The Sacahuista is common throughout the higher elevations in Irion County. I've heard tell that rattlesnakes hide under them, but I've never seen one around. Even so, you won't find me sticking my boot under one to see what's down there.
In a special called Mertzon City Council meeting lasting less than 5 minutes, Mayor Aubrey Stewart got a waiver of council pay approval vote from the council members. The meeting held on September 25, 2023 was called for the pro forma reason of approving the 2023 tax roll. The only other voting matter on the agenda was "Discuss council waiving their pay for this meeting".
I reported on the issue of council pay on this blog here last month. Mayor Stewart did not have the support from his council to eliminate council pay from the upcoming budget.
No doubt seizing the fiscally conservative high road in this meeting, he introduced the agenda item by saying, "I think this meeting is going to last less than 5 minutes, and it is a huge misappropriation of funds to get paid". As he was saying this Council Member Councilman piped in "We are at two [minutes]".
Upon the Mayor's calling for a motion, Council Member Micah Elliot made the motion to waive. The council, after a second and without discussion, then voted unanimously to approve.
Back in the August budget meeting, Mayor Stewart's only support was Micah Elliot. But, at this vote he received support on the waiver, at least for this meeting, from Randy Councilman, Jayton Lindley and Danny Crutchfield.
Council Member Charlene Holland, the most outspoken critic of taking pay out of the budget at the August budget meeting, did not attend the meeting. Her sentiment at that meeting was that the Mayor should stop bringing the pay issue up, and so the mere fact of the matter being on the agenda to vote upon was a clear message.
This was a good call on Mayor Stewart's part. The timing was right.
My estimate of cost savings is roughly $1,250.00.
Elected officials ought to regularly consider whether their presence is a drain on public funds. Regular consideration is a necessary reminder that they serve at taxpayer expense.
This also is a fine example of selfless leadership in government, which is something we need more of. Contrast this with what is going on in Washington this week. As our federal government teeters on a shut down from a failure of congressional leaders to reach a budget agreement, one thing not up for debate is their salary. Congress has established a permanent funding mechanism for itself that means that our senators and representatives will get paid even if they allow the federal government to shut down.
Good governance is selfless. And, selflessness transcends party affiliation.