Phillipsburg council approves seasonal mosquito fogging contract after public concern about permethrin

The Phillipsburg City Council on April 6 authorized Mayor Lance Munyon to sign a seasonal ULV mosquito fogging contract with Kansas Crop Care, voting unanimously to accept the $16,500 seasonal price (or $1,000 per treatment). The decision followed public comments raising health and chemical concerns.

Resident Jeff Preuss told the council he had concerns about permethrin, the active ingredient used in the fogging solution. Resident Levi Werner urged the council to resolve whether the city will continue ULV mosquito treatments this season. Mayor Lance Munyon told attendees, "no one is going to silence anybody," and Werner responded, "I didn’t say anything about silencing anyone."

Councilmember Brian Shrader presented the contract and moved to allow the mayor to sign; Don Roberts seconded the motion. The council voted "Aye: ALL; Opposed: NONE." Shrader said the contract offered a full-season option at a flat $16,500 or an alternative per-treatment rate of $1,000. The council discussed alternative options for mosquito control for residents but did not adopt an alternate plan at the meeting.

The action resolves the administration’s procurement for ULV fogging for the 2026 season. The contract cost and the public comments about permethrin were the principal issues aired during the discussion. The council did not take further formal steps at the meeting to modify the chemical mix or to commission additional testing; no staff directive to that effect was recorded.

The matter concluded with the mayor authorized to sign the Kansas Crop Care contract; the council’s next steps, if any, on mitigation or resident notification were not specified at the meeting.