KAYSVILLE, Utah -- A Kaysville City Councilman is under fire after he illegally used city funds for personal and political gain, according to a state audit released Tuesday.
With the evidence from the state audit, fellow city council members are now demanding that Dave Adams pay back more than $5,000.
Adams owns the fire truck "Big Red." It's the highlight of the city's annual Fourth of July parade because it sprays water at the kids, but Adams said it was in danger of not making an appearance this summer due to needed repairs.
"My wife and I had every right to say 'We are financially burdened. We can't do it anymore.'," Adams said.
Adams said the truck was in need of thousands of dollars in repairs, so he asked the Department of Parks and Recreation for a city credit card and proceeded to invest $5,800 into the hook and ladder.
"There was no purchases made without park and rec's knowledge," said Adams. "We're not here to apologize. We feel like we've done nothing wrong."
However, according to the audit, the Department of Parks and Recreation only approved $2,500 worth of repairs. The audit also said Adams didn't just use the truck for the parade but for his political campaign.
"It is a conflict of interest," said Councilman Chris Snell. "You don't use public money to benefit yourself personally. It's for the public benefit."
Snell said Adams has lost credibility among the rest of the council as well as the community.
"I think if the roles were reversed he'd probably be calling for some heads to roll, had, say, I done something similar," said Snell.
The city said they have also learned from this audit and they plan to make some changes.
"There are things we need to do differently and, to me, that is what the report is all about," said City Manager Shayne Scott.
Snell said it's essential for Adams pays the money back. Adams said he's willing to do that, even if it means saying good-bye to "Big Red."
"Big red" will be sold for what ever demands that they would like," said Adams. "Keep in mind my family does not feel that this is right. We feel like everything we did was above board."
Whether or not Adams really does sell "Big Red," and how much the council hopes to get reimbursed will all be determined at a future city council meeting.
