Such an idea defeats the purpose of Dallas' council-manager form of government. This is how the council-manager system is supposed to work. The manager and his staff take care of such everyday needs as police and fire protection and garbage pickup. The council acts as a board of directors, setting city policies and making sure that management does its job. A full-time council only would frustrate that process, micromanaging and creating mischief with personal agendas.
Council members work hard, but only as hard as they want.
There are no time requirements or prescribed workloads. Some council members obviously work harder than others, depending on their available time and the demands of their constituents. Council members aren't proposing additional duties or uniform performance standards for themselves in exchange for a full salary. Under the new salary proposal, council members still could come and go as they please, take an interest in whatever issues they want and hold other full-time jobs. Some council members do experience financial hardship.