Pecos council approves resolution to place sales-tax reauthorization and council pay changes on November ballot

The Pecos City Council on Aug. 18 approved a resolution calling a November election that will place two measures before voters: a sales-tax reauthorization for street maintenance (Proposition 1) and a charter amendment to set elected officials’ pay (Proposition 2).

The motion to place the measures on the ballot was made by Councilman Carrasco and seconded by Councilman Propio; the council approved the resolution by voice vote. The resolution as approved sets an initial annual pay of $12,000 for council members and $15,000 for the mayor and includes an added provision for an insurance benefit; the transcript does not record a detailed roll-call tally.

The council discussed how Proposition 2 would be written. City staff explained the charter amendment is drafted to set an initial amount and allow future increases or decreases by council ordinance rather than requiring another public election. That structure, according to staff, would let the council amend compensation by ordinance if the amendment is approved by voters; the transcript records that as a point staff emphasized during the discussion.

Council members offered a range of reasons for and against the proposed pay levels. Supporters said raising pay would reflect a substantially increased workload, help attract a broader and more professional candidate pool and recognize that the city’s budget and duties have expanded in recent years. Several council members also urged a provision allowing the council to reduce pay temporarily if budget constraints make an increase unsustainable.

Opponents or more cautious speakers argued the proposed $12,000 figure was large relative to recent local practice and to voter sensitivities after a recent tax vote and an employee insurance cost-sharing change. Council members suggested alternatives and benefit combinations, including partial insurance payments or noncash incentives tied to city utilities (water/sewer credits), as ways to broaden compensation beyond straight salary increases.

The council also discussed special-meeting compensation and incentives more broadly; the approved resolution instructs that the ballot language include the initial compensation amounts and leaves details such as special-meeting pay and precise insurance terms to subsequent ordinance or administrative implementation if voters approve the amendment.

Proposition 1, as described by staff in the meeting, would reauthorize a sales tax intended for street maintenance; the transcript does not specify the tax rate, duration, or exact revenue estimate included in the ballot language. The resolution approved by the council calls the election so voters can consider both measures together in November.

Next steps: the city will publish official ballot language and election notices required by state election law as the Nov. election approaches. If voters approve Proposition 2, the initial pay levels and the mechanism allowing future adjustments by ordinance would take effect as written in the charter amendment; if approved, any future changes to the council or mayor pay could be made by ordinance unless the ballot language or charter text preserves different restrictions.