New Castle County officials have abandoned a push to allow the county to fine property owners who have a mosquito-breeding habitat on their property.
The News Journal of Wilmington reported Thursday that County Councilman David Tackett has withdrawn legislation that initially would have given officials the ability to assess a $50 fine to people who had small pools of stagnant water on their land.
Tackett says he dropped the plan after receiving backlash from backyard gardeners and others who felt the fines were heavy-handed.
The legislation was aimed at limiting the mosquito population and was motivated by fears of an outbreak like the Zika virus.
Department of Land Use Acting General Manager George Haggerty says code enforcement officers hope to raise awareness about harboring mosquitoes through informational door hangers.
