El Paso City Council overrides mayor’s second veto of city manager’s contract extension

UPDATE: City Council has voted to override Mayor Oscar Leeser's second veto of the city manager's contract extension. It was a 6 to 2 vote with representatives Alexsandra Anello and Joe Molinar voting against the measure.

"I think Mr. Gonzalez has done a great job," Rep. Joe Molinar said. "But the timing of this is not correct. It doesn't sit well with me....There are two years left in this contract."

Rep. Peter Svarzbein said he was pleased with the job Gonzalez is doing.

"We are not elected here for a popularity contest. We are not governed by Facebook. Many from people who don't understand how a Council-Manager form of government works...they see a contract for the city manager and see the politicization of that occurring," Svarzbein said. "We have somebody that other cities want to lead their cities. Why would we not want to keep him further?" Svarzbein said.

Mayor Leeser once again explained his reasoning for vetoing the item.

"Mr. Gonzalez has done a very good job," Leeser said. "That's why we have the contract that we have...It's too early to negotiate. It's too early to do the contract over again."

ORIGINAL STORY

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso City Council could override Mayor Oscar Leeser's second veto of its decision to extend City Manager Tommy Gonzalez's contract during a special meeting Monday.

Mayor Leeser vetoed Gonzalez's proposed contract extension for the second more than a week ago.

Council had originally voted to extend the city manager's contract through June 2029 with a max salary of $450,000. He currently makes $404,000. That led to the mayor's first veto back on May 18. 

Instead of challenging Leeser’s veto of that first vote, Council did not take action. Instead council voted 6 to 2 to extend the city manager's current contract without the pay boost on May 23.

It takes six council members to override a veto.

The meeting begins at 8 a.m. Stay with ABC-7 for updates.