Austin's Overpaid 1%

As of June 26, 2023, the top 10 highest-paid employees of the City of Austin are all making well over six-figures, with their salaries being funded by the hardworking taxpayers.

• Bob Kahn, a white male, heads Austin Energy and rakes in a staggering $475,009.60 annually.

• T.C. Broadnax, the city manager, is not far behind with a base pay of $470,017.60, and enjoys extravagant perks like a cellphone allowance and temporary housing paid for by the city.

• The list goes on, with the airport CEO, Ghizlane Badawi, and her deputy, Shane Harbinson, earning over $375,000 each.

• Jon Fortune, deputy city manager, Stuart Reilly, deputy general manager at Austin Energy, and a host of other deputies and assistants round off the list, with salaries that would make most Austin residents' eyes water.

• It's worth noting that these salaries are just the tip of the iceberg, as they do not include additional compensation and benefits these individuals likely receive.

Their lavish compensation comes from the general fund, which is largely supported by property and sales tax revenue, meaning that the money could be better spent on crucial social services and community development projects. ^1

• Meanwhile, Austin City Council members, who are actually elected to represent the citizens of Austin, make a mere fraction of these executives' salaries, with Mayor Kirk Watson earning $139,568 and council members taking home $121,347.20 annually. [^2]

It's clear that the City of Austin needs to reevaluate its priorities and stop lining the pockets of these overpaid executives while there are likely countless other issues and much-needed public services that desperately need funding.

[^2]: Salary data obtained by the Austin-Statesman