Harlingen meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Harlingen: Water rates, budget, and annexations on this week's agendas

Harlingen city officials this week are weighing water and sewer rate increases, a proposed budget for the next fiscal year, and several annexation and rezoning requests. No decisions have been published yet — minutes from recent meetings are not available — but agendas show the items under consideration.

Water and sewer rates, annexations

At its Aug. 19 meeting, the City Commission took up first reading of water and sewer rate adjustments to fund capital improvements. The agenda also included voluntary annexation of 35.32 acres in the David and Stephenson Subdivision with initial M-2 zoning, rezoning of 1.121 acres near South Expressway 83 to Residential Multi-Family (M-2), a flood damage prevention ordinance amendment on second reading, and $50,000 for Pro Shop Pickleball Courts renovation and $50,000 for a police pickup truck. Minutes have not yet been published.

Budget workshops

The commission held workshops on Aug. 13 and Aug. 17 to discuss the proposed City of Harlingen Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. No votes were taken. A third workshop is scheduled for Aug. 24.

Development Corporation of Harlingen

The Development Corporation of Harlingen reviewed its amended FY 25-26 budget and a preliminary FY 26-27 budget. The amended budget shows a surplus of $1.53 million, while the proposed FY 26-27 budget projects a deficit of $970,111. Key changes include cutting the Grand Entrance at Roosevelt project to $2.81 million (from $3.718 million adopted), adding Project EYE at $888,034, and increasing direct business incentives to $1.127 million (from $862,000 adopted). The board is scheduled to meet again Aug. 25 to discuss the budgets, but no action is expected.

Planning and Zoning

On Aug. 11, the Planning and Zoning Commission held public hearings on a rezoning request for 1.121 acres south of New Hampshire Street to Multi-Family (M-2) and a voluntary annexation of 3.597 acres at Wilson Road and Chester Park Road for General Retail zoning. The commission also received status reports on several prior items. On Aug. 25, the commission is set to consider an amended Special Use Permit for a Community Residential Facility on 6.546 acres at Breedlove Street and West Loop 499 (Tropical Texas Behavioral Health).

Other boards

• The Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum Advisory Board met Aug. 12 for a tour and routine items.
• The Veterans Advisory Board met Aug. 13 to elect officers: Chair Maricela Alvarado, Co-Chair Moses Mendoza, Secretary Mark Carrizalez, and to welcome new members.
• The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met Aug. 18 to review summer programs and updates on Wilson Sports Complex, Stuart Place Park, and Pendleton Park.

Coming up

• **Aug. 24** – City Commission budget workshop
• **Aug. 25** – Civil Service Commission (promotional exams for Deputy Police Chief and Police Commander)
• **Aug. 25** – Development Corporation of Harlingen board
• **Aug. 25** – Planning and Zoning Commission
• **Aug. 27** – Historic Preservation Council
• **Aug. 27** – Firemen's Pension Board

Harlingen Boards Consider Park Funding, 37.8-Acre Rezoning, and Key Appointments in Late July

Several Harlingen boards and commissions met in the final two weeks of July, with agendas covering park improvements totaling more than $300,000, a 37.8-acre rezoning request for single-family homes, and the possible appointment of a new Civil Service Director. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so final actions are not confirmed; the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board — July 21

The board was scheduled to approve minutes from its April 21 and June 23, 2026 meetings. Agenda items included updates on tennis facility improvements, summer leagues, summer swimming lessons, public swim, the Wilson Sports Complex, and the Texas A&M Forestry Grant. The board also planned to discuss possible items for future agendas.

Keep Harlingen Beautiful Board — July 23

The board considered several funding items, including $40,000.00 for Vestal Dog Park improvements and a $200 scholarship for the Earth Day Creative Recycling Competition. Other possible funding items included a plaque at Treto Pocket Park; signage, benches, and a plaque for Rangerville Park; and removal of a mural at Lozano Plaza to prepare the wall for a new one.

Civil Service Commission — July 27

The commission was scheduled to consider appointing Ms. Christine Castillo as the new Civil Service Director and to approve minutes from the June 2, 2026 meeting. The meeting was set for 12:00 p.m. at City Hall, 118 E. Tyler.

Development Corporation of Harlingen — July 28

The board considered $35,000 in proposed funding to the City of Harlingen for the 2026 All-America City Award Conference. Also on the agenda: Revitalize Harlingen grant funding for Jose H. Ruiz (BlueLeaf Title) and Carolina Graces (Limitless Studio), a Boost Harlingen grant for Maria Gricelda Nunez (Gracie's Goodies), and a review of selected participants for the Rise Up Harlingen Pitch competition. The board also planned an executive session covering 14 projects, including Project Blade, Project Addition, and Harlingen Industrial Park.

