Take a look at this. It's pretty interesting.
COLUMN: Big government bureaucracy strikes Mosquito Control and stings the taxpayers
December 09, 2009 11:18 AM
Bonnie McQuiston
The South Walton Mosquito Control District, a line item taxing authority on your property tax bill, plans to increase their three-member commission to five members ? totally at taxpayers? expense. I strongly oppose this.
The district has only 16 employees ? ten full-time, five part-time, and one full-time director. That?s one commissioner for every five employees. The director runs the day-to-day operations of the district and reports to all three commissioners.
Now, two current commissioners are pushing to almost double the size of the board.
Is this what happens when people don?t watch their government?
For years, we were told that the costs to taxpayers for a commissioner was their $400/month salary. We now find these bureaucrats have awarded themselves lucrative benefits. $4,800 salary, plus health and dental insurance, funding in the state retirement plan, and district-related travel reimbursement ? that?s $17,800 per yr, per commissioner.
South Walton taxpayers pay 100 percent of health and dental insurance premiums, and 72 percent of family premiums, for employees and commissioners. Commissioners vest in the state retirement plan during their second term in office. The district currently has three retirees for whom we pay health insurance premiums.
Additionally, there is a ?supplemental fund? for employees and commissioners of up to $1,200 for out-of-pocket medically-related expenses. Reimbursements can include insurance deductibles, eyeglasses, and prescriptions. If the $1,200 isn?t used up during the fiscal year, the balance rolls over and is added to the next year?s $1,200.
This sweetheart deal is not afforded other local government employees, and far surpasses private sector employee benefits.
Do you want more of your money used to expand their power?
It is absurd that additional commissioners are being considered. The extra costs to taxpayers are totally unnecessary. More importantly, the mentality driving this effort, especially in this economy, is an outrage.
At a time when the private sector is reducing expenses, cutting staff, and some closing their doors, this is in-your-face arrogance from local government bureaucrats. Nothing in the actual operation of the mosquito control district is changing. The only change will be the size of a power hungry board and the costs to taxpayers.
There are 26 independent mosquito control districts in Florida ? three commissioners is the norm. By comparison, Bay County mosquito control, a much larger district, has three commissioners.
Have we elected commissioners who are competent to oversee a district with sixteen employees and an operating budget under $1.5 million, or not?
We could assume, since our mosquito district was established by public referendum with three commissioners, that additional commissioners would require another public referendum. However, these commissioners, who work for us are choosing to bypass the public.
They apparently asked for a state attorney general opinion to increase with only a board vote, and they say approval was received. But, the attorney general doesn?t fund their budgets, we do.
It is time to put mosquito control commissioners on our radar screen NOW and for the next election.
Are there good reasons to almost double the bureaucracy and add costs to taxpayers?
No. Commissioners offer weak reasons for growing the hierarchy. When Charlie Burke was removed from office by the Florida governor for allegedly falsifying his residence, his replacement could not be appointed for about a year. The remaining commissioners had a hard time agreeing on matters until Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson appointed a replacement to finish Mr. Burke?s term.
One commissioner reasons that the budget almost didn?t get approved and he wants to ensure a quorum at monthly meetings. The answer to a one-time event such as the Burke matter is NOT more government. The answer is for the commissioners to attend their own meetings.
Another commissioner claims that the state of Florida ?recommends? five commissioners when a mosquito district budget hits $2 million. The South Walton district?s 2010 budget is just under $2 million.
But, about $800,000 is a contingency fund established several years ago to buy a helicopter. The costs for a pilot, maintenance and storage facility, coupled with insufficient justification, rendered the venture dormant. So, the real budget is about $1.2 million.
There is no official state requirement to grow the board at this level of operating budget.
What can you do?
Come to their next board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 9:30 a.m., at South Walton Mosquito District office on Hwy. 393 north (about 1 mile north from Hwy. 98, east side of street). There is still a chance. It?s late in the game but it?s not over. Let?s stop these commissioners from increasing bureaucracy and our costs. If you can?t be there, at least call and voice your opinion. They can be reached at 850-267-2112.
Bonnie McQuiston is a resident of Santa Rosa Beach. She is past president of Walton County Taxpayers Association and currently serves on the board.
