Harlingen commission sets proposed tax rate, staff says budget can absorb small revenue cut

Harlingen commissioners reviewed the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget in a workshop and then, during the regular meeting, voted to set a proposed tax rate of 0.52606 per $100 of assessed value to be published for the required public notice and hearings.

City staff told the commission the budget was prepared using the city’s current tax rate of 0.527524 per $100; the staff-calculated “no new revenue” rate is 0.509129 per $100 and the voter approval rate is 0.52856 per $100. Finance staff recommended a small reduction of 0.0025 from the voter-approval rate and commissioners set the proposed rate at 0.52606 per $100 for the formal process leading to the August 20 public hearing and first reading.

Why it matters: the proposed rate and the budget underlie annual revenues available for public safety, infrastructure and municipal services. Staff said the package of one-time purchases, new…