Harlingen commission backs exploring regional ‘watershed’ flood control approach, asks staff to merge plans and set timeline

The Harlingen City Commission voted to support exploring a regional, watershed-based approach to flood control for the Rio Grande Valley and directed staff to merge two draft resolutions and present a schedule for follow-up meetings and actions.

The vote came after more than an hour of public testimony from repeated flood victims, local business owners and a volunteer group calling itself the Rio Grande Valley Coalition of Drainage Advocates (RGV CODA), which urged a regional strategy that follows natural watershed boundaries rather than the patchwork of existing drainage districts.

“The Arroyo Colorado runs right through our city,” said Ms. Garcia, a representative of the RGV Coalition of Drainage Advocates, arguing the watershed approach would allow planning and funding to follow the actual flow of water and better coordinate projects across Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties. “This is an issue that is regional — no one entity can do it alone.”

Why it mattered: Harlingen residents and business owners said repeated flooding has produced chronic property damage and displacement. Speakers, including repeat flood victims and technical volunteers, told commissioners they want Harlingen to push for state and federal funds through a coordinated regional plan rather than rely solely on piecemeal projects within municipal or drainage-district boundaries.

What the commission did: Commissioners Daniel Lopez and others pressed for actionable steps rather than a symbolic endorsement. The final motion combined the original “conceptual support” draft with a second, more specific plan that directs city staff to: - compile existing and planned drainage projects across jurisdictional partners; - convene annual coordination meetings among cities, drainage and irrigation districts and county staff; - publish an interactive, annually updated map of drainage projects on the city web site; and - return to the commission with a timeline and concrete support options within a set timeframe to be developed with staff.

Commissioner Daniel Lopez moved that staff and the named commissioners merge the two drafts and produce an actionable schedule. Commissioner Mesmer seconded. The measure passed with one no vote from Commissioner Frank Morales.

Local officials, engineers and staff contributions: Harlingen City Engineer and Floodplain Manager Luis Vargas confirmed the city already has certified floodplain staff and that those staff members would serve as points of contact for nonbinding technical discussions. Several technical volunteers identified themselves during public comment, including a professional geologist and civil engineers who said they are offering expertise on a voluntary basis.

Funding and state process: Speakers and commissioners referenced the Flood Infrastructure Fund and Texas Water Development Board planning process completed for Region 15 (the Lower Rio Grande planning region). The commission asked staff to coordinate with drainage districts 5 and 6 and other regional partners to ensure Harlingen’s project priorities are visible for state funding programs and future legislative sessions.

Quote: “If they could collectively bargain as a regional area, they would be able to get more funding for the area,” said Ms. Garcia of RGV CODA. “We are tired of the flooding and tired of dealing with it repeatedly.”

What’s next: The commission instructed staff to work with the mayor, the sponsoring commissioners and external partners to finalize the merged resolution language and an achievable timeline for the concrete steps outlined above. Commissioners said the resulting schedule and deliverables will be posted and returned to the commission for approval.

Context note: Commissioners and staff stressed the vote does not legally bind Harlingen to create or join any district; rather, it expresses the city’s interest in exploring a regional, watershed-based option while protecting the city’s ability to withdraw or negotiate terms.

Ending: Supporters said the action gives local advocates and elected officials a pathway to press for state and federal funding, while some commissioners emphasized they will protect Harlingen’s share of any regional dollars and keep oversight local.