Is it Time to Abandon Restrictions on San Antonio City Manager’s Pay and Tenure?

San Antonio City Manager Pay & Tenure Caps: A Rethink?

The mayor’s Charter Review Commission in San Antonio is contemplating an overhaul of the city manager’s tenure limits and pay caps. These restrictions, instated only five years ago, are now under scrutiny, raising questions about its effect on competitive salaries and city management.

The 2018 Decision on City Manager’s Tenure and Salary

Back in 2018, about 59% of San Antonio voters decided in favor of putting a limit on the city manager’s salary and tenure. The salary cap was set at no more than ten times the least paid city employee’s salary, with a tenure not exceeding eight years. With this law in place, the current annual base salary for City Manager Erik Walsh is $374,400, with an additional $16,200 of allowances and incentives supplementing his income. However, the tenure limit has its own clock ticking, as he must step down from his position by March 2027.

Looking at the Larger Picture: Are We Rewarding Our City Manager Enough?

The Charter Review Commission seems to think otherwise. The commission, consisting of several essential city figures, argues that pay restrictions might hinder the city from attracting top talent, which is crucial for navigating the intricate landscapes of local government. City manager salaries across 15 cities were analyzed, with pat Frost, subcommittee’s chairman and the ex-president of Frost Bank, voicing concerns over the non-competitive pay of the San Antonio city manager.

In terms of salary, Walsh lags behind his counterparts in cities like Dallas ($423,247), Fort Worth ($398,127), Arlington ($378,668), Phoenix ($415,542), and Charlotte ($451,933). However, his pay is higher than the city manager’s salary in Austin ($350,000), Corpus Christi ($372,000), and Oklahoma City ($285,896). The discrepancy in salary becomes even more stark when comparing it to heads of local entities such as CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System (SAWS), University Health System, VIA Metropolitan Transit, and the Alamo Colleges District, where salaries range from $380,625 and $826,000.

Not Everyone Agrees

However, some believe that the 2018 voter’s decision should not be scrapped. They argue that their opinion should remain valid, with some grassroots activists voicing their concerns. To them, altering the City manager’s pay limit and tenure could be an affront to the core principle of democracy and disregardful of voters’ decision.

Away from Personal Attitudes, towards the Job’s Essence

The commission’s proposal is not yet final and, if approved, would be in place for the November 5 election. It emphasizes that it is critical to keep in mind that the decision should be about the administrative role itself and not the person holding it.

The discourse over the city manager’s role and compensation continues, and the final decision will unavoidably shape the future of San Antonio’s city administration.