Resident criticizes Board of Health response on fluoride guidance and requests clearer oversight

On April 14, resident Tracy Axemit told the Lincoln City Council she had repeatedly sought a formal investigation and clearer Board of Health guidance on fluoride treatment levels in the municipal water system, and said the board's minutes do not reflect discussions she believes occurred.

Axemit said she delivered documentation to board members and the health department in July 2023 asking for an investigation into "over-fluoridation" and that she received no response from board members. She told the council that the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and City Utilities had at different times cited state regulations and national guidance when explaining treatment levels. Axemit referenced a 1983 Nebraska DHHS fluoride regulation and said she was informed more recent guidance (the 2015 Centers for Disease Control recommendation) should inform current practice. She asked whether City Utilities was waiting for updated state guidance (NDE/Nebraska DHHS) before changing practice and noted the Board of Health adjusted the local fluoridation level in January 2025.

Axemit urged the council to clarify whether the Board of Health's role is policy-making or advisory and to ensure the board's membership reflects broader community perspectives. She asked councilors to review supporting documents she provided and to address what she described as "life and death public health matters" that she said required correction.

Council representatives acknowledged receipt of Axemit's concerns and indicated staff would follow up. The meeting record shows no formal council action on fluoridation policy at the April 14 session; Axemit said she would provide the council additional written material.