The City of Bay Springs Mayor and Board of Alderman are considering the benefits of adding fluoride to the city’s water supply. Fluoridation, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health, holds numerous oral health benefits for the community including the prevention of tooth decay.

Kim Mulloy of Jackson, a regional oral health consultant with the health department, said during a presentation to the board that the city’s water currently contains 0.1 percent fluoride naturally. In Mississippi, the optimal level to prevent tooth decay is 0.8 parts per million or higher. Adults benefit from fluoride, too, Mulloy mentioned, rather than just children as was previously assumed.

Mulloy said that if the city acts swiftly it would be placed on a waiting list for grant money to pay for the fluoridation. Not including the initial equipment and operational costs, the cost for the fluoridation would be approximately $3.00 per person per year.

A contract minimum of 5 years is required to be eligible for the grant money. Mayor J. E. Smith said, “It’s not mandatory in the state at this time, but I would imagine that in the next two or three years, it will be.” Smith said that the city is considering instigating the fluoridation while there is grant money still available.

The City of Raleigh is listed as one of the nearby communities that has in recent years resolved to fluoridate its city water. Laurel implemented a water fluoridation program over 50 years ago.

Other personal appearances before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen included Regina Agee who requested the use of chairs for the Head Start Graduation at Smith Park in May. Agee mentioned that 52 children would be graduating.

Luther Martin, evangelist and pastor of St. Matthew church, spoke to the board about an upcoming tent revival slated for May 3-7 in Bay Springs. The city discussed regulations and approved Martin’s plans for the crusade.

In other city business, the board took under advisement a bid from Southern Industrial Contractors for the upcoming Wastewater treatment plant and aeration headers project.

The board moved to cancel a project--a promotional DVD of the City of Bay Springs--which it had previously been under contract. The project with Mississippi State University’s Communication Department, which would have cost the city in excess of $10,000, was supposed to include footage from various events and scenic areas around town. Some of the funds for the completion of the DVD would have been paid by a grant from the state.

The board moved to accept payment from Peco for $7,500 for an upcoming Industrial Park Project. The money comes to the city as a cash contribution.

Smith Park’s pavilion will soon get a facelift before Bay Fest. The Mayor and board of Alderman voted to take bids on the washing and staining of the pavilion. The restorations will take place mid to late May.

The board also moved to renew its contract for meter reading with Baker Engineering.

Before the board proceeded in closed session, other approvals included but are not limited to: claims, minutes, and to send City Hall personnel to various workshops.