Austin's Top-Paid City Officials: Examining the Salaries and Inequities

The City of Austin Employs a Large Workforce, but Does it Serve the People?

The city of Austin employs a massive workforce of over 16,000 people, managing crucial services like parks, libraries, and public safety. However, a deep dive into the city's payroll reveals a disturbing trend of excessive compensation for a select few, while essential city services and workers struggle. Obtained through the Texas Public Information Act and public employment records, the following data exposes the stark inequalities in Austin's wage distribution.

The Top 10: Excessive Compensation for a Select Few

As of June 26, 2023, here are Austin's top-paid city officials, with a focus on their exorbitant annual base salaries:

1. Bob Kahn, Austin Energy General Manager: $475,009.60 – Almost half a million dollars annually, while Austinites struggle with rising energy costs.

2. T.C. Broadnax, Austin City Manager: $470,017.60 – Broadnax also receives thousands in extra compensation, including allowances for a cellphone and temporary housing.

3. Ghizlane Badawi, Airport CEO: $425,006.40 – A staggering salary for an airport executive, paid for by travelers and taxpayers.

4. Shane Harbinson, Airport Chief Development Officer: $376,001.60 – Another airport executive raking in a generous salary.

5. Jon Fortune, Deputy City Manager: $325,000

6. Stuart Reilly, Austin Energy Deputy General Manager: $322,400 – Yet another Austin Energy executive with a comfortable salary.

7. Kerry Overton, Lisa Martin, and Tammy Cooper, Austin Energy Executives: $317,220.80 each – The trio of executives enjoy comfortable salaries, further widening the gap with regular Austin Energy employees.

8. Mark Escott, Chief Medical Officer: $315,078.40

9. Robert Goode, Veronica Briseño, and Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Managers: $298,500.80 each – Assistant City Managers with generous compensation packages.

10. Bruce Mills, Interim Assistant City Manager: $298,493.52 – Even interim positions offer lucrative salaries.

Funding Disparities: Where is the Money Really Going?

The salaries of these top-paid officials are funded by a variety of sources, including the general fund, utility bills, and airport fees. The general fund, supported by property and sales tax revenue, pays for essential services like the Austin Police Department and parks. Meanwhile, utility department officials are paid from the bills of hardworking Austin residents. Airport executives, like Badawi and Harbinson, are financed by airport fees and contracts, revealing a system that prioritizes corporations and elites over the average taxpayer.

Elected Officials: Do They Represent the People's Interests?

With 11 members, including 10 geographic district representatives and Mayor Kirk Watson, the Austin City Council's salaries are also noteworthy. Mayor Watson earns $139,568 annually, while the council members each take home $121,347.20. These salaries are far removed from the realities of most Austin residents, raising questions about representation and accountability.

In a city like Austin, where income inequality is prevalent, it is essential to scrutinize the distribution of taxpayer money. The excessive salaries of these city officials, particularly in contrast to the wages of essential workers and city employees, highlight a system that favors the few over the many. It is time for a reckoning and a redistribution of wealth.