Planning and Zoning Commission — July 28

The commission held public hearings on a proposal to rezone 37.803 acres north of East Treasure Hills Boulevard from General Retail (GR) to Planned Development (PD) for single-family residential use. The agenda also included preliminary construction plans and a final plat for Paso Real Coves Subdivision Phases IV & V on the same 37.803-acre tract. Other items: a Special Use Permit for a storage container at 602 & 606 W. Van Buren Avenue (Logos Community Church), a Special Use Permit for a food truck park at 215 E. Monroe Avenue, and an ordinance amending Chapter 105 (Flood Damage Prevention) to update standards and procedures.

Firemen's Pension Board — July 30

The board was scheduled to select a Small Cap Growth Manager based on search recommendations from Tony Kay with Mariner. Other agenda items included approval of financial statements for June 30, 2026, a Clarion Lion Properties Fund report for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, a Mariner Investment Performance Review for June 30, 2025, and the Westwood Statement of Accounts for June 2026.

Community Improvement Board — July 30

The board held a public hearing on possible approval of $240,000.00 for Hunter Park Improvements and a separate public hearing on possible approval of $75,570.00 for the All-America City Application. The agenda also included possible approval of $14,000 for the Dixieland Park Parking Lot Improvements Project and adoption of financial statements ending June 30, 2026.

Coming Up

• **Aug. 4 — Zoning Board of Adjustments:** Public hearing on a variance request by applicant Gabriela Escandon for a carport encroaching 20 ft into the front yard and 1.5 ft into the north side yard setback at 1326 North R Street (R-1 District).
• **Aug. 5 — City Commission:** Regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room at City Hall, 118 E. Tyler Avenue. Agenda includes a vote on rezoning a 0.05-acre tract on K Street, floodplain ordinance amendments, a public hearing on an adult business special use permit at 112 E. Jackson Street, voluntary annexation of 35.32 acres for multi-family zoning near Montezuma Road, and a $2.5M cybersecurity grant application for Windows 11 upgrades and data backup systems.
• **Aug. 6 — District #3 Town Hall:** City Commission members will attend a town hall from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Treasure Hills Elementary, 2525 Haine Dr. This is not a formal City Commission meeting but is posted in case a quorum is present.

Harlingen Boards and Commission Consider Budget, Land Use, and Federal Funding

The Harlingen City Commission was scheduled to consider the Fiscal Year 2026 budget amendment, the FY 2027 Street Improvement Program list, and the appointment of Marie Leal as General Manager of the Harlingen Waterworks System at its July 15 meeting. Minutes for recent city meetings have not yet been published, so the outcomes of these proposed items are not yet available.

City Commission

On July 15, the City Commission agenda included a 20% discount on green fees and golf cart fees at Tony Butler Golf Course, authorization for Texas Water Development Board financial assistance, and the appointment of Marie Leal as General Manager of the Harlingen Waterworks System. A July 16 workshop was scheduled for a presentation by Schneider Electric on the 60% IGA update.

Community Development Advisory Board

The July 14 meeting included a public hearing on the proposed one-year action plan budget. The agenda listed a $30,000 CDBG grant to the Boys and Girls Club, a $157,789 CDBG grant to Public Works for solar lights, and $229,884.08 in HOME-ARP funding for affordable housing programs. Applications from Sunny Glen Children’s Home, Friendship of Women, Inc., and Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley were also scheduled for presentation.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The July 14 agenda featured preliminary construction plans for Altas Palmas Subdivision Phase II, covering 41.72 acres. The commission was set to consider rezoning 5.06 acres on Paloma Lane from R-1 to Planned Development for smaller lot sizes, and a special use permit request for an adult business (bar) at 112 E. Jackson Street. Also on the agenda was the voluntary annexation of 35.32 acres and zoning of 3.536 acres as Multi-Family (M-2) on Montezuma Road, along with proposed amendments to Chapter 105, "Flood Damage Prevention," of the Code of Ordinances.

Zoning Board of Adjustments

On July 7, the board was scheduled to hold public hearings on three special exceptions for accessory structures encroaching into front yard setbacks in Residential, Single-Family (R-1) Districts. The requests involve carports at 1609 Sunnyside Drive (25 feet into setback), 2414 E. Bowie Avenue (7.25 feet into setback), and 513 Chapote Avenue (3 feet into setback).

Other Boards and Committees

• The Arts & Heritage Museum Advisory Board met July 8 to discuss the Harlingen Hospital Historic Preservation Strategic Plan.
• The Harlingen Elective Commission participated in a District #4 Town Hall at Bowie Elementary on July 9, noted as not a formal meeting of the Commission.
• The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee met July 14 to discuss shelter operations under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823.

Coming Up

• **July 21:** The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will review updates on the Wilson Sports Complex, tennis facility improvements, summer swimming lessons, and the Texas A&M Forestry Grant.
• **July 27:** The Civil Service Commission will consider appointing Ms. Christine Castillo as the new Civil Service Director. The meeting is at 12:00 p.m. at City Hall, 118 E. Tyler.