Safford public meetings in 2025

Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee will approve the September 18, 2025 meeting minutes. It will receive updates on the Owens Family Park and the Mayor Jason Kouts Park projects. The committee will also get an update on the City of Safford welcome signs. The meeting includes a public comment period but no decisions on agenda items are listed.

• Approval of the September 18, 2025 meeting minutes
• Update on Owens Family Park
• Update on Mayor Jason Kouts Park
• Update on City of Safford welcome signs

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Safford City Council will review and approve the November 10, 2025 meeting minutes, discuss library exterior signage, and consider design contracts for the Mesa Yard Sewer Extension ($83,277) and Main Street Water Main Renewal ($76,500). Several resolutions will be adopted, including expedited plan review fees, staff promotions & transfers policy, safe and violence‑free workplace policy, personnel records policy, and an update to the net‑metering policy. An ordinance amendment (O26-001) to the municipal code compensation section will receive its first reading. The council will also enter executive session to evaluate City Manager John Cassella, which may include a vote of no confidence and possible termination.

• Approve $83,277 design services for Mesa Yard Sewer Extension (WestLand Engineering)
• Approve $76,500 design services for Main Street Water Main Renewal (WestLand Engineering)
• Adopt Resolution R25-032 establishing expedited plan review fees
• Adopt Resolution R25-037 revising the Staff Promotions & Transfers Policy
• Consider a vote of no confidence and possible termination of City Manager John Cassella

The council reviewed the minutes from the November 10, 2025 meeting. Councilman Hemphill moved to approve them, Councilwoman Flores seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by voice/hand vote. No other actions were taken.

• Approved November 10, 2025 council meeting minutes (unanimous)

PSPRS (Public Safety Personnel Retirement System)

The Safford Police Department Public Safety Personnel Retirement Local Board will approve the May 27, 2025 meeting minutes. It will consider entering executive session to discuss confidential records and the board's position in litigation concerning Officer Mark Wren's lateral hire application. The meeting also includes citizen comment periods and routine agenda items.

• Approve May 27, 2025 Local Board meeting minutes
• Consider executive session to discuss confidential records and litigation regarding Officer Mark Wren lateral hire application
• Citizen comments on agenda items
• Citizen comments on non‑agenda items
• Board requests for agenda items

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Safford City Council will consider a purchase for the Mount Graham Golf Club Driving Range Enhancement Project, adding 20 covered bays at a cost of $213,750. The council will also discuss appointing a new Planning and Zoning Commissioner, direct the Disbursement of City Funds to charitable and non‑profit organizations, and approve a 2025 holiday bonus for city employees. Additional items include adopting a Resident ID Card program and several staff‑policy resolutions. Finance reports for July and August 2025 will be presented.

• Purchase of Mount Graham Golf Club Driving Range Enhancement Project – 20 covered bays – $213,750
• Appointment of a new Planning and Zoning Commissioner
• Disbursement of City Funds to charitable and non‑profit organizations – FY2026 budget $100,000, FY2025 total $97,500
• Approval of 2025 holiday bonus check for City of Safford employees
• Adoption of Resident ID Card Program (Resolution R25-042)

The council adopted a proclamation for National Native American Heritage Month. They appointed Jeff Christopherson to the Planning and Zoning Commission, approved $100,000 in charitable and non‑profit grants, and authorized a $10,000 opioid settlement payment to the Gila Valley Samaritan Home. A $213,750 purchase for the Mt. Graham Golf Club driving range was approved, and a 2025 holiday bonus of $500 per employee was adopted by a 5‑to‑2 vote.

• Adopted National Native American Heritage Month proclamation (unanimous)
• Appointed Jeff Christopherson to Planning and Zoning Commission (unanimous)
• Approved $100,000 charitable and non‑profit disbursements (unanimous)
• Allocated $10,000 from opioid settlement funds to Gila Valley Samaritan Home (unanimous)
• Approved $213,750 purchase for Mt. Graham Golf Club driving range (unanimous)
• Approved 2025 holiday bonus of $500 per employee (5‑2)
• Approved October 27, 2025 council meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Entered executive session to interview Planning and Zoning Commissioner applicant (unanimous)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Safford City Council will consider several funding and contract actions, including a $374,596 purchase of a Septage Receiving Station and a water truck acquisition. Additional items include charitable fund disbursement decisions, change orders for water projects, and a resolution to change utility fees and rates. The council will also review intergovernmental agreements and a lease for FY2026 fleet vehicles.

