[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6656474,"mediaKeyId","5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e","parentId",5327949,"title","Harlingen commissioners ask staff for salary scenarios; consider targeted catch-up, director merit pool","audioSeconds",622,"startMs",11432000,"endMs",12054000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e&start=11432&end=12054","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e/thumbnail_11432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656474/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-commissioners-ask-staff-for-salary-scenarios-consider-targeted-catch-up-director-merit-pool","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656474-1827bf675ef4fe72389fd206e1134003/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152671&Signature=PDNaVUtzxh4hD3yhxH-NihBdxTVKD78NYnDhwHEnesodTV-51fzivW50zK3NFagY2si6NbS52cP~qJkvVHMhSO940HtL6~qAIKYEpvPD1skFNfilHEt~D9VU8CWfgc9-bJ1zV6UbqIG1tUFOs5Qy0sEHMEoUYh-g~47F4MFSXPdPK4A3iFTbMrko2PtHswhYCnJYdh2NsA7n7Anj~9cypO6KyH22-SdTlVnAzyPR7eImbNMP6YrZ70VZUy4ViHgVKE0Zy05aqVOVXzOOuVtvcf92QmKTHICIBeU3asAL-u~xTPtegUH5YKKLCcPNaqomGYA5EN5LuSgZj1pE61vjFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Harlingen","date","2025-07-07T22:25:47Z","article","The Harlingen City Commission and staff spent a substantial portion of the July 2 budget workshop discussing employee compensation, evaluating how cost-of-living and market adjustments would affect the general fund and enterprise funds.

Why it matters: Personnel costs are the city's largest recurring expenditure. Commissioners sought options that balance competitive pay and retention with sustainable long-term budgets.

What was discussed
- Options presented: Staff presented a salary-analysis matrix showing several alternatives: a 3% across-the-board increase for non-director staff, a 5% increase for employees above a threshold, and a director-level merit pool up to 8% that a manager could allocate based on performance.

- Staff requests: Commissioners asked staff to provide a clear fund-level breakdown (general fund vs. enterprise) for each option and to model the effect of a one-time catch-up payment for employees who missed a prior adjustment in 2022.

- Lower-paid workers: Commissioners discussed targeted hourly increases for lower-paid employees (examples raised included single-dollar/hour uplifts versus percentage increases) and asked staff to show how a targeted minimum-wage uplift would affect total cost and compression with supervisory pay.

Next steps: Staff will return with a set of explicit scenarios and their fund-level impacts, plus recommendations on whether director merit pay should be pre-funded for admin discretion or come back for separate approval.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to revisit compensation at the next workshop after staff delivers a clear cost comparison and the consolidated list of one-time capital items so the commission can weigh pay adjustments against other budget demands.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Regular Meeting | 07-07-25","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners reviewed options for employee pay adjustments at a July 2 workshop and asked staff to return with fund-level impacts for multiple scenarios, including a 3% across-the-board adjustment, differential rates by pay bands, and a director merit pool.","taxTitle","Harlingen, Cameron County, Texas","taxId",3687,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656479,"Harlingen commissioners add park improvements, cameras and pool repairs to tentative budget list",681,458000,1139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e&start=458&end=1139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e/thumbnail_458000.jpg","/articles/6656479/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-commissioners-add-park-improvements-cameras-and-pool-repairs-to-tentative-budget-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656479-1a31f1be460c9dca9db7b451b312d729/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152671&Signature=WgsugPPRmG3CrYaiNQEDKV8DLVhG9~WO24y150jAeHnDE43q0l60a5aoQ8DpxC7l7Cle1j4oUyUuK-k4UelBCndbzUWsb4lpbVBS3FSBgsjGnrB0v2zBYXrr8QO4wAHmKbyCnCxB9MoaxWhVKPFX4KOrMynZR-MqZadkaW57ULFc0jXoEiO7w-HzUH6m0B7lmdJe2b24nyZn2TzrBXmeWyouHnS9cG4QA6ztcsyG1rqS5eswf6TlrSxvgx2u89QjG7NfFvZtEzKY~Jgi34qrTwOivQQd2WWTuzxkIk964vSqwQ3g3wRlb6buKgmUz8WPRunZ6xAxBaEHEi7wZ-VsqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners at the July 2 workshop reviewed a list of park upgrades and security investments that staff recommended for the fiscal 2025'16 budget and for possible 4B matching funds. Items discussed included Stewart Place Park, Victor Park cameras and court repairs, pool boilers and ADA lifts, shade structures and new mowing/maintenance equipment.

Why it matters: Parks and recreation projects have both quality-of-life and public-safety implications. Commissioners emphasized the need for camera coverage at splash pads and restrooms after repeated vandalism and asked staff to prioritize scalable camera systems and storage/bandwidth considerations.

