Central to the meeting was Resolution 2451, which revisits the city’s long-standing practice of water fluoridation, initiated in 1986. Recent court rulings have prompted the commission to reassess the necessity of this practice, which costs Winter Haven approximately $48,000 annually. Commissioners expressed varying perspectives on the issue. One noted that the dental landscape has changed since the 20th century, with modern dental products containing fluoride readily available. Another commissioner highlighted that fluoride was originally introduced to assist those with limited access to dental care, drawing from personal experiences of growing up in fluoride-utilizing areas.

The discussion also referenced recent citizen feedback and a federal court ruling in California urging the EPA to reassess fluoride regulations. Concerns were raised about potential health risks associated with fluoride, with references to studies indicating negative effects at higher exposure levels. The commission explored the historical context of fluoride use, noting its introduction as a measure to combat tooth decay. The city’s naturally occurring fluoride levels range between 2 to 3 milligrams per liter, below the EPA’s maximum allowable level of 4 milligrams per liter. The utilities director informed the commission that nearby municipalities had mixed practices regarding fluoridation, with some adding fluoride and others not.

In addition to water fluoridation, the commission addressed water safety measures in compliance with the EPA’s lead and copper rules. The city completed a lead inventory by the October 2024 deadline, identifying and replacing lead service lines, especially in schools and daycares. The operations team utilized predictive modeling and conducted over 665 soft digs to uncover potential lead lines. Despite the efforts, about 3,617 homes remain suspect for having lead service lines, prompting ongoing monitoring and replacement initiatives.

City officials emphasized immediate flushing of disturbed service lines to prevent contamination and proposed distributing lead sample kits to homeowners to ensure water safety. However, the responsibility for service lines beyond the meter remains with homeowners, leading to discussions on how to manage communication and service issues should they arise. The commission explored the potential for debris from aged pipes causing water quality issues during replacements.

The meeting also delved into the presence of asbestos in the city’s water infrastructure, particularly in asbestos cement pipes, which pose a replacement challenge due to their deteriorated condition. Approximately 1.2 miles of asbestos force mains were noted as needing attention, with past maintenance revealing significant infrastructure compromise.

On a different note, the commission explored new public safety training technologies, particularly virtual reality (VR) training for police officers. The VR training offers an immersive experience, allowing officers to engage in realistic scenarios to enhance decision-making and crisis management skills. This initiative aims to reduce training costs by eliminating the need for physical cartridge use and provides flexibility by enabling training at various locations. The VR program includes scenarios for empathy building and technical aspects of taser deployment, emphasizing the importance of achieving neuromuscular incapacitation for compliance.

The commission further discussed cybersecurity measures for water systems in compliance with federal standards. Engaging a cybersecurity consultant to assess vulnerabilities, the city aims to enhance protective technologies and establish response strategies to safeguard infrastructure.