SAFFORD — During Monday’s meeting, the Safford City Council unanimously approved the tentative 2025-26 budget, but not before making a few additions.
The council approved the budget with adding funding for facilities maintenance, an additional 1-percent cost of living raise for employees, signage for the library, improvements to the entrance of the golf course and a tent at the golf course that can be used to host weddings.
“Currently the golf course operates at a loss year-to-year,” said Matthew Hoshal, deputy Finance officer. “A wedding venue would give an opportunity to bring that loss up to net-zero for the golf course.”
The council also approved reclassification of six employees in the Police, IT, Library and Utilities departments; and the re-classification of the Fire chief as part-time, keeping compensation at $36,000 plus up to $3,000 annually for call-outs.
The changes increase the budget to $117.34 million.
The council will be asked to adopt the final budget at its July 14 meeting. Before adoption, the council may remove any items from the budget, but no additions may be made.
