Brighton and surrounding residents, township trustees and volunteer firefighters attended the Brighton City Council meeting Tuesday to express concerns about the fire department’s budget.

Prior to the meeting, a series of Facebook posts and flyers were distributed throughout the city claiming the department was being defunded and that the city council failed to inform the fire chief. Mayor Melvin Rich presented written remarks at the meeting explaining that in previous years annual payments of about $7,000 were made into the fire fund with half coming from the city’s general fund and half coming from the city’s gas fund, “Based on current guidance from the Iowa Department of Management and from the city’s attorney, payment to the fire fund from the gas fund cannot be made at this time. For fiscal year 2021, the council has agreed to transfer $7,400 into the fire fund. The city has insufficient funds in the general fund to do so, but the council just voted on a resolution to use ARPA funds to make the transfer.”

Rich said for fiscal year 2022 no action will be taken to transfer funds to the fire fund outside of the general fund until the 2021 audit is complete. Rich says the city recently requested additional audit services due to possible improper transfers of funds. Brighton Township Trustee Gordon Shelangoski was one of many who spoke during the time allotted for public comments, “I think it’s pretty obvious that you guys haven’t done much tonight to fix anything, especially with not answering questions. When are you going to answer questions? I know that there are a lot of firemen here, I’ve talked to them, I know a lot of them aren’t going to be here if this doesn’t get fixed and fixed quickly. So as a trustee I think I have a right to know what plan B is. I think the township people have a right to know what plan B is if the fire department walks out.”

Many in attendance were confused as to how the city couldn’t allocate proper funds as payments from the surrounding townships account for 90% of the fire fund. Doubt was also cast on the city’s ability to gather new members if current members of the fire department resign. Those in attendance also showed strong interest in helping the fire department with the necessary funds if the city can’t provide them. No further action was taken following public comments.