Patrick Lynn, executive director of the Collier Mosquito Control District, told the City Council on Nov. 17 that the independent special taxing district has operated in Collier since 1950 and is pursuing a three‑pronged master plan that includes facilities replacement, fleet and drone upgrades and investments in people and laboratory capacity. He said the district is funded by ad valorem taxes (the current millage is 0.1349) and that its operating budget is “just shy of $20,000,000.”

Lynn described recent operational changes — automated traps that upload data, expanded larviciding and the purchase of a Cessna SkyCourier slated for delivery in April 2026 — and noted the district now returns in‑house disease testing results in 24 to 48 hours, which staff say shortens response time for any positive pool. “We are an integrated approach to pest management,” Jonathan Little, the district’s director of external affairs, said. Little also emphasized the district’s education work in local schools and its free mosquito fish program for standing water.

Several council members pressed staff on human‑health threats and product safety. Council Member Petronoff asked about chikungunya and Zika; Little said surveillance has found only imported chikungunya cases and herd immunity has reduced Zika risk locally. When asked whether organophosphate products such as dibrom (naled) are dangerous, Lynn said the district has never had a confirmed case of pesticide poisoning linked to its operations and that monitoring and state labeling requirements guide treatments.

During public comment, multiple residents urged the council and mosquito staff to pursue non‑chemical or more targeted tools and to allow opt‑outs. Donna Aden asked the city and district to “think about the consequences of blanketed spraying,” citing ecological concerns. Stephanie Keller and Lou Anne Fisher told the council they do not consent to aerial spraying and urged exploration of alternatives. Those speakers requested clearer opt‑out procedures and faster public reporting of pesticide use.

Council and staff responses and next steps: staff and district leaders agreed to continue outreach and to answer specific questions about product labels, reporting and exclusion procedures. The council did not adopt new policy at the workshop; staff were asked to follow up with more details about how treatments are triggered, what opt‑out or exclusion processes exist, and to provide written references to the Department of Agriculture standards cited during the presentation. The district emphasized it operates under Florida Department of Agriculture rules and reports uses and that many tools — from biological larvicides (BTI) to targeted adult control — are used selectively, not as universal, indiscriminate applications.

Ending: Council members said they want more information on alternatives and asked staff to return with clarifying materials and a summary of resident concerns and health‑monitoring options. The district said it would remain available for follow‑up and public tours of its facilities.