Column By Mike Bibb
“The decision comes just eight months after the same council, in September 2024, voted 4-3 to increase Cassella’s salary to $190,000 annually, add a $500 monthly contribution to his deferred compensation plan, and approve a generous severance package that includes 12 months of salary and health benefits if terminated without cause. A provision in the contract had protected Cassella from no-cause termination for the first six months following the election of a new council.”
— “Casella out, Bejarano in” — Gila Herald, Nov. 8, 2025.
The more I thought about the termination story of Safford City Manager John Cassella, and the incredibly generous pay package he was given, the more I began scratching my head and wondering how in the hell a small community of about ten thousand citizens could afford to dole out nearly a quarter million dollars to an ex-employee?
Equally important, what are Mr. Casella’s skills, knowledge, and experience that qualified him to receive a substantial salary and benefit remuneration in the first place?
$190,000 per year equals $15,833 per month, $3,654 per week, or $91.35 per hour (40-hour week).
Especially considering 1. Safford isn’t Tucson or Phoenix, with over a million people to draw taxes from to pay these lavish wages. 2. Is the City Manager’s job the highest-paying position in city government, or are there others receiving even more? 3. Arizona’s two United States Senators receive $174,000 each per year — $16,000 less than Safford’s City Manager. 4. Does Safford’s City Manager have more responsibility and workload than a U.S. Senator in a state with nearly eight million residents?
Adding to the bewilderment, what is the justification for giving Mr. Cassella a $190,000 + health benefits, termination bonus?
Lastly, if Mr. Cassella was“terminated without cause,” then why was he terminated? A person isn’t usually fired without a reason, and then given a bunch of money as he exits the building.
Maybe, in the future, this perplexing paradox can receive a little more consideration before the council approves the pay and benefits plan for the next city manager.
Finally, I commend the Safford City Council for bringing to light a topic that is not often publicly discussed. In particular, the extraordinary pay and benefits some city officials may enjoy.
I’ve always thought that government service was not usually on par with private industry in pay or performance, for the apparent reason that government does not produce a profitable product or service and relies on taxpayers to exist.
Apparently, I’ve been living in a fog. Government pay and benefits are way better than I ever imagined.
Then again, I should have expected something was skewed when I looked at my yearly diminishing tax return!
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author.
