Candidate: Janice Broda

Janice Broda was first elected to serve on the Indian River Mosquito Control (IRMCD) Board in 1992.  Since then she has worked to learn all that she could about mosquito control operations in order to make fiscally-responsible decisions that protect public health and the integrity of our natural resources. The IRMCD has operated at the same tax rate -- or at a lower tax rate -- for all but six times during her years of service.

Mosquito Control Knowledge 

Since 1991 Janice Broda has worked at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, a University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences research center devoted to the study of mosquitoes, the diseases that they transmit, and their control.  She initially was hired to write instructional software for mosquito control districts, and in 1998, 2009, and 2018 worked on the 200+ page overview of state-wide mosquito control practices and issues, the Florida Mosquito Control:  The State of the Mission as defined by mosquito controllers, regulators, and environmental managers. As a volunteer, she has served on the Florida Mosquito Control Association board and on their Education Committee, organizing an annual day-long class on topics of concern to mosquito control commissioner including the Sunshine Law, fiscal oversight, and human resources matters from 1994 to 2014.

Fiscal Responsibility:  Work Experience & Education

Janice Broda believes that prudent conservative fiscal policy, when possible, sets aside money for large expected future costs, invests in staff education and necessary equipment, and includes a contingency fund for unplanned expenses such as hurricane deductibles.    Last year's operating budget decreased by 9.2%, and the 2020-2021 budget, as of now, is set to decrease by 12.2%. If the unexpected natural uncertainties of hurricanes and mosquito-borne disease outbreaks allow, this budget will be decreased even more at the September budget hearings.

Her first full-time job was as a technical writer and later a computer programmer for a local computer accounting software company. From 1988 to 2000, she taught computer science and economics at Indian River Community College as an adjunct instructor. Janice holds a BA in economics from New College of Florida and a MA in economics from Washington University, St. Louis.

Environmental Stewardship

Mosquito control needs to balance public health and environmental concerns.  Janice Broda has worked to protect the health of the Indian River Lagoon professionally as the coordinator of the Volunteer Nature Stewardship Program for the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area administered by the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, as an environmental landscaping educator/consultant for the St. Johns River Water Management District, and as a Multi-County Extension Agent for the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program for the Indian River Lagoon. She served on the board of the directors of the Environmental Learning Center during its early years and chaired its Education Committee from 1993 to 1997 and recently returned to its Landscape Committtee. After many years of board service, she was president of the state-wide Florida Native Plant Society from 1996 to 1998.  Her local sustained board-level volunteer service includes the Eugenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, the Pelican Island Audubon Society, and the Cultural Council of Indian River County.  She represented the Indian River Mosquito Control District on the Indian River County Land Acquisition Committee from 2003 to 2010 and often chaired the Committee.

Janice Broda brings a proven track record of environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility, and mosquito control knowledge.  Learn more at Vote4Broda.com