Smithfield
council unhappy with county's mosquito 'bite'
By Ash Schiller
February 24, 2005 | SMITHFIELD -- Tension
was high in Wednesday's council meeting as members claimed
the county "deceived" them when presenting the Cache
Mosquito Abatement District initiative.
When the initiative was originally requested to be
on the ballot, it was supposed to be funded by income
taxes, Councilwoman Janice Mikkelsen said. But the $120,000
from taxes won't be available until the end of the year,
said Mosquito Abatement District board of trustees member
Robert Mather, and the program needs money for basic
starting costs.
"We have nothing. I don't know how you go about doing
the job you're supposed to do with nothing," he said.
Mather requested a donation of $1 per household within
Smithfield. This would equal to about $2,200 additional
to the money already being taken from taxes. It is needed
for basic beginning costs such as telephone and mailings,
he said.
Currently the clerk is using her personal money to
pay for everything. "We need the money right now. Right
now," Mather said.
Mikkelsen expressed frustration with the additional
cost. "Why is the county not paying? We are already
being taxed for this. Why does the county need more
money?" she asked.
Mather explained the county had already given the
district a loan which is expected to be paid back with
interest.
"I think the county is being absolutely lousy. [They]
need to get behind you," Mayor Ray Winn said.
Mikkelsen agreed. "This is a county responsibility.
I can't believe they left you high and dry," she said.
The council moved to approve the request for financial
assistance, contingent upon a similar commitment from
surrounding cities and the presentation of an outline
explaining how the money will be used.
Councilman William "Dee" Wood withheld support because
he said he wanted a list telling exactly what the donated
money is for. "What we're dealing with is the citizen's
money," he said.
Council members were also wary of donating money until
they know other cities will also be contributing.
"I would feel a lot better if every city gave the
same. If we're going to make it work, everyone should
be equal," Councilman Brent Buttars said.
Gratitude and sympathy were expressed to Mather for
working a "thankless job."
"You're non-paid people doing a service," Winn said.
Also discussed in the meeting was the topic of seeking
a preferred caterer for the Smithfield City Golf Course.
Originally, a deal was worked out with Subway, but "that
worked for two days as I remember," employee Chad Daniels
said. The golf course is becoming more popular and a
professional caterer would be a huge benefit to the
club house, he said. Daniels said he has already received
several requests and the council granted permission
to begin taking bids.
Still a big topic in Smithfield is the increase in
cemetery costs. No plots are being sold right now and
fee changes will be discussed in March, Mikkelsen said.
The raising of fees was prompted by the increase in
non-residential burials within the cemetery. At the
meeting, Mikkelsen reported that in the last four years,
more non-residents have been buried in Smithfield Cemetery
than residents. Also, the expanded cemetery area originally
projected to last 15 years will only last five years
at current burial rates, she said.
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