Davis County mosquito district proposes 26% revenue increase; Clinton council hears notice ahead of Dec. 11 hearing

Council Member Doherty, serving as Clinton’s liaison to the Davis County Mosquito Abatement District, presented the district’s required public notice on Oct. 28 for a proposed property tax increase that would raise countywide mosquito‑abatement revenue by about 26.18%.

“This is a $7 and 92¢ per year increase on the average residential property, and a $14.40 increase per year on an average valued business property,” Council Member Doherty said, adding that the measure is expected to “generate an additional $1,000,000 in revenue for the mosquito abatement district.”

Doherty told the council the district is planning a renovation and expansion of its facilities — including pesticide storage, expanded laboratory space and larger locker rooms for a more gender‑diverse workforce — that could total approximately $9,200,000. The district would finance the project with a 15‑year loan at about $855,000 per year; Doherty said the district’s $1,000,000 annual request also reflects higher operating needs such as drone spraying, seasonal staff and rising adulticide costs.

Doherty noted the cost of an adulticide product the district now expects to use has risen sharply. “It used to cost $75 per gallon for the current product… I think it’s called Remoa Tri. Anyway, $295 per gallon for the new product,” she said, adding the district expects to rotate products to reduce resistance.

Council members pressed on two fronts: whether the district had explored a phased, smaller increase and how the local burden compares to other county and municipal tax changes. Doherty said the district considered a lower initial ask focused on the building alone but its director favored the higher amount to preserve flexibility and because some future needs (such as a possible airport hangar buyout) remain under consideration.

“I would have preferred to not vote for tax increases for mosquitoes,” Council Member Greg Tyler said, while also acknowledging the practical reasons the district cited for the request. Several council members said they were mindful of rising costs across jurisdictions and of cumulative tax pressure on residents.

The Clinton council did not vote on the district proposal; the presentation was a required public notice. The Davis County Mosquito Abatement District will hold a public hearing on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at its Kaysville headquarters, officials said.

What’s next: the district’s Dec. 11 hearing will accept public comment and the board may set a final levy then. Clinton will remain a notified jurisdiction; the council indicated it expects more information before any local action would be required.