SAFFORD — The City of Safford’s investment in its employees continued Monday, with the City Council approving a holiday bonus greater than recommended.
City Manager John Cassella recommended a $200 holiday bonus for all full-time employees, volunteer firefighters and City Council members, and $100 for part-time employees. However, Mayor Jason Kouts said employees deserved more than that.
“I’m just going to throw this number out there: I want to see $500 given and I would like to see that budgeted from here on out. Only increase from there, eventually, but I’d like to see $500,” Kouts said.
Cassella explained that the city has expended a significant amount of money in trying to bring employee pay closer to industry standard in 2022, with a 3-percent salary increase to all full-time employees, implementing the second-half of a 3-percent salary increase based on employment longevity, making a 50 percent increase in IRS-allowable health savings accounts, and cutting employee-dependent health coverage cost by 50 percent. Plus all police officers’ salaries were increased by $5,000.
Vice Mayor Richard Ortega said he favored $200 for holiday bonuses, due to the salary-related changes already implemented, as outlined by Cassella.
The council voted 4-2 to award the $500 bonus, with Ortega and Councilman Arnold Lopez voting against. Councilman Brad Hemphill was not in attendance. Part-time employees will receive a $250 bonus.
Total cost of the bonuses will be about $137,500, and come from city reserves. Cassella said that, starting with next year, bonuses will be included as part of the annual budgeting process.
