 at a cost of $1.3 million (federal aid is to be determined).

  • Treasurer/Recorder Kari Evenson announced property tax bills would likely be mailed by Friday.

  • Askim said employee evaluations are still being collected.

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