WHARTON — City of Wharton department heads have submitted their proposed Capital Improvement Plans for Fiscal Year 2028, outlining equipment purchases, facility improvements, and infrastructure projects they say will help meet the city’s future needs.
The requests were presented to the Wharton City Council during a budget workshop as part of the city’s long-range planning process. While the projects are included in the FY2028 planning cycle, city officials noted the budget process has only begun, and funding decisions have not yet been finalized.
Among the requests:
The Wharton Police Department is seeking three new patrol vehicles. The department received three new vehicles in 2025, replacing units that had previously been reassigned from other city departments.
The Wharton Fire Department is requesting funding for a new 500,000-gallon water tanker truck, estimated at approximately $500,000, to replace a truck that was received used from the City of Pearland in 2020.
Public Works Director Roderick Semien is asking to increase annual street improvement funding from $100,000 to $400,000. The department is also requesting approximately $800,000 to $1 million for a new sanitation pole barn, while identifying more immediate repair needs totaling about $50,000 for pumps and motors.
Wharton EMS Director Christy Gonzalez requested funding to relocate the department from the Civic Center into the former fire station on Fulton Street. The proposed renovation is estimated at $2.5 million.
The Wharton Regional Airport is requesting new repair hangars along with a zero-turn lawn mower, while plans for a new fuel tank remain under review due to ongoing responsibility discussions.
City Secretary Paula Favors proposed renovating the large women’s restroom at City Hall to create additional office space after the Municipal Court moved to the Wharton Police Building. The project is estimated at $1.5 million.
City Manager Joseph Pace also provided an update on the future of the Wharton Railroad Depot, saying the city is exploring renovations that could convert the historic building into a museum, event venue, or other community-use facility. Estimated funding needs are approximately $500,000.
According to city officials, the combined value of all departmental FY2027 capital improvement requests totals approximately $7 million, though not every project is expected to receive funding.
The City Council is expected to continue discussing departmental operating and capital budget requests during upcoming budget workshops before adopting the city’s FY2028 budget later this year.
Source: City of Wharton