SAFFORD — During Monday’s meeting, the Safford City Council voted 6-1 to reject spending $95,000 to repair the roof of the Graham County of Commerce building. However, the council wants the roof repaired.
The issue for the council, led by Mayor Jason Kouts, wasn’t the expenditure but that a non-local company would be given the exclusive opportunity to complete the work.
“That’s what the chamber stands for; they stand for businesses here. I’m sure there are roofing companies that are probably a chamber member,” Kouts said. “Man, I mean, you’ve got to take care of your local businesses first and foremost. Give them an opportunity to come in and bid this. That’s the only reason why I have heartburn with it.”
The city owns the building and leases it to the chamber. City staff said water leaking in from the failure of the roof is now causing other issues, including damage to interior walls and causing floor tiles to peel up.
City staff recommended using the state-approved contractor Progressive Roofing, the company currently replacing or repairing the roofs of seven other city-owned buildings, including City Hall and the Fire Station.
Instead, the council directed staff to solicit bids for the project, including reaching out to local roofing companies to invite them to bid.
The lone vote in favor of spending the money immediately was Councilman Arnold Lopez, who brought the roof issue to city staff and the council.
