SAFFORD — For the first time since November, the Safford City Council met at full strength.
Dusti Brantner took the oath of office and was seated during Monday’s regular meeting of the council.
Brantner was appointed by the council to fill the seat that was made vacant following the January death of Mayor Jason Kouts.
“It is a lot of pressure, it’s a lot of work (but) I think, as a citizen, if you want to see the change you’ve got to step up. You need to put your money where your mouth is,” Brantner said.
She said she doesn’t have an agenda of specific items she wants to see accomplished during her time on council, other than ensuring the city has proper budgeting priorities.
“I have the financial background, and I think your basis of it is your budget. You’ve got to get that foundation in there and that’s kind of my thing,” Brantner said. “So I stepped forward so to make sure we get the budget right and we get it where it needs to be.”
The term of the seat to which Brantner was appointed expires in December. She is also running for her own four-year term, with a field of six candidates vying for three seats. Voters will decide the Safford City Council race during the July 3 Primary Election.
Candidates who receive 50 percent plus one of the votes cast will be elected. If no one receives that amount, the top two vote-getters for every seat not selected in the primary will advance to the General Election, Nov. 5.
