Georgetown City Council, from left: Tommy Gonzalez, District 7; Ty Gipson, District 5; Anna Eby, District 1; Mayor Dale Ross; Rachael Jonrowe, District 6; John Hesser, District 3; Steve Fought, District 4; Keith Brainard, District 2[/caption]

Jerry Hammerlun, chairman of the Council Compensation Committee, told Georgetown City Council at a workshop Tuesday the committee unanimously voted to recommend increasing monthly compensation for council members to $1,400 from $800, and to $1,800 monthly for the mayor’s compensation.

“Georgetown is moving in a very positive direction and you as our leaders get credit for that,” Hammerlun said. “Secondly, we want to be able to attract some diverse, talented individuals who were willing to serve.”

Council Member Steve Fought moved to amend compensation from $1,400 to $1,100 when the agenda item came for a vote during the Tuesday night council meeting. The amendment died and council members voted 7-0 to approve the compensation rates as recommended.

During the workshop, Council Member Rachael Jonrowe said she would support an increase to at least $1,100. However, she said she would prefer to see it increased beyond that amount, returning the rates to their levels before they were decreased several years ago.

“In 2011, compensation was $800 plus $350 for reimbursements,” Jonrowe said. “My goal has always been to at least get back to that point because I think that’s more equitable compensation.”

Jonrowe also said compensation should increase to encourage more parents with young children to participate in local government, as “reputable child care is almost $700 per week.”

Hammerlun said the committee felt strongly against returning to an expense reimbursement system.

“There was zero desire to do that,” he said. “But we all understand you have significant expenses as City Council members and wanted to compensate for that accordingly.”

Fought, who is retired, said the city's existing monthly compensation covers his needs.

“I will vote in favor of raising it,” he said during the workshop. “But I do think that’s a little much for the council members. But for the mayor, that $1,800 compensation seems right. That’s really a 24/7 job.”

Hammerlun said that, when considering reasons for recommending an increase in compensation, the committee wanted to reward the council for decisions made regarding police, fire and emergency medical services the city now provides—as well as annual decisions regarding the city’s electric utility and move to green energy.

“We also talked about the water system that Georgetown is now responsible to operate,” he said. “My understanding is that it’s one of the larger systems that a city needs to operate in Texas.”

Hammerlun said when looking at rates, the committee compared Georgetown City Council with other area cities.

“The most comparable city is San Marcos, side by side. If there was a city that was almost down the line as far as electric utility, convention center, etc., San Marcos would be it,” Hammerlun said. “One of our themes was our council is better and our council deserved better than San Marcos. You’re better than San Marcos.”