mosquito Abatement districts? (Sandy: appointed, homes, buying)

[AZGOLFER]

Hi-

Could someone please explain to me what a mosquito Abatement district is and can they levy a tax on you if you live within the district or do you have a choice of buying their service? If they can tax you, does the tax keep going up each year or is it a set fee?

I live in AZ, and the cities all spray for mosquitoes during the summer months without charging you.

Are the elected/appointed officials on the mosquitoe districts volunteers or do they get paid?

We might be moving soon to the Salt Lake area soon and I'm just trying to figure taxes etc...I came across an article today about the mosquito districts and I had never heard of anything like them before.

Thanks

[Tim Tim Tim]

didnt think they sprayed anywhere but FL.. Ours our done for free as far as I know, although thats no help to you haha

[Lmejh]

I don't think they even spray here, though I may stand corrected.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

From the SLC MOsquito Abatement District web site:
"Most mosquitoes are produced in the wetlands northwest of the SLC International Airport; however, there are many areas around homes and in the city that can breed mosquitoes. These include ornamental ponds, treeholes, gutters and catch basins.
The District also monitors adult mosquito populations throughout the city using a variety of trapping devices. The District tests captured mosquitos for a number of diseases including West Nile Virus, Western Equine Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis."

I didn't know I paid a tax for that; the 2007 rate was .000118, pretty small and it seems to be covered in the property tax bill. You do not have a choice, this is a public health matter and it is assessed against all property owners in SLC, SSLC, and Sandy that I could see. They are apptointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council.

I have never seen spraying like I was used to in Louisiana but I don't live near the wetlands, either.

[US-Traveller]

They spray in the midwest, especially Chicago and Minneapolis. I think its because of the standing fresh water and lagoons here.