On Aug. 11, the Millcreek City Council discussed agenda items that will be continuing to develop over the coming weeks. As Mayor Jeff Silvestrini was not present, Councilmember Bev Uipi acted as Mayor Pro Tem for the evening.

Councilmember Silvia Catten started with presentation about a proposed tax increase to support the South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District. Catten serves as the Chair of the Governing Board for this district and has been on the mosquito board for nine years. She explained that the tax increase would take the yearly fee (assessed through residential property taxes) from $2.96 to $3.95 a home, to support the reintegration of the program.

Catten explained that black flies live in canals, ditches and rivers. And while these flies may not pose a direct threat to humans, they cause ecological issues that hurt areas with farms, subsequently impacting the farmers, farm animals and other kinds of wildlife. The funds raised via this tax would be used to increase utilization and spread awareness of black flies. 

The black fly tax was initially raised in 2002 to support the program through the construction of new facilities and was lowered in 2012 after they felt it was no longer a justifiable increase. The new proposed tax would generate an overall revenue increase of approximately $320,000 a year. Catten explained that justification for the increase comes from the 200,000 new residents and 72,000 new homes added across the district and valley. A population increase like this makes it possible to raise significant funds with limited change to the taxpayer, and these new residents have provided the board with greater opportunity to optimize completing the goals of this program.

In regard to utilization, some of the goals Catten outlined in the program include cost stabilization while maintaining quality of service, upgrading data systems for response tracking, and expanding lab testing capabilities. Education would be a component of this as well, "adding more public relations and education gets people thinking about the way they live and how they approach mosquitos." 

City attorney John Brems noted that it is not a requirement for the city to send out a notice about the increase, and Uipi emphasized the need to communicate these decisions and reasoning to the public. Catten had also echoed this sentiment during her presentation, acknowledging that while this "it doesn't seem like a lot and it really isn't," they wanted to make sure that the general public understood the purpose of it and have the ability to chime in. On Dec. 8 at 6 p.m., there will be a public hearing to discuss the tax increase proposal and hear from the public at 7308 Airport Road in West Jordan.

Following this, the council continued a discussion about funding for after-school programs supported by the Asian Association of Utah, with representatives coming back to the council to advocate for getting these funds. Kayla Meyers, the Promise Program manager, spoke briefly to the council to advocate for these funds in the wake of experiencing budget cuts.  

Previously in July, the council heard the beginning of arguments to provide up to $110,000 to support the maintaining of after-school education programs. Due to funding cuts, the school is in need of the council's monetary support. Ordinance 25-31 was opened to a public hearing, and after Councilmember Cheri Jackson moved to adopt the ordinance and the council passed it unanimously. 

Tax increase information from Millcreek City Council live stream meeting presentation. (Millcreek City)