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Smithville council restores night-time mosquito spraying after residents press for health protections
Summary
After residents raised health and nuisance concerns, the Smithville City Council voted to resume the municipality's night-time mosquito-spraying program and asked staff to publicize the opt-out process; the city manager said funds exist to restart spraying immediately.
The Smithville City Council voted July 23 to resume its night-time mosquito-spraying program after multiple residents urged the council to restore the service.
Residents told the council the community garden, senior residents and children are affected by large numbers of mosquitoes. ‘‘I've seen my grandkids come in just full of welts,’’ said Betty McBrier, a Smithville resident, urging the council to bring the program back for children’s health and pet safety. Carol Jackson, who said she had spoken with the program supervisor, provided specifics on cost and chemicals: the city previously paid about $4,400 a month and roughly $13,200 in a typical season; she raised concerns about formulations and impacts on fish and bees.
City Manager Robert explained the program had been cut during last year’s budget process and confirmed it is an administrative reduction, not a council directive. He told council members the city still holds funds and can restart the program. Staff described the operational approach: spraying twice weekly at night, typically in two shifts covering alleys and streets, and a municipal ‘‘opt-out’’ list for residents who do not want spray applied near their homes.
A council member moved to restore spraying and the motion was seconded; after limited additional discussion the motion passed with council voices recorded in favor. Robert said the program was scheduled to restart the coming Friday and urged residents who want to be excluded to call City Hall or sign the opt-out list; staff agreed to post clear opt-out instructions on the city website and ask local social-media volunteers to share the notice.
Why this matters: the vote reverses a prior budget cut and restores a routine public-health nuisance-control measure for neighborhoods that abut wetlands and pastures. The city’s approach includes a resident opt-out to limit spray near specific addresses and relies on night-time applications to reduce exposure to pollinators.
What’s next: staff will publish the opt-out sign-up instructions online and notify the community about the restart schedule; the council did not change any pesticide policy language at the meeting and directed staff only to resume the contracted spraying service.
