Originally published in the San Antonio Express-News.
Having attended three Charter Review Commission hearings, it’s safe to say there is widespread skepticism among the public about raising the pay of the San Antonio City Council.
While some say absolutely not, others are OK with it on one condition: that it is the council members’ one and only full-time job.
This latter view would be misguided.
In the playlike world of our childhood, it might make sense. Council would put in a normal day’s work just like a builder, shop owner or factory worker.
In real life, however, the entities the latter folks work for produce value for society, creating opportunity and abundance. Government does not. Those folks compete with rivals to produce better and/or less expensive goods or services for the community. Government does not.
Not only should council salaries not be raised, but more council business should take place in the evenings so members can maintain one of these jobs. Would their hours be long? Yes. We’ve heard that’s the case already. But they’re not alone.
Many of us have volunteer responsibilities or part-time gigs outside our main job. After I wrap my day job, I teach at night, volunteer for InfuseSA, a freedom and transparency advocacy group and am on the executive booster board of my daughters’ band/color guard at Warren High School.
I get paid for only one of these jobs, but I do all of them because I believe in their purposes. Isn’t elected representation, especially on the local level, similar?
Also, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said he wants to “lower barriers to participation in city government.”
Pushing the most important council business to the evening, and perhaps weekends, would do that for many residents who work during the day and want to witness and take part in meetings. There is a perception this isn’t current practice because it makes it easier for the city to do things residents might object to.
Being more accessible to the public while voting for higher taxes, justifying the subsequent spending, and answering for the mistakes and shortcomings that are inevitable in government should be a bigger part of the gig.
Council sets policy, and city staff implements that policy. If that job is so massive that this alteration isn’t possible, it’s arguably an indicator that the city is too involved in our lives.
Rewarding City Council members with higher salaries isn’t what should be on the agenda. Compelling council members to spend more time on our side of the dais and experiencing what we experience should be the priority.