Salt Lake and Davis County Health Departments Cost Estimates and "Fluoridation Facts"

Prior to the 2000 vote, the Davis County Board of Health advertised the cost to fluoridate would be $1.38 per person, per year. That cost included a 7 year amortization of capital costs as well as operating and maintenance expenses. Estimating the 2000 County population, at $1.38 per person, the cost should have been approximately $345,000.00, annually. August 2004, the Davis County Health Director reported O&M at $611,000 and a capital cost of $4.3M. Using the same 7 year amortization for capitol costs and the $611,000. annual operating cost, he reported the current cost per person to be $4.39. Do the math. The operating cost ($611,000.) plus the capitol investment (1/7th of 4.3M=$ 614,000) results in an annual cost of $1,225,000. Those two actual costs, $611,000. plus $614,000. at $4.39+ per person per year is, at a minimum, a total 7 year outlay of $8,577,000.

Prior to the 2000 vote, in the handout prepared by the Salt Lake County Health Department, it was represented the cost to fluoridate Salt Lake County would be $1.00 per person per year, or extrapolating from the US Census Bureau, $898,387.00. In the Voter Information Pamphlet, the Health Department represented the cost to be from $0.12 to $3.00 per person, per year. Again from the US Census, using the high estimate, $3.00 per person, per year, the cost to fluoridate all of Salt Lake County should have been no more than $2,695,161.00. As reported in their November 2003 Board Packet, Salt Lake Metropolitan Water District's initial fluoridation budget was $175,000, excluding internal costs and O&M. The closeout report, dated November 2003 indicated the final cost was $273,084.00. Salt Lake City's Water District initial cost estimates range from $727,000. to 1.5M. The current cost is 2.6M. Informal current cost estimates have been gathered from less than half of SL County Water Districts. Salt Lake Metro 273,084. Salt Lake City-2.6M, Granger Hunter-1.8M, Sandy City-1.9M, Magna-450,000., Jordan Valley-1.994M, Taylorsville-1.5M, Murray-500,000., Riverton-200,000. South SL-500,000+
With less than half the Salt Lake County water districts costs being included in this sum, the current cost to fluoridate Salt Lake County is $11,717,084. The final costs, countywide, are estimated to be between 15M and 20M..far exceeding the high estimate of $2,695,161.00 the Salt Lake Health Department represented to the Salt Lake County voter.

LEGISLATION focused on Cost

HB 181 (2004)This bill modifies provisions governing the addition of fluorine to local water systems by requiring cost estimates and by authorizing citizens to revoke approval for the addition of fluorine when actual estimated costs exceed the cost estimates by certain amount. A substitute bill was submitted. The bill was tabled in the Senate. Status

HB 142 (2005) This bill modifies statewide and local initiative requirements and other ballot measures initiated by citizen petition by requiring fiscal impact estimates and by authorizing the repeal or amendment of laws when final estimated costs exceed initial cost estimates by a certain amount.

Failed house amendments by Representative Sheryl Allen-Bountiful

Hostile floor amendments by Senator Eastman-Bountiful

It appears this legislation will require all initatives that include a cost be accurate within 25%...except fluoride initatives.

Several water districts took issue with the cost, claiming the actual numbers were far beyond what was represented to the voter.

The Salt Lake County Health Department brochures were available at the Davis County Health Department Booth during the Davis County Fair Aug 18-21, 2004. The cost the fluoridate Salt Lake County far exceeds, by many millions of dollars, the estimates in this handout.

The Salt Lake County Health Department prepared the following website. The Very Best of 101 Fluoride Questions

The following question is taken from the website

Is water fluoridation a form of mass medication?

No. Fluoride is the 13th most abundant element in the earth's crust and also in the human body. It is present in small and varying amounts in all soils, plants, animals, air and water supplies. Fluoride occurs naturally in varying amounts in surface water (oceans and lakes) and in groundwater. Because of this, our diet contains fluoride and it is then deposited in our teeth and bones. Fluoride is considered a beneficial nutrient based on its proven effects on dental health.

The 2004 Utah Department of Health Statement on Community Water Fluoridation states the nationwide goal to prevent cavities through community water fluoridation is similar to previous public health efforts to prevent common health problems..an additive is provided to everyone..since it is impossible to individually identify and effectively treat the significant number of people who are at risk. As a result of these programs, thousands of cases of illness, disability and death are prevented each year with no harm to the rest of the population.

Davis County "Fluoridation Facts"