COLUMN: Big government bureaucracy strikes Mosquito Control and stings the taxpayers | control, mosquito, increase - Local News - WaltonSun.com
Replies
64
Beach Fanatic
Thank you for your reply, Joe. I trust you understood the irony in my suggestion of the extinction of the yellow fly following my discussion of the real culprits in habitat degradation of the bay. My more subtle suggestion is that there has been and will always be tension between man and his environment. I believe we are rapidly reaching the conclusion that even small alterations to our environment can have enormous, often unforseeable, consequences.
Six generations of my family have lived along the Choctawhatchee River and the bay. My grandfather told me stories of catching sturgeon in the river. Unfortunately, people in that time did not understand the impact they were having on fish stocks and the habitat. Over-fishing resulted in the Gulf Sturgeon being placed on the endangered list. Take heart, Joseph; I have seen sturgeon breaching twice on the river in the last 4 years.
I disagree that gridlock is a useful public policy tool. Maintaining the status quo should be a conscious decision based upon study and analysis. Gridlock represents a failure of leadership.
I've never heard about lobster in the bay, but I would be very interested to learn more. Hyperlink?
Six generations of my family have lived along the Choctawhatchee River and the bay. My grandfather told me stories of catching sturgeon in the river. Unfortunately, people in that time did not understand the impact they were having on fish stocks and the habitat. Over-fishing resulted in the Gulf Sturgeon being placed on the endangered list. Take heart, Joseph; I have seen sturgeon breaching twice on the river in the last 4 years.
I disagree that gridlock is a useful public policy tool. Maintaining the status quo should be a conscious decision based upon study and analysis. Gridlock represents a failure of leadership.
I've never heard about lobster in the bay, but I would be very interested to learn more. Hyperlink?
Beach Fanatic
This is an old arguement, SJ, one that no matter how it's argued, will lead to the same conclusion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I have a right to disagree with who or whatever. The difference is when facts are required to make policy. I don't think we need 2 more commissioners, I haven't seen the progress I'd like to see from any of them. The problem on JD Miller Rd is still there, they just pass the buck from one official to another. I think the best way to control the mosquito problem is at the source. They have had to spray a lot more because I think, of the problem on JD Miller. Get the ditches fixed! I'd really like to see just one of the commissioners really get involved and do something constructive!
SWGB
SJ, with all due respect this line:
is actually the mosquitoes purpose in the food chain. Google it, it's simply natures way of spreading disease. There is no animal that is entirely dependent on the mosquito as a food source. Eliminate them!
With the mentality of eliminating a species based on it being a potential to carry disease and kill people
is actually the mosquitoes purpose in the food chain. Google it, it's simply natures way of spreading disease. There is no animal that is entirely dependent on the mosquito as a food source. Eliminate them!
SoWal Expert
I don't believe ANY animal is solely dependent on one species of plant or animal for its food source. As I said, just because you and I (and Google) doesn't understand the role of a plant or animal in the big picture, doesn't mean that it doesn't have an important one.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Maybe it would help if you did some checking before spouting off.
I called Bob Hudson and asked him the same question you pose. He was quite straightforward with his answers as he always is.
FYI, he is not in favor of increasing the number of commissioners. He was appointed to replace the Commissioner who said he lived in the area and did not. The vote on increasing the Commission to five members was 2 to 1. I'll let you guess who the descenting vote was.
May I suggest you attend the meeting at 9:30 A.M. on the 15th and express your now informed opinion.
I'm glad to hear that he is not in favor of increasing the number of commissioners, but he doesn't have a problem with them getting 72% of their family health being paid for?
Why do we need a seperate district? The North Walton Mosquito Control is run by the County. Would it be possible to disband the SWMCD all together, and roll it into the County's?
SoWal Expert
Why do we need a seperate district? The North Walton Mosquito Control is run by the County. Would it be possible to disband the SWMCD all together, and roll it into the County's?
We don't need a separate district. However, most likely, the only way to eliminate them is put it on the ballot and vote.
Beach Fanatic
I'm glad to hear that he is not in favor of increasing the number of commissioners, but he doesn't have a problem with them getting 72% of their family health being paid for?I couldn't agree more. I think this proposal will probably be made by someone at the Dec. 15th meeting. SJ is right. It needs to be put on the ballot. How do we do that?
Why do we need a seperate district? The North Walton Mosquito Control is run by the County. Would it be possible to disband the SWMCD all together, and roll it into the County's?
