SAN ANTONIO – A handful of former mayors came together Thursday in support of Charter Amendment 2, which would increase the annual salaries of the San Antonio mayor and City Council members.
Former Mayors Lila Cockrell, Henry Cisneros, Nelson Wolff, Howard Peak and Phil Hardberger said it's time to make things better for the next generation of city leaders.
"You can't hold a regular, full-time job, do what's expected of you as a council member, and do it for no salary. Effectively, no salary," Cisneros said.
As of now, City Council members make $20 per meeting, for a maximum annual salary of $1,040. The mayor receives an additional $3,000 annual stipend. Should the measure pass, council members would receive salaries equal to the median income of San Antonio -- $45,722 for council members and $61,725 for the mayor.
"It's time to do the right thing," Cockrell said. "We are not suggesting out-of-sight salaries. These are very moderate salaries. Very familiar to average household incomes, but it can make a big difference."
The former mayors said the money would come from the existing city budget and not taxes, and argue that cities like Dallas, Houston and Austin already pay their mayor and council better salaries, ranging from $60,000 to $234,000 yearly.
Bob Martin, president of the Homeowner Taxpayer Association of Bexar County, has previously called the proposal a money grab.
Martin said the city's current council-manager form of government, in which the city manager is the highest paid public administrator, warrants the low salaries.
Voters will decide on May 9 whether to approve the amendment.