The Austin City Council made a major adjustment to its own salaries for the first time in 16 years, approving a pay increase for all members, Austin-based media outlets reported.
Austin FOX affiliate KTBC reported that the 40% bump elevates councilmembers’ salaries into the six-figure range.
The pay raise was approved along with a $5 increase in municipal workers’ pay, which is part of the City of Austin’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, per KTBC.
Austin American-Statesman reported that the increase in the city council’s yearly earnings yielded pushback when it was first proposed before the vote.
According to the publication, one of the biggest criticisms came from Councilwoman Paige Ellis, who was among the three dissenters to the pay raise.
“Our priorities need to stay focused on working people right now,” Ellis, who’s up for reelection in the fall, said, per Austin American-Statesman. "That includes recruitment and retention of city employees who will ensure that our parks are well-maintained, our pools are safe and our curbside pickup services are timely."
Councilwoman Leslie Pool was among the eight, including Austin Mayor Steve Adler, to vote “yes” on what amounts to a $33,000 jump in pay.
"We're subject to the same economic pressures as our employees," Pool told Austin American-Statesman. "I do think the public recognizes the work that we do, the fact that this is essentially a 24/7 job."
KTBC reported that while there’s a 16-year gap between city council salary adjustments, the body has received cost-of-living increases each year.
Under the latest development, the station reported, the mayor will now earn more than $134,000 annually while councilmembers will now have an approximate annual take home pay of $116,000, both of which will cost taxpayers an additional $350,000 yearly.
The city council held a meeting on the upcoming budget that lasted two days, per Austin American-Statesman.