Seven Hills council holds first reading of ordinance to formalize full-time mayor role amid debate over voter approval

At a special meeting July 8, 2025, the Seven Hills City Council held the first reading of Ordinance 36-2025, a proposed change to the city’s codified ordinances that would modify compensation and expense allowances for the mayor and formally designate the mayor/safety director as a full-time position.

The ordinance text presented during the meeting says it would amend section 125.011 of the codified ordinances to change the mayor’s compensation and expense allowance and to modify the mayor/safety director position. The proposal, as read aloud at the meeting, includes a salary increase to $68,000, provision of health benefits, a monthly expense allowance, use of a city-owned vehicle, set vacation times and an effective date in December 2027.

Council debate focused on two questions: whether the package constitutes a material charter change that would require a public vote, and whether the mayor’s current workload already reflects a full-time position. A councilmember raised the charter issue during the discussion, saying, “Not only there is there a salary increase of, $68,000, but health benefits, a monthly expense allowance, creating a full time position effective December 2027, use of the city owned vehicle, and set vacation times. All of the above 4 mentioned proposals create a material and substantial change to our charter and ultimately require a vote by our residents.” The speaker also cited the charter’s healthcare provision, stating that “in our charter under section 151.05, health care benefits subsection e, it states that nothing in this section shall be construed as applying to elected officials.”

Constance Bennett, a resident who spoke during the meeting, said she supports the proposal and pointed to the range of duties the mayor currently performs. Bennett asked the mayor for confirmation of his additional roles, saying, “mayor, you right now are serving as the director of public safety. Correct?”

Mayor Villasciaga confirmed those duties and described a broad portfolio. “That is accurate. And I am also the acting economic director, and most of the cities our size have a full time economic director. Many cities have an HR director. We don't have that. In addition to being CEO of the city and overseeing 208 employees, I also am the chief judicial officer overseeing mayor's court and all the responsibilities that go with it,” Villasciaga said.

Law Director Moore addressed the charter and scope questions, stating that the charter does not label the mayor’s job part time and contending council has authority to set internal compensation in some circumstances. “Nothing in our charter that says that the mayor's job is part time. The proposal simply codifies what the reality is. It's a full time job. It's always been a full time job,” Moore said, and added that voters gave the council certain powers last fall that affect internal compensation decisions.

No final vote on Ordinance 36-2025 occurred at the meeting; the ordinance remained at first reading while council members asked for further factual documentation and deliberation. The council did take two formal actions before adjourning into closed session: it approved a motion to excuse Ward 2 Councilman Martin from the evening’s meeting, and it voted to enter executive session at 6:08 p.m. The motion for executive session was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote.

The council indicated members wanted additional factual comparisons with other municipalities — for example, whether other safety directors or county positions receive city vehicles — before advancing the ordinance. Council discussion and public remarks will be the basis for any future readings or amendments to Ordinance 36-2025.