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Council weighs pay increases and multiple budget adjustments amid scrutiny over funding sources
Summary
Councilmembers debated proposed increases to mayor and representative salaries and multiple council budget adjustments; some members urged voluntary donation, others called the proposed increases excessive, and several amendments to reallocate funds were proposed but failed or died for lack of a second.
The council spent significant time on June 23 discussing a series of mayor and representative salary adjustments and a set of nine council budget requests submitted by members.
Staff noted that voters approved a city charter amendment that sets the mayor and council salaries; Cortinas said the mayor’s and representatives’ salary changes were being incorporated into the FY2027 budget numbers the council is reviewing. Cortinas confirmed the representative salary adjustment results in an additional $9,617 per representative in the next year and that the councilaries line item budget primarily covers staff salaries and benefits.
Representative Lamar criticized the proposed 15.2% adjustment reflected on a staff slide and urged colleagues to consider voluntarily donating increases; multiple members expressed concern about optics and asked for clarification on the calculation. Representatives also proposed reallocations — including a motion to move $48,000 in travel funds to support the welcome center and a separate motion to reallocate $315,000 from professional services and contracts into the mayor and council staff salaries — but those funding amendments either failed on the floor or did not receive a second.
Why it matters: The council’s internal salary changes affect budget balances and are politically sensitive; several members said they expect colleagues to consider voluntary actions if they object to the increases but emphasized the need for clear rules on how council budget requests are accompanied by identified funding sources.
Other council items: The council also reviewed a set of proposed capital and program requests (Mary Frances Keaseling master‑plan phase, signal improvements, solar lighting for Memorial Park), and staff reminded members that some requests included estimates and that departments will return with more detailed cost information.
Next steps: Staff will post and continue to refine the cost details for council requests and return fee and certified‑value information in July and early August as the council finalizes the FY2027 budget.
