Weslaco · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Weslaco public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Master Fee Schedule updates
A proposed $5-a-month opt-in recycling fee got pulled at the last minute. Commissioners worried it wouldn't cover trucks, bins, and driver time, and want a community survey and workshop before setting a price.
TMRS retirement funding decision
The city chose to keep its annual ad hoc retirement benefit rather than the repeating option, which would have jumped the employer contribution rate from 9.14% to 13.41% in 2027.
Workers' compensation carrier selection
The city picked Texas Mutual's out-of-network plan even though the in-network option was $44,000 cheaper, because local in-network providers are scarce. Texas Mutual has also paid the city nearly $461,000 in safety dividends over five years.
Delinquent tax collections improving
The city's tax law firm collected over $334,000 in six months and uses text-to-pay outreach; 123 lawsuits pending represent over $432,000 still owed.
Sanitation Fleet Replacement
Trash trucks are running 1,400-1,500 stops a day — nearly double the recommended load — and all have over 100,000 miles. Staff is building a five-year replacement plan, and the mayor wants two new trucks on the next agenda.
City Finances — FY 2025 Audit Results
The General Fund is healthy with $3.1M added and strong sales tax, but the sanitation and airport funds are running negative, and the water fund tightens after $4M in bond payments. The mayor ordered monthly budget check-ins with every department.
Housing Authority PILOT program
About $20,000 a year in HUD payment-in-lieu-of-taxes money will now flow back to the Housing Authority's nonprofit for scholarships and senior food programs, at no net cost to the city.
City employee pay study
The commission has committed to raising city employee pay from the 12th to the 55th percentile, a move praised publicly by the library board president.
TIRZ No. 2 creation and TIRZ No. 1 changes
The city finalized a new 193.7-acre Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2, trimmed properties out of TIRZ No. 1, and appointed Randy Winston and Americo Garza to the TIRZ No. 1 board.