New Proposition will result in Tucson’s Mayor receiving 431% annual pay raise.

By Tucson Standard

Sep 15, 2023

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero has proposed a significant increase in her annual salary, from $42,000 to 1.25 times the salary of members of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. This would result in her annual income skyrocketing to $180,894. The proposal also suggests raising City Council Members' salaries from $24,000 to match that of the Board of Supervisors, representing a substantial 603% raise. These proposed salary increases have raised questions about their alignment with the desires of Tucson's citizens.

Proposition 413, which is a proposed amendment to the Tucson City Charter, has been put forward by the Citizen's Commission on Public Service and Compensation. It recommends raising the Mayor's salary to 1.25 times the salary of the Board of Supervisors, as specified in state law. Additionally, it suggests increasing City Council Members' salaries to match that of the Board of Supervisors. These salary adjustments would take effect in December 2023.

The current salaries for the Mayor and City Council members may seem inadequate considering their responsibilities overseeing a $2 billion budget. However, Proposition 413 proposes a significant increase. If approved, the Mayor's salary would almost triple, rising to $96,600 in 2024, while City Council members would see a quadruple increase to $76,600. These salaries would be linked to those of Pima County supervisors, which are set at $76,600 by state law.

It's important to note that Mayor Romero and the council members unanimously voted to place Prop 413 on the ballot. This action was in accordance with the city charter, which requires a nonpartisan commission to review their salaries every two years and propose adjustments. The final decision rests with the voters. However, Tucson voters have historically rejected salary increases for the mayor and council members in every election since 1999.

Mayor Regina Romero, who was elected in 2019 as Tucson's first female and Latina mayor, has a background shaped by her upbringing as the child of immigrant farmworkers. Her priorities include building a climate-resilient Tucson, supporting working families, investing in infrastructure and parks, fostering economic development, and advocating for equitable access and investment for all. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona and is married with two children.

The proposed salary increases for the Mayor and City Council members are substantial and have raised concerns about their alignment with the desires of Tucson's citizens. As the proposition heads to the November ballot, the voters will ultimately decide whether these salary raises are justified

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Proposition 413 is a proposed amendment to the Tucson City Charter, put forward by the Citizen's Commission on Public Service and Compensation. It recommends raising the Mayor's current annual salary of $42,000 to 1.25 times the salary established for members of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, as specified in A.R.S. §11-419(A). Additionally, it suggests increasing Council Members' salaries from the current $24,000 per year to match the salary set for members of the Pima County Board of Supervisors as per A.R.S. §11-419(A). The proposed salary adjustment would take effect on December 4, 2023, the first Monday of that month.

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The current salaries for Tucson's Mayor and City Council members, at $42,000 and $24,000, respectively, may seem inadequate for individuals responsible for overseeing a $2 billion budget. However, Proposition 413, slated for the November ballot, proposes a significant increase. If approved, the Mayor's salary would almost triple, rising to $96,600 in 2024, and City Council members would see a quadruple increase to $76,600.This proposition links these salaries to those of Pima County supervisors, set at $76,600 by state law. Furthermore, as county supervisors are scheduled to receive a salary increase to $96,600 in 2025, the salaries of council members and the mayor would subsequently increase as well, potentially reaching approximately $96,600 and $121,000, respectively, in a city where the median household income stands at $48,000.

Notably, Mayor Regina Romero and the council members unanimously voted to place Prop 413 on the ballot during their June 6 meeting. This action was in accordance with the city charter, which mandates that a nonpartisan commission review their salaries every two years and propose any necessary adjustments, with the final decision resting in the hands of the voters. It's worth mentioning that Tucson voters have historically rejected salary increases for the mayor and council members in every election since 1999.

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Mayor Regina Romero, who was elected in November 2019 as Tucson's first female and Latina Mayor, brings a background shaped by her upbringing as the child of immigrant farmworkers in Somerton, Arizona. Prior to her mayoral role, she served as Ward 1 City Council Member for over a decade. Mayor Romero's priorities encompass building a climate-resilient Tucson, supporting working families with a focus on housing affordability, investing in infrastructure and parks, fostering robust economic development, and advocating for equitable access and investment for all. She also holds prominent positions in national alliances and organizations addressing various issues, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona, and is married with two children.

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