Bandera council approves ordinance raising council pay; staff to return with refined merit‑pay policy

Council considered several budget and personnel items at its Nov. 12 meeting. Finance staff presented recommended amendments to the FY2324 budget to match actual revenues and expenses (including higher property tax receipts, sales tax above projection and an unbudgeted laptop grant of $22,500 for the marshal's office). The council then considered compensation changes and personnel policy proposals.

On compensation, the council approved ordinance 447 to change pay for the mayor and council members; staff explained the change must be adopted prior to Jan. 1 preceding an election in order to take effect after the election. The policy as presented would move council stipends to a seat‑based payment schedule; the mayor’s seat also receives an additional monthly stipend under the ordinance. A motion to approve ordinance 447 was made, seconded and recorded as adopted by voice vote.

Staff also presented a draft merit‑based raise policy (resolution 2024‑038) and a new evaluation form that uses five performance criteria and a 100‑point scoring system. The draft ties performance scores to raises: the staff presenter outlined ranges and corresponding increases — ‘‘exceeds expectations 3%, that would be a score of 90 to a hundred; meets expectations 2% raise is 80 to 89; and needs improvement or raise is a score of 0 to 79,’’ the presenter said. Council members asked for clearer ties to job descriptions, tighter language on what counts as ‘‘disciplinary action’’ for eligibility, and assurance the draft aligns with the personnel manual and attorney review. Several members urged moving carefully and asked staff to return with clarified language; the council scheduled follow‑up discussion for the Dec. 10 meeting.

On budget amendments, staff described line‑item adjustments (administrative, engineering fees, marshal software and other items) to reconcile projected and actual expenditures; the council made a motion regarding ordinance 448 tied to those amendments during the meeting and discussed assigning an ordinance number and attaching the proper documentation. The transcript does not include a detailed roll‑call tally for ordinance 448 in the excerpt but shows the motion was brought forward and discussed.

What happens next: staff will finalize ordinance language and bring back the merit‑based raise resolution with clearer definitions and cross‑references to existing personnel policies; council set a Dec. 10 follow‑up for personnel policy and will complete any ordinance numbering and attachment tasks as needed.