Safford council rejects one‑year city manager contract and residency waiver for interim manager

Vice Mayor Lopez proposed offering Interim City Manager Eric Beharano a one‑year employment contract and waiving the city’s residency requirement, saying Beharano has shown both the skills and temperament to lead the city. ‘‘He has the aptitude and he has the attitude to carry on in our community,’’ Vice Mayor Lopez said.

Dozens of residents spoke at public comment in support of Beharano, who has served as interim manager. Mary Bingham, who handed the council copies of what she called his resume, told the council, “There is no statute, policy, or legal standing that I'm aware of to keep you from voting Eric in tonight,” and listed his municipal leadership experience and local ties.

Council discussion centered on competing priorities: those who favored an internal appointment argued the city would preserve momentum and reward local service, while others insisted on following an open recruitment process to ensure fairness and competitive vetting. Several council members said the assistant or interim positions should not automatically override a formal search process.

The motion to offer a one‑year contract and suspend the residency requirement failed on a 3–4 vote. Meeting minutes recorded the motion as failing with a majority of council members opposing, and the council left Beharano in his interim role. Councilmembers who supported the motion argued they would revisit the longer hiring process later; opponents said the city should complete its ongoing recruitment.

Next steps: council members suggested continuing recruitment work by the human resources office while monitoring Beharano’s performance. No new contract was approved during the meeting.