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Harlingen adopts $119.6 million fiscal 2026 budget and approves a modest property tax increase
Summary
The Harlingen City Commission adopted the fiscal 2026 budget, approved an ad valorem tax rate that produces a modest increase over last year, and approved related pension and budget amendments after public comment and commissioner debate.
The Harlingen City Commission adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget and approved an ad valorem tax rate during its meeting at Harlingen City Hall.
Finance staff presented the second and final reading of the fiscal 2026 budget, reporting proposed revenues of $119,595,005.78 and total expenditures of $117,000,005.34. The commission then voted to adopt the budget by record vote. The commission also adopted the city's tax rate for tax year 2025 as part of a separate record vote and approved several related budget and retirement-plan ordinances and resolutions.
Why it matters: The adopted budget includes funding for new staff and capital investments the city has been discussing during budget workshops, including additional public-works positions and equipment for drainage, and collective-bargaining cost adjustments for public safety employees. The tax-rate vote and budget together determine property-tax revenue and how those funds will be used in the next fiscal year.
Finance staff gave the budget presentation on the record, saying, "We proposed revenues of a $119,595,005.78 and expenditures of $117,000,005.34," language recorded during the meeting. Commissioners then debated the budget and procurement procedures before taking a recorded vote.
Public comment included a lengthy statement from a resident who challenged the city's historical tax claims and warned about perceived increases; the speaker later said he would retract an earlier allegation about improper vendor favoritism. That exchange prompted commissioners to ask the speaker to present any evidence to law enforcement or the city attorney if he wished concerns to be investigated.
Beyond the main budget and tax-rate votes, the commission: - Approved a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment as a cleanup to align revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year. - Approved a change in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) plan as a one-time updated-service-credit adjustment (the commission did not adopt an increase to the city contribution rate at this time). - Passed a resolution ratifying the property tax level reflected in the adopted budget, as required by state law.
The mayor and commission members thanked staff for the budget work and noted that the package included funding for 19 new positions, a 7% firefighter pay increase referenced by staff, and funding for drainage equipment. The commission adopted the budget and tax rate by record votes as required under state law.
The ordinance and related resolutions take effect as provided in each document; no specific ordinance numbers were given on the record.
Ending: City staff said implementation will begin with the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, 2025, and the commission indicated further monitoring of procurement practices and potential future policy adjustments to reduce expenses.
