[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6477023,"mediaKeyId","5713882-b9371f240c62dbcc301f530ac02937e0","parentId",5713882,"title","Votes at a glance: Harlingen commission approves ordinances, resolutions and agreements","audioSeconds",2632,"startMs",1778000,"endMs",4410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713882-b9371f240c62dbcc301f530ac02937e0&start=1778&end=4410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713882-b9371f240c62dbcc301f530ac02937e0/thumbnail_1778000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477023/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Harlingen-commission-approves-ordinances-resolutions-and-agreements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477023-d637fa441c97e0ef16750d3b24ddb2b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112575&Signature=YJ4TVsAYWFlaAymnerwgWG~7Y4EKcywyzFlbM4E36aqR1FCJYXNfqBV5IYwqy6TryzAKq3t-eJ6FADn7L-nAfyU6Oo6ns6OYl2GLRAsgLfllsIDTKC2y64zBwWBmKeotPh2UtucsIXqEPbxbsG7mioJzoMtVltKlXUVKFPLBhI1R44cz8PvywHMWx7CbqPBWDkfohyLePjQQlkFrUtEByeiSmlv0SXg9u-fY-krs9j2j00QaLXuDll4RdC79vzyXUuaXLMNT1IorsrH386W15CNU0~FiJpvmKIW6Y5VVzS7IFWh9QFlaZ2nPt-CK70T5Peyhbzd6JSrO3QUN3qvkww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Harlingen","date","2025-09-04T06:35:57.767Z","article","The Harlingen City Commission approved a series of consent and action items during its meeting. Several items were passed with little or no debate; the commission pulled a few items for brief discussion before carrying them by vote.

Key actions taken (motions approved unless noted):

- Authorize agreement with the Marine Military Academy to use hotel-motel funds for Iwo Jima Monument promotion (consent item pulled for comment; motion carried; one commissioner abstained on the item).
- Approve a special-use permit (first reading) to allow a storage container in a General Retail district at 302 North 77 Sunshine Strip (Dollar Tree site): first-reading ordinance approved; no public opposition signed up.
- Adopt amendments to the Harlingen Code of Ordinances Chapter 18 (master fee schedule) to establish fees related to Tony Butler Golf Course (first-reading ordinance approved); city staff said further fee adjustments may return at a future meeting.
- Approve an ordinance on first reading amending the FY2025 budget (third and final budget amendment; housekeeping item) and other routine budget/financial ordinances.
- Approve changes related to TMRS updated-service credits (first reading) as a one-time adjustment; the commission did not approve an increase to the contribution rate at this time.
- Approve a resolution accepting the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation's final amendment to its FY2024-2025 budget and a separate resolution accepting the EDC's proposed FY2026 budget.
- Approve a memorandum of understanding required by HUD under 24 CFR part 91 for CDBG planning (motion carried unanimously).
- Fund $100,000 for the \"2 Salutes Sequenta program and community health worker\" for FY2026 (motion carried).
- Renew the McGriff employee-benefit broker agreement for FY2025-2026 (annual renewal; fee unchanged), with staff noting the city may go to self-insurance in the future.
- Reappoint Diana Esparza to the Parks Advisory Board and Sylvia Flores to the Community Development Advisory Board (motions approved unanimously).
- The commission recessed to executive session on attorney consultation, real-estate deliberations and certain economic-development projects and later returned to acknowledge the report from executive session (motion to acknowledge carried unanimously).

Most consent and routine items passed unanimously; individual items that were pulled for discussion received additional explanation from staff before being approved. Where first readings were approved, staff said second readings and final ordinances would return as required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Harlingen Regular Commission Meeting 09-03-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of consent and action items the Harlingen City Commission voted on, including several routine ordinances, a CDBG memorandum of understanding, EDC budget items, a funding allocation, and contract renewals.","taxTitle","Harlingen, Cameron County, Texas","taxId",3687,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477028,"Harlingen commission approves special-use permit for food-truck park with limits after neighbor concerns",962,1888000,2850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713882-b9371f240c62dbcc301f530ac02937e0&start=1888&end=2850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713882-b9371f240c62dbcc301f530ac02937e0/thumbnail_1888000.jpg","/articles/6477028/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-commission-approves-special-use-permit-for-food-truck-park-with-limits-after-neighbor-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477028-8581c2d7308f0babc4376acc5d69812a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112575&Signature=o~RsImhWDa5kl0UaOZl756CIEJNPv-1WpJexVzMh-wGh2BqoAPZNXH--gfyw~393wdi3eRa~uWrs8pFASqz6ydP~SjhGR-BOz7On0wXh90EeZmPt0kskTzaSmrxYmYswrg2CCqmI0ynilm5PQk2x0TE8BWIX3BHPWibGuNM8a~lgaNYHq9okCYMOIRz-ZXY5YZfJcBJjvLdAmjHp7o7k2sQWY3P22UdTd5bHRvKKrPZICUMG2fo6OxRd3uFpI~z2hCjkhx0akXc4JCjT9PAf4Y0FkSn7i8W84fA~DpFEVMjrirjaRBE4oMQXRM73WZ~Oo8xs6cWkzmxTTby31Gc6Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harlingen City Commission approved a special-use permit allowing a food-truck park at 2906 South Expressway 83 after commissioners and residents raised concerns about parking, traffic, and potential late-night operations.

