(updates previous version of this story, 12/9/15)

NEOLA, Iowa (AP) — A small western Iowa city will need help with emergency services from neighboring communities after 12 members of its volunteer fire department resigned. A consultant for the city of Neola says the firefighters quit Monday night and four remain. Clint Fichter says Neola will be covered temporarily by fire departments in Minden and Underwood. Fichter says he expects the city to hire new firefighters over several months.

A state audit report this year said a former city clerk for Neola misspent more than $230,000 over five years. About $47,000 was linked to the fire department’s bank account. The newspaper reports emails between Neola’s acting fire chief and the mayor-elect showed suggestions by the mayor to streamline how firefighters would be hired in the future.