Weslaco meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Weslaco City Commission weighs budget, tax rate, and rezoning; boards tackle variances and park plans

Weslaco city boards and commissions met over the past two weeks to discuss the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, a property rezoning, tax rate, and a range of neighborhood issues. No final decisions have been published yet, as minutes from these meetings are not yet available. The most consequential items appeared on the City Commission's August 18 agenda, which included a proposed tax rate, a rezoning request, and more than $300,000 in planned spending.

City Commission

The City Commission held four budget workshops (August 10, 11, 12, and 18) to discuss the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget, projects, and operations. These were discussion-only sessions with no votes scheduled. The August 18 workshop also included a presentation on outside agencies' budget funding and an executive session covering the city manager's evaluation, legal consultation on a lawsuit (Cause No. C-3430-26-D), and property on 18th Street and Westgate Drive.

At the August 18 regular meeting, the commission held public hearings and considered first reading of an ordinance to rezone 1715 Abilene Dr. from R-1 to B-2 (Ordinance 2026-25). It also considered adopting the Land Use Assumption Plan and Capital Improvement Plan, and proposed the 2026-2027 ad valorem tax rate (Resolution 2026-63). The agenda included approval of $146,850 in supplemental services for Fire Station #4 (ERO Architects) and a $155,604.80 change order for shade structures at two parks. No vote outcomes are available.

On August 19, the commission posted a notice of a possible quorum at the Boys & Girls Club groundbreaking ceremony at Mayor Pablo Peña Park, 300 N. Airport Drive. No votes were taken; any discussion of public business was incidental.

Boards and Committees

The Board of Adjustments and Appeals of Zoning met August 12 to consider ten variance requests from the Sign Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance. Among them: a sign variance at 1005 N Iowa Rd (petitioner Hinojosa Law), zoning variances at 3111 W Mimosa Dr (Daniel De La Cruz), 1515 and 1604 Descanso Dr (Ramon Perales), and a sign variance at 215 W Business Highway 83 (Al SkyLite Signs, LLC). The board also approved minutes from July 8 and took public comments.

The Airport Advisory Committee met August 13 for routine items: approving June minutes, noting no quorum in July, and a monthly progress report.

The Beautification Committee met August 17 to discuss establishing Yard of the Month signage criteria for residential and commercial properties, and beautifying Old City Hall/Fire Station with donated or sponsored plants. No votes were listed.

The Parks Advisory Board met August 19 to discuss updates on Isaac Rodriguez Park and pickleball courts, a community survey, and social media. The board also introduced a new member, appointed a new chairman and vice-chairman, and heard a presentation on Gaga Ball.

The Iwo Jima Blue Ribbon Committee held a special meeting August 20 to review paver fundraising and its financial account with the City of Weslaco.

Coming up

The City Commission will hold a workshop today, August 24, to discuss the FY26-27 budget wrap-up, staffed by the City Manager and Finance Department. This is a discussion-only item with no votes scheduled. Residents interested in the budget may attend to hear the final details before the commission takes formal action at a later date.

Weslaco commission set to vote on road, drainage, and police grants; recent meetings remain without published minutes

Weslaco residents have a busy stretch of city government ahead, with the City Commission scheduled to vote August 4 on more than $600,000 in contracts, grants, and infrastructure work. Meanwhile, several meetings from the past two weeks — including a July 21 commission workshop on drainage and fireworks and a July 29 session on city insurance contracts — remain agenda-only, with no minutes published yet, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Recent meetings: agendas only, no outcomes confirmed

The Weslaco City Commission held a workshop on July 21 at City Hall, 255 South Kansas Avenue, at 4:30 p.m. Presentations were scheduled from the Public Works Department on drainage ditch maintenance and from the Fire Department on fireworks within city limits. The commission was also set to enter executive session for legal consultations on the City Manager evaluation, lawsuit C-2224-26-H involving De Leon Aircraft Maintenance, and a potential claim by Maria Lorena Martinez de Martin. No minutes have been published.

A separate July 21 commission agenda listed several action items, including Ordinance 2026-21 to rezone 715 N Kansas Ave from R-1 to T-1 townhomes, Ordinance 2026-22 to rezone 1628 Canyon Dr. from M-1 mobile home to B-1 business, and an application to the FY26 COPS Hiring Program for up to $1,000,000 with a 25% match. Also listed: Change Order No. 1 for Rafetlis Financial Consultants for feasibility studies, not to exceed $12,500, and Ordinance 2026-24 creating a fireworks prohibition on first reading. Outcomes are not yet available.

On July 22, the Iwo Jima Blue Ribbon Committee met to discuss fundraising activities, including paver sales and a financial account with the City of Weslaco, plus social media networking and dignitary invitations. No minutes published.

On July 29, the City Commission was scheduled to consider awarding several insurance RFPs staffed by Human Resources: Employee Group Health Insurance (RFP #2025-26-36), Employer Paid Group Term Life & AD&D Insurance (RFP #2025-26-40), Workers Compensation Insurance (RFP #2025-26-37), Ancillary Products (RFP #2025-26-39), and the Commercial Package (RFP #2025-26-38). No outcomes confirmed.

On July 30, the Weslaco Recycling Task Force was set to receive updates on a solid waste grant and recycling programs, and discuss city events including Touch A Truck and Onion Fest, plus the City Hall internal recycling program. No minutes published.

August 4 commission workshop and regular meeting

The City Commission holds a workshop August 4 covering two main topics: the impact of private haulers on road conditions, public safety, and public health, and a citywide pavement condition index using on-call services. Executive sessions are listed for the City Manager evaluation, financial incentives for Project Hollywood Reaper, and property at 18th Street and Westgate Drive.

