A Wildwood city council member spoke out against the use of funds for an annual BBQ Bash, which includes $25,000 earmarked for the event hosted by St. Louis Home Fires, owned by former Ballwin Alderman Frank Schmer.

"We're paying a man to run his own event," Shea said Monday, according to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I'm sorry; someone's got their priorities mixed up here, and I don't think it's me."

Shea said the council's move to award $25,000 to fund the event posed a threat to residents' tax dollars being used to fund private interests. When the city accounts for costs such as law enforcement overtime for security, as well as "in-kind" donations, the city spends closer to $50,000 on the event, Shea was quoted as saying.

The action approving $25,000 for this falls's event was approved 10 votes to 3. The article said Shea and two other council members voted against the action. Council member Michele Bauer abstained from voting, and council members David Sewell and Nick Roppolo were not present at the Monday meeting.

A description of the event posted on the Friends of the St. Louis University Liver Center Website said the 2010 "Sixth Annual St. Louis Home Fires BBQ Bash" was a benefit for the non-profit organization, and was sanctioned by the St. Louis Barbeque Society. The description says proceeds from a $1-a-ticket raffle for various grilling equipment went to the 501(c)(3) organization.

Frank Schmer, owner of St. Louis Home Fires, resigned from the Ballwin City Council in November. At the time, Schmer said he was leaving the council because of a "disconnect of information between the city and the board."