• Septage Receiving Station purchase from Savéco for $374,596 plus taxes
• Water Division water truck replacement: 2026 Freightliner M2 via Sourcewell contract No. 080521-PBL
• Lebanon Water Change Order from Westland Engineering for $13,456
• East Valley Sanchez Water Change Order from Westland Engineering for $113,737
• Resolution R25-033 to change utility and service fees and rates

The council unanimously moved to table items 11.3 and 14.1 by voice vote. A separate motion to enter executive session was also approved unanimously by voice vote. The request to disburse city funds to charitable and non‑profit organizations was tabled. No other formal actions were recorded.

• Table items 11.3 and 14.1 (unanimous voice vote)
• Enter executive session (unanimous voice vote)
• Table disbursement of city funds to charitable/non‑profit organizations

Safford Fire Department Pension Plan Board of Trustees

The Safford Fire Department Pension Plan Board of Trustees approved an actuarial study for the FY2026 budget and moved pension funds from short-term investments to longer-term options. The board also discussed the retirement of Firefighter Christopher Murphy and reviewed funding scenarios for the pension plan.

• Actuarial study approved for $6,000
• Pension contributions proposed to increase from $300 to $400 per month
• Pension funds moved to 5-year Federal Farm Credit Bureau Agency, 4-year Texas Exchange Bank, and 3-year Promise One Bank
• Firefighter Christopher Murphy retirement request reviewed
• Proposed new Fire Chief compensation of $38,600 take-home pay

The board unanimously approved the March 26, 2025 meeting minutes. It also unanimously approved Christopher Murphy’s request for retirement benefits under the pension plan. The discussion on pension plan options was unanimously tabled until another member retires, and the meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved March 26, 2025 board minutes (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved retirement benefits for Christopher Murphy (unanimous voice vote)
• Tabled pension‑plan discussion item (unanimous voice vote)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous voice vote)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council will hold a public hearing on proposed rate changes for landfill, sanitation, water, wastewater, gas, and electric services. Council members will take a second reading of Ordinance O25-009 to update subdivision and large‑scale development regulations under HB2447. Several resolutions will be considered, including a new travel policy, airport hangar contingency funding, and the purchase of a Leica 3D scanner using opioid settlement funds. The council will also award the airport commercial hangar construction contract to Traylor Construction LLC.

• Public hearing on proposed rate changes for landfill, sanitation, water, wastewater, gas, and electric
• Second reading of Ordinance O25-009 amending subdivision procedures and large‑scale development regulations (HB2447)
• Resolution R25-030 approving a new City of Safford travel policy
• Resolution R25-031 authorizing contingency funds for the Airport Commercial Hangar Construction Project (CIP #AP2504)
• Award of construction contract to Traylor Construction LLC for the Airport Commercial Hangar (CIP No. AP2504)

The council unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing National Women’s Small Business Month. They also approved the September 22, 2025 council meeting minutes. By a 5‑to‑2 vote, the council authorized the use of opioid settlement funds to purchase a Leica 3D scanner costing $129,874.76. Finally, the council unanimously adopted Ordinance O25‑009 updating subdivision and development codes to comply with HB2447.

• Adopted National Women’s Small Business Month proclamation (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved September 22, 2025 council meeting minutes (unanimous voice vote)
• Authorized $129,874.76 opioid‑funded purchase of Leica 3D scanner (5-2)
• Adopted Ordinance O25-009 amending subdivision and development codes (unanimous)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Safford City Council will hold a work session to review HB2928 and related municipal code updates, consider direction on disbursing city funds to charitable and non‑profit organizations, and discuss a proposed Purchasing Card (P‑Card) Policy. The council will also act on several items, including approval of recent meeting minutes, a special event liquor license for the 2025 25th Annual Harvest Festival, an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona State Forester, and the first reading of Ordinance O25-009 to amend subdivision and large‑scale development regulations. A rate increase discussion will be presented as part of the operational report.

