Bannock County to apply for state mosquito-surveillance grant as staff warns proposed fogging limits could curtail operations

Buddy Amrail, public works assistant director, asked the Bannock County commissioners to approve the county’s application for the state mosquito-surveillance grant, which offsets costs for larvicide testing, dry ice, traps, fuel and labor. Amrail said the county is eligible for up to $7,000 and typically receives between $3,000 and $4,000.

“This is a good grant for us,” Amrail said, summarizing its uses for ramps, traps, dry ice and wages. He told the board the program’s fogging component is important for quick adult mosquito control and described how the county’s mapping system (Frontier Precision) and registered beehive markers reduce non-target risks during fogging operations.

Amrail also warned commissioners that pending legislative proposals could require mandatory parcel-level opt-ins or approvals for fogging near private property, a change that would substantially increase administrative workload and, he said, could effectively prevent routine fogging in many areas. “I don’t see any way we can continue the fog if that is passed,” Amrail said, noting that the requirement to individually notify and track tens of thousands of parcels would be a major operational constraint.

Chair moved to approve signing and submitting the grant application; the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will submit the grant application and monitor state legislation that could affect fogging practices and program operations.