Significant Pay Raise and Longer Terms for San Antonio Council Members on the Horizon

Council members to vote on proposed charter amendments in August

August 1, 2024

San Antonio – A substantial pay increase for San Antonio City Council members, as well as extended terms, is expected to appear on the November ballot, but the specifics are still under discussion. After extensive reviews by the Mayor’s Charter Review Commission and two council debates, the City Council is slated to cast their votes on August 8th to include several proposed charter amendments in the upcoming November 5th elections.

Currently, the details regarding the pay increase and the shift from two-year to four-year terms are still undetermined. The existing salaries for council members and the mayor, which were established in 2015 and are now $45,722 and $61,725 respectively, are based on the area median income of that time.

Raise in Salaries: A Drive for Greater Inclusivity

The Mayor’s Charter Review Commission initially discussed elevating the salaries into the six-figure category. However, the final recommendation proposed to the council in June suggested a raise to $80,000 for council members and $95,000 for the mayor, subject to adjustments based on the pay raises given to the city’s civilian employees.

Council members seem to be contemplating a smaller raise. The recent proposal called for a salary boost to $58,000 for council members and $73,000 for the mayor, respectively. Future increments would be tied to the city’s area median income, as recorded by the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Extension of Terms and Transition Phases

There appears to be general agreement among council members about shifting to four-year terms versus the present two-year cycle. However, some contradicting views emerged on particulars. A key concern expressed by several council members, in favor of staggered terms, was the possibility of an entirely new council assuming office simultaneously. On the other hand, some council members feared that districts coinciding with the Mayor’s election cycle might gain an upper hand in voter turnout.

Proposed Additional Amendments

In addition to salary increases and term extensions, other proposed charter amendments include modifications to the Ethics Review Board, removal of caps on the city manager’s pay and tenure, and allowing city employees to participate in local political campaigns. Despite the in-depth discussion, only minor tweaks in the language are expected before next week’s vote.

San Antonio, a vibrant city with a rich cultural history, has a diverse political landscape. If these changes pass, they could potentially alter the city’s political dynamics, making council positions more accessible to residents from various walks of life.