Official ballot, legislation and factual information
1. 2026 Mosquito Control Referendum — November 3, 2026
Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District is providing this page as a public information resource regarding the November 3, 2026 referendum concerning the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District and the Lee County Mosquito Control District.
The information presented here is intended to provide residents and taxpayers with access to the official ballot language, applicable legislation, information about the two mosquito control districts and publicly available financial and operational information.
This page is intended for factual and informational purposes. It does not advocate for or against passage or defeat of the referendum.
What is being considered?
On November 3, 2026, qualified electors in the Lee County Mosquito Control District and the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District will vote on legislation concerning the proposed merger of the two mosquito control districts.
- 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 the assets and liabilities of the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District to the Lee County Mosquito Control District.
The legislation was enacted by the Florida Legislature in 2025 as Chapter 2025-235, Laws of Florida. It becomes fully effective only if approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting in each of the two districts. Ch. 2025-235, §§ 4-5, Laws of Fla.
What legislation created the referendum?
House Bill 4035 was enacted as Chapter 2025-235, Laws of Florida. The act revises the Lee County Mosquito Control District boundaries, repeals the special act governing the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District upon effectiveness of the merger provisions, provides for the merger and transfer of assets and liabilities and requires the referendum.
What will voters see on the ballot?
The Lee County Supervisor of Elections has published the following official ballot language for the November 3, 2026 election:
Merger of Mosquito Districts, Lee County Mosquito Control District to Include all of Lee County
Shall Chapter 2025-235, Laws of Florida, amending the boundaries of the Lee County Mosquito Control District to include all of Lee County, abolishing the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District, and transferring the assets and liabilities of the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District to the Lee County Mosquito Control District, become effective?
Important
The Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District does not determine the official ballot language, election procedures, polling locations, voting deadlines or voter eligibility. For official election information, voters should consult the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
Official Election Date
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
The Lee County Supervisor of Elections lists the mosquito-control merger as a special district referendum to be conducted in connection with the November 3, 2026 general election.
Public Information Statement
This page is provided for public education and informational purposes. Information is based on publicly available legislation, official election materials, District records and other governmental sources. The District intends to present the information accurately, fairly and impartially.
For questions regarding election procedures, voter registration, voting locations or official ballot information, please contact the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
2. What Is on the November 3, 2026 Ballot?
The November 3, 2026 ballot includes a special district referendum concerning the Lee County Mosquito Control District and the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District.
The official ballot asks whether Chapter 2025-235, Laws of Florida, should become effective. If approved as required by the act, it would:
- Amend 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 the assets and liabilities of the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District to the Lee County Mosquito Control District.
The act requires approval by a majority of the qualified voters in each district voting in the referendum. Ch. 2025-235, §§ 4-5, Laws of Fla.
Who is voting on this referendum?
The referendum applies to qualified electors in the two affected mosquito control districts. For questions concerning voter registration, voting location, eligibility or the ballot, contact the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
3. The Mosquito Control Districts
Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District
The Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District is an independent special district serving the Fort Myers Beach area. Until Chapter 2025-235 becomes effective following the required referendum approval, the District continues to operate under its existing legal authority.
Mailing Address: 300 Lazy Way, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Phone: 239-247-1205
Email: fmbmctd@gmail.com
The District conducts mosquito surveillance and monitoring and uses mosquito-control methods that may include source reduction, larviciding, adulticiding, public education, resistance management and other integrated control measures. See §§ 388.0101, 388.011(6) and 388.161, Fla. Stat. (2026).
The District is governed by its Board of Commissioners. Board meetings, agendas, minutes, budgets and other public information are available through the District's official website. See § 189.069, Fla. Stat. (2026).
Lee County Mosquito Control District
The Lee County Mosquito Control District is also an independent special district. Under current law, its boundaries do not include the territory served by the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District. Chapter 2025-235 would amend those boundaries to include all of Lee County if the act becomes effective.
Address: 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
Phone: 239-694-2174
Website: https://leecountymcdfl.gov/
The Lee County Mosquito Control District is governed as a separate mosquito control special district rather than as a department governed by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
4. What Would Change if the Legislation Becomes Effective?
If Chapter 2025-235 becomes effective after receiving the required voter approval:
- The Lee County Mosquito Control District's boundaries would be expanded to include all of Lee County.
- Chapter 2001-335, Laws of Florida, governing the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District, would be repealed and the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District would cease to exist as a separate district.
- All assets and liabilities of the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District would transfer to the Lee County Mosquito Control District. Ch. 2025-235, §§ 1-3, Laws of Fla.
The legislation changes the governmental district structure responsible for mosquito control. It does not state that mosquito-control services will be eliminated.
Current and Proposed Governmental Structure
Current Structure
Lee County presently contains separate mosquito control special districts, including the Lee County Mosquito Control District and the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District. Each operates within its legal boundaries and has its own governing structure.
Structure if Chapter 2025-235 Becomes Effective
- The Lee County Mosquito Control District would include all of Lee County.
- The Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District would no longer exist as a separate district.
- The Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District's assets and liabilities would transfer to the Lee County Mosquito Control District.
What the Legislation Does Not Decide in Advance
Chapter 2025-235 does not establish a specific future annual budget, millage rate, individual property tax bill, staffing level, response time, treatment schedule or specific future service route. Those matters would depend upon the governmental, operational and budgetary processes applicable after the legislation becomes effective.
