Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Riverwoods weighs options after county moves to dissolve South Lake Mosquito Abatement District
Summary
Riverwoods officials told trustees that a county ordinance could dissolve the South Lake Mosquito Abatement District; the village is exploring intergovernmental agreements or contracting with the larger North Shore Mosquito Abatement District to maintain mosquito-control services next season. Officials estimated similar services would cost about $85,000–$90,000 annually and noted the district currently holds roughly $1 million.
The village warned Sept. 2 that a countyboard proposal to dissolve the South Lake Mosquito Abatement District could leave Riverwoods without mosquito-control services next year and prompt the village to pursue alternate arrangements.
Mayor Ford told trustees the county board has approved a proposed ordinance for dissolution and that the next steps include an audit — likely mid- to late September — and possible adoption of an authorizing ordinance by the county. If the county adopts an ordinance, the county board chair would petition the court to appoint a trustee in dissolution and immediately terminate the dissolving unit’s governing board; the county treasurer and county clerk would assume treasurer and secretary roles during the transition.
The mayor said dissolution could be subject to a backdoor referendum: the county must publish the number of signatures required (7.5% of registered voters in the unit, or 200 registered voters, whichever is less) and there are deadlines to petition. "It's possible that the backdoor referendum does occur," she said, adding that a referendum might appear on a March or April ballot and that the timing would leave little margin to plan for mosquito season.
The mayor put the village’s current annual cost for services from the district at "between 85 and $90,000 a year." When trustees asked about district reserves, she said there is "a little over $1,000,000 in the bank," and noted the district is a unit with no debt and no employees. Trustees discussed options that include negotiating intergovernmental agreements with neighboring municipalities, or pursuing services through the larger North Shore Mosquito Abatement District to preserve economies of scale.
The village scheduled meetings with other municipalities and with the North Shore district in mid- to late September to develop contingency plans and will update residents as decisions are made. Officials flagged the issue as both fiscal — it will affect budget planning — and a public-health matter given West Nile virus and other vector-borne risks.
