Harlingen commission adopts budgets, tax rates and multiple ordinances; staff to pursue energy and drainage studies

The Harlingen City Commission on Aug. 19 approved the city's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, accepted the Harlingen Waterworks system budget and adopted tax-rate measures while clearing a slate of routine items and land-use ordinances.

The commission voted on a mix of routine and substantive items in a meeting that included presentations on water and wastewater capital projects, a proposed energy-savings program from Schneider Electric and a prioritized list of in-house drainage improvements. Commissioners also approved a planning contract for a segment of the Arroyo Colorado hike-and-bike trail and changes to the city's limousine permit rules.

The city's budget ordinance (first reading) and the related record vote moved forward during the meeting. Commissioners also fixed the maintenance-and-operations tax rate at 0.458038 per $100 valuation and the interest-and-sinking rate at 0.068022 per $100. The combined proposed property-tax rate was 0.52606 per $100, described in staff materials as a 3.33% change in the tax-rate calculation. The commission scheduled a second and final reading for Sept. 3.

Separately, the Harlingen Waterworks finance director presented the waterworks budget for FY2026, showing projected revenues of $27,712,334, projected…