Highlights from discussion
- Stewart Place Park and Vestal Park: Commissioners instructed staff to include Stewart Place Park (a proposed new pocket park next to a fire station on Stewart Place) and Vestal Park projects on the 4B funding request; if 4B declines, staff may fund projects from the general fund.

- Park cameras and surveillance: Staff reported Harlingen currently operates close to 100 smart cameras and plans modular, scalable additions for new parks and rec spaces. Commissioners asked staff to provide details on who will have access to footage, CJIS compliance for law-enforcement access, storage and bandwidth requirements, and the ability to integrate older and newer camera equipment.

- Pools and equipment: The commission discussed planned pool purchases and replacements (boilers, ADA lifts, shade structures and vacuums). Commissioners favored buying two commercial pool vacuums instead of a smaller hammerhead unit to allow shared use among city pools.

- Park maintenance equipment: Staff proposed new mowers and verticut reels for the municipal golf course (triplex greens mower and verticut reels) and recommended replacing aging maintenance equipment; commissioners generally supported funding the mower and reel package discussed at the workshop.

Next steps: Staff will provide scoping documents, updated maps (for trails and phases), vendor specs (for scalable camera systems), bandwidth and CJIS/access plans, and refined cost estimates and procurements for 4B consideration. Camera purchases and park equipment additions were tentatively included pending the consolidated budget tally.

Ending: Commissioners signaled broad support for targeted park investments and expanded surveillance at problem sites, but requested stronger technical and procurement details before final budget approval.","Commissioners discussed several park projects including Stewart Place Park, Victor Park camera and equipment upgrades, pool maintenance and new mowers; staff was asked to confirm scopes, cost estimates and whether items should be funded by 4B or general fund.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656484,"Commission earmarks $1 million toward Casa Del Sol restoration; staff to pursue tax-credit strategy",98,1980000,2078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e&start=1980&end=2078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e/thumbnail_1980000.jpg","/articles/6656484/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Commission-earmarks-1-million-toward-Casa-Del-Sol-restoration-staff-to-pursue-tax-credit-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656484-2f436c286076e1aa5398676e5dd6026d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152671&Signature=ayB0wX0mWWFZ0b~Jjw5WfG9Vw2DCxbPvIhrMIu05JbXCW8IZQGEI6A7m2L2HldayggMLlWXA3F2L1A-CxB1DgQAe1vH-7i-aLnzv9el-J0dlIar7ZDADko362BVSOUJ1vN-TwI6Df-y9qJy1AwC2nRFh0zkhpBArCHQh8V8gcVd~OGW5-qzHQ5-TiIEz6bWDoHuiv2f~-0M6Qk5srcGmfuXgonJXGN2WTUfxVwVi3Hy46E5eYj6NKXOjZzIftrbk1iokpUU8vtevX81IbDXE0u6YdBjdk~O5ybxKH5GD4~pyuNQRZJv4-XJCZOEzUC2dFHMMXKXW4RWkc6weTrCHTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harlingen City Commission on July 2 agreed in principle to allocate an additional $1 million from the city's hotel/tourism and 4B funds toward restoring Casa Del Sol, a locally significant historic building, while directing staff to pursue state and federal historic tax credits to reduce the city's net cost.

Why it matters: City staff described Casa Del Sol as a landmark with architectural value and said the building required immediate work (abatement and design) to stabilize the structure. Commissioners and staff discussed the estimated repair cost range and a strategy to recover a portion of costs through historic rehabilitation tax credits.

Key details
- Proposed ask: Staff proposed a $3 million budget estimate to rehabilitate Casa Del Sol and asked the commission to consider a combination of hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT), 4B and possible general-fund support. At the workshop staff earmarked an additional $1 million from 4B/hot funds for historic preservation and said they would request the 4B board consider an additional $1 million.

- Tax-credit strategy: Staff reported preliminary guidance that state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits can recover a substantial portion of qualified rehabilitation costs (staff cited possible recovery in the range of the mid-40 percent of eligible costs after consulting preservation advisers). Staff said the city would retain a consultant experienced in preparing tax-credit applications to maximize potential recovery and would return with cost estimates and a procurement plan for the consultant.

- Next steps: Staff said asbestos abatement is already underway, after which design and bidding will proceed. Commissioners directed staff to prepare procurement documents for a tax-credit consultant and to report back with refined cost estimates following design and bids.

Quotes and sourcing: Staff framed the approach as a mix of matching funds plus tax-credit recovery; commissioners emphasized prioritizing drainage but acknowledged municipal responsibilities for preserving historic assets that contribute to tourism and downtown appeal.

