Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Schertz council adopts stepped compensation schedule for mayor and council; implementation phased by seat
Summary
The council approved Ordinance 25S005 to adopt a fixed compensation schedule for the mayor and council members and phase the changes in by seat over several election cycles; the ordinance passed after debate 5–1.
Schertz City Council adopted Ordinance 25S005 to implement a fixed compensation schedule for the mayor and council members and to change how future increases take effect. The ordinance passed after debate by a vote of 5 ayes and 1 objection.
City Manager Williams told the council the charter amendment passed by voters in November 2024 changed how compensation increases must be applied and required staff to stop using automatic CPI‑U adjustments that could take effect during a current term. To comply, staff proposed a fixed, tiered schedule that becomes effective when seats turn over: placements 1 and 2 would phase in November 2025, placements 3–5 in November 2026 and placements 6–7 in November 2027, so any pay change applies to the subsequent term rather than mid‑term.
Williams said the first‑term amounts were set “roughly” at current pay rates and the schedule then increases compensation for second, third and later terms; he described the approach as a way to keep a predictable, charter‑compliant schedule for elected official pay. The ordinance sets how prior terms of service are counted for people who return to council and specifies that unexpired terms filled mid‑cycle would be prorated.
Council debate focused on whether council members should receive stepped increases based on prior terms and whether voters should decide compensation levels. Council member Davis opposed the ordinance and argued that council pay should be frozen or placed on the ballot, saying "I don't think we're any more special than any of the other boards and commission members." Other council members said they supported modest increases and emphasized the mayor’s heavier workload.
The motion to adopt Ordinance 25S005 passed with five ayes and one objection. Staff said the ordinance takes effect in the staged schedule and that current council members would only receive any higher pay after winning re‑election for the next term, consistent with the charter language.
Ending: Councilmembers said they may revisit compensation in future charter or policy work; the ordinance sets a charter‑compliant, phased compensation schedule and replaces automatic CPI‑U adjustments.