• Work session to discuss implementation of HB2928 and related municipal code updates
• Direction requested on disbursement of city funds to charitable and non‑profit organizations
• Presentation of the proposed Purchasing Card (P‑Card) Policy
• First read of Ordinance O25-009 amending subdivision procedures and large‑scale development regulations to comply with HB2447
• Special Event Liquor License application for the 2025 25th Annual Harvest Festival

The council directed staff to follow the recommendation to delay any municipal code amendments prompted by HB2928. Those changes will be addressed during the city's General Plan update scheduled for 2026. No other agenda items were approved or denied; the charitable‑funds disbursement request was deferred for later consideration.

• Hold off on municipal code updates related to HB2928 (and related definitions) until the General Plan update in 2026

Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee will meet to receive updates on city parks and beautification efforts. The body will also review the status of city welcome signs.

• Update on Owens Family Park and Mayor Jason Kouts Park
• City of Safford welcome signs update
• Beautification update including new gravel on 14th Avenue
• Approval of April 17, 2025, meeting minutes

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee approved the minutes from the April 17, 2025 meeting with a 4‑0 vote. Afterwards, the committee voted 4‑0 to adjourn the September 18, 2025 meeting. No other actions were decided.

• Approved April 17, 2025 minutes (4-0)
• Adjourned meeting (4-0)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council will convene an executive session to conduct a performance evaluation of City Manager John Cassella and to receive legal advice. After reconvening in open session, the council will review and discuss the City Manager’s evaluation and compensation. The meeting also includes standard items such as welcome, roll call, and the opportunity for council members to request future agenda items.

• Executive session to evaluate City Manager John Cassella’s performance (A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(1))
• Executive session to receive legal advice (A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3))
• Regular session review and discussion of City Manager’s evaluation and compensation
• Announcement of current events (no discussion permitted)
• Request future agenda items by council members

Councilman Hemphill motioned, and Councilwoman Flores seconded, to move the meeting into executive session. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. The council then discussed the City Manager's performance evaluation and a recommendation to raise his salary to $190,000 with additional contract adjustments, but no vote was taken on those recommendations.

• Entered executive session (unanimous voice vote)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council adopted the All Bulldog Reunion proclamation by unanimous voice vote. Council members agreed on the direction of two staff recommendations related to the new state housing bills, including an expedited permit review fee and a self‑certification program. The council also agreed that the Travel Policy Accountability Plan will be provided for adoption in the near future.

• Adopt All Bulldog Reunion proclamation (unanimous voice vote)
• Agree on direction of staff recommendation for expedited permit review fee (no vote recorded)
• Agree on direction of staff recommendation for self‑certification program (no vote recorded)
• Agree to receive the Travel Policy Accountability Plan for future adoption (no vote recorded)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Safford City Council will consider spending $655,000 in city funds to extend commercial airline service to Phoenix through July 2026. The meeting also includes the approval of sanitation trucks, water backhoes, and a playground surfacing contract.

• Airline service funding extension request ($655,000)
• Purchase of 2025 Peterbuilt sanitation truck
• Purchase of 2025 Caterpillar backhoe loaders
• Award playground surfacing contract to Pro Playgrounds
• Approval of Ordinance O25-008 amending fire department rules

The council unanimously approved the minutes from the August 11, 2025 meeting. A request to use contingency funds to extend airline service through July 2026 received no motion and therefore failed. No decision was recorded on the proposed purchase of a 2025 Peterbilt front‑load sanitation truck.

• Approved August 11, 2025 Council meeting minutes (unanimous voice vote)
• Airline service funding extension request – failed (no motion)
• Front Load Sanitation Truck Purchase – no decision recorded in minutes

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council adopted a notice of intention to adjust utility fees for landfill, sanitation, water, wastewater, gas, solar and electric services. The July 14, 2025 meeting minutes were approved. The City approved an updated lease agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson. A first reading of Ordinance O25-008 amending the fire department code was adopted.

