On Feb. 4, Schertz City Council approved an ordinance adjusting the compensation to be increased based on the experience of the elected official.
The overview
According to the ordinance, the compensation for the mayor would be:
- First term: $9,000
- Second term: $11,000
- Third term: $13,000
- Fourth and subsequent terms: $15,000
For City Council, the compensation increase would be:
- First term: $6,000
- Second term: $8,000
- Third term: $10,000
- Fourth and subsequent terms: $12,000
The mayor position alongside council places 1 and 2 will be increased after the November election, while places 3, 4 and 5 will be increased in 2026, and places 6 and 7 will be increased in 2027.
What they’re saying
Mayor Ralph Gutierrez made the motion to approve the ordinance without any changes to the compensation numbers. Council member Mark Davis voted against the ordinance.
“I think all of our council members put in a significant amount of work,” Davis said. “I do not understand the logic of a first-time council member getting paid $6,000 but someone in their third term getting paid $10,000.”
While the council agreed that the mayor does more for the city than the City Council does, discussion focused on the actual compensation numbers.
Recommendation included making the compensation a flat rate of $8,000 for City Council and $15,000 for the mayor, which was recommended by council member Robert Westbrook.
Gutierrez said the tiered system will allow elected officials with more experience to have additional compensation.
“It is difficult for us to have a discussion about giving ourselves more money,” he said.
