A preliminary discussion among McKinney City Council members over whether the city should hold a charter amendment election to alter council members' pay has created a stir on social media.

Some call the request "absurd," while others say it's a "valid discussion." Many say city leaders knew beforehand what they were signing up for.

"I believe the lack of compensation for the work that we do entices the rich to continue to lead the way, and poor people don't have the ability to participate," says council member La'Shadion Shemwell.

Council member La'Shadion Shemwell, though, said during a recent work session that the council's current pay level causes a "form of discrimination against a population of people."

"I believe the lack of compensation for the work that we do entices the rich to continue to lead the way, and poor people don't have the ability to participate," Shemwell said, adding that he works about 30 hours a week to serve the growing city of nearly 180,000.

Currently, council members and the mayor are paid $50 a meeting. The city holds three work sessions and two regular meetings a month. The mayor also receives a $100 monthly stipend.

Shemwell, who is a barber, said he's not asking for his council service "to be a job."

"I ran because I wanted to be a voice for those without one," said Shemwell, the city's second black council member. "And I wanted to make changes. And I believe this is a change that needs to happen."

Council member Tracy Rath said she "completely disagrees" that current council pay is discriminatory

Council member Tracy Rath said she "completely disagrees" that current council pay is discriminatory, noting that McKinney hasn't had an uncontested council race in years. She said she quit a full-time job to serve in her at-large seat.

"It's what I signed up for. I like it. I think it's a good process," she said. "And I'm opposed to a change in it."

In nearby Plano, monthly pay is $1,000 for council members and $1,400 for the mayor. Frisco pays council members $350 a month and the mayor $500. And Allen council members receive $375 a month and the mayor $625.

In a May 2014 election, McKinney voters approved an amendment to the city charter to remove a cap of $2,500 per year on council members' compensation.

"I can still see how this is a rich man's game," says Mayor Pro Tem Rainey Rogers.

Mayor Pro Tem Rainey Rogers said he was open to considering steps to ensure that "people don't not serve because they financially can't afford to." When he ran for office in 2015, he said, he wasn't even aware that council members were paid for their work.

"I can still see how this is a rich man's game," Rogers said. "It's almost like you have to have money to be here."

May 2019, when McKinney will hold council elections, is probably the earliest the pay issue would be put to voters — if it is at all.

How pay levels might be changed hasn't been discussed. Council members have discussed only whether they would support a charter amendment election to let residents decide, and the answer to that remains unclear.

"I don't know that I have a sense based on everything that's been said that there would be movement on further discussion," Mayor George Fuller said at Monday's work session.

"We'll let the sharks settle down, and then we'll have this conversation again," he said. "I think everyone up here has heard you."