BRIGHTON, Colo. -- The fate of Brighton Mayor Ken Kreutzer is now in the hands of his constituents after a recall petition was approved by city council Tuesday night.
The mayor himself voted in favor of the recall election even though it could cost him his job.
“I don’t want anybody to confuse my 'yea' vote on where I stand; but the issue is, this must come to the voters of Brighton, (it's) for them to decide. It’s my responsibility as mayor to put this on the ballot,” Kreutzer said during the city council meeting.
The tension started in August of 2017, when Brighton residents started reporting sky high water bills. More than a year later, residents learned of a $70 million water fund they believed was the result of rate gouging.
In July of this year, the city manager was fired and some believe he exposed the fund. The mayor says the city manager was fired over an unspecified personnel issue.
All of that has led to a recall election, and residents will get to vote on whether to keep the mayor or oust him on November 5.
If the mayor is recalled, the city councilors will vote among themselves to determine who will take his seat.