The North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is closely monitoring the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association (SAPFFA) referendum, which seeks three changes to the City Charter. The proposed changes require approval by San Antonio voters before they can be enacted.
 
Thus far, the City Clerk has verified that each petition has been signed by enough voters (20,000), allowing all three SAPFFA petitions on the ballot in November 2018.
 
Following is a summary, prepared by the City Attorney’s Office, of each referendum, and our statement of opposition for each referendum:
 
Petition 1: Expanding the Referendum Process. This measure would:
 

• Expand the City Council actions subject to referendum to include appropriating money, levying taxes, setting public utility rates, and zoning or rezoning property (all areas currently excluded by Charter);
• Decrease the number of signatures needed from 10 percent of qualified voters in the last municipal election (approximately 70,000 signatures) to 20,000 signatures; and
• Lengthen the timeframe for obtaining the needed signatures from 40 days to 180 days.

 
Why We Oppose: This measure imposes fiscal actions on the referendum process, undermining the ability of the City Council to consider and implement policy and to effectively manage the budget. The uncertainty created by potential changes to City revenues and expenditures would erode the City's 'AAA' bond rating, creating an increase in costs for city services.
 
Petition 2: Binding Arbitration. This measure allows the firefighters union to unilaterally declare impasse at any time and force binding arbitration on the City in labor contract negotiations.
 
Why We Oppose: Currently, the Fire contract follows state law on impasse processes requiring action by both parties to negotiate in good faith first. The current process allows for a mediation option before binding arbitration by mutual agreement. Under the proposed measure, the Union could call for binding arbitration before participating in any good faith labor negotiations with the City.  Further, while the City Council always considers collective bargaining agreements within the context of overall budget planning and priorities, an arbitrator would consider the contract notwithstanding budget considerations. The arbitrator is not accountable for long term city budget ramifications.
 
Petition 3: Term Limits and Salary Cap for City Manager. This measure requires a supermajority vote (8 votes out of 11) to select the City Manager, limits the City Manager's term to 8 years and limits pay to 10 times the amount of the lowest paid City employee.
 
Why We Oppose: Currently, the City Charter gives City Council the power to determine compensation on the basis of his/her executive and administrative qualifications. The City Manager is hired by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council. Arbitrarily limiting tenure and salary undermines the ability of the City Council to recruit and retain the best talent for the position and may also negatively impact the City's AAA bond rating.  Also, please note that this measure would not impact the current City Manager.
 
The North SA Chamber encourages its members and all eligible citizens to vote in the November election and to carefully study these referendums proposed by SAPFFA and their potential impact to the City of San Antonio.
 
To find useful information on upcoming elections and voter registration, visit bexar.org
 
Read why “Voters have to get educated on possible charter changes” from mysanantonio.com