Commissioners discussed calls and messages from neighbors near the proposed site; planning staff clarified that the applicant's requested seating layout produced an occupancy load of 31 people, which produced a parking calculation of nine required spaces under the city's current ordinance. Commissioners and neighbors said existing businesses already occupy substantial parking on the lot during weekday hours.

James Judkins, the applicant and owner of the former funeral-home property, told the commission he has 43 employees at his businesses and that his plan was to use the food-truck park primarily to serve employees and nearby workers. He said, \"We do have 43 employees, so you're pretty good at part counting cars,\" and added, \"We don't intend any music. We don't intend any alcohol.\" He also told commissioners he expected some trucks to operate in the morning and daytime and that he did not intend evening or weekend operations.

Commissioners expressed concern about the proposal's initial maximum of 10 food trucks and the potential for street parking and traffic on Louisiana Street. One commissioner asked the applicant to consider a smaller maximum and more restrictive hours to reduce neighborhood impact. The applicant told the commission he would be willing to limit the operation; when asked the maximum number of trucks he thought he would actually host, he said \"Possibly 6.\"

The commission approved the SUP with conditions intended to address neighbors' concerns, including limits on the number of trucks and operating hours so the park would operate primarily during daytime/business hours rather than late-night weekend hours. The record shows the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The SUP creates a new location for mobile-food vendors in Harlingen and aims to balance small-business opportunities with neighborhood livability. Commissioners and staff said the SUP process allows the city to set conditions tailored to the site.

Ending: The applicant and staff will finalize the SUP conditions and any administrative permit details with city planning and public-safety staff before the park opens.","A special-use permit for a food-truck park at 2906 South Expressway 83 was approved with conditions limiting the number of trucks and restricting late-night hours following neighbor concerns about parking and traffic; the applicant said trucks will operate primarily during business hours and will not serve alcohol or play music.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477033,"Harlingen adopts $119.6 million fiscal 2026 budget and approves a modest property tax increase",804,3126000,3930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713882-b9371f240c62dbcc301f530ac02937e0&start=3126&end=3930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713882-b9371f240c62dbcc301f530ac02937e0/thumbnail_3126000.jpg","/articles/6477033/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-adopts-1196-million-fiscal-2026-budget-and-approves-a-modest-property-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477033-c4eaa7397f2609c5b52310c230af34b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112575&Signature=m1Gc6mMOAWhiJ7DWTwn6iFpxNIAyuIBd8potYY2Pa0JCgzT2uAn5VojEQjyXRwZ1Sc~-0Y7Q9veBXEQqxWLnXRRH7pruSXmYI4bTefJ94W1BVVWiFe9IzAyyWUBCXI1BAblgmy7s4Pnn77u03~uqI-1N9PueemQRfBuyX34WUze619ldPKIUMSt~G1meMo7f9pAQf4U5RCNZbVMQHU9BAtrmpJIADjrlYJdYHML2CVBo1OXmkDGzYAcxgMScMyy1s1C4coG1wWgi5ywCMTKwjsSvI~VdB9bJHAPwiT1Cz3dgnHZzx2l-VaSpd3yqg7qVTWOlF37VUa5qQLYJHnnwcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harlingen City Commission adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget and approved an ad valorem tax rate during its meeting at Harlingen City Hall.

Finance staff presented the second and final reading of the fiscal 2026 budget, reporting proposed revenues of $119,595,005.78 and total expenditures of $117,000,005.34. The commission then voted to adopt the budget by record vote. The commission also adopted the city's tax rate for tax year 2025 as part of a separate record vote and approved several related budget and retirement-plan ordinances and resolutions.

Why it matters: The adopted budget includes funding for new staff and capital investments the city has been discussing during budget workshops, including additional public-works positions and equipment for drainage, and collective-bargaining cost adjustments for public safety employees. The tax-rate vote and budget together determine property-tax revenue and how those funds will be used in the next fiscal year.

Finance staff gave the budget presentation on the record, saying, \"We proposed revenues of a $119,595,005.78 and expenditures of $117,000,005.34,\" language recorded during the meeting. Commissioners then debated the budget and procurement procedures before taking a recorded vote.

Public comment included a lengthy statement from a resident who challenged the city's historical tax claims and warned about perceived increases; the speaker later said he would retract an earlier allegation about improper vendor favoritism. That exchange prompted commissioners to ask the speaker to present any evidence to law enforcement or the city attorney if he wished concerns to be investigated.

Beyond the main budget and tax-rate votes, the commission:
- Approved a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment as a cleanup to align revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year.
- Approved a change in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) plan as a one-time updated-service-credit adjustment (the commission did not adopt an increase to the city contribution rate at this time).
- Passed a resolution ratifying the property tax level reflected in the adopted budget, as required by state law.

The mayor and commission members thanked staff for the budget work and noted that the package included funding for 19 new positions, a 7% firefighter pay increase referenced by staff, and funding for drainage equipment. The commission adopted the budget and tax rate by record votes as required under state law.

The ordinance and related resolutions take effect as provided in each document; no specific ordinance numbers were given on the record.

Ending: City staff said implementation will begin with the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, 2025, and the commission indicated further monitoring of procurement practices and potential future policy adjustments to reduce expenses.","The Harlingen City Commission adopted the fiscal 2026 budget, approved an ad valorem tax rate that produces a modest increase over last year, and approved related pension and budget amendments after public comment and commissioner debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Harlingen commission approves ordinances, resolutions and agreements

Harlingen commission approves special-use permit for food-truck park with limits after neighbor concerns

Harlingen adopts $119.6 million fiscal 2026 budget and approves a modest property tax increase