(A) Establishment. Pursuant to I.C. 16-41-33-3, there is hereby established a vector and pest abatement program within the jurisdiction and control of the Hancock County Board of Health, which shall be under the direction of the Hancock County Health Officer.
(B) Powers and duties. The Hancock County Health Officer, by and through his or her authorized representative or the Hancock County Board of Health, shall have the following duties and powers with respect to the vector and pest abatement program established herein:
(1) Take all necessary and proper steps to control vectors and pests which have adverse health significance to humans or domestic animals and livestock; and
(2) Enter upon any land, public or private, at a reasonable time to inspect for or to abate all pest and vector breeding grounds which have adverse health significance to humans, domestic animals, and/or livestock, as provided by I.C. 16-20-1-23; and
(3) Purchase supplies, materials, and equipment; and
(4) Recommend to the County Commissioners or other appropriate authority the building, constructing, maintaining, or repairing of necessary levees, cuts, canals, channels, or other structures upon any land within the jurisdiction of the Health Department after obtaining the necessary local and Department of Natural Resources approvals; and
(5) Make contracts; and
(6) Conduct vector and pest control in a manner consistent with Indiana Codes;
(7) Enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate organizations for the purpose of assuring technical assistance in developing and carrying out specific duties;
(8) Identify problems determined to be of importance to the public welfare and develop control programs appropriate to each situation; and
(9) In the case of emergency, disaster, or immediate threat to public health, issue orders for appropriate organizations to carry out specific duties related to the condition of the situation.
(Ord. 2023-9A, passed 9-19-23)