VERO BEACH — The three-member board overseeing the Indian River Mosquito Control District has been roiled by internal strife, including an ethics complaint, possible conflicts of interest and the recent departures of its executive director and one commissioner.
The Florida Commission on Ethics has not commented on any ongoing investigations.
The elected board is responsible for managing a nearly $12 million budget to combat mosquitoes in Indian River County. The first sign of tensions among board members started in late 2025.
According to official meeting minutes, Commissioner Broda recommended that the district conduct a national search for an executive director since the current executive director’s contract was up for renewal.
Sherry Burroughs was the executive director.
The agenda for the Indian River Mosquito Control District’s board meeting says that the executive director’s contract was still on the agenda for the meeting on February 10, 2026, despite though she has already left.
In the thick of all this, Commissioner Matt Erpenbeck has departed the board. Now, just Janice Broda and Anna Kirkland are remaining as members.
Unlike most government entities, the mosquito control district does not post video recordings of its meetings on its website, making it harder for residents to follow developments. The last video recording available is from nine months ago.
Indian River County relies on the district to monitor and treat mosquito breeding sites, especially in marshes and after heavy rains. According to the Indian River Mosquito Control District, field inspectors continue their work by visiting mosquito-producing areas, identifying larvae, and recording inspection and treatment data in a computerized database.
The board’s dysfunction comes at a time when Florida faces increased risks from diseases such as dengue and West Nile virus. State health officials reported a spike in mosquito population following recent storms, underscoring the need for stable leadership.
Broda and Kirkland did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The district’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2026.
The district, created by state legislation, elects commissioners for four-year terms.