SAFFORD — The City of Safford is considering a number of new and upgraded facilities.
During a budget work session on March 16, the Safford City Council discussed the five-year Capital Improvement Plan, which includes proposals for a new City Hall, fire station and recreation facility.
For a new City Hall — either on the existing property or at a new location — the Finance Department originally projected $2 million for planning and design in Fiscal Year 2027-28, and $20 million for construction in FY 2028-29.
Finance Director Troy Bingham explained that the city would likely be taking on debt to construct.
“You don’t usually get grants for this,” Bingham said. “This is one that if the community they want an admin facility, you pay for it. Often times, people think this is for the employees, but there are conference spaces that people can use, we have a lot of nonprofits. This is a building for the community.”
Debt on $22 million at 4.5 percent interest for a 30 year term would cost the city nearly $36.5 million.
The council agreed to keep design in FY 27-28 but move construction out to FY 2030-31.
A new fire station is not a certainty, until members of the City Council meet with representatives of the Fire District, to determine if both entities can handle the cost.
It’s estimated that planning and design will cost $1.1 million, and construction $11 million. Again, some debt will be required and at borrowing $750,000 at 4.5 percent for 30 years, cost will increase to nearly $18.8 million.
To pay the debt, Bingham is suggesting the city and the Fire District increase property tax levies over the next three years.
“Your primary property taxes usually go for Police and public safety facilities. So it’s a great thing when you’re talking about primary property taxes to raise,” Bingham said.
He said to cover the cost would mean an increase in the Safford primary property tax levy of about $13 per residential property per year over a three-year period.
The city is currently using primary property tax to pay off debt incurred for construction of the police station. If the tax is increased, the police station will be paid off in 2034 and a new fire station paid off in 2058.
Planning and design are planned for FY 2026-27, with a construction start date based on response from Fire District officials.
The CIP originally proposed starting development of a recreation facility/field house in fiscal year 2027-28, with $1 million for planning and design in fiscal year 2027-28, and $10 million for construction in FY 2028-29. However, Council Member Dusti Brantner questioned development of a sports-only facility.
“I think it would be under-utilized right now. It might be used by, maybe, 1 percent of the population,” Brantner said, adding she’d prefer to see something similar to Morenci’s recreation complex, with meeting rooms and other amenities in addition to basketball/volleyball courts.
The council agreed to move the project to fiscal year 2030-31.
