Page 10 - Builder Brief November 2024

2024 PRESIDENT
PROPOSITION C- WHY
THE CITY MANAGER IS
KEY TO THE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION COMMUNITY
The November 5th elections are right around the corner and Proposition C is an important issue we should all be informed about. Fostering a thriving business environment is critical not only to the residential building and remodeling community but also to the business community and our members.
One of the most pressing issues on the ballot is Proposition C, which seeks to amend our city charter to return the authority to the City Council over the tenure and compensation of our city manager. This is not just an administrative change; it’s a fundamental change that will have an impact on the future of our city.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg convened a Charter Review Commission last November that was composed of diverse community leaders. These leaders were charged with examining our current city charter and they also conducted research and held numerous meetings, exploring several topics, including the restrictions on city manager tenure and salary. The commission's findings were very revealing. San Antonio, the seventh-largest city in the nation and the second largest in Texas, is constrained by a charter that limits our city leaders’ oversight of our city manager.
A comparative analysis of ten other major cities and nine local governmental entities confirmed also a stark contrast. These cities, some with smaller populations than San Antonio, offered higher compensation packages for their executive leaders but they also had greater flexibility in management. All of them operate under governance structures that hold their leadership accountable to the public, unlike San Antonio’s current model. This lack of flexibility puts our city at a competitive disadvantage, especially as we work to attract businesses and outside talent in a rapidly changing and growing economic landscape.
Our city manager plays a critical role in responding to the needs of this community on a wide variety of topics to include economic development, housing, infrastructure, and resource management. By allowing the City Council to set the parameters for hiring and compensation, our local leadership can attract the best and brightest talent.
Proposition C will empower our San Antonio City Council to make decisions that are responsive to our citizens. The council is accountable to the voters, and this will ensure that the city manager is aligned with the community’s priorities. This will give us the transparency that is needed in our community.
TIM PRUSKI
I urge you to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 5th and please consider the long- term implications for passing Proposition C. A strong city manager is essential to the business community and our city. By supporting Proposition C, you are investing in a future where the City of San Antonio can thrive, compete, and lead the state and nation in growth and inclusiveness.
Please vote on Proposition C. The ability to hire and retain a city manager who understands our local business community can bring solutions forward that are crucial for our city’s future.
Sincerely, Tim Pruski
10 NOVEMBER 2024 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION