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Harlingen commission adopts $119.6 million FY2026 budget, sets 2025 tax rate and approves several ordinances
Summary
At its September meeting the Harlingen City Commission approved the fiscal 2026 budget and a tax rate, and voted on multiple ordinances including fee changes and special-use permits. The actions passed by record vote or unanimous voice vote; one consent item drew an abstention.
The Harlingen City Commission on Sept. 9 adopted the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, approved a 2025 ad valorem tax rate and passed several ordinances and special-use permits during a meeting at Harlingen City Hall.
The commission adopted a proposed revenue plan of $119,595,005.78 and expenditures of $117,000,005.34 for fiscal 2026. City staff said the budget includes new public works drainage equipment, collective-bargaining increases for police and fire and funding for 19 additional staff positions to support services and infrastructure.
The commission also approved an overall tax rate of 0.52606 per $100 valuation. The meeting record shows the maintenance and operations rate was set at 0.458038 and the interest-and-sinking rate at 0.068022. City staff characterized the combined rate as “effectively a 3.33% increase in the tax rate” from the prior year. The tax-rate vote was taken by record vote as required by statute.
Other measures approved during the meeting included: - An ordinance updating the City of Harlingen master fee schedule related to chapter 36, article 5, division 2, including fees for the Tony Butler Golf Course. City staff said additional fee revisions will return to the commission for further consideration. - A special-use permit and ordinance on first reading to allow a storage container in a general retail (GR) district at 302 North 77 Sunshine Strip (legal: 3.245 acres out of Block 1, Profit Subdivision). The item moved forward after a motion and voice vote. - A budget amendment for fiscal year 2025 described by staff as a cleanup item to align revenues and expenditures for accounts that did not realize expected amounts and to fund previously discussed additions such as animal shelter work. - An ordinance affecting the city’s Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) plan design (first reading) to authorize updated service credits and related changes; staff presented the item as part of pension plan housekeeping discussed during the budget process. - A consent-agenda contract to authorize hotel/motel fund use with the Marine Military Academy to maintain the Iwo Jima Monument; the motion carried but Commissioner Kinsley is recorded as abstaining from that item.
During the budget discussion, a member of the public, Robert Leftwich, criticized recent tax increases and municipal spending priorities, citing what he called an approximate $7 million increase in annual property taxes since May 2022. Leftwich said city residents still face potholes and urged reallocating some communications funding toward street repairs. Leftwich’s comments were presented as citizen communication and not part of a formal council action.
A separate exchange during the budget debate included an allegation by a commissioner suggesting possible preferential treatment in procurement; the speaker later said they would retract the allegation and was urged by the mayor and other commissioners to supply any evidence to law enforcement or the city attorney so it could be investigated.
The adopted FY2026 budget and tax ordinance were recorded by the clerk and became effective as provided in the ordinances.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Ordinance adopting FY2026 budget: approved by record vote (individual roll-call breakdown not specified in the public transcript excerpt). - Ordinance levying 2025 ad valorem tax rate (0.52606 per $100): approved by record vote. - Ordinance amending master fee schedule (Tony Butler Golf Course fees): approved on first reading. - Special-use permit for storage container at 302 N. 77 Sunshine Strip: approved on first reading. - Budget amendment FY2025 (cleanup): approved on first reading. - Contract/agreement with Marine Military Academy (hotel/motel funds for Iwo Jima Monument): approved on consent; Commissioner Kinsley abstained.
The commission chair said the adopted budget funds the drainage crew and provides other operational increases the commission discussed across five budget workshops. City staff noted some revenue estimates and account adjustments will be revisited in the months ahead.
The commission moved on to other agenda items after completing the record votes and ordinance readings.
