3/20/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chairman Eggert explained that she put this on the agenda after Mayor Votapka came to see her about having a county -wide fluoridation ordinance. Since the County and the City of Vero Beach already add fluoride to their water systems, it would be a question of asking General Development Utilities and the other small water plants to purchase the necessary equipment and go into fluoridation. Commissioner Bird recalled the controversy about fluoridation back when the County began fluoridating the water, and Utilities Director Terry Pinto didn't know if it was still a raging matter, but it always seems to be controversial. The County felt it was the right thing to do, and we implemented it over a year ago. The City of Vero Beach did it two years before that. We have not been able to substantiate any claims of health problems made by the people who have been against it. He strongly suggested that if we do a county -wide fluoridation, we limit it to those systems that have over 500 customers. Commissioner Wheeler asked if we could make them put it in after the fact, and Director Pinto advised that we do have that ability and we would not have to go into their franchise agreement to do it. It is only the Sebastian system that we are talking about. It does require special equipment and there is some expense to it, but to a utility the size of GDU or the County's, it is not a major cost. Commissioner Bird just wanted to make sure that it wasn't enough of a cost to make a basis for a rate increase request. Commissioner Wheeler felt that since the only area that would be affected is the Sebastian area, then the City of Sebastian should pass an ordinance requesting GDU to fluoridate. Director Pinto emphasized that he didn't bring this to the Board. He is just saying that he agrees that fluoride is the right thing to do and that is what we are doing. The City of Sebastian regulates the GDU utility, not the County. 7 3 BOOK � (9 MAR 01990 T