Voters in Fort Worth will decide in three months whether to triple the mayor and city council's pay.
Under Fort Worth's city charter, the mayor is paid $29,000 a year, and each council member is paid $25,000 a year.
During Tuesday night's council meeting, City Manager David Cooke explained the language that will be on the May 7 special election ballot.
"The mayor's pay would be indexed to one-half of the average base rate for department heads," Cooke said. "And the council's pay would be indexed to one-half the average base rate of assistant department heads."
Under those guidelines, the salaries of the mayor and council would increase significantly.
"The mayor's salary would be set at $99,653," Cooke said. "For the other council members, that would be $76,727."
Under the proposal, the pay for the mayor and council would not be set to a fixed amount.
"The pay can move both up and down or stay flat based on economic conditions," Cooke said. "But also it would not require going back to the voters each time for a pay adjustment for either the mayor or any of the council members."
The council voted unanimously to put that proposition, and 12 others, on the ballot.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck said the current pay system prevents many people from seeking seats on the council.
"That only leaves a couple of groups of people that have the privilege to sit on this dais and represent you," Beck said. "And those are folks that are independently wealthy or retired or have jobs that allow them immense flexibility."
Councilman Jared Williams echoed those sentiments.
"So many others of my friends who are just as capable, just as brilliant, just as sharp, just as compassionate and passionate about the city of Fort Worth chose not to do it, frankly, because they can't raise a family and kids off at $25,000 a year," Williams said.
The statement of fiscal impact on the agenda item indicated that if approved, the increase in compensation would total $484,469 beginning in the 2023 fiscal year.
Councilman Chris Nettles said regardless of the vote, he would approach his job with the same vigor.
"Whether this is voted up or down, I plan to come back to council and represent the city of Fort Worth at $25,000.17 or at $70,000," he said.
The special election was originally called to fill the District 4 seat being vacated by Cary Moon as he seeks the Republican nomination for state representative in House District 93.
"We're going to the voters and letting you all decide that wage increase," said Moon, who would not reap the benefits of a yes vote. "And I'm willing to bet you that none of you have had that chance to vote on a wage increase for your U.S. congressperson or your statehouse representative."
Mayor Mattie Parker expressed her support for a pay increase.
"You get to decide whether or not you want a council that gets paid more than $29,000 a year to be the mayor of Fort Worth, Texas," Parker said. "I think we're worth it, frankly."
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