The Clearwater City Council considered a motion on April 3 to end the city-funded addition of fluoride to the municipal water supply that serves a majority of Clearwater customers. After about two hours of public testimony and a long council exchange, the motion to remove fluoride failed by council vote (motion did not pass).

Councilmember Ryan Cotton, who introduced the proposal, described fluoride in drinking water as "mass medication without consent," saying the city can remove the additive for residents it controls and that those who want fluoridated water could still purchase bottled or otherwise treated products. Cotton argued the city should not force medication into all residents’ drinking water, especially pregnant women and infants; he pointed to recent studies raising neurodevelopment concerns.

Supporters of continued fluoridation — including some health and dental professionals who submitted written comments — said large public-health organizations still recommend community water fluoridation at controlled levels as an effective measure to reduce tooth decay among children who lack regular dental care. Those speakers and commenters said the city’s action would remove a low-cost preventive benefit for lower-income families who are less likely to receive routine dental services.

Council debate focused on three practical issues: (1) the city supplies approximately 63–67% of the water used by its customers (the balance is purchased from county systems), meaning a city-only decision would not immediately change water delivered to all people with Clearwater addresses; (2) the state Legislature was considering related bills that could set a statewide standard; and (3) the differing weight council members gave to studies cited by both sides.

Outcome and next steps: A procedural motion to remove fluoride did not pass; the council recorded a narrow split on the question (two council members voted in favor of removal, three opposed). Staff and council members said the conversation would continue and that any future action would likely come with technical analysis on how county-supplied water and state legislation would affect local implementation.