AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s quickly become expensive to live in Austin.

Nobody knows this better than Barton Springs lifeguard Scott Cobb, who’s been working for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department for the last 11 years.

“They’re struggling and you see that in all the vacancies that exist right now in the City of Austin,” Cobb said.

According to the City of Austin, 18% of its budgeted positions are open.

To combat this crisis, District 2 City Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes has put forth a proposal to raise the minimum wage for city employees from $15 to $22 an hour.

City Manager Spencer Cronk estimates that this increase could cost the city between $18.2 and $22.8 million.

“There has to be a balance somewhere,” District 6 City Councilwoman Mackenzie Kelly said. “There will be programs that are cut as a result of this resolution.”

Kelly also pointed out that the city is limited by a 3.5% cap on the property tax revenue increase, imposed by state law.

For city workers such as Cobb, this would provide a big benefit.

“Raising the wage is going to put gas in their tanks to get them to work and it’s going to help keep a roof over their head,” he concluded.
If this proposed pay raise is passed by the Austin City Council during its meeting on Thursday, the $7 hourly rate could go into effect in 2023, pending approval of the city’s fiscal budget.