Contributed File Photo By Susan Elsberry: Richard Ortega, shown here in December 2019 honoring retiring Safford City Clerk Georgia Luster with Mayor Jason Kouts, has been appointed to fulfill Kouts’ remaining term. The city is searching for applicants to be appointed to the vacant council seat.
Staff Reports
SAFFORD – The city of Safford has announced it is accepting applications for the open council seat created with the loss of former Mayor Jason Kouts.
Longtime council member and former Vice-Mayor Richard Ortega was recently voted by the council to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the rest of Kouts’ term, which ends this year, but there remains an open council seat.
The council seat will be held until the end of 2024. There will be an election this year in which three council seats and the position of mayor will be up for election. The person who is appointed to the vacant seat will have to run for election to keep it beyond 2024. Safford City Council positions are for four-year terms.
The deadline to apply for the appointed seat is Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. The council will then decide on who to appoint. Anyone 18 or older who is a registered voter living in Safford for at least a year and who can read, write, and speak English may apply for the council seat. Apply here on the city’s website.
Those interested in running for election for the council can pick up a candidate packet from the City Clerk’s Office at 717 W. Main St. Candidate packets must be returned by April 1. The city of Safford will hold its primary election in conjunction with the Graham County Election on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
