Harlingen commissioners approve city budget, multiple land-use measures and several service contracts

The Harlingen City Commission took a slate of budget, land-use and project actions at its meeting, approving the citybudget for fiscal year 2026 on first reading by record vote, setting proposed tax rates for the coming fiscal year, and approving a series of ordinances and professional-services contracts.

The commission approved the FY2026 budget on first reading; the finance presentation listed proposed revenues of $119,595,005.78 and proposed expenditures of $117,000,534,130. Commissioners said the budget prioritizes drainage work, public-safety personnel costs and airport operations. The item was advanced by record vote and the second and final reading of the tax ordinance was scheduled for Sept. 3.

On the tax-rate item the commission set the maintenance-and-operations rate at 0.458038 per $100 of assessed value and the interest-and-sinking (debt) rate at 0.068022 per $100, producing a combined rate of 0.52606 per $100 (an effective 3.33% increase called out in the record). The initial votes on the components were recorded; commissioners overwhelmingly supported lowering the rate while one commissioner, Frank Morales, dissented on the broader rate discussion.

Land-use and regulatory votes included: - Special-use permit: Approved a special-use permit for a food-truck park at 2906 S. Expressway 83 (applicant James Kendrick). Motion passed on first reading. - Rezoning: Approved rezoning of a 25.78-acre tract to single-family residential (R-1). Motion carried unanimously on first reading. - Comprehensive plan amendment: Removed a proposed extension of New Hampshire Street from the thoroughfare plan (amendment approved on first reading). - Limousine/black-car ordinance: Approved updates to chapter 28 and chapter 18 (licenses and fees) to add definitions, supplemental-operating-permit requirements and fee adjustments for limousine and commercial passenger services; the commission approved the ordinance after a presentation from a transportation-industry representative.

Project- and contract-related votes included: - Harlingen Waterworks System budget: The commission accepted the Waterworks System budget for FY2026 after a presentation from Waterworks finance staff. The Waterworks plan showed $27,712,334 in projected revenues, $29,017,493 in projected expenses, and $48,258,179 in capital outlay for improvement projects including the Jefferson raw-water-line replacement and upgrades to the Little Creek interceptor and EQ basin. The board-approved resolution passed unanimously. - Schneider Electric engagement: The commission heard a revised Schneider Electric audit and discussed a $57,000 IGA to proceed into 30/60/90% design for a potential energy-efficiency package (LED lighting and building controls as a self-funding option). Commissioners asked for a next-step agenda item to return with contract language and analysis. - Arroyo Colorado hike-and-bike trail (phase 3): The commission awarded a professional-services contract to Shavey Consulting for design and environmental permitting for the 1.1-mile extension (McKelvey Park to Hugh Ramsey Park) in the amount of $332,355. The public record includes objections from a resident concerned about potential right-of-way and private-property impacts; commissioners approved moving forward with planning and said the study will identify whether any land acquisition is required. - Drainage priorities: The commission approved an in-house prioritized list of drainage improvement projects for FY20262727 (Limbscum ditch outfall, Westway outfall, Spanish/Secluded Acres, 13th Street ditch, North Bass Hill crossings, Treasure Hills, and detention improvements tied to police/Hardinge areas) and authorized staff to coordinate with county drainage and irrigation districts.

Votes at a glance (selected): - FY2026 City budget (first reading, record vote): motion carried (record vote). - Tax-rate components (first reading, record votes): M&O 0.458038 approved; I&S 0.068022 approved; combined rate discussion recorded (commission majority supported lowering the rate; one commissioner dissented). - Harlingen Waterworks budget (resolution): approved unanimously. - Food-truck park special-use permit: approved on first reading. - Rezoning (25.78 acres to R-1): approved on first reading. - Comprehensive-plan amendment (New Hampshire Street): approved on first reading. - Limousine/black-car ordinance: approved unanimously subject to review. - Shavey Consulting contract for trail planning ($332,355): approved (motion carried with recorded opposition by some commissioners and at least one resident comment in the record). - Drainage priority list: approved unanimously.

The commission recessed to an executive session to discuss city-manager employment and reconvened to approve the motion taken in closed session.