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Commission extends SRO interlocal with HCISD, accepts TxDOT traffic grant and approves speed-hump testing
Summary
The commission approved a second extension of the School Resource Officer interlocal agreement with HCISD for 2026-2027 (noting Commissioner Perez's abstention), accepted a TxDOT Operation Slow Down enforcement grant, and approved testing for speed humps at several neighborhood locations.
The Harlingen City Commission on July 1 approved several public-safety items affecting schools and streets.
On a motion and second, commissioners approved a second extension to the 2023-2025 interlocal agreement between Harlingen and HCISD for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program for the 2026-2027 school year. The agreement covers one sergeant and three officers assigned to the high schools; HCISD reimburses the city for the officers' salaries. Commissioner Renee Perez formally abstained from the record on this item, which the commission moved and approved.
Separately, the commission authorized acceptance of a Texas Department of Transportation selective traffic-enforcement grant (Operation Slow Down) for FY26. Staff and the police chief explained the grant provides roughly $7,000—$8,000 for overtime and special traffic-safety projects with a local match (reported by staff as approximately $2,250 in the discussion). The chief said the funds permit proactive overtime enforcement focused on speed and traffic safety without drawing from the city's general fund.
The commission also approved testing and potential installation of speed humps at several locations including the 200 block of East Davis, Heritage Way, and the 3800-3900 block of Bourbon Street; commissioners added airport-area crosswalks for review.
Chief and staff answered commissioners' questions about overtime, SRO supervision (Sergeant Brooks supervises the SROs while the chief remains ultimately responsible), and the contract terms that incorporate salary adjustments tied to ongoing CBAs. Commissioners asked staff to confirm reimbursements account for any future CBA pay changes.
The measures passed by voice vote; the SRO extension included an on-the-record abstention by Commissioner Perez.
