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Safford council opts for in-house recruitment after public calls to keep local candidate
Summary
After multiple public comments urging the council to name Assistant City Manager Eric as city manager, the council voted to conduct the recruitment in-house and asked HR to return with a recruitment schedule and scope; public speakers said an outside search would be costly and unnecessary.
Vice Mayor Lopez opened the meeting and invited public comment on agenda items. Several residents spoke in favor of appointing the assistant city manager—named in public remarks as “Eric Beherano”—as the city’s next manager, arguing his local ties and existing relationships would make a seamless transition.
Mary Bingham, who gave her address as 20006 West 18th Street in Safford, told the council “it’s a no-brainer to keep Eric Beherano for our new city manager,” saying he has represented the city “with professionalism and knowledge” and owns a downtown business that makes him “fully vested” in Safford’s future. Aaron (Aaron) Medina, assistant general manager at Mount Graham Golf Course, said Eric’s engagement improved the golf course’s relationship with the city and that course staff support him. Tony Garcia echoed those endorsements.
County Supervisor Paul R. David told the council he and the board have avoided lobbying but urged the council to consider a search’s optics: “you probably ought to spend the $30,000 and do a search,” he said while also expressing strong support for the local candidate.
During the council’s discussion on recruitment approach, legal counsel and staff outlined options: an HR-led in-house recruitment (posted externally), or hiring an executive-search firm (with higher costs and candidate outreach services). Several council members emphasized fiscal caution and constituent input favoring a local hire. After debate, the council voted to proceed with an in-house recruitment run by the HR director and to return with a proposed timeline and posting scope. Danielle (HR staff) will present a written plan to the council for next steps.
Next steps: HR will post the position externally per council direction, develop interview materials and a schedule, and return to the council with the recruitment plan and timing for candidate review and interviews.
