Pharr’s Annual Report: State of the City event unveils new ‘crown jewel’
The City of Pharr marked its 10th Annual State-of the-City Address last Thursday with a James Bond-themed presentation, highlighting the milestones, successes, and transformation achieved over the past decade. Through a year-by-year reflection, guests experienced a powerful recap of the city’s growth and progress.
Following the introduction of the Pharr City Commission, guests were drawn into a James Bond– style opening scene as the Pharr team joined forces to help the mayor, modeling the 007 character, track down the “missing key to the city,” setting the stage for this year’s start to the address.
As he took the stage, Hernandez announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen... the key to the city is secure!”
As a longtime fan of Bond, using one of his trademark introductions — “My name is Bond, James Bond,” Hernandez flipped the script:
“Just call me Mayor. Dr. Mayor.”
Last week’s State-of-the-City Address marks Hernandez’s 11th turn at the microphone after his stunning, somewhat unexpected, mayoral win in 2015. At the time, during that campaign, people could be heard asking how a busy pediatric surgeon could find the time to serve as the city’s mayor.
“I can multitask,” he said at the time.
Ambrosio “Amos” Hernandez is currently serving the final year of his third term and still looks like he’s having fun doing it.
“Here in Pharr, we are your very own 007’s, fighting for a better life for you,” said Hernandez during his opening remarks.
The state of the City of Pharr continues to be bold, breaking barriers, he said, and “we are just getting started.”
Reflecting on a milestone year and decade, Hernandez highlighted Pharr’s incredible momentum, including historic growth, major grant investments, and the expansion of projects and events that continue to enhance the quality of life for Pharr residents.
The big news unveiled during the mayor’s speech last week — the unveiling of renderings for a new stateof- the-art Multi-Use Facility, hailed as Pharr’s next “crown jewel.”
The facility will centralize key services, improve efficiency, and create a modern space built to serve generations to come, said Hernandez. The project, on the west side of North 281, near the current events center, is expected to be completed by 2028.
Major Accomplishments
In his remarks, Mayor Hernandez outlined the city’s major accomplishments and milestones from the past year. Highlights included:
# Administration and Finance — In September, the City of Pharr approved a balanced budget of $290 million, generating $1 million in new revenues and achieving an $11 million surplus. Through careful fiscal management, the city reduced expenses by 7 percent and set aside more than $10 million in reserves, demonstrating continued financial strength and stability.
# Pharr Connect — Since its launch in 2021, Pharr Connect has experienced tremendous growth, said the mayor, now reaching more than 53 percent of residential customers and generating an estimated $9 million in community savings. The program continues to deliver measurable results, with the past year marking its strongest performance to date. In just six months, Pharr Connect expanded services to more than 100 businesses, capturing 5 percent of the city’s business market.
# Museum of South Texas History — Pharr has partnered with the Museum of South Texas History to promote, expand, and preserve the city’s rich heritage and cultural legacy.
# City Safety — Pharr announced a significant 22.2 percent reduction in crime, achieved through focused enforcement, data- driven strategies, and strong community partnerships. The city also highlighted the expansion of Pharr EMS services into the City of San Juan and recognized the Pharr PD for being selected to participate in the 2025 Presidential Inauguration Parade.
# Business Development — Pharr welcomed the grand opening of IKEA Pharr, a 44,000-square-foot store and the first IKEA small-format concept location in Texas. The $4.5 million investment brought more than 40 new jobs to the community, adding momentum to the city’s growing economy, said Hernandez. The city also showcased SRS Distribution’s new $4.5 million, 31,000-squarefoot distribution center, a major business expansion expected to generate over $10 million in annual sales and further strengthen Pharr’s position as a regional hub for commerce.
# City Services — Pharr celebrated the success of its citywide beautification efforts, including the alley cleaning project, a collaborative effort uniting city departments, boards, and dedicated volunteers to enhance neighborhood pride and keep the community clean. The city also recognized the impact of its Emergency Home Repair Program, which supports families by helping address urgent and necessary home repairs.
# Grants — Over the past 10 years, Pharr has successfully secured over $100 million in federal, state, and foundation funding. Last year, the city secured over $8 million in grant awards that are transforming infrastructure, safety, and quality of life.
Future Projects
Looking ahead to 2026, Hernandez announced an exciting slate of transformative projects, including a full modernization of the Tierra Del Sol Golf Club Clubhouse, major upgrades to the Sports Complex with the addition of turf fields, and improvements to Jones Box Park.
Hernandez announced Evelyn Cano as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Polo Palacios Service Award.
Cano was celebrated for her transformative impact on higher education and her unwavering commitment to empowering students across the Rio Grande Valley, said the mayor.
Hernandez unveiled a meaningful new recognition, the Heart of Pharr Award, celebrating the extraordinary difference nonprofits make in our community every day, he said.
This year’s inaugural recipient is the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV, founded by Evelyn Cano. The organization was presented a $5,000 contribution.
The final honor of the event was the Team Pharr Award, presented to Jamison Merrick and the Pharr Finance Department, recognized for their exceptional leadership, fiscal responsibility, and behind- the- scenes dedication that keep city operations strong and efficient.
Hernandez closed the 2026 State- of- the- City address with a message that captured the spirit of Pharr ’s journey:
“The best is yet to come.”
The Pharr mayor emphasized that the progress of the past decade is only the beginning, and that with continued teamwork, innovation, and community pride, “ Pharr will reach new heights in the years ahead.”
With new projects on the horizon and a community united in purpose, Pharr is poised for an even brighter and more prosperous future, said Hernandez.