Southwest Mosquito Abatement And Control District

This 'State of the District' report, current as of February 2026, assesses the Southwest Mosquito Abatement & Control District's current status, improvements, and future directions. Key areas include capital improvements for the SWMACD building, vehicle management and acquisition, advancements in mosquito treatment systems such as new products and resistance testing, and surveillance activities, including GIS updates and Aedes aegypti findings. It also details laboratory work, office operations, including staffing and financial audits, and education and training initiatives like STEM events and public education campaigns.

The meeting included a public hearing regarding the amended 2025 budget, which reflected updated revenue projections and adjustments for employee benefits, professional services (due to an audit), and equipment purchases. The hearing also covered the proposed 2026 budget, noting funding for a new full-time position, higher professional services costs for an audit, and modest increases across several operational lines. Discussion occurred regarding CDA/RDA expenses, which do not pass through the district. Under budget items, October expenses were approved, and the Board decided to double the proposed end-of-year bonus amounts. The Board subsequently approved the 2025 amended budget and the 2026 proposed budgets. Policy items included the approval of the 2026 meeting schedule, the job description for a Public Education Admin, and the approval of Kirk Jones for this new position. The Manager's Report indicated that overall mosquito numbers were down for the year due to effective efforts, despite a difficult season in northern Utah.

The meeting included the nomination and election of an Interim Treasurer due to staff shortages. The expenses through June were reviewed and approved. Updates to the Pesticide Discharge Management Plan (PDMP) were reviewed and approved. The manager's report highlighted an increase in mosquitoes caught compared to the previous year, positive West Nile Virus (WNV) pools, and an increase in larval treatments. The upcoming UMAA conference was announced.

The board reviewed expenses through September 2021 and discussed the tentative budget for 2022, including adjustments to salary, health insurance, and retirement line items, as well as plans for hiring additional full-time employees. They also discussed the Capital Projects fund and set a public hearing date for December 9, 2021, to discuss the 2022 proposed budgets and amendments to the 2021 budgets. The Capital Facilities Plan for 2022 was reviewed, focusing on long-term savings for a new building and various projects in the 5-year plan. The District's scholarship recipient presented her project on the spatiotemporal distribution of Culex mosquitoes in Utah. The end-of-year mosquito surveillance report was presented, noting no West Nile positive tests and an increase in mosquitoes caught due to trapping in new areas.

The Board addressed several key items, including the election of board members, with Jarret Waite continuing as Chair. The 2023 budget was amended, and excess funds were transferred to the Capital Facilities fund. The board approved expenses through December 2023 and discussed and approved the pesticide order. Adjustments to salary/wage ranges were presented and approved. The SWMACD Scholarships were discussed, and a scholarship for Dalin Gunter was approved. The State of the District report was presented, outlining landscaping improvements, equipment purchases, and trap additions.