The mosquito abatement program of Montgomery County has moved its operations to a new precinct. Commissioners are also looking into putting together a standalone department.
The action is occurring just days after the first positive human West Nile virus case was reported in the county.
It was a woman in her 50’s who resides in the West Conroe area from I-45 to Lake Conroe, up to Panorama Village. According to an update from Precinct 3, the woman tested positive by way of a blood test at a local emergency room.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray informed commissioners that Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack was transferring the program to Precinct 4 to make more room for his precinct’s recycling program.
Gray said he would be responsible for “oversight of that department.” He was confident it would “continue without a hitch.” Not in attendance at the meeting, Noack was not immediately available for comment.
There are six employees for the program. Three of the employees work on a seasonal basis.
As most of the program is funded via Precinct 3, Gray, in cooperation with Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Walker and Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, supply funding for two of the full-time employees.
The court agreed to move the program. Commissioner Walker said since the program was in all counties, there should be an equal spreading of funding across the precincts. He also thinks trucks and maintenance should be split among all precincts.
The court could move the program to a standalone department, according to Budget Officer Amanda Carter, and have its own budget with oversight by Gray. She added that the court could look at that action at the time of their budget workshops next month.
