City of Austin's Top-Paid Executives: Who Are They and How Much Do They Make?

The city of Austin employs over 16,000 people across various departments, from parks to the police. Some of the highest-paid city employees work for Austin Energy, the airport, or the city manager's office, with salaries reaching almost half a million dollars. As of June 26, 2023, here's a list of the top 10:

1. Bob Kahn, Austin Energy General Manager: $475,009.60 [1]
2. T.C. Broadnax, City Manager: $470,017.60. [1] His contract includes extra perks like a cellphone and temporary housing allowances. [2]
3. Ghizlane Badawi, Airport CEO: $425,006.40 [1]
4. Shane Harbinson, Airport Chief Development Officer: $376,001.60 [1]
5. Jon Fortune, Deputy City Manager: $325,000 [1]
6. Stuart Reilly, Austin Energy Deputy General Manager: $322,400 [1]
7. Kerry Overton, Lisa Martin, and Tammy Cooper, Austin Energy Executives: $317,220.80 each [1]
8. Mark Escott, Chief Medical Officer: $315,078.40 [1]
9. Robert Goode, Veronica Briseño, and Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Managers: $298,500.80 each [1]
10. Bruce Mills, Interim Assistant City Manager: $298,493.52 [1]

Funding Sources:

Most city employee salaries come from the general fund, backed by property and sales taxes. However, utility department officials are paid from utility bill revenue, and airport executives are paid from airport fees and contracts. [3]

Austin City Council Member Salaries:

Austin's Mayor, Kirk Watson, earns $139,568 annually, while the 10 City Council members representing districts each receive $121,347.20 per year. [4]

Sources:

1. https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2023/06/23/top-city-of-austin-employees-bring-home-big-bucks/
2. https://data.austintexas.gov/Government/City-of-Austin-Employee-Salary-Information-Data-as-of-6/mrvz-waj9
3. https://www.austintexas.gov/blog/behind-takeoff-airport-financing
4. https://data.austintexas.gov/Government/City-of-Austin-Employee-Salary-Information-Data-as-of-6/mrvz-waj9/t Wessely Giordano