Hillsborough commissioners split after hours of public comment on water fluoridation; motion to stop fluoridation fails

Commissioner Joshua Wostel moved on Feb. 5 that Hillsborough County end the process of adding fluoride to county drinking water, citing a recent federal ruling that he said found fluoridation at 0.7 milligrams per liter "poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children." The motion, seconded by Commissioners Christine Miller and Donna Cameron Cepeda, split the seven-member board; it failed on a 3-3 vote with Commissioners Chris Bowles, Harry Cohen and Ken Hagan voting no and Commissioner Gwen Myers absent.

The motion followed an extended public-comment period in which more than a dozen speakers urged the board either to stop fluoridation or to retain it. Supporters of removal cited a September federal court ruling in Food & Water Watch v. EPA, guidance from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, and a National Toxicology Program report they said raised concerns about neurodevelopmental effects. Opponents — including local pediatric dentists who spoke at the meeting — warned that removing fluoride from water could reverse decades of dental-health gains, particularly for lower-income children.

Why this matters: The county adds fluoride to its water supply at a target level of 0.7 mg/L, a level set federally in recent years to balance topical fluoride availability with reduced risk of fluorosis. The issue intersects public-health policy, legal developments and community equity because children, pregnant women and residents who cannot easily access dental care are the populations most frequently mentioned by speakers on both sides.

Public comment and experts Debbie Potts, a former Hillsborough County teacher, told commissioners she was concerned that research has linked high fluoride exposure to developmental effects, saying studies "may be linked to lower IQs in children." Amanda Bruno, identifying herself as an herbalist and wellness ambassador, said she had fertility concerns and asked the board to "re-examine this policy" in light of studies she cited.

Several speakers cited the same recent court decision and state-level guidance. Angel Ramos said the federal ruling concluded that fluoridation at 0.7 mg/L poses an unreasonable risk to children's cognitive development, and he urged the board to "pause fluoridation now." Pat Metcalfe, a nurse practitioner, read from a Hillsborough County safety data sheet and called the fluoridation product an industrial byproduct she described as "harmful if swallowed." Multiple speakers asked the board to stop fluoridation immediately or to hold a public workshop.

Local dental professionals urged caution. Dr. Natalie Carbostillo, a practicing pediatric dentist in Hillsborough County, asked the board to hold a workshop "where all experts and interested individuals can attend to speak to the pros and the cons of water fluoridation" before making policy changes. Ashley Tate, a board-certified pediatric dentist, told commissioners that major professional groups — including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association — continue to affirm community water fluoridation at 0.7 parts per million as effective at preventing dental decay; Tate said the studies cited by opponents often concern much higher fluoride concentrations found outside the U.S.

Commission debate and legal claims Commissioner Wostel framed his motion around the federal court opinion and cited pooled benchmark analyses he said showed a measurable IQ effect at low exposure levels. He said maternal urinary fluoride levels in U.S. studies ranged from about 0.8 to 1.89 milligrams per liter and argued the county had no practical way to allow residents to opt out of mass exposure.

Commissioner Harry Cohen and Commissioner Chris Bowles both urged more caution and recommended a broader, evidence-focused discussion. Cohen said dentists and pediatric dentists had contacted his office expressing concern about acting on a single court decision and recommended a workshop with medical professionals on both sides of the debate. Bowles said he was concerned about unintended consequences for low-income residents who rely on community water fluoridation for dental prevention.

Action taken The formal motion read: "Terminate the process of adding fluoride to the water and the water resources department effective immediately." Mover: Commissioner Joshua Wostel. Seconds: Commissioners Christine Miller and Donna Cameron Cepeda. Vote record captured from the meeting: Joshua Wostel — yes; Christine Miller — yes; Donna Cameron Cepeda — yes; Chris Bowles — no; Harry Cohen — no; Ken Hagan — no; Gwen Myers — absent. Tally: 3 yes, 3 no, motion failed. The board did not adopt any interim pause or workshop during the same vote.

What was not decided and next steps No workshop or additional, board-directed study was adopted as part of the failed motion. Several commissioners said they supported scheduling a technical workshop that includes local and state public-health experts, pediatric dentists, and representatives familiar with the recent court ruling; multiple speakers and at least one commissioner explicitly asked for a future, publicly noticed forum. The county's water treatment staff were not directed in this meeting to change operations; the motion would have ended the county's fluoridation process immediately if it had passed.

Who spoke on the record at the meeting on this issue (selected) Debbie Potts, Former Hillsborough County teacher; Amanda Bruno, herbalist and wellness advocate; Laura Hartman, veteran and research nurse; Jeffrey Cobbs, deputy director, Foundation of Freedom; Pat Metcalfe, nurse practitioner and former pharmaceutical sales representative; Angel Ramos, resident; Isabel (Isabel) Alvarez, community water advocate; Anita Stewart, veteran and former Soil and Water Board member; Carmen Edmonds, health-care worker; Kirk Christiansen, retired lieutenant colonel; Dr. Natalie Carbostillo, pediatric dentist; Ashley Tate, board-certified pediatric dentist. Commissioners participating in the debate: Joshua Wostel (mover), Christine Miller (second), Donna Cameron Cepeda (second), Harry Cohen, Ken Hagan, Chris Bowles; Commissioner Gwen Myers was absent at the vote.

Ending note The vote leaves Hillsborough County's current practice unchanged for now. Commissioners who voiced interest in a broader technical review signaled willingness to schedule further discussion; opponents of fluoridation urged quicker action. The disagreement exposed sharply divergent readings of recent legal findings, federal public-health guidance and the local public-health trade-offs for low-income residents.