City to look into eliminating former City Rep. Larry Romero’s salary

City Representative Claudia Ordaz this week asked the El Paso City Attorney to explore if council can prevent former City Rep. Larry Romero from getting paid.

Romero resigned weeks ago but continues to receive his city salary because of the state’s holdover clause, a law that stipulates elected officials remain on “holdover status” until their seat is filled.

Ordaz points out the city charter allows for the removal of city board members after three unexcused absences. She asked City Attorney Sylvia Firth to check if the city could use that clause to stop paying Romero.

“It looks like council does not have a lot of authority for removing a member due to the holdover clause but as far as him receiving a paycheck I think there could be some room in the charter,” said Ordaz.

The council has been excusing Romero’s absences as a matter of regular business when approving consent agendas. Firth told council this week that was a matter of “council’s discretion to excuse or not.”

“It’s up to every council member weather we want to excuse a member or not and speaking for myself for me I just don’t think it’s right,” said Ordaz.

City Clerk Richarda Momsen this week told council Romero had asked to be excused. “Yes, I received it (the request) from his office,” Momsen told City Rep. Lily Limon after Limon asked about it.

Firth is expected to brief council on the issue at the next meeting. A city spokeswoman said Romero has direct deposit and is still receiving his city paychecks.