“When you look historically at what makes us this council there’s a group of people that can never come up here and sit in a seat because they cant afford to do it.”
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — While the Corpus Christi City Council agreed to push the charter amendments to next term, which included the possibility for a potential raise, the topic was a divided issue in council chambers.
“When you look historically at what makes us this council there’s a group of people that can never come up here and sit in a seat because they cant afford to do it, and that needs to change,” said Corpus Christi Distirct 1 councilman Everett Roy.
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Fellow district 5 councilman Gil Hernandez also agreed.
“If the voter tells us ‘You don’t deserve minimum wage,’ im ok with that. I’ll stay with the $6,000 or it won’t even affect me because I won’t be a councilman anymore,” he said. “Give the voters the opportunity to make the decision on this, that’s all I’m asking.”
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However, At-large councilman Roland Barrera said being part of council has it’s own set of sacrifices.
“You have other council members, that perhaps only attend the three meetings a week. and to pay them for 40 hours when they’re not giving 40 hours. It’s a public service. you shouldn’t expect any type of conversation.”
Former Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez said that there should be a balance.
“When I was mayor, and with my company, I was loosing money. Becasue you spend so much time in your commitment to public service,” she said. “Not to where it becomes there primary source of income, but atleast to where they’re not upside down.”