• Adopted notice of intention to increase utility rates (motion adopted)
• Approved July 14, 2025 council meeting minutes (motion adopted)
• Approved updated lease agreement with Boys and Girls Club of Tucson (motion adopted)
• Adopted first reading of Ordinance O25-008 amending fire department code (motion adopted)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council unanimously approved the FY 2026 property tax levy at $0.5135 per $100 of assessed valuation. The FY 2025‑2026 final budget was adopted by a 4‑to‑2 vote. Additional items approved included a special event liquor license, a land purchase, police vehicle upfitting, a bucket‑truck purchase, a road‑improvement contract, and a volunteer firefighter insurance policy.

• Adopted FY 2026 property tax levy $0.5135 per $100 assessed (unanimous voice vote)
• Adopted FY 2025‑2026 final budget (4‑2 vote, Vice Mayor Lopez and Councilwoman Brantner opposed)
• Approved special event liquor license for Local First Arizona 2025 Rural Policy Forum (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved purchase of 1.13‑acre parcel at 425 South Central Avenue for $380,000 (unanimous voice vote)
• Authorized upfitting of 8 police Tahoes at a cost of $229,820.60 (5‑1 vote, Councilwoman Brantner opposed)
• Approved purchase of 60‑foot bucket truck ($390,684.09) and digger derrick ($501,240.19) (unanimous voice vote)
• Awarded Hollywood Road Improvements construction contract to K E & G Construction for $3,090,309 (unanimous voice vote)
• Adopted Volunteer Firefighter Insurance Coverage & Termination Policy (unanimous voice vote)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved EH Investments' variance request to reduce private road width. The council then unanimously approved the final plat for the Bungalows Subdivision. Council members also unanimously approved a rezoning ordinance (O25-007) and a resolution establishing new municipal court fees (R25-017). A resolution for special‑events pay (R25-018) passed with a 5‑to‑2 vote.

• Approved EH Investments variance request (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved final plat for the Bungalows Subdivision (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved Ordinance O25-007 Huish rezoning (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved Resolution R25-017 establishing court fees (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved Resolution R25-018 special‑events pay at time‑and‑a‑half (5‑2)
• Approved Resolution R25-021 designating Troy Bingham as Chief Fiscal Officer (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved Resolution R25-022 amendment to Safford Regional Airport operating standards (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved minutes for June 5th & 9th, 2025 council meetings (unanimous voice vote)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council approved a variance allowing a private drive on Forest Wright's parcel (vote 5‑2). It gave a first reading to Ordinance O25‑007 rezoning the Huish parcel and passed it unanimously. The council also appointed John Cassella and Megan Grabel to the Southwest Public Power Agency board and created a proprietary‑exclusive FBO at the airport, both by unanimous voice vote. Finally, the May 5, 12 and 27, 2025 council minutes were approved unanimously.

• Approved Forest Wright private‑road variance (voice vote 5‑2)
• Approved first reading of Ordinance O25‑007 Huish rezoning (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved Resolution R25‑020 appointing City Manager and alternate to SPPA Board (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved Resolution R25‑016 creating proprietary‑exclusive FBO at Safford Regional Airport (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved May 5, 12 and 27, 2025 council minutes (unanimous voice vote)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council approved a motion to go into executive session, passing it unanimously by voice vote. No other actions were decided; the meeting included a public hearing on the proposed tax levy and Truth in Taxation, but no vote was taken on those items.

• Motion to go into executive session passed unanimously (voice vote)

PSPRS (Public Safety Personnel Retirement System)

The board approved the January 8, 2025 meeting minutes without any changes, passing the motion unanimously. In an executive session, the board accepted Officer D. Jacob Gomez into the PSPRS Local Pool, also unanimously. Both actions were carried out with unanimous votes.

• Approved Jan 8, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted Officer D. Jacob Gomez into PSPRS Local Pool (unanimous)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council convened a work session to discuss the Utility Rate Study results and recommendations. City staff and consultants presented the study to the mayor and council. No votes or formal actions were recorded.

Planning and Zoning Commission Agendas

The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the February 18 meeting. Lee Patterson was elected Chair and Corina Pino‑Reyes Vice Chair. The rezoning request for parcel #104‑35‑136L from R1‑10 to C‑3 was approved 6‑0. The El Minero trailer park plan was presented but no decision was recorded.

