SAN ANTONIO – The city council voted Thursday on a measure that could give them a huge pay raise.
“I think it’s absolutely essential that citizens in San Antonio have a right to vote on these issues,” said councilman Mike Gallagher.
Gallagher believes the proposed salary for council members will do a lot for diversifying the kind of person who can become a council member.
“We need that diversification to make sure everyone’s voice is represented on the council,” he said. “You can’t do that if you’re not paying some kind of salary.”
“Fairness,” said Dr. Charles Cotrell. “A responsible amount to pay people to make sure those who aren’t independently wealthy can serve.”
Dr. Cotrell is a political science professor and served as the chair of the commission who came up with the proposed salary amount..
“We choose the median household income for San Antonio as determined by the 2014 census $45,722,” he said.
That’s opposed to the $20 a meeting they get paid now.
We had to ask why this would come up now when there’s a battle about the cost of fire and police benefits being too high.
“Two separate issues completely,” said Gallagher. “I think most our police and fire understand that.”
This measure was just passed by the council and still needs to be voted on by you. It’ll be on the ballot May 9th.