diff --git a/backend/main.py b/backend/main.py
index 2437c46..ed391b4 100644
--- a/backend/main.py
+++ b/backend/main.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class GPIOSettings(BaseModel):
     statusPin: int = 7  # Gate open status pin
 
 class LoggingSettings(BaseModel):
-    level: str = "WARNING"  # Default to WARNING level
+    level: str = "INFO"  # Default to INFO level
     maxBytes: int = 10 * 1024 * 1024  # 10MB default
     backupCount: int = 5  # Keep 5 backup files by default
 
@@ -278,6 +278,15 @@ last_open_time = None
 gate_monitor_running = False
 auto_close_running = False
 
+async def start_background_tasks():
+    """Start all background monitoring tasks"""
+    logger.info("Starting background tasks...")
+    
+    # Don't set global flags here, let the tasks set them
+    app.state.status_task = asyncio.create_task(update_gate_status())
+    app.state.auto_close_task = asyncio.create_task(check_auto_close())
+    logger.info("Background tasks started")
+
 async def update_gate_status():
     """Monitor gate status and update database when it changes"""
     global gate_monitor_running
@@ -333,64 +342,54 @@ async def update_gate_status():
         logger.info("Gate status monitor stopped")
 
 async def check_auto_close():
-    """Check if gate has been open too long and close it if needed"""
-    global last_open_time, auto_close_running
+    """Monitor gate status and auto-close if open too long"""
+    global auto_close_running
     
     if auto_close_running:
         logger.warning("Auto-close monitor already running, skipping...")
         return
-        
+    
     auto_close_running = True
-    logger.info("Starting auto-close monitoring task")
     
     try:
-        settings = app.state.current_settings
-        if not settings:
-            logger.warning("No settings available, using default settings")
-            settings = Settings()
-        
-        status_pin = settings.gpio.statusPin
-        consecutive_errors = 0
-        
         while True:
             try:
-                if not auto_close_running:
-                    logger.info("Auto-close monitor stopped")
-                    break
-                    
-                if GPIO.input(status_pin) == GPIO.HIGH:  # Gate is open
-                    current_time = datetime.now()
-                    
+                settings = app.state.current_settings
+                if not settings:
+                    logger.warning("No settings available for auto-close, using defaults")
+                    settings = Settings()
+                
+                current_time = datetime.now()
+                
+                # Check if gate is open
+                if gate_status.is_open:
+                    # If this is the first time we see it open, record the time
+                    global last_open_time
                     if last_open_time is None:
                         last_open_time = current_time
-                        logger.debug("Gate opened, starting timer")
+                        logger.debug("Gate opened, starting auto-close timer")
                     
+                    # Calculate how long it's been open
                     time_open = (current_time - last_open_time).total_seconds()
-                    logger.debug(f"Gate has been open for {time_open:.1f} seconds")
                     
+                    # Auto-close if it's been open too long
                     if time_open > settings.maxOpenTimeSeconds:
                         logger.warning(f"Gate has been open for {time_open:.1f} seconds, auto-closing")
-                        timestamp = current_time.isoformat()
-                        
-                        await add_event(timestamp, "auto-close", "system")
-                        
+                        await add_event(current_time.isoformat(), "auto-close", "system")
                         await trigger_gate()
                         last_open_time = None
-                        logger.info("Gate auto-closed successfully")
                 else:
+                    # Reset last open time if gate is closed
                     if last_open_time is not None:
-                        logger.debug("Gate is now closed, resetting timer")
-                    last_open_time = None
+                        logger.debug("Gate closed, resetting auto-close timer")
+                        last_open_time = None
                 
-                consecutive_errors = 0
                 await asyncio.sleep(1)
                 
             except Exception as e:
-                consecutive_errors += 1
-                wait_time = min(30, 2 ** consecutive_errors)
-                logger.error(f"Error in check_auto_close (attempt {consecutive_errors}): {e}", exc_info=True)
-                logger.warning(f"Retrying in {wait_time} seconds...")
-                await asyncio.sleep(wait_time)
+                logger.error(f"Error in auto_close_monitor: {e}", exc_info=True)
+                await asyncio.sleep(5)  # Wait before retrying
+                
     finally:
         auto_close_running = False
         logger.info("Auto-close monitor stopped")
@@ -467,7 +466,7 @@ async def get_settings_route():
                 "statusPin": 7
             }),
             "logging": settings_dict.get("logging", {
-                "level": "WARNING",
+                "level": "INFO",
                 "maxBytes": 10 * 1024 * 1024,
                 "backupCount": 5
             })
@@ -698,16 +697,6 @@ async def publish_mqtt_state(state: bool) -> bool:
         logger.error(f"Failed to publish MQTT state: {e}", exc_info=True)
         return False
 
-async def start_background_tasks():
-    """Start all background monitoring tasks"""
-    logger.info("Starting background tasks...")
-    global gate_monitor_running, auto_close_running
-    gate_monitor_running = True
-    auto_close_running = True
-    app.state.status_task = asyncio.create_task(update_gate_status())
-    app.state.auto_close_task = asyncio.create_task(check_auto_close())
-    logger.info("Background tasks started")
-
 async def validate_startup_state() -> tuple[bool, list[str]]:
     """Validate application startup state"""
     errors = []