Health department seeks up to $4,600 for Clarksburg rodent-control plan; program to include resident traps and monitoring

Sean Durbin of the Decatur County Health Department updated commissioners on a rodent-control program for Clarksburg and asked for county assistance to cover start-up costs.

Durbin said a neighborhood meeting drew about 40 residents and that the county is already in phase two of the plan, focused on community education and distributing supplies such as copper mesh to block burrows, rodent screens for holes, and snap traps. He said staff will secure and monitor traps and that the department has a licensed staff member (Alicia) authorized to purchase restricted-use rodenticides. Durbin told the commissioners, "this is a community-wide program, and the community really needs to get together," and urged residents to conduct a coordinated cleanup.

Durbin estimated a $4,600 budget for the effort but said he expects the final cost could be lower. Commissioners discussed potential county funding sources and suggested the county’s disaster line as a possible source given the timing in the fiscal year. Durbin said the program requires resident reporting and that county staff will initially check traps every other day with frequency tapering to weekly or monthly as conditions improve. For disposal of trapped rodents, Durbin said normal household trash disposal procedures apply.

Commissioners did not vote on a specific appropriation at the meeting but indicated a willingness to consider funding and asked staff to follow up with cost details.