The same day, the commission's regular meeting includes votes on several items:

• Approve $18,490.92 LETPA grant for police training equipment
• Reconstruct and pave Mile 2 1/2 West Road for $118,156
• Approve $203,451 LPR purchase grant for police department
• Amend $15,000 contract for Cotton Estates Drainage Expansion Project
• Approve $254,916 contract for citywide pavement condition assessment

The agenda also lists department reports and recognition of local sports champions.

Planning and Zoning meets August 5

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on a zoning change at 1715 Abilene Dr from R-1 to B-2, and discuss a six-month extension for Ramos Estates Subdivision. The agenda includes approval of minutes and public comments.

Coming up

• **August 4, City Commission workshop** — private haulers and road conditions, citywide pavement condition index, plus executive sessions. City Hall.
• **August 4, City Commission regular meeting** — votes on road paving, drainage, police grants, and pavement assessment contracts.
• **August 5, Planning and Zoning Commission** — public hearing on zoning change at 1715 Abilene Dr and Ramos Estates subdivision extension.
• **August 5, Iwo Jima Blue Ribbon Committee** — fundraising and social media discussion in the Planning Conference Room; no formal decisions listed.

Weslaco Government Roundup: City Commission Eyes $1M Police Grant, Property Sale, and Rezoning Actions

Weslaco's recent and upcoming government meetings cover a wide range of topics — from a potential $1 million federal police-hiring grant to drainage projects, animal shelter partnerships, and the possible sale of a 12.79-acre city property. However, no meeting minutes have been published for any of the recent sessions listed below, so it is not yet possible to confirm what was actually decided. The following reflects what was on each agenda.

City Commission — Property, Permits, and Rezoning

The City Commission held two meetings on July 7, 2026. Agendas show the commission was scheduled to review a traffic study for Westgate and 18th Street, consider the proposed 2025–2026 dilapidated-structures plan, and enter executive session to discuss the possible sale, purchase, exchange, lease, or valuation of a 12.79-acre property at Westgate and 18th Street (Farm Tract 666, Block 164). Additional executive sessions were listed for the City Manager evaluation and a legal consultation with the City Attorney regarding Liquid Environmental.

A second July 7 agenda included public hearings on Conditional Use Permits for 7-Eleven Beverage Company, Inc. at 2625 N Westgate Dr. and for Ana E Leal at 301 N Texas Blvd. Rezoning proposals on the agenda covered 218 & 300 W Huisache (R-1 to B-1 Neighborhood Business District) and 715 N Kansas Ave. (R-1 to T-1 Townhomes District). Resolution 2026-49 would authorize TXDOT street closures for the Alfresco Weslaco Music & Art event series from August 2026 through February 2027. The agenda also listed an economic-development contract exceeding $100,000 as a discussion item.

Board of Adjustments — Five Variance Requests

On July 8, 2026, the Board of Adjustments and Appeals of Zoning was scheduled to hear five variance requests: a sign ordinance variance at 417 N International Blvd. (petitioner: Sign Crafters, Inc., including a $286.72 measurement), zoning variances at 713 Deanne Dr. and 707 Deanne Dr. (petitioner: ANH Construction), a zoning variance at 1302 Helen Dr. (petitioner: Raul Dena), and a sign ordinance variance at 2625 N Westgate Dr. (petitioner: Mark Pullin, including a $325.43 measurement). Public comments were limited to three minutes per speaker.

Airport, Drainage, Parks, and Animal Shelter Boards

The Mid Valley Airport Advisory Committee met July 9 to receive a monthly progress report and a report on the Hangar Project. No decisions beyond routine agenda approvals were listed.

The Drainage Advisory Board met July 9 to discuss five drainage projects: Cornerstone Phase 2, 12th Street improvements, Southland improvements, Pleasantview improvements, and the Summerlin Subdivision.

The Parks Advisory Board met July 15 to elect a new chairman and vice-chairman, review park improvements, and discuss a community survey and social media pages.

The Animal Shelter Advisory Board met July 15 to report on proposed animal care ordinances and discuss a potential partnership with People Assisting Animal Control (PAAC) for sterilization services for city shelter animals.

Rio Grande Valley Public Utility Agency

On July 16, the RGVPUA board was scheduled to consider adopting its bylaws, approving April 2, 2026 meeting minutes, and securing director and officer liability insurance, website development services, and depository bank account services.

Coming Up

• **July 21, 4:30 PM, City Hall (255 South Kansas Ave.)** — City Commission workshop on drainage ditch maintenance (Public Works) and fireworks in city limits (Fire Department), followed by executive sessions on the City Manager evaluation, lawsuit C-2224-26-H involving De Leon Aircraft Maintenance, and a potential claim by Maria Lorena Martinez de Martin.
• **July 21, City Commission regular meeting** — Vote scheduled on a FY26 COPS Hiring Program grant application for up to $1,000,000 with a 25% match; Ordinance 2026-21 rezoning 715 N Kansas Ave. from R-1 to T-1 townhomes; Ordinance 2026-22 rezoning 1628 Canyon Dr. from M-1 mobile home to B-1 business; Change Order No. 1 for Rafetlis Financial Consultants not to exceed $12,500; and Ordinance 2026-24 creating a fireworks prohibition (first reading).
• **July 22** — Iwo Jima Blue Ribbon Committee special meeting on fundraising pavers, a financial account with the City of Weslaco, social media networking, and dignitary invitations.

All recent meeting agendas listed above remain unconfirmed by published minutes. Readers should consult the official Weslaco city records for final outcomes.