Italy Mayor's $1,200 Salary Illegal?

Italy, the highest-taxed city in Ellis County, south of Dallas, voted to give Mayor Frank Jackson, who has no opponent in this year's election, a salary of $1,200 per month, beginning, ironically, on Election Day, May 9. Jackson will be the highest-paid volunteer mayor in Ellis County.

But a former city administrator for the town of 2,000 south of Waxahachie believes the salary might have been illegal:

LGC, Sec. 141.001. ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS IN TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITIES. (a) On or before January 1 preceding a regular municipal election, the governing body of a Type A general-law municipality shall set:

(1) the salary and any fees of office of the mayor to be elected at that election, if the office of mayor is to be filled at the election;

(2) the compensation of each other elected officer to be elected at that election; and

(3) the compensation of each officer appointed by the governing body.

(b) An officer's compensation set under this section may not be changed during the term for which the officer is elected or appointed.