Special Meeting with Brigham City Meeting Minutes For November 18th, 2025
Notice Type(s)
Notice,
Meeting
Event Start Date & Time
December 19, 2025 08:43 AM
Description/Agenda
Town of Mantua Council Special Meeting with Brigham City
Meeting Minutes
For November 18th, 2025
Location: Town Hall, 409 North Main, Mantua, Utah
Council Members Present: Mayor Terry Nelson, Karen Nelson, Ken Jones, Matt Jeppsen, Jared Jeppsen
Recorder: Sherita Schaefer
Audience Present: Will Hodgins, Jen Packer, Scott Ross, Don Ruhl, Annette Ash, Mayor D.J. Bott, Finance Director Tom Kotter, Assistant Fire Chief Jeremie Poppleton, Mantua Fire Chief Will Hodgkins, Mantua Police Chief Dakota Midkiff
The meeting was opened by Mayor Terry Nelson.
Public Comment: None
Discussion and Action Items
Discuss Fire/Ambulance Services with Brigham city
Mayor D.J. Bott, Finance Director Tom Kotter, and Assistant Fire Chief Jeremie Poppleton addressed the ongoing budgetary shortfalls faced by the Brigham City Fire Department over the past six years.
Kotter noted that revenues have remained steady, but operational costs have risen significantly due to:
- Transition to full-time staffing
- Increasing equipment costs
- New state legislation limiting fees for EMS services
Financial Overview
The Brigham City Fire Department operates with an annual budget of $5 million.
Revenues total $1.8 million, primarily from EMS services, necessitating a $3.2 million subsidy from the city's general fund.
Kotter discussed the funding sources for this subsidy, which comes from property and sales taxes, raising concerns about outlying communities not contributing adequately to revenue.
Proposed Cost Allocation
A study by public safety firm AP Triton suggested that Mantua's share of the subsidy should be $132,500.
Fees proposed for local governments based on service demand range between $2,383 and $1,630 per dispatched call.
The resolution outlining these proposed fees was tabled for further discussion between Brigham City officials and local councils.
Incident Calls Overview
AP Triton reported 46 calls in Mantua over the past year, consisting of:
- 41 EMS calls
- 5 fire calls
Mantua Fire Chief Will Hodgkins confirmed these call estimates.
Concerns were raised about potential costs incurred for calls on Forest Service lands and the highway. Mayor Bott clarified that Mantua is responsible for calls occurring between specific mile markers on the highway.
Discussion on Service Agreement
Brigham City officials proposed that Mantua consider a long-term service agreement to avoid per-call dispatch fees, noting that only Perry City has currently entered a contract. If an agreement is not reached, Chief Poppleton advised Mantua to implement a fee schedule for mutual aid to other communities.
Concerns from Mantua Officials
Mantua Police Chief Dakota Midkiff expressed concerns regarding the lack of financial oversight from Brigham City on spending decisions, highlighting a recent $340,000 ambulance replacement. Kotter responded that Brigham City operates as a self-insured entity, which allows them to manage costs over time by covering replacements upfront.
Community Concerns
Community residents voiced concerns about the fairness of negotiations, emphasizing the economic Contributions of Mantua residents to Brigham City's sales tax revenue. Some residents expressed that Mantua has limited options for obtaining affordable EMS services and may need to rely on Brigham City until alternative providers are found.
Contractual Obligations
Brigham City is contractually obligated to provide EMS services to Mantua until Fall 2027. The contract for fire services expired at the end of September and will not be renewed.
Ken Jones made a motion to adjourn, Jared Jeppsen seconded.
Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Karen Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Ken Jones, Jared Jeppsen
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSED
Adjourn
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing auxiliary communicative aids and services for this meeting should contact the Management Services Department at 629-8701 (TTY/TDD: 711 or 888-735-5906) or by emailing town recorder at townrecorder@mantuautah.gov at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Public meetings may be held electronically in accordance with Utah Code Annotated 52-4-207 to allow Council members to participate via teleconference. The anchor location for the meeting shall be held at the Mantua Town Hall 409 North Main St, Mantua Utah 84324
Other Information
Certificate of Posting
The foregoing agenda was (1) posted on the Utah Public Notice Website created under Utah Code Section 63F1-701. (2) Town of Mantua website, and (3) posted in Town of Mantua City Office on 12/19/2025 by Sherita Schaefer - Town Recorder