As early voting begins, San Antonio's business community is supporting Proposition C, which seeks to eliminate salary and tenure caps on the city manager position. According to Texas Public Radio, these caps currently limit the city manager to an eight-year tenure and peg the salary at no more than 10 times that of the lowest-paid city employee, equating to about $370,000.
The San Antonio Business Coalition, a group including CEOs and leaders of various associations, held a press conference to voice support for lifting these limits, as they believe such constraints harm the city's financial standing and leadership stability. Gilbert Gonzalez, CEO of the San Antonio Board of Realtors and a coalition member, expressed concerns over the city's bond rating, stating, "When this ordinance first passed [back] then, it downgraded our bond rating, and we know if we don’t take actions to change it now, then it will again affect our bond rating, which will have an effect on the city’s ability to borrow money," he told Texas Public Radio.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Report highlights that while the coalition is not funding a campaign, its platform aligns with RenewSA, a political action committee planning to spend over $1 million to ensure these charter amendments pass. The incumbent city manager, Erik Walsh, is bound by the current term and pay caps that are set to expire in 2027. Proposition C would hand back control over pay and tenure to the City Council.
Opposition, notably from the fire union, maintains that these caps are essential for fairness and accountability. Joe Jones, president of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association, told Texas Public Radio, "These measures were designed to ensure accountability, fairness, and balance within our city’s administration." Nevertheless, a UTSA poll indicates that nearly 70% of voters may not be swayed by the business coalition's arguments, as they oppose removing the city manager limits.
Discussions about the charter amendments will continue until Election Day on November 5, with both sides aiming to inform voters. While not the primary focus of the presidential election ballot, these propositions could affect San Antonio's governance structure. As former Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran commented to the San Antonio Report, “Those propositions very much directly impact San Antonians’ everyday lives. So look down-ballot and make sure that you don't miss the proposition conversation.”
