SYLACAUGA – The City Council will vote on whether to keep fluoridating the city’s water in its 5 p.m. council meeting Tuesday.

The decision to have a vote came during the council’s work session today, well after initial hearings on the issue on May 4, in which fluoride advocates and opponents argued whether Sylacauga should continue fluoridating its system.

The decision on whether to continue fluoridation will come by way of a resolution to discontinue using fluoride in the city’s water. If approved, the council will direct the Sylacauga Utilities Board to no longer add fluoride to the system. If the resolution is rejected, fluoridation will continue as usual.

Regardless, Council President Lucas said the council has had ample time to make a decision.

Lucas, who himself has a 9- and 5-year-old, said he advocated for fluoridation to continue, mainly after hearing professional feedback from pediatricians and dentists.

“Those people with that education and a lot of school under their belts to become either pediatricians or dentists,” Lucas said, “I have a problem going against their recommendation.”

Councilman Joe Hogan, however, said there could be potential side effects associated with ingesting fluoride, a risk he was not willing to take.

Moreover, Hogan said he felt it was not the place of city government to decide whether its residents should have fluoride in their water.

“We’ve already determined that one aspirin a day is good for you,” Hogan said. “It’s good for your blood pressure, it’s good for your heart. We don’t make you take an aspirin.”

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