Ending: Commission consensus advanced the project to the next stage: staff will pursue tax-credit consulting, finish abatement, obtain design and cost estimates from RFQs/RFPs, and return with a funding plan that shows the estimated net city cost after any tax-credit sales or grants.","Commissioners tentatively added $1 million to the budget for Casa Del Sol historic preservation and directed staff to pursue state and federal historic tax credits to offset project costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656488,"Harlingen commission reviews draft fiscal 2025–26 budget, tentatively funds drainage crew and capital items",6858,363000,7221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e&start=363&end=7221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327949-62525aab593afc9d84ad5d4a817bfc8e/thumbnail_363000.jpg","/articles/6656488/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-commission-reviews-draft-fiscal-202526-budget-tentatively-funds-drainage-crew-and-capital-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656488-72f6c9701abcc48e00c3b959fa5522b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152671&Signature=bDVszQUv0I484hP2-~NoqrGz6eG2C-1Ae-mBv2sNIo6gpknW4KS7Y~UQaR64Pelqqn15gI0S1A1sDy1GTPyHr6dUdVvm3naokKhXTLzNFQRZ1ZPoIMB3zGoIZpNRMzFuPrYweltqY6sboV2GJ4UMOVE6OzMy07-EnzlKjv9RbDPuUsXvHoBehv1uk-J2W0dV-PHpONzoPYO9LcXisQUlDFjd24I4ykafFqCZ5x0YQ6a-FWVJRhJ4RVF9n1uV1M5RTAbgXd5ILy9T~VvnbCG4fQdZh0mL5havVrvyqqtvrX6WGidxxZYcMXRN51sXQ3BHimtyciM26nheLkY0C-C0lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harlingen's City Commission spent much of a July 2 budget workshop refining a draft fiscal 2025'16 spending plan and signaling support for a second drainage crew and selected one-time capital purchases while asking staff for a tighter, fund-by-fund tally before final adoption.

The manager's working budget shows roughly $66.5 million in original department requests and a revised working total that reduced some requests; staff told commissioners the city's estimated fund balance at the end of fiscal 2026 will be about $35.1 million. During the workshop commissioners and staff flagged recurring personnel costs, one-time equipment purchases and several grant-match requests as priorities or areas needing more detail.

Why it matters: commissioners repeatedly said drainage work should be an early priority after residents and staff cited recurring flooding and maintenance demands. At the meeting staff recommended creating a second drainage crew, and the commission directed that the crew and equipment be treated as an essential, near-term commitment while staff returns with exact costs and ordinance language to set aside fund balance for equipment procurement.

Most significant items and next steps
- Drainage and equipment: Commissioners instructed staff to include the second drainage crew as a funded priority and to prepare the necessary ordinance to earmark fund-balance dollars for one-time equipment purchases. Staff said the crew positions would be funded from the general fund, while heavy equipment costs would be drawn from fund balance or capital reserves; the exact dollar amounts will be presented at the next workshop.

- Vehicles and apparatus: The workshop revisited requests for multiple departmental vehicles and two new fire apparatus with multiyear delivery times. Commissioners discussed earmarking funds rather than paying immediately, and asked staff to prepare ordinance language to commit fund-balance dollars so the city can place orders while preserving interest earnings.

- One-time capital: Commissioners tentatively approved adding or keeping a series of one-time purchases on the funded list (examples discussed included park cameras, pool equipment, mowing equipment and library repairs). Staff will produce a single running total of all items added at this and prior workshops and present options for trimming to meet fund-balance targets.

- Salaries and benefits: Commissioners reviewed staff's pay analyses and asked staff to return with a clear menu of options for cost-of-living and other adjustments (examples discussed: a 3% across-the-board increase, differentials for employees above certain pay thresholds, and pre-approval of a director-level merit pool). Staff was asked to show the fund-level impact of each option.

Quotes and attribution: Mayor and commissioners frequently emphasized the need to protect the drainage commitment and to avoid adding recurring personnel costs that would exceed sustainable revenue. Staff repeatedly said they would return with revised, fund-level totals for all additions and suggested wording for ordinances to earmark fund-balance dollars for long-lead capital items.

What happens next: Staff agreed to circulate an updated summary showing every addition and its fund-level impact before the next workshop (scheduled tentatively July 14), and to prepare ordinance language to commit fund-balance dollars for the drainage equipment and for ordered fire apparatus. The commission said it will reconvene to finalize the budget after receiving those figures.

Ending: The meeting left several specifics unresolved but produced clear direction: staff should protect funding for drainage work, present a consolidated tally of one-time requests, and provide multiple salary-increase scenarios for commission review before the budget is finalized.","At a July 2 workshop the Harlingen City Commission reviewed the manager's proposed fiscal 2025'16 budget, tentatively earmarking funds for a second drainage crew and several one-time capital items while directing staff to return with refined numbers on salary increases and other priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harlingen commissioners ask staff for salary scenarios; consider targeted catch-up, director merit pool

Harlingen commissioners add park improvements, cameras and pool repairs to tentative budget list

Commission earmarks $1 million toward Casa Del Sol restoration; staff to pursue tax-credit strategy

Harlingen commission reviews draft fiscal 2025–26 budget, tentatively funds drainage crew and capital items