SAN ANTONIO — The union representing firefighters in San Antonio said it "stands firm" in its opposition to a November ballot question asking voters whether the term limits and salary for the city manager position should be flexible and at the discretion to City Council.
Residents will vote for or against the ballot question, presented as Proposition C, when they head the polls on Election Day. But the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association is hoping the electorate will reject the city charter amendment proposed this year.
"In 2018, SAPFFA led a successful campaign to implement term limits and salary caps for the city manager's position," said Joe Jones, the union's president, in a statement. "These measures were designed to ensure accountability and fairness within our city's administration."
Jones is referring to the 2018 election, in which Bexar County voters decided on whether or not to cap the amount of time someone can serve as San Antonio city manager at eight years. They voted to approve that proposition, representing a win for the firefighter union.
The 2018 ballot question also fixed the position's salary at no more than 10 times the pay received by the lowest full-time city employee. That year, 100,000 signatures were gathered in support of the change.
Erik Walsh, the current city manager hired in March 2019, was paid $324,480 in Fiscal Year 2022, city records show. Sheryl Sculley, his predecessor, was earning $475,000 in her final year when the proposition passed.
Proposition C will be presented on this year's ballot as: "Shall the Charter of the City of San Antonio be amended to grant to City Council the authority to set the full terms of the City Manager's employment including tenure and compensation?" Voters will check between "For" or "Against."
Jones, in his statement, said the union holds "tremendous respect" for Walsh and his team, adding their opinion of the ballot question reflects city protocols that members believe "promote a healthy rotation of leadership and fresh perspectives in our city's governance."
"Our stance on Proposition C is a matter of principle, aimed at fostering a more equitable and progressive city administration," Jones continued.
The ballot question is a result of months of conversation led by the Charter Review Commission, which presented City Council with its recommendations to remove the cap on term limits and salary for the city manager. It also recommended to increase pay for council members, including the mayor, which voters will also vote on via Proposition E on the ballot.
City Council green-lit the recommendations in August, clearing the way for them to go before voters. Other propositions would impact ethics protocols, city employees' ability to participate in political activity and changing term durations for the city's elected leaders.
A recent poll conducted by UTSA, however, doesn't bode well for Prop C. Nearly 70% of respondents said they weren't in favor, compared to 17% who said they were.
Election Day is Nov. 5.
