Health department reports rising pool permits, mold calls and one West Nile mosquito detection

Russ reported the sanitation and sanitary engineering division’s workload and enforcement activities, noting several trending metrics for 2025.

The department handled 235 mold education calls and conducted 20 mold inspections in 2025, Russ said, and reported 121 rat and rodent inspection complaints — an increase from the prior year. He attributed higher rodent numbers in part to milder winters that can increase survival and breeding.

On pools, Russ reviewed requirements for residential and commercial permits and operator responsibilities, including barriers, self‑closing gates, pool drain visibility and lifeguard certification for certain pool classes. He showed a near‑drowning training video to illustrate how quickly incidents can occur and described the department’s role in investigating near‑drownings and running chemical and safety inspections.

Pool inspection activity in 2025 included 518 commercial outdoor pool inspections (up 26%) and 179 commercial indoor pools (down 37%, attributed to staff turnover). The department conducted 301 residential pool plan reviews and inspections. Russ said there were no drownings or near drownings reported last year.

Vector surveillance work included 54 mosquito traps set last year and a single West Nile virus detection in caught mosquitoes; the department also distributed 273 free boxes of repellent via vending machines. The health department plans expanded tick sampling to detect invasive species.

Russ also described a revised livestock ordinance that prohibits roosters and caps backyard flocks at 10 chickens, and reported 302 domestic animal permits in 2025 (a 19% increase).