Cronk continues to nest

An avid agenda-reader at KVUE noticed that the June 14 City Council agenda includes an item that would extend City Manager Spencer Cronk’s housing stipend of $4,500 per month. Cronk earns a base salary of $325,000 annually, with an annual executive allowance of $7,200. In addition to that, Council approved $27,000 to offset the cost of temporary housing in Austin for six months. The item on the June 14 agenda would extend that temporary housing stipend another six months, bringing the total to $54,000 paid to Cronk for housing alone. According to the agenda backup, the additional funds are needed because “City Manager Cronk has been engaged in several major events: SxSW, Austin bombings, Police Chief Recruitment, and attendance at many after-hours events, which has prevented a comprehensive search for a permanent home in the City of Austin. An extension of his housing allowance, which expires in August 2018, will allow Mr. Cronk to search for a permanent home, and continue to provide service to the residents of Austin, the City Council, and the City employees.”