The Harlingen City Commission accepted a resolution approving the Harlingen Waterworks System budget for fiscal year 2026 and heard a staff summary of the utility’s projected revenues, expenses and capital projects. Ron Delagarza, identified in the meeting as finance director for the waterworks, told commissioners the proposed budget projects total revenues of $27,712,334, expenses of $29,017,493 and capital outlay (capital improvement projects) of $48,258,179.

Why it matters: the utility budget directs water and wastewater capital projects and sets rates and reserves that affect service reliability and long‑term system planning. Delagarza also noted the utility is planning to retire $1,440,000 in debt and proposed an ending fund balance of $10,157,533.

Delagarza reviewed major capital priorities listed in the packet, including the Jefferson raw water line replacement (the raw water intake to the plant) and two large wastewater projects: the Little Creek interceptor replacement and upgrades to the Edworks and equalization basin. He said those wastewater upgrades were funded in part by the Texas Water Development Board and that design for the Little Creek Interceptor was expected to complete in May 2026 with construction to follow.

Commissioners asked about lift‑station alarm monitoring; Delagarza said the utility currently has a SCADA system for water and plans to build a wastewater SCADA system to monitor lift stations and receive alarms remotely, with implementation estimated “within the next 3 years.” Commissioners also questioned funding sources; Delagarza said the city had secured multiple Water Development Board awards totalling roughly $10 million earlier, an additional $1.7 million for lead service, and is pursuing roughly $32 million more in assistance, of which the city might be responsible for about 15% of that amount; a separate $11 million low‑interest bond was also mentioned as a potential source.

Action: the commission adopted the resolution accepting the Harlingen Waterworks System budget as presented and heard staff commitments to return with recommended TMRS service‑credit updates and compensation adjustments based on a forthcoming study.

Ending: Staff will proceed with the detailed project designs and return for required approvals and contract actions as projects move into design and construction phases.