LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Labor costs are expected to play a large part in the city of Lubbock’s budget this year, as some council members push for higher pay for city workers, citing a high employee turnover rate.
District 1 Councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia said workers are leaving for other jobs based on pay alone. She called for a higher living wage for city staffers across each department.
“As this city continues to grow and we’re not making that investment into our people, it will continue to trickle into the services we provide,” Martinez-Garcia said.
Mayor Mark McBrayer said he wants to focus on pay gaps and retention rates, using targeted raises rather than relying on cost-of-living adjustments.
“Every dollar you put in a department that is full means a dollar you can’t put in that other department to get the position without raising the tax on the taxpayer,” McBrayer said.
District 6 Councilman Tim Collins also said the city should factor in employee turnover, noting that the absence of empty positions does not mean pay is high enough.
The council has until October to pass a new budget and property tax rate. Budget priority discussions are scheduled to continue at Citizens Tower.
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