Source: Melissa Kaye
Feb 5, 2025, 5:07 PM CST
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – Fluoride in Wisconsin Rapids City water was the first item on the agenda at the Legislative Committee meeting on Tuesday. Alderperson Jake Cattanach brought a referral to ban the addition of fluoride to the city water supply. Discussion continued for over 45 minutes with many Alderpersons voicing their thoughts for and against fluoride being added. Alderperson Patrick Delaney said he’s against the addition of fluoride and questioned the safety of how fluoride is sourced after doing his own research.
Wisconsin Rapids Dentist William Akey spoke in favor of the beneficial effects of topical and systemic fluoride. He said this is especially true for people who live in poverty and don’t have dental coverage. In response to the question of fluoride sourcing, he stated, “Fluoride is fluoride regardless of source.”
Adam Breunig is the Water Superintendent for the Water Works and Lighting Commission. He stated that WWLC does not have a medical professional on staff, therefore they defer to the experts. “Our recommendation to the committee is that we continue using it at the point-seven-parts-per-million range.”
Kristie Egge is a Supervisor with the Wood County Health Department. She’s been with the department for 17 years. Egge oversees the Oral Health Program and the Community and Policy Division. She and the Wood County Health Department support continuing community water fluoridation. She said it is “a critical tool proven to reduce tooth decay to improve overall oral health in communities.” Egge pointed out that drinking fluorinated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities in children and adults by about 25%. She ended her comment by stating, “The optimal level of fluoride in drinking water is 0.7 mg/L. The average child, 90 lbs, would have to drink 286 liters of fluoridated water daily to reach fluoride toxicity. At that point, they would die from water overconsumption.”
The committee voted two ayes to one no. The motion to create an ordinance banning the addition of fluoride in Wisconsin Rapids City water supply passed. The City Attorney will create the ordinance and it will come before the full Council.
Alderperson Madalyn Palmquist brought a referral to make revisions to Chapter 25 of the Municipal Code in relation to sections 25.01 – Animals Not to Run at Large; Prohibited Animals; Dangerous Animals, 25.02 – Barns, Kennels, Stables, Pigpens, or Other Enclosures, 25.03 – Dog and Cat Regulations, 25.04 – Control of Rabies and Biting Dogs or Cats and 25.05 – Exemption Permit.
Discussion followed with questions to the City Attorney on how an animal is determined to be dangerous. The council concluded that honey bees should not be considered dangerous. They decided to move forward with several changes to clarify the ordinance.
Alderperson Jeff Penzkover brought a referral to increase the terms of Alderpersons and Mayor from two years to four years. Discussion followed with the general consensus being the term of Alderpersons should not be increased. It was a popular idea overall to increase the term of Mayor from two years to either three or four. The motion passed two to one. If it passes the full council, it would not go into effect until the next Mayoral election.
The final item involved creating an ordinance allowing block parties and special events. Everyone spoke in favor of this idea saying it promotes community which makes neighborhoods safer in the long term. The motion passed 3 to 0. An ordinance will be created by the City Attorney and brought to the full Council.
You can find the full Legislative Committee meeting from February 4, 2025 on the City’s YouTube channel here. This is a link to the full packet from the meeting. It includes the reference materials the Legislative Committee reviewed before the meeting. If you want to contact your Alderperson, you can find that information on the City website here. You can find which Wisconsin Rapids City district you reside in here.