Beach Fanatic
South Walton had the most problems with the pests due to all the low lands. Areas south of 20 are also a problem.
Beach Fanatic
What you can do to help - where I stand
I have followed this thread carefully since it originally began. I want to be on the record here (already in the official minutes of SWMCD) on certain key issues being discussed.
1. I oppose the expansion of the Board from 3 to 5 and have voted against the expansion on every occasion since my appointment. Vote 2-1
2. I opposed the expansion of the retirement contributions from 9.6% to 16% for Commissioners. Vote 2-1
3. During the public budget workshops for the 2010 budget I proposed a reduction in the % of contributions toward family medical in a phased in approach over a three year period until it matched the BCC subsidy for family medical coverage - (died for lack of second).
4. SWMCD meeting are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the 393 North office in Santa Rosa Beach. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
The attached link is to a 11 minute video produced by the FL Keys Independent Mosquito Control District that gives an overview of those things that an independent district's mission is how they accomplish that mission and how you as an individual can help in eliminating the source of breeding grounds.
Viddler.com - FL Keys Homeowners Guide to Mosquito Control - Uploaded by FLKeysMosquito@@AMEPARAM@@http://www.viddler.com/player/ff1ecc0d/@@AMEPARAM@@ff1ecc0d/
I have followed this thread carefully since it originally began. I want to be on the record here (already in the official minutes of SWMCD) on certain key issues being discussed.
1. I oppose the expansion of the Board from 3 to 5 and have voted against the expansion on every occasion since my appointment. Vote 2-1
2. I opposed the expansion of the retirement contributions from 9.6% to 16% for Commissioners. Vote 2-1
3. During the public budget workshops for the 2010 budget I proposed a reduction in the % of contributions toward family medical in a phased in approach over a three year period until it matched the BCC subsidy for family medical coverage - (died for lack of second).
4. SWMCD meeting are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the 393 North office in Santa Rosa Beach. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
The attached link is to a 11 minute video produced by the FL Keys Independent Mosquito Control District that gives an overview of those things that an independent district's mission is how they accomplish that mission and how you as an individual can help in eliminating the source of breeding grounds.
Viddler.com - FL Keys Homeowners Guide to Mosquito Control - Uploaded by FLKeysMosquito@@AMEPARAM@@http://www.viddler.com/player/ff1ecc0d/@@AMEPARAM@@ff1ecc0d/
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
Thank you Bob for your reply. What is your opinion on the question of whether or not the SWMCD is needed? Is it something that can be accomplished under the County as they already do in north Walton?
Based on your summary, it doesn't sound like we need two more commissioners; it sounds like we need two new ones.
Based on your summary, it doesn't sound like we need two more commissioners; it sounds like we need two new ones.
Beach Fanatic
Thank you Bob for your reply. What is your opinion on the question of whether or not the SWMCD is needed? Is it something that can be accomplished under the County as they already do in north Walton?
Based on your summary, it doesn't sound like we need two more commissioners; it sounds like we need two new ones.
This issue may be a item I will vote on tomorrow so I believe that I must wait until the meeting tomorrow. I must be careful to not us this forum as a means of violating the Fla Sunshine Law. Some users are "anonymous" to me and I do not want to be accused of utilizing this forum as a means of discussing a pending item with a fellow commissioner.
Hope you understand.
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
This issue may be a item I will vote on tomorrow so I believe that I must wait until the meeting tomorrow. I must be careful to not us this forum as a means of violating the Fla Sunshine Law. Some users are "anonymous" to me and I do not want to be accused of utilizing this forum as a means of discussing a pending item with a fellow commissioner.
Hope you understand.
I completely understand, and appreciate you being thorough and honest. I will wait to read the minutes from tomorrow's meeting.
Beach Fanatic
Although, North Walton does have there own Mosquito Control, I can assure you they don't cover the area near as well as SWMCD does. I live in Freeport and I would bet I do no see them but maybe once a week during the spring and summer. This is not a slam on the service they provide, they are covering a lot more area and with fewer folks based on the number of vehicles I have seen in their lot. I also don't know whether they have mosquito ditches to maintain. I also own property in SoWal so I also have a vested interest in the SWMCD and feel as though they provide a valuable service. I am also little peeved that people think we should have politicians work for free. Are they paid excessively? I don't know, I think their worth is in the eye of the beholder and based on comments here, no Government Employee is worth what their paid. When the arguement was made about the County Commissioners having fully paid family health insurance, my issue was that not that they had it but why the rest of the Public Servants also did not recieve it. There is also a complaint of the SWMCD board recieving retirement benefits for the little work they perform, well the County Commissioners are also having payments made to FRS, and thier positions are considered part time. My point, you may think this operation is not being efficiently run, whether they have 3 or five commissioners, they are being compensated to much for the work they perform, but is it performing the task it has been elected to do. In the end you get what you pay for.
