Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mosquito abatement director details aerial program and planned drone use; US Air Force training partnership planned for next summer
Summary
The mosquito abatement director described the program’s mix of ground and aerial spraying, pending FAA authorization for drone operations, and a Pentagon‑approved Innovative Readiness Training exercise with a US Air Force spray wing slated for next summer that will be federally resourced.
Herff Jones, executive director of the Iberia Parish Mosquito Abatement District, briefed the finance committee on the district’s 2026 budget and operational approach, emphasizing the role of aerial spraying, cost controls and new partnerships.
Jones said the district uses ground trucks, ATVs and a co‑owned aircraft — the shared ownership model reduced capital costs — and described increases in chemical and insurance costs. "Operating the aircraft has been very economical...most folks would think like, yeah, you own an airplane. You gotta operate an airplane. But it's not so bad when I got somebody helping me out with 50 percent of that cost," he said.
He said the district is awaiting a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the FAA to use a drone operationally; staff have submitted required documents and are waiting on the FAA office to return paperwork. Jones emphasized that the district will not deploy the drone until federal and state approvals and internal checks are complete.
Jones also described an Innovative Readiness Training partnership with a U.S. Air Force spray wing that received Pentagon approval to conduct training in Southwest Louisiana. He said the Air Force will supply aircraft, personnel and fuel while the district will provide targets and the chemicals to be used; he emphasized the partnership's value for hurricane preparedness and response. "The air force bears the cost…we supply the target…we supply the chemical that go what we decide to spray," Jones said.
Jones presented budgetary details, including an overall program budget and a capital outlay of roughly $1.175 million for necessary equipment; he also said the district carries long‑term surplus dollars that have accumulated since 2006. The committee did not take formal votes during the presentation.
