Council Recap: Highlights from the Hutto City Council meeting Jan. 14

Council Recap: Highlights from the Hutto City Council meeting Jan. 14

By Matt Painter Friday, 15 January 2010

HUTTO — Parks and recreation director Mike Hemker presented the top program priorities for 2010 based on citizen survey results to council members Jan. 14. The most requested indoor programs and amenities include meeting rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center and basketball courts. The top priorities for outdoor programs include playgrounds, trails and soccer fields.

The council approved the sale of $9,690,000 in bonds. Because of the city’s A+ credit rating the interest rate for the bonds was locked in at a historically low rate of 4.07 percent until 2034.

The city will use the bonds to purchase the LCRA Wastewater Treatment Plant and fund improvements to water and wastewater lines as well as improvements to Hutto Lake Park. The motion to approve the bond sale passed 6-1. Councilman Felix Madrid voted against the action. Madrid said he did not feel Hutto was large enough to justify the purchase of the LCRA plant. He stated that he did, however, support all of the other projects that the bonds will fund.

The council also participated in a random drawing to determine the term length for each place on the dais. In November, Hutto voters approved increasing the term length of each council place—including the mayor—to three years. The random drawing, which was coordinated by city attorney Charlie Crossfield, was utilized to stagger future election years.

Place two, which is currently held by Mayor Pro Tem Debbie Holland, was selected and will be open for elected in 2010 as scheduled. The winner will serve only a two year term. In 2012, and in all future elections, the winner of place two will be elected to a three-year term.

Place five, which is currently held by Melanie Rios, was also selected. She will serve until 2012, rather then 2011, at which time the winner of city council place five will also begin serving three-year terms.

For the Taylor Ciy Council recap, go to more.impactnews.com/6781.