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Safford council approves first reading to remove fixed city-manager severance from city code in 4–2 vote
Summary
On first reading, the council voted 4–2 to amend Safford Municipal Code section 2.20.060 to remove a fixed six‑month severance for the city manager and allow severance to be negotiated in future employment contracts; opponents cited public expectation and prior input.
City staff presented the first reading of Ordinance 026-001, a proposal to amend Safford Municipal Code section 2.20.060 to remove the fixed six-month severance provision for the city manager and instead permit council-determined severance terms to be specified in employment contracts.
The city attorney recommended removing severance from the code, noting it is uncommon to codify a fixed severance period and that leaving the term in code could limit future contractual flexibility. Supporters said removing the text gives council latitude to negotiate appropriate severance terms with future city managers; opponents said keeping the six-month floor reflected prior public input and would protect public expectation.
Vice Mayor Lopez and Councilwoman Bratner opposed the change. After discussion and direction to revisit details in executive session where appropriate, the council approved the ordinance’s first reading by a 4–2 vote (Councilwoman Bratner and Vice Mayor Lopez recorded as opposing). The first reading advances the amendment process but does not finalize an ordinance; council members said severance specifics will be subject to contract negotiation and further deliberation as appropriate.
Minutes show the first-reading vote passed 4–2; the transcript records the motion, second and the opposition names. The item was discussed in open session and council indicated additional executive-session discussion on negotiation parameters could follow.
