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Council member warns constituents about petition to cut elected-official pay and benefits
Summary
A council member used the May 14 meeting to read and warn constituents about an initiative petition titled 'Concerned Citizens Against City Government Waste' that seeks to eliminate compensation and benefits for elected officials; she identified the petition's applicant and said the city would incur election costs if the measure proceeds.
Council Member Maria Cecilia Cruz used the May 14 San Luis City Council meeting to publicize and warn residents about a local initiative petition titled “Concerned Citizens Against City Government Waste,” which she said seeks to eliminate compensation and benefits for elected officials.
Cruz identified the petition’s applicant as Mark Conchas (also listed as chairperson) and named an associate, Alberto Leon. She read portions of the petition on the record and said some individuals collecting signatures are describing the petition as a city survey when it is not. Cruz said the initiative’s petition form lists an address at 1964 East Cesar Chavez Boulevard, Suite 2, and an email mark@rydellholdings.com; she said the applicant is affiliated with Rydell Holdings and asserted ties between petition organizers and the mayor.
Cruz said she wanted constituents to understand the petition text before signing. “You agree to not only eliminate compensation benefits and travel allowances, but also any possible reimbursement for any travel, meals, lodging expenses incurred by elected officials for any reason,” she read aloud and later said in Spanish. She told the council she had seen petition circulators representing the petition as a survey and cautioned residents that it is not.
Cruz also estimated the measure could cost the city between $70,000 and $75,000 to place on the November ballot; she said that figure reflected administrative election costs. She said she would abstain from voting on the Proverbs 31 license item because she is president of the nonprofit but used the meeting’s summary-of-events portion to present the petition details to residents.
A member of the council cautioned Cruz about election-law limits on influencing elections from the dais; the exchange occurred on the record. Cruz said she was presenting facts, not directing voters, and noted social-media posts in which the mayor was reported to have publicly supported the petition.
The council did not take any formal action on the petition at this meeting. Cruz asked that constituents be fully informed about the content of the petition and the potential fiscal impact of placing it on the ballot.
