The Town of Ocean Ridge is going over the 2019 budget, a new item on the budget is iguana control.
City leaders say they received complaints over the last year that the iguana population has grown out of control. Mayor Jim Bonfiglio said they have decided to use $16,000 for an iguana control program that would hire someone to help with their iguana population.
“They are starting to take over, and people want some action from the town,” said Bonfiglio.
Lonny Wolfe who lives in Ocean Ridge and owns the Sun Deck and Beach House said he thinks it’s a good idea. Wolfe said last week he had two iguanas drinking out of his pool. He said he also deals with them at home.
“They are on the seawall, I can see 10-20 at a time,” said Wolfe.
Chris Wurster’s mom lives in Ocean Ridge. He said he worries that mangrove across from her house will keep breeding the iguana population.
“I think the only thing to get rid of them is another cold front,” Wurster said.
Bonfiglio said this is just a test to see if they can reduce the population, he hopes maybe other cities can follow their lead.
“I think this is a good step forward, maybe if we have some success in our program we can convince some of the other local community to invest some money to eradicate them or at least keep the population down,” said Bonfiglio.
The city will finalize their 2019 budget in September after two public hearings.
