Longview council orders staff to pursue November advisory vote on fluoride after contentious hearing

The Longview City Council voted 4–3 on Feb. 27 to direct staff to prepare a resolution putting an advisory question about removing fluoride from the city water supply on the Nov. 2025 general-election ballot, after a lengthy public hearing that drew dozens of speakers for and against fluoridation.

The motion, made by Councilmember Eric Halverson and seconded by Councilmember Young, instructs city staff to meet with Beacon Hill Water & Sewer (a partner in the treatment plant) and return to council with a draft resolution on March 27; staff and Beacon Hill agreed to meet March 18. Mayor Spencer Boudreau announced the motion carried 4–3.

Why it matters: The debate combined public-health claims, local history and a small annual line item in the city budget. City staff told council the water system currently spends about $14,000 a year to maintain fluoridation; speakers and health providers said removing it would worsen dental decay among children and low-income residents, while opponents urged choice and questioned potential long-term health effects.

Assistant…