SoWal Expert
I may have missed this, but will someone please tell me why these are elected positions? Why don't we just have a county "mosquito department", with a boss and employees? 
Beach Fanatic
I may have missed this, but will someone please tell me why these are elected positions? Why don't we just have a county "mosquito department", with a boss and employees?
This may smack a bit of "because that's how we always did it," but that is how it was set up. When the SWMCD was formed, you couldn't get a county department down here for any reason except to grade your/my/our road, and even THAT was often after repeated calls to whoever was our north-of-the=bay commissioner at the time. Remember, we didn't even have a full-time sheriff's substation here until 1982.
What was down here, though, were mosquitos, and swamps, and the residents liked to go outside at times without being eaten alive or contracting malaria and West Nile. And don't forget heartworms for dogs. All dogs got heartworms; it was only a matter of when.
Disbanding our mosquito control would require a referendum, and the thought of it being a county department makes me shudder.
Beach Fanatic
Whether or not the SWMC is needed or not, is considerably after the fact, considering the length of time it's been in existance. I think it's the wrong time to even consider adding more commissioners considering current events. What I'd like to see is the commissioners actually working positively for our community, getting what we've paid for.
Beach Fanatic
Whether or not the SWMC is needed or not, is considerably after the fact, considering the length of time it's been in existance. I think it's the wrong time to even consider adding more commissioners considering current events. What I'd like to see is the commissioners actually working positively for our community, getting what we've paid for.
I would appreciate some specifics concerning your statements that the SWMCD is not working positively for the South Walton community.
As a Commissioner I consider it my responsibility to listen to people and improve the organization where we can.
I will try answers to your specifics concerns, and will then respond with things that I feel have been very positive steps to improve the transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility we are charged with in the past 11 months as I have worked with two other commissioner's.
I await your response.
SWGB
They seem to be working pretty efficiently.
Their purpose is to kill mosquitoes and being that I was only bit a small number of times during the spring, summer, and fall I'd say they are doing their jobs.
I would like them to find alternatives to spraying. For instance in the video that Mr. Hudson posted there is a bacteria that only affects mosquitoes.
Their purpose is to kill mosquitoes and being that I was only bit a small number of times during the spring, summer, and fall I'd say they are doing their jobs.
I would like them to find alternatives to spraying. For instance in the video that Mr. Hudson posted there is a bacteria that only affects mosquitoes.
Beach Fanatic
That prodoct is a larvasidethat we use.
SWGB
That prodoct is a larvasidethat we use.
So it only affects mosquito larvae?
Beach Fanatic
So it only affects mosquito larvae?
Yes - it is gene specific to mosquito's.
SoWal Expert
...
Disbanding our mosquito control would require a referendum, and the thought of it being a county department makes me shudder.
Would you mind telling us why?
Beach Fanatic
Would you mind telling us why?
Yeah, I would.
But for starters - who would be responsible for it? Doesn't whichever department you choose already have enough on their plate, particularly in South Walton? Particularly since layoffs are continuing?
But, alas, it is going to remain a three-member board. Move on to the next controversial subject.
Admin
Residents swarmed the meeting. The district board voted against adding the additional commissioners.
The Florida Dept. of Agriculture had recommended the increase from 3 to 5 commissioners because the budget was over a million dollars. Last month the Walton County Board Of County Commissioners approved the increase but it will not happen now.
The Florida Dept. of Agriculture had recommended the increase from 3 to 5 commissioners because the budget was over a million dollars. Last month the Walton County Board Of County Commissioners approved the increase but it will not happen now.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Residents swarmed the meeting. The district board voted against adding the additional commissioners.
The Florida Dept. of Agriculture had recommended the increase from 3 to 5 commissioners because the budget was over a million dollars. Last month the Walton County Board Of County Commissioners approved the increase but it will not happen now.
Thank you for the update. Was there any talk about the benefits?
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