Fort Worth City Council Considers Putting Pay Raises Before Voters

Proposed ballot measure would double pay for mayor and council members, who say salaries have not increased since 2006.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 11:55pm

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The Fort Worth City Council is considering putting a proposal on the May special election ballot that would allow voters to decide whether to double the pay for the mayor and City Council members. Council members argue the current salaries of $25,000 for council members and $29,000 for the mayor have not increased in two decades despite the city's rapid growth and expanding workload. Supporters say the raises are long overdue, while some residents have questioned the timing amid other city issues.

Why it matters

Fort Worth's council salaries lag behind those in other major Texas cities like Dallas and Austin, making it difficult for some residents to serve on the council. The proposed pay increases are intended to better reflect the time commitment required and attract a more diverse pool of candidates, but critics argue the city should focus on other pressing issues first.

The details

The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to vote next Tuesday on whether to place the pay raise proposal on the May special election ballot. If approved by voters, it would double the current salaries of $25,000 for council members and $29,000 for the mayor. Council members say the pay has not increased since 2006, despite the city's rapid growth and expanding workload. Many council members maintain other full-time jobs to supplement their income, and some argue the low pay makes it difficult for some residents to serve.

  • The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to vote on the pay raise proposal on February 14, 2026.
  • If approved by the council, the pay raise issue would be placed on the May 2026 special election ballot for voters to decide.

The players

Chris Nettles

Fort Worth City Council member who says the city is "behind on a lot of issues" and that council pay has not increased since 2006.

Carlos Flores

Fort Worth City Council's Mayor Pro Tem, who says the current salary does not reflect the time commitment required of council members and that "to do it right, it is a full-time job."

Elizabeth Beck

Fort Worth City Council member who says the low pay of $25,000 makes it difficult for some residents to serve, especially as a single parent.

Mattie Parker

The Mayor of Fort Worth, who supports the proposed pay increases and says her focus is on a successful 2026 bond election.

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What they’re saying

“Fort Worth is behind on a lot of issues. This has not been increased since 2006.”

— Chris Nettles, Fort Worth City Council member

“To do it right, it is a full-time job.”

— Carlos Flores, Fort Worth City Council's Mayor Pro Tem

“As a single mom, I have to work a full-time job on top of my city council job because $25,000 is not a sustainable salary.”

— Elizabeth Beck, Fort Worth City Council member

What’s next

The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to vote on February 14, 2026 on whether to place the pay raise proposal on the May 2026 special election ballot for voters to decide.

The takeaway

The proposed pay raises for the Fort Worth mayor and City Council members highlight the challenges of attracting diverse candidates to local government, especially in fast-growing cities where the workload has increased but salaries have remained stagnant for years. The outcome of the potential ballot measure could set an example for other Texas cities grappling with similar issues around fair and competitive compensation for elected officials.