Financial Information
Brighton Area Fire Authority: A Commitment to Fiscal Visibility and Accountability
Our Fiscal Year:
The Brighton Area Fire Authority (BAFA) operates on a fiscal year that begins on July 1st and concludes on June 30th of the following year. This structure allows for orderly financial planning and aligns with the tax collection cycles that provide our funding.
A Deliberate and Public Budget Process
The development of the Brighton Area Fire Authority’s annual budget is a thoughtful and public process. Each spring, the BAFA administration, in conjunction with the Fire Chief, develops a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This budget is built upon the operational needs of the Authority, anticipated revenues, and a commitment to providing the highest level of fire and emergency services to the communities we serve.
The proposed budget is then presented to the BAFA Board of Directors in open, public meetings. These meetings provide a forum for discussion and deliberation among board members. The final budget is adopted by the Board of Directors in a public vote, ensuring that the allocation of public funds is conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.
Funding Our Services:
A Partnership with the Community
The Brighton Area Fire Authority is funded directly by the communities it serves through two dedicated millages. This funding model ensures a stable and dedicated revenue stream to support our critical mission. Our funding is comprised of:
Capital Millage
A capital millage at a rate of **0.089 mills** is dedicated to funding the Authority’s long-term capital needs. This includes the maintenance, repair, and replacement of our fire stations, apparatus (fire engines and other vehicles), and essential life-saving equipment. This millage ensures that our firefighters have safe, modern facilities and the reliable equipment necessary to respond to emergencies effectively.
Operating Millage
Our day-to-day operations are funded by an operating millage. Currently, this millage is levied at a rate of **1.5 mills**. This funding covers all operational costs, including firefighter salaries and benefits, training, fuel, station utilities, and other administrative expenses necessary to maintain a constant state of readiness.
Looking Ahead:
A New Operating Millage
To address the growing needs of our community and ensure the continued high level of service our residents expect and deserve, the Brighton Area Fire Authority has secured a new operating millage. Beginning with the first collection in December of 2026, the operating millage will increase to a rate of 2.75 mills. This adjustment will provide the necessary funding to meet the rising costs of providing emergency services and will support our commitment to maintaining a highly trained and properly equipped fire department well into the future.
This funding change will provide needed on-duty staffing at all five fire stations located within the district
The Brighton Area Fire Authority is grateful for the continued support of our community. We are dedicated to being responsible stewards of the public’s trust and your financial investment in our shared safety. We encourage all residents to attend our public board meetings to stay informed about our operations and financial planning.
Capital Millage
Additionally, in 2019, the Fire Authority received additional approval from the voters for a Capital Millage that will expire in 2030. This is a separate millage with a rate of .89 mils assessed on the summer tax bill, which provides funding for Capital expenditures, including but not limited to: fire apparatus, fire stations, turnout gear, and breathing apparatus.
Both the Capital and new Operating millages will expire in 2030.
Operating Millage
On November 5, 2024, voters served by the Authority approved the next operating millage for the Brighton Area Fire Authority with overwhelming support from voters in all three communities.
Under the direction of the BAFA Board of Directors, the Authority proposed a new operating millage of 2.75 mils with a first collection beginning with winter taxes in 2026. This millage will replace the current operating millage of 1.5 mills, which will be its last collection in December 2025.
Fire Chief Michael O’Brian stated, “We are so grateful for the continued support of our residents. This new millage will allow the Authority to continue to grow and meet our community’s expectations in our response.” The additional funding will aid the Authority in staffing all five of the fire stations beginning in 2026, as well as meet the growing costs of operating the Authority.
Commitment to Transparency:
The Annual Audit
The Brighton Area Fire Authority is committed to the highest standards of fiscal transparency and accountability. To that end, an independent, third-party auditing firm conducts a comprehensive audit of the Authority’s finances each year. This annual audit examines our financial statements, internal controls, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The FYE 2024 audit provided a clean audit with no material findings.
The results of the annual audit are presented publicly to the BAFA Board of Directors, typically during a regularly scheduled board meeting in the fall each year. This presentation provides an opportunity for board members and the community to review the Authority’s financial health and ask any pertinent questions. The audit report is a public record, ensuring every citizen has access to a detailed and unbiased assessment of our financial stewardship.