The San Antonio Charter, the constitution of the city, is up for review, and the final recommendations could mean big changes ahead.
The biggest potential change investigated by the Charter Review Commission would be to pay city council members and the mayor a salary. Some city council members have voiced support for lengthening their terms and then staggering elections, so that every other May we can't rotate in an entirely new council. In Addition, many have chaffed at how the city appoints the mayor when the seat is vacated. The Commission made it's recommendations yesterday to council's B session and it endorsed all of the above.
Citizen activists, meanwhile, have pushed to codify a mandatory public vote on any proposed streetcar and rail projects, as well as stronger opt out language for the public utility's smart meter program.
What happened to these ideas?
City Council is scheduled to decide what goes on the May ballot next week.
Do you want the city council to be salaried? Should we vote on rail projects? What do you think should be added to the city charter? After all, you are the ones that have to vote for it.
Guests:
- Lou Fox, former city manager for the City of San Antonio
- Gilbert Garcia, columnist at the San Antonio Express-News