5. Financial Information
Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District Millage Rate and Budget
The Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District current millage rate is 0.1123 mills.
Millage rates, annual budgets and financial information is available on its official website: https://fortmyersbeachmosquitocontrol.com/budgets/
Lee County Mosquito Control District Millage Rate and Budget
The Lee County Mosquito Control District current millage rate is 0.22 mills.
Millage rates, budgets and other financial information is available on its official website: https://leecountymcdfl.gov/mileage-rate
NOTE: Current millage rates are not guarantees of future millage rates, individual property tax bill, assessment, budget, service level or expenditures. Chapter 2025-235 does not establish a specific future annual millage rate or individual tax bill. Future budgets, revenues, expenditures and millage rates would be determined through the annual millage and budget process set forth in Florida Statutes.
6. How Mosquito Control Works
Florida law declares arthropod control to be a public policy intended to protect human health and safety, foster quality of life and reduce pestiferous and disease-carrying arthropods. § 388.0101, Fla. Stat. (2026). Florida law also declares the abatement or suppression of disease-bearing or pestiferous arthropods to be for public purposes. § 388.021(1), Fla. Stat. (2026).
Mosquito control can involve multiple methods. Under Chapter 388, “integrated arthropod control” includes control measures such as pesticides, biological control agents and source reduction, used without an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment. § 388.011(6), Fla. Stat. (2026).
- Surveillance and monitoring may be used to identify mosquito species, population levels, locations and conditions requiring control measures.
- Source reduction may be used to reduce areas suitable for mosquito breeding. See § 388.011(11), Fla. Stat. (2026).
- Larviciding may be used in appropriate breeding sites to control mosquitoes before they develop into adults.
- Adult mosquito control may be used when monitoring and other information indicate treatment is appropriate.
- Public education may include information about prevention, personal protection and reduction of mosquito breeding areas.
This description concerns mosquito-control methods generally and is not a comparison of the relative performance or future service levels of the two districts.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
When is the referendum?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
What is the referendum about?
The referendum asks whether Chapter 2025-235, Laws of Florida, should become effective. If it becomes effective, the Lee County Mosquito Control District would include all of Lee County, the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District would be abolished and its assets and liabilities would transfer to the Lee County Mosquito Control District.
Would Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control remain a separate district if the legislation is approved as required?
No. If Chapter 2025-235 becomes effective, the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District would be abolished as a separate district.
Would Lee County Mosquito Control's boundaries change?
Yes. The legislation would amend the Lee County Mosquito Control District’s boundaries to include all of Lee County.
Would the Fort Myers Beach District's assets and liabilities transfer?
Yes. Chapter 2025-235 provides for transfer of the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District’s assets and liabilities to the Lee County Mosquito Control District.
Will taxes automatically increase?
Chapter 2025-235 does not establish a specific future tax rate or individual tax bill. Future millage rates will be set by the Mosquito Control District boards pursuant to Florida Statutory millage and budget processes. Those estimates should not be treated as guarantees.
Will mosquito control services stop?
The legislation changes the governmental structure and boundaries of the mosquito control districts. It does not state that mosquito-control services will be eliminated.
Who should I contact about voting?
Questions about voter registration, polling locations, vote-by-mail, early voting, election procedures and official ballot information should be directed to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
Where can I read the actual legislation?
Chapter 2025-235, Laws of Florida, and the legislative history for House Bill 4035 are available through the Florida Legislature.
Where can I review Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control budgets?
The District publishes its annual budgets and related financial information on its official website.
Does this District-funded page support or oppose the referendum?
No. This page is intended to provide factual information about the referendum, applicable legislation and publicly available governmental records. It does not advocate passage or defeat of the referendum.
8. Official Documents and Information Sources
Residents and taxpayers are encouraged to review the original governmental documents concerning the November 3, 2026 mosquito control referendum.
- Lee County Supervisor of Elections — Official ballot language, election dates, polling information, vote-by-mail information, early voting, voter registration and election procedures.
- Lee County Supervisor of Elections — Proposed Ballot Measures: https://www.lee.vote/244/Proposed-Ballot-Measures
- Lee County Supervisor of Elections — Official Mosquito Control Ballot Language: https://www.lee.vote/DocumentCenter/View/1092
- Lee County Supervisor of Elections — November 3, 2026 General Election: https://www.lee.vote/254/November-3-2026
- Chapter 2025-235, Laws of Florida (HB 4035 as adopted) — Enacted legislation requiring the referendum, amending district boundaries, providing for the merger and transfer of assets and liabilities and specifying the effective-date conditions. https://laws.flrules.org/2025/235
- Florida Senate / Legislature — House Bill 4035 bill history and legislative analyses.
- Florida Senate bill history: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/4035
- Florida House Final Bill Analysis for HB 4035: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/4035/Analyses/h4035z1.IAS.PDF
- Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District — Budgets, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, District information, public notices and contact information. https://fortmyersbeachmosquitocontrol.com/
- Lee County Mosquito Control District — Information concerning its current operations, governance and district resources. https://leecountymcdfl.gov/
Public Information Notice: This information is provided for public education and informational purposes. It is intended to accurately and impartially describe the November 3, 2026 referendum, applicable legislation, governmental structures and publicly available records. Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District does not use this page to advocate for or against passage or defeat of the referendum. For official election information and ballot language, please consult the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
9. Election Information
Election Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Election Day Polling Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Voting locations, registration deadlines, vote-by-mail information, early voting and other election information are maintained by the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.