Voters will hit the polls one more time in the Dec. 14 runoff to elect El Paso’s next mayor – either businessman Renard Johnson or attorney and city Rep. Brian Kennedy.
Johnson, 58, is a political newcomer who owns a systems engineering and information technology company and the El Perro Grande tequila brand and has developed real estate projects. Kennedy, 68, is an attorney and events and entertainment consultant elected to represent District 1 on the City Council in December 2022. His term was not set to expire until January 2027, but will have to resign the seat regardless of the outcome of the mayoral race.
The two are headed to the runoff since neither got enough votes for an outright win during the Nov. 5 general election.
But, what exactly does a mayor do?
Here is a breakdown of the role of the mayor in the city of El Paso, which operates under a council-manager form of government.
How is the El Paso city government set up?
The city has been operating under the council-manager form of government since voters approved the change in structure through a charter amendment election in 2004. This form of government combines elected officials’ leadership with the managerial experience of an appointed city manager who serves as the chief executive of the city.
Before the charter was changed, El Paso had what is called a strong mayor form of government, where the mayor served as chief executive and oversaw day-to-day operations of city government.
Under council-manager structure, council members including the mayor, aside from their individual legislative office staff, hire three executive employees – the city manager, city attorney and chief internal auditor. The mayor and council set policies and directions for municipal government, and the city manager and city employees execute those directives.
The city of El Paso has had three city managers since 2004 – Joyce Wilson, Tommy Gonzalez, and most recently, Dionne Mack, who was appointed in August.
The city previously operated under the strong mayor form of government – which gives the mayor and council more control, including the ability to hire and fire department heads.
What are the qualifications to serve as mayor of El Paso?
The qualifications for mayor:
Must be a resident of El Paso for a full year prior to the election for which they are seeking to run for office and must be at least 21 years old.
The mayoral candidate can seek reelection after a four-year term if it will not exceed the total 10-year term limit.
The candidate, if they win the election, cannot have any debt to the city including outstanding parking tickets, outstanding taxes or judgments.
What are the mayor’s primary duties and responsibilities?
Considered the head of the city government for ceremonial purposes and presides over City Council meetings.
Proposes legislation, but has minimal administrative duties.
Signs ordinances, resolutions, conveyances, grant agreements, plats, contracts and bonds approved by the council.
Hires and fires their executive secretary and executive assistant.
Appoints citizens to city advisory boards and commissions such as the Historic Landmark Commission, Ethics Review Commission and Civil Service Commission, but must have consent of the City Council.
Can veto legislation of the City Council except for the hiring and firing of the city manager, city attorney or city auditor. The City Council can override the mayor’s veto with three-fourths of all of the representatives voting for the override.
Develops an annual state-of-the-city address.
Calls for a special City Council meeting or work session and can cancel a meeting if necessary.
Builds relationships with other agency leaders and advocates for the city on behalf of the council for development projects or to seek partnerships.
Joins the U.S. Conference of Mayors – a non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more.
Serves on key boards such as the Public Service Board for El Paso Water and Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority that manages some transportation projects for various local governments
WATCH NOW: Mayoral forum hosted by El Paso Matters / FitFam El Paso
What is the mayor of El Paso NOT authorized to do?
Cannot hire or fire the chief of police or fire chief
Cannot appoint department heads
Cannot give pay raises
Cannot file lawsuits on behalf of the city
Cannot vote as a regular member of the City Council
What is the mayor’s annual salary and who sets it?
The mayor’s salary is now about $95,000. The mayor’s pay is revisited annually and based on one and one-half the amount of the El Paso County area median household income as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or successor agency. Any salary changes beyond that must be approved by voters under a charter amendment if proposed by the City Council.
How is the role of the city manager different from that of the mayor?
Unlike the mayor, who has limited authority in the day-to-day functions of the city government, the city manager is tasked with the executive administration of programs and policies established by the mayor and City Council.
The city manager’s office provides administrative management, through departmental organization the services and staff operations of the city. The city manager hires department heads including the police chief and fire chief and can adjust the city’s organizational chart as needed. The city manager also appoints deputy city managers.
What is the city manager’s salary and who sets it?
The city manager’s base salary is now about $350,000 per year. The City Council sets the city manager’s annual pay rate under contract and contract amendments. The city manager’s contract also offers various benefits – including insurance and retirement benefits – as approved by the council.
How is the mayor held accountable for decisions, and who oversees their performance?
The mayor does not get an annual evaluation. He or she – El Paso has had only one woman mayor in its history – serve four-year terms, with a limit of no more than two terms in office. Ultimately, voters hold the mayor and other elected officials accountable through elections.
The City Council is the judge of the election and qualifications of its members and of other elected city officials and of the grounds for removal from office. If the council determines they want to remove the mayor from office, they have the power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and require the production of evidence.
If the mayor is charged with conduct constituting grounds for removal from office, he or she is entitled to a public hearing, and a notice must be published in one or more newspapers of general, daily circulation in the city at least one week in advance of the hearing.
Decisions made by the council are subject to review by the courts.
The mayor is also accountable to constituents who can file ethics complaints if they feel the mayor has violated the city’s ethics ordinance.
The elected mayor will take office in early January. Early voting is from Dec. 2 through Dec. 10. Five city representative seats will also be on the Dec. 14 ballot: Districts 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7. The District 2 seat was decided in the November general election.
The post What exactly does an El Paso mayor do? We explain as voters head to polls appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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