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Outside agencies brief Weslaco commissioners on FY2026 requests; EDC flags large balloon payment next year
Summary
The Chamber/Visitor Center, EDC, museum, Frontera Audubon and Valley Nature Center presented FY2025-26 budgets at a workshop; the EDC forecast income contingent on industrial-park lot sales and noted a large balloon loan payment due Aug. 1, 2026 that drives a reported $5.6 million deficit in its projection.
WESLACO ' Representatives of outside agencies presented proposed budgets and program updates at the Weslaco City Commission workshop on Aug. 19.
Barbara, speaking for the Chamber and the city's visitor center, reviewed the Discover Weslaco marketing program and said the visitor center recorded about 28,000 visitors in the fiscal year to date and that recent billboard advertising (including placements in Monterrey, Mexico) had produced cross-border referrals. She requested increased hot-funds support for a statue project, murals and a Texas Highways magazine campaign.
EDC representatives presented a financial snapshot and assumptions. An EDC presenter said the EDC is budgeting conservatively for $5.2 million in sales-tax income and projects total income of $8.0 million contingent on selling $2.0 million in industrial-park lots. The presenter said expenses are about $3.137 million and that a large balloon loan payment due Aug. 1, 2026, leaves an apparent deficit of roughly $5.6 million in the projection. The EDC said reserves and careful cash management are planned to address the balloon payment and that the board would consider the budget at its meeting the following day before returning to the commission for final approval.
Smaller outside agencies delivered brief updates and requests. Chris Warren of Frontera Audubon asked for $50,000 in hotel/motel funds to maintain visitor services and events; Crystal Rodriguez of the Weslaco Museum requested continued support to sustain programming and a small increase tied to conference participation; Holly Johnson of the Valley Nature Center requested additional funding (roughly $99,160 requested) to hire event-specific staff to support growing festivals and to sustain high service ratings.
The Boys and Girls Club did not attend but continues to receive $75,000 annually from the city's general fund, with no increase requested.
Commissioners thanked presenters and asked staff to plan a follow-up workshop in September to coordinate departmental needs, budgets and long-term planning. The workshop adjourned without final votes on the outside-agency budgets.
