Necessary funds will be transferred to the Public Works Operating Budget.
At the Hillsborough County Commission meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3, District 7 County Commissioner Al Higginbotham voted to place an item on the agenda on how to best combat the Zika virus.
Working with Gov. Rick Scott's executive order, the board of County Commissioners will vote on a budget amendment, transferring $475,870 to the Public Works Operating Budget. The money will be used for additional mosquito surveillance and spray missions throughout all of Hillsborough County. This action increased the Public Works Operating Budget from $3,347,590 to $3,823,460.
The Director of Public Works, John Lyons, delivered an update on the County's response at the Wednesday, Feb. 17, meeting. A presentation by Dr. Douglas Holt, director of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, followed. Holt spoke on the most current health information revolving around the Zika virus.
In Hillsborough County, the Public Works Department is the only state-approved agency that operates a mosquito-control program for the entire county.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, all mosquitos must be identified before control substances are applied.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
