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Manatee commissioners direct staff to draft ordinance to stop water fluoridation after public safety debate
Summary
After hours of public comment and expert testimony, the Manatee County Board directed county administration to draft an ordinance repealing the 1991 fluoridation mandate and to return it for future consideration. Speakers on both sides testified on health, ethics and cost; commissioners voted 6-0 to begin the repeal process.
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted to direct county administration to prepare an ordinance to repeal the county's 1991 fluoridation ordinance and to bring that proposed ordinance back for board consideration. The motion, made by Commissioner Amanda Ballard and seconded by Commissioner Bearden, passed 6-0 with Commissioner McCann absent.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard opened the agenda item by saying the county's fluoridation system has been broken since 2021 and that the existing ordinance (passed in 1991) requires fluoride to be added unless the board acts otherwise. Ballard said the board must now decide whether to repair and resume fluoridation or to pursue a repeal so communities will no longer be medicated via public water.
The meeting drew a long public comment period. Supporters of continuing fluoridation included Dr. Robert Clement, a local dentist of 44 years, and Dr. Steve…
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