San Antonio Metropolis Council members have thus far shared broadly divergent views of a latest evaluation that really helpful sending their salaries into the six-figure vary.
A number of stated the elevate should not be that prime whereas not less than one stated the pay might go larger and one other stated such a hefty wage could be “insensitive” to low-income constituents.
On Monday, the town’s Constitution Assessment Fee subcommittee on council pay and compensation offered a proposal to extend council members’ pay to an annual package deal between $75,00 and $125,0000. The subcommittee additionally proposed bumping the mayor’s annual pay to between $90,000 and $140,000.
These on council now earn a meager $45,722 annual wage, whereas Mayor Ron Nirenberg pulls in $61,725 a yr.
Though each council members and the mayor earn far lower than their friends in different giant Texas cities, a number of members of the physique stated they’re uncomfortable with such steep raises.
“It’s insensitive to susceptible neighbors for us to think about a six-figure wage when so many susceptible households are barely holding on,” District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez, a possible mayoral candidate, tweeted Thursday.
Council, as conscientious stewards of the general public’s tax {dollars}, ought to be asking itself easy methods to higher direct that cash in the direction of serving to all of San Antonio thrive.
— Councilman Manny Pelaez (@District8Manny) March 7, 2024
Then again, District 3’s Phyllis Viagran informed KSAT in a press release that council members work 60 hours per week and ought to be compensated equally to county commissioners, who earn a beginning wage of $150,000.
District 5’s Teri Castillo, District 2’s Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, and District 9 rep and introduced mayoral candidate John Braveness agree that there ought to be a pay elevate, however not as excessive because the subcommittee recommends.
McKee-Rodriguez wrote in a February memo that councilmembers’ salaries ought to be equal to San Antonio’s median earnings for a four-person family, or about $88,000. In the meantime, Braveness stated throughout Monday’s assembly that $60,000 appeared like an acceptable determine.
Castillo additionally informed KSAT the wage ought to be primarily based on San Antonians’ median incomes.
“I do imagine that take a look at what the typical metropolis of San Antonio resident is incomes and evaluating from there could be an awesome begin,” she informed the TV station.
The subcommittee has till Might to finalize its pay elevate proposal to the Metropolis Council. If council approves, voters will determine in November whether or not to let elected officers have a elevate.
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