Rep. Limón: no ‘photo ops’ for officials who give away pay

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- District 7 City Representative Lily Limón voiced her opposition this week to 15.2% pay raises for Mayor Renard Johnson and fellow council members during a special city council meeting.

During a budget meeting on Tuesday, Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Robert Cortinas said the salary increases would raise the mayor and council’s budget by a total of $234,000.

Cortinas said city council representatives’ salaries would increase from $63,183 to $72,800, while the mayor’s salary would rise from $94,774 to $109,200.

Cortinas explained that the increase is tied to a voter-approved 2018 measure that sets the mayor’s and council members’ pay based on the median household income in El Paso County. Because of that formula, he said, the council cannot vote to reduce the salaries.

"You can collect your paycheck and choose to donate if you choose to donate that portion of your salary," Cortinas told council members during the meeting. He added that the increase reflects the annual adjustment under that index.

"Unfortunately, this is just one of the years where, based on that index, it's a 15% increase," Cortinas said.

Limón questioned the contrast between pay increases for elected officials and those approved for city employees.

"I'm really concerned because when you were talking about our hourly employees got a 2.5%, that was on page 12," Limón said, referring to a slide in the presentation Cortinas gave. "You know, that's where you were stating that. I wrote that down, and then we come to this page, page 52, and we're looking at a 15.22%. I'm hoping that my colleagues will come to reason and fully understand how outrageous that salary increase is, and that we would certainly take a much lower scale than that, and then, going through the Attorney's Office, how we can make a return on that fund. But it's criminal that, as a city representative or a mayor, we would be looking at a 15.22% increase in our salaries."

"You can visit with me. I'll show you how to give it all away," Mayor Renard Johnson said in response to Limon's concerns.

"I agree, mayor, and I think I've done the vast majority of mine as well, but I think it would be nice if our whole group, as what's good for one is good for all," Limón said "That this would be a good incentive to give back to our community, and I value that. I saw that when Mayor Leeser did it without fanfare, and it was really good for the community, and so I do follow that as well. No photo ops," Limón said, in an apparent reference to Johnson's media-covered check presentations.

In an interview with ABC-7 on Wednesday, Limón said Johnson’s comments about donating salaries were “jarring” and “very insensitive.”

"But, it wasn't about how do you go about spending money, but rather how do we save money for the citizens of this community," Limón said.

When ABC-7 asked the Mayor about Limon's comments, his office provided the following statement:

"The City Charter, which was approved by El Paso voters, establishes the compensation for the Mayor and City Council. If anyone believes that should change, there is a process for the voters to consider. I’ve supported charitable organizations in El Paso for many years, long before I became Mayor, because I know the incredible difference they make in people’s lives. Every day, nonprofits across our community help families in need, care for seniors, support children, assist veterans, feed the hungry, and provide services that strengthen our city. Whenever possible, I’ve tried to use my platform to shine a light on their work, encourage volunteerism, and help connect them with donors so they can continue serving our community. Every elected official can decide what to do with their own compensation. If any elected official chooses to donate their salary, I would applaud that decision, just as I applaud every resident who gives their time, talent, or financial support to the organizations that make El Paso stronger. My responsibility is to the taxpayers of El Paso. That means staying focused on adopting a responsible budget, delivering the services residents expect, and continuing to support the nonprofit organizations that make our community stronger every single day."

The pay raises are scheduled to take effect on September 1, according to the city charter, when the new fiscal year begins.

CFO Robert Cortinas said the city will receive home value data on July 25. He added that this information will be presented to the council on August 3, along with an introduction to the tax rate.

Disclaimer: This story has been updated to include additional information from the El Paso City Council special meeting on June 23.