El Paso City Council could reconsider city manager’s pay raise on Tuesday

ABC-7 is expecting Tuesday’s City Council meeting to get heated.

Council is scheduled to discuss and possibly take action on the sudden $61,000 raise awarded to City Manager Tommy Gonzalez two weeks ago.

After hearing numerous complaints from constituents, Rep. Claudia Ordaz placed the item on Tuesday’s agenda. Back on Aug. 4, after an executive session, council voted 6-2 — Ordaz included — to give Gonzalez the roughly 25-percent increase.

After just one year, Gonzalez’s salary went from $239,000 annually to $300,000 at the urging of City Rep. Larry Romero and Dr. Michiel Noe. Only City Rep. Lily limon and Carl Robinson voted against the big increase.

Several representatives spoke out in defense of their votes supporting the raise, saying Gonzalez had earned it by saving the city $6 million by restructuring top management. They also said it was more on par with salaries of other city managers in the state.

Ordaz told ABC-7 Monday, although some may move to delete her agenda item, she hopes there is at least a discussion about the process, which she believes was “rushed.” She said there are a variety things that could happen if the item is discussed, including a re-vote.

“I’m hoping to really accomplish figuring out a better process moving forward,” Ordaz said. “Of course, I would like to revisit that vote. I don’t know if the support is there. If I were to rescind my vote that would be a 5-3 and the Mayor would have the opportunity to veto it.”

ABC-7 spoke with several representatives on Monday afternoon, including Robinson, Noe and Romero.

It appears the re-vote could be 5-3 in favor of the raise, which would not be a super majority. That would open the door for a mayoral veto, and mayor oscar leeser has stated previously he did not support the raise.

ABC-7 tried to reach Leeser on his cell phone Monday to ask him if he would consider a veto, but he has yet to return the call.