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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE BOARD REGARDING PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL EFFORTS

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WHEREAS, mosquito-borne diseases are diseases that can be spread through the bite of mosquitoes, and these include diseases caused by a virus, also known as arboviruses, or caused by parasites; and
WHEREAS, several mosquito species found in Florida are capable of transmitting diseases to humans, horses, dogs and other animals; and
WHEREAS, mosquito-borne diseases that are currently found in Florida include Zika, West Nile virus disease, Eastern equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis; and
WHEREAS, many other mosquito-borne diseases are found in different parts of the world, and can be brought back to Florida if infected people or animals are bitten by mosquitoes while in Florida, including chikungunya fever, dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, and Rift Valley fever; and
WHEREAS, because of Florida�s climate, mosquitoes have historically plagued Florida�s residents and visitors, both as pests and disease-carriers; and
WHEREAS, in Florida, a failure to provide proper mosquito control can have deleterious effects on public health: by creating a greater risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission to humans, human comfort: by failing to alleviate the nuisance of high mosquito infestation for Florida residents and visitors, and socioeconomic conditions: by negatively impacting economic growth by altering the lifestyles of residents and visitors, decreasing productivity and increasing risk for those who work outdoors; and
WHEREAS, since the 1920�s many local governments in Florida have created mosquito control districts to control mosquitoes and other arthropods (�Mosquitoes�), and there are currently approximately 56 Mosquito control districts throughout Florida; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 388 of the Florida Statutes was enacted to authorize local governments to create such Mosquito control districts and, in section 388.0101, the Florida Legislature has declared it to be �the public policy of this state to achieve and maintain such levels of arthropod control as will protect human health and safety and foster the quality of life of the people, promote the economic development of the state, and facilitate the enjoyment of its natural attractions by reducing the number of pestiferous and disease-carrying arthropods�; and�
WHEREAS, there also exist other potential methods for providing broader and more sustainable funding to provide Mosquito control services, including but not limited to increasing existing fees, such as the stormwater utility fee, or creating a Mosquito control fee; and
WHEREAS, providing additional and sustainable funding would allow for the development and implementation of scientifically robust programs for surveillance, prevention, and control of arthropods, including public education, larval and adult Mosquito surveillance, predetermination of action thresholds, and implementation of effective Mosquito control strategies; and
WHEREAS, given the current outbreak of the Zika virus in Miami-Dade County (the �County�) and its potential effect on the health, safety, and welfare of County residents, it is desirable to identify the best methodology to provide uniform and effective Mosquito control throughout the entire County; and
WHEREAS, given the tendency of Mosquito-borne diseases to quickly travel and spread and do so without regard to municipal boundaries, it is important that this Board ensure that uniform Mosquito control services are provided throughout the entire County,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Adopts and incorporates the foregoing recitals as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to prepare such investigations, surveys, plans and specifications as may be necessary to compile a written report and recommendations setting forth the following information: (1) the options available to fund the County�s Mosquito control services within the County, including but not limited to the possibility of creating a dependent Mosquito control district or using a fee such as the stormwater utility fee; (2) a review of how other local governments in Florida fund their Mosquito control efforts; and, (3) the County Mayor�s recommendations and options towards securing a sustainable funding source for the County�s Mosquito control efforts.
Section 3. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to provide a report containing the information identified in Section 1 to this Board within 180 days and place the completed report on an agenda of the Board pursuant to Ordinance 14-65.