SAFFORD — By a 4-3 vote Monday, the Safford City Council terminated the employment of City Manager John Cassella.
The vote came after an executive session closed to the public that lasted 1 hour and 26 minutes, where Cassella’s employment was discussed. Cassella took part in the closed session for about an hour.
There was no discussion as to specific reasons for the termination. In her motion, Council member Dusti Brantner said the termination was “without cause,” and that the terms of Cassella’s contract would be fulfilled. She also moved to name Assistant City Manager Eric Bejarano as interim city manager until the city hires a permanent manager.
“We’ll have to get with HR (Human Resources) and get that process started,” Brantner said after the meeting. “I believe the last time it went through, the League of (Arizona) Cities and Towns provided help, so we’ll have to go with that.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Opposing the motion to terminate were Mayor Richard Ortega, and Councilmen Steve McGaughey and Brad Hemphill.
“While I’m very sensitive to the issues that were discussed — which we obviously can’t share here — I’m also pretty troubled by the process that we just went through,” Hemphill said.
Prior to the council vote, three citizens — Justin Mack, Mary Bingham and Nathaniel Mueller spoke during open Call to the Public, all stating the city manager should be removed. Bingham also called for the firing of the city’s Planning director, Finance director and director of Human Resources.
Per his employment contract, Cassella will receive a year’s worth of salary at $190,000, plus a year’s worth of health insurance coverage as part of his severance package.
Following the meeting, Cassella said he was leaving for a planned vacation in about a week and would contemplate his future during that time.
