I was in San Antonio recently and learned something about Texas’s second-largest city.

The city’s governing council works virtually for free, just like the Amarillo City Commission. San Antonio, with a population of about 1.4 million inhabitants, pays its city council members something $20 per meeting, plus reimburses them for whatever expenses they incur on behalf of the city.

Then I learned of some discussion in the Alamo City to provide at least a more livable stipend for those who serve the public. The issue on the table wouldn’t amount to an exorbitant salary that would enable these folks to quit their day jobs, but it at least would reward them for the grief they have to endure from angry constituents.

The San Antonio Express-News editorial board favors boosting the pay for council members. It noted in an editorial that, according to the Pew Charitable Trust, “Houston pays council members $55,700 yearly; Dallas, $37,500; and Austin, $63,000. Mayors typically earn more.”

Such a discussion hasn’t ever really been raised seriously in Amarillo, where we seem proud of the fact that we pay our commissioners 10 bucks per meeting and pay them back for expenses.

But the announcement the other day that only one candidate – other than the five incumbents – has filed for the May election makes me wonder: Isn’t it time at least to begin discussing the idea of paying these folks a little more for their time and service?

I keep thinking a little bit of cash might provide some incentive for those who think they can do a better job of setting policy for our city.