A tax on unwanted mosquitoes?

I just paid my property tax bill and saw a charge there for $8.29 from the West Chicago Mosquito District. I have never bought any mosquitoes from West Chicago or anyplace else. Truth be told, I don't really much like the things.

How can they charge me for something I never ordered in the first place? How do I know I received all the mosquitoes I'm being charged for? I don't want mosquitoes from the West Chicago Mosquito District, anyway: I live in Winfield, and if I wanted a mosquito or two, or even a whole six-pack, I'd shop locally. Nothing can beat our local talent. Like all the folks who live here, a homegrown Winfield mosquito would be stronger, smarter, and better looking than one from anywhere else.

I think the West Chicago Mosquito District is just force-selling excess inventory they have, charging folks to take aging or obsolete models off their hands, figuring that the amount is too small for anyone to fight over. (And my neighbor tells me that they recently tried to double the price, but it was voted down.) Taking them to court would truly be a nuisance suit. They'd probably reply that $8.29 for all of those mosquitoes is quite a bargain price, and I'm getting the advantage of them buying in bulk.

I called the courthouse to see if I really have to pay West Chicago for their mosquitoes, even if I don't live inside their city limits. They told me that if the West Chicago Mosquito District is on my tax bill, it is a tax that must be paid. They said if I don't pay, the county would sell my house out from under me.

Now I'm really confused: First they charge me for mosquitoes I didn't want, now they want me to pay taxes on them?

Stan Zegel

Winfield