• Approved February 18 minutes (5‑0)
• Elected Lee Patterson as Chair (5‑0, Patterson abstained)
• Elected Corina Pino‑Reyes as Vice Chair (6‑0)
• Approved Huish rezoning to C‑3 Light Commercial (6‑0)
• El Minero trailer park preliminary plan presented, no vote recorded
• Meeting adjourned after motion carried

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council approved the minutes from the April 28, 2025 meeting by voice vote. The council also approved the final plan of development for the 165‑unit Villas and Cottages subdivision on 14th Avenue, again by unanimous voice vote. Finally, the council approved the final plat for the same subdivision, also by unanimous voice vote.

• Approved April 28, 2025 Council meeting minutes (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved final plan of development for the 165‑unit Villas and Cottages on 14th Avenue (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved final plat for the 165‑unit Villas and Cottages on 14th Avenue (unanimous voice vote)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council approved a motion to go into executive session, which ran from 6:01 pm to 7:49 pm. Finance Director Troy Bingham presented the FY2026 departmental budgets and council members asked questions, but no budget items were formally adopted. The executive session was held to discuss a legal contract with the city attorney and manager. No vote tallies were recorded for any budget decisions.

• Motion to go into executive session passed (no vote tally recorded)
• Budget items discussed but not approved or adopted

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council adopted the April 14, 2025, meeting minutes by unanimous voice vote. Council members agreed to list proposed department reclassifications and the water‑department wage increase as separate line items for the tentative budget. They also set a budget work session for May 5 and requested a rate study before adopting the tentative budget. A spending request for Flock Safety cameras was discussed, but no vote was recorded.

• Approved April 14, 2025, meeting minutes (unanimous voice vote)
• Agreed to list department reclassifications as individual budget line items
• Agreed to list water‑department wage increase as an individual budget line item
• Scheduled a budget work session for May 5
• Requested a rate study before adopting the tentative budget
• Discussed spending request for Flock Safety cameras (no vote recorded)

Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee approved the minutes from 1/6/25 with a 4‑0 vote. Members received updates on the Mayor Jason Kouts Park and Owens Family Park, including bid awards and construction timelines. The committee agreed to pause activities through the summer and reconvene in September.

• Approved minutes from 1/6/25 (4-0 vote)
• Agreed to take a summer break and resume in September

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council unanimously approved a proclamation naming April 2025 as Fair Housing Month. The council also directed staff to amend Municipal Code Section 17.12.250 to allow metal storage containers up to 320 sq ft for residential and commercial properties, require earth‑tone colors, and require screening for containers in commercial zones. No other formal actions were recorded.

• Adopted proclamation of April 2025 as Fair Housing Month (unanimous voice vote)
• Directed amendment of Section 17.12.250: increase container size to 320 sq ft, require earth‑tone colors, require screening for commercial zones

Safford Fire Department Pension Plan Board of Trustees

The board voted to add a $6,000 actuarial study to the FY2026 budget (5‑1). It also approved moving pension funds into three longer‑term investments of $250,000 each (unanimous). Additionally, the board proposed a new annual take‑home pay of $38,600 for the fire chief (unanimous). All other items were approved unanimously.

• Approve actuarial study for FY2026 budget ($6,000) – passed 5 to 1
• Approve $250K each into three long‑term investments – unanimous voice vote
• Approve new fire chief annual take‑home pay of $38,600 – unanimous voice vote
• Approve February 12, 2025 board minutes – unanimous voice vote
• Approve motion to move item #6 to #3 – unanimous voice vote
• Approve submission of FY2024 Volunteer Fire Fighter Relief and Pension Fund Report – unanimous voice vote

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing the Week of the Young Child. It also approved a two‑year variance extension for David Green’s metal‑storage containers at 402 5th Avenue. Additionally, the council gave first readings to two rezoning ordinances: O25‑003 for 815 W Court Street (Parnell) and O25‑004 for parcels at 1302/1308 S 1st Avenue (Webster). All actions passed by voice vote.

• Approved Week of the Young Child proclamation (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved two‑year variance extension for David Green at 402 5th Avenue (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved first reading of Ordinance O25‑003 (Parnell rezoning) (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved first reading of Ordinance O25‑004 (Webster rezoning) (unanimous voice vote)