Hutto seeks marker for historic Black cemetery
HUTTO — The city is quickly moving to establish a new tax-increment reinvestment zone along Texas 130 that could eventually help lower Hutto’s wastewater rates, officials said.
Also during a Nov. 6 City Council meeting, elected representatives discussed applying for a state historical marker for a local African American burial ground and lowering utility charges.
During the session, the council approved a resolution for what would be the city’s fourth TIRZ district. State law requires two public hearings before a TIRZ can be approved, and staff has scheduled those hearings in time for the TIRZ to be established before the new year.
A TIRZ allows a portion of local property taxes to be “plowed” back into an area for infrastructure and community improvements and another portion to go into a city’s general fund. The council makes the distinction.
The TIRZ could aid in reducing water rates, said Mayor Mike Snyder.
“We’ve raised people’s water rates in anticipation of issuing $30 million in bonds to pay for wastewater infrastructure,” Snyder said. “If this starts making money, at some point it could reimburse the city for the projects that were done in the TIRZ district, which then could be used to either not raise wastewater rates in the future or actually reduce rates because the people won’t be paying for the $30 million, the businesses and development in that area will.”
Economic Development Director Cheney Gamboa gave a breakdown to the council.
“Effectively what we’re saying is this (designated percentage) of property taxes is only eligible to spend for improvements that impact that zone,” Gamboa said.
According to city staff, that could include reimbursing the city for infrastructure improvements which were already constructed and paid for by tax revenue, though the TIRZ won’t realize significant contributions until developments are completed and reach their full appraisal value.
With news of a new Toyota dealership breaking ground on 130 in December and promising higher property appraisals in 2026, the city has set its public hearing for Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 during the regular council meetings.
Those are 7 p.m. at City Hall, 500 W. Live Oak St.
Lowering utility rates
In other business, council members directed city staff to bring back a resolution with a goal of zero utility increases, complete with steps to make that happen.
Financial tools like the TIRZ are among strategies presented by Councilman Aaron King to avoid future rate increases necessitated by infrastructure costs.
King said that after the council voted to raise water and wastewater rates, he heard from residents asking why.
The councilman added he regretted his vote to approve the packet leading to the hikes.
“Moving in the future I want us to look at growth-driven approaches to manage the city’s water and wastewater system, maybe some more costcutting improvements or more efficiency, make growth pay for itself,” he said. “To me, that was a mistake vote. I didn’t like the vote.”
City Manager James Earp said TIRZ establishments are a step in the right direction.
“Certainly, we can have better conversations now with council on what we’re trying to do in order to reduce the impact on increased utility rates,” Earp said.
City applies for Shiloh Black Cemetery recognition
City Planning Manager John Byrum received approval to submit an application to the Texas Historical Commission to designate the 2-acre Shiloh Black Cemetery at 1043 CR 139 as part of the state’s “under-told history.”
If accepted, the cemetery will receive a marker detailing the site’s history.
The Shiloh Black Cemetery was one of Hutto’s three original cemeteries, and the only public cemetery available to the African American population.
Hutto applied for the marker in 2023 but was denied because the Texas Historic Commission only produces around 15 of the markers per year while receiving more than 100 applications.
“I know there’s a lot of groups within Hutto that are going to need to know the outcome of this. I think it’s going to bring ... if approved...a lot of joy and a lot of appreciation to a lot of residents of Hutto,” said Councilman Brian Thompson.
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If this starts making money, at some point it could reimburse the city.”
— Hutto Mayor Mike Snyder
