Clandestino
03-18-2005, 02:39 PM
The 1200 WOAI news report yesterday that San Antonio's new city manager could get as much as $300,000 a year in salary has some taxpayer advocates seeing red.
"That's the most preposterous thing I've heard in a good while," Homeowner Taxpayer Association Founder C.A. Stubbs told 1200 WOAI's Bud Little.
The $300,000 salary has been floated by Mayor Ed Garza and is getting some support from members of city council, who interviewed candidates over the past couple of days.
"There are at least one or two candidates that are so qualified that I would be open to that idea," Councilman Art Hall said.
The $300,000 figure would be the highest of any city of similar size in America, according to figures released to 1200 WOAI by the International City Management Association. The Dallas city manager is paid $263,000, the highest in the country. San Diego, with a population larger than San Antonio, pays it's city manager $215,000. The salary for the city manager of Las Vegas is $156,000, and Austin pays $188,000.
Sacramento California pays its city manager $170,000. According to the Texas Municipal League, the average salary for all city managers in Texas is $83,000.
Councilman Richard Perez says San Antonio needs to pay big money to attract a top flight city manager.
"If that's what it's going to take to bring a good high quality strong person to this community, then that's what I'll support," he said.
Stubbs says former city manager Terry Brechtel was doing a 'good job' for a salary of $203,000, which is at the bottom end of what city officials are considering offering the new manager.
One of the five candidates is currently assistant city manager of Phoenix, where the city manage ris paid $193,000 a year. Another finalist is currently city manager in Des Moines Iowa, where he is paid $180,000 annually.
By comparison, the Secretary of Defense, who is in charge of the entire U.S. military, is paid $157,000 a year. The President of Mexico is paid $226,000 per year. The average family practice physician in the U.S. makes $150,000. Vice President Dick Cheney is paid $202,000.
"That's the most preposterous thing I've heard in a good while," Homeowner Taxpayer Association Founder C.A. Stubbs told 1200 WOAI's Bud Little.
The $300,000 salary has been floated by Mayor Ed Garza and is getting some support from members of city council, who interviewed candidates over the past couple of days.
"There are at least one or two candidates that are so qualified that I would be open to that idea," Councilman Art Hall said.
The $300,000 figure would be the highest of any city of similar size in America, according to figures released to 1200 WOAI by the International City Management Association. The Dallas city manager is paid $263,000, the highest in the country. San Diego, with a population larger than San Antonio, pays it's city manager $215,000. The salary for the city manager of Las Vegas is $156,000, and Austin pays $188,000.
Sacramento California pays its city manager $170,000. According to the Texas Municipal League, the average salary for all city managers in Texas is $83,000.
Councilman Richard Perez says San Antonio needs to pay big money to attract a top flight city manager.
"If that's what it's going to take to bring a good high quality strong person to this community, then that's what I'll support," he said.
Stubbs says former city manager Terry Brechtel was doing a 'good job' for a salary of $203,000, which is at the bottom end of what city officials are considering offering the new manager.
One of the five candidates is currently assistant city manager of Phoenix, where the city manage ris paid $193,000 a year. Another finalist is currently city manager in Des Moines Iowa, where he is paid $180,000 annually.
By comparison, the Secretary of Defense, who is in charge of the entire U.S. military, is paid $157,000 a year. The President of Mexico is paid $226,000 per year. The average family practice physician in the U.S. makes $150,000. Vice President Dick Cheney is paid $202,000.