LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Lee County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to merge the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District into the Lee County Mosquito Control District, potentially creating a single district covering the entire county.
According to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, the referendum will appear on the general election ballot for voters in both mosquito control districts.
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The measure stems from House Bill 4035, which became Chapter 2025-235 of Florida law in 2025.
Under the legislation, the proposed merger would expand the boundaries of the Lee County Mosquito Control District to include all of Lee County, abolish the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District and transfer its assets and liabilities to the Lee County district.
The proposal must receive majority approval from voters in each of the two districts for the merger to take effect.
According to a Florida House analysis of the legislation, the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District was paying approximately $80,000 annually to Lee County Mosquito Control for aerial spraying and inspection services.
The bill’s economic impact statement estimated that the merger would generate approximately $1 million in additional revenue from Fort Myers Beach residents.
The analysis also stated that most taxpayers would see a reduction in their millage rate, although the legislation does not establish a specific future tax rate.
The Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District has published information about the referendum on its website, including the proposed changes, applicable legislation and official election resources.
Voters can review the official ballot language through the Lee County Supervisor of Elections before the Nov. 3 election.