By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD — Moving swiftly to cement its executive leadership, the Safford City Council voted unanimously on Monday night, June 8, to finalize the employment terms for its newly appointed City Manager, Eric Bejarano.
The decision follows a competitive internal recruitment process that began after the council terminated former City Manager John Cassella without cause in December 2025. Bejarano, who has overseen municipal operations as Interim City Manager since the shakeup, was officially selected for the permanent role on May 11, 2026, beating out a pool of 15 applicants and two other final contenders.
With Monday’s vote, the council directed City Attorney William Sims to draft the formal employment contract, backdated to his official appointment date of May 11.
Contract Details and Financial Terms
The approved agreement sets Bejarano’s base salary at $180,000 per year and provides 80 hours of annual vacation. Rather than receiving a standard $500 monthly vehicle allowance to use a personal car, Bejarano will be assigned a city-owned vehicle for executive travel.
The contract also features a notable waiver regarding residency. While the city’s standard residency requirement was waived, the council included a $20,000 financial incentive should Bejarano choose to relocate to a home within Safford’s city limits.
Additionally, the contract allows Bejarano to engage in paid outside training, consulting, teaching, or speaking engagements, subject to the mayor’s approval and signature. To avoid the massive 12-month severance package associated with his predecessor’s departure, Bejarano’s contract stipulates that if he is discharged without cause, he will receive a six-month severance package consisting of salary and paid health insurance coverage.
A Proven Track Record of Regional Service
Bejarano’s permanent appointment signals stability and structural continuity for Safford’s administration. Having served as the Assistant City Manager since June 2024 and subsequently taking the interim reins, Bejarano is already well-acquainted with managing the city’s complex, $100+ million municipal budget. His executive oversight spans a range of local sectors, including utilities, public safety, public works, airport operations, parks and recreation, and community services.
“I am honored to serve the City of Safford and grateful for the trust placed in me by the Mayor and Council,” Bejarano said following the vote. “I look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen services, support our employees, and enhance the quality of life for the residents of our community.”
Before entering City Hall, Bejarano directed the Eastern Arizona College (EAC) Small Business Development Center and served as a regional business manager for Air Methods air medical services. His distinct background also includes a law enforcement career—retiring as a motorcycle patrol officer for the Tucson Police Department in 2014—and six years of military service as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Liberty University, a Master’s degree in Counseling/Human Relations, and a Bachelor’s degree in Justice Systems Policy and Planning from NAU.
In Other Council News
City Prosecutor Re-Appointed
The council unanimously voted to re-appoint Matt M. Clifford as the City Prosecutor, continuing a tenure that originally began in 2011. The approved three-year contract renewal runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, and mirrors the terms of his previous contract. Clifford will receive an annual salary of $84,000, with an additional $4,000 allocated per year for vital Victim Advocacy Services.
Safford Police Department Reaches Full Staffing
Safford Police Chief Brian Avila introduced the department’s newest officer, Mark Wren, to the council. Wren, the son of former Safford Police Officer Bill Wren, entered the force with distinction as the top academic graduate of his police academy class. Chief Avila proudly noted that with Wren’s hiring, the Safford Police Department is now fully staffed.
Golf Course Budget Increased
In a sharper fiscal debate, the council voted 6-1 to inject an emergency $440,000 into the Mt. Graham Municipal Golf Course’s operations budget to keep the facility afloat through the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Driven primarily by steep overruns in payroll, food and beverage inventory, and chemical turf maintenance, the amendment raises the course’s FY2026 budget from $1,653,410 to $2,093,410. Councilmember Dusti Brantner cast the single dissenting vote.
