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Council moves to postpone action on fluoride in Rolla water after majority of emailed responses support current fluoridation
Summary
After gathering more than 150 emailed responses overwhelmingly in favor of keeping fluoride in the municipal water, the council voted to postpone further action on fluoridation indefinitely under the state notification process.
City staff presented the City Council with results of a statutorily required notice period on municipal drinking‑water fluoridation and the council voted to take no further action at this time.
John (city staff presenting the matter) told council staff had solicited public feedback as required under state law and had received about 157 emails supporting continued fluoridation and seven opposing it. “All told, we've got a 157 responses by email,” John said, summarizing the compiled responses and identifying the geographic mix as largely local but including some out‑of‑area messages.
Staff said the notice process followed the state requirement under RSMo (notice and comment timeframe) that applies when a municipality considers adding, removing or changing the level of fluoride in a public water system. The city published notices, used social media and provided a dedicated email address to collect comments.
After discussion, a councilmember moved to “postpone indefinitely / no further action” on changing fluoride in the water. The motion carried; the meeting record shows the council’s voice vote with one dissenting vote.
What happened: the council received the public comments and, by motion, declined to pursue further action on the matter at this time. The decision preserves the existing fluoridation program unless a future council reopens the issue.
Why it matters: changes to water fluoridation require a formal public process and state notice; the large number of pro‑fluoridation emails appears to have influenced the council’s decision to halt further consideration for now. The city will keep the compiled public comments on file and may revisit the issue only if council directs new action or legislation changes requirements.
