Commissioners deadlock on immediate end to water fluoridation after heated public comments

Commissioners at the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Feb. 5, 2025 voted 3-3 on a motion to stop the county’s process of adding fluoride to the drinking water, defeating an effort to end fluoridation immediately.

The motion, made by Commissioner Joshua Wostel (District 7) and seconded by Commissioners Christine Miller and Donna Cameron Cepeda, would have directed staff to terminate the water-resources process that adds fluoride at the county’s current target of 0.7 milligrams per liter. Wostel opened his remarks by citing a federal judge’s finding and saying, “the court finds that fluoridation of water at 0.7 milligrams per liter…the level presently considered ‘optimal’ in the United States, poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children.”

The question drew sustained public comment. Speakers who urged removal included Debbie Potts, a former Hillsborough County teacher, who said the “recent research has suggested there might be more serious risk to children’s development,” and Amanda Bruno, who called fluoridation “forced exposure” and said, “I demand to know the true necessity of fluoride in our water supply.” Nurse practitioner Pat Metcalfe told the board the product in the system…