Office opening to help veterans
HUTTO — The city is getting a “red letter” by failing to meet accessibility standards for physically challenged persons, according to officials at a recent City Council meeting.
Elected representatives were told the city needs to complete an Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan or face losing state and federal transportation funds.
The lack of a plan for public places could also result in private lawsuits and settlements with the Department of Justice.
“
I would never vote to give water away.”
— Mayor Mike Snyder Also during the Nov. 20 meeting, council members discussed a new subdivision, the opening of a veterans’ services office at City Hall and a tax reinvestment zone to spur development.
Architectural drawing of proposed development “The Gateway at Hutto” as viewed from the East Wilco Highway with an iconic bridge in the foreground and a conference hotel in the background. Courtesy of Rialto Studio and Hutto
The ADA issue has become pressing because the Texas Department of Transportation, the agency enforcing compliance on behalf of the Federal Highway Association, has recently been doing surveys of Hutto’s progress.
City Engineer Matt Rector said Hutto has failed every survey, which paints a “red letter” on the city and requires a good faith effort toward becoming compliant.
Erin Yurick of consultants Kimley-Horn, hired in December 2024 to finish the transition plan, presented a draft budget for the improvements totaling more than $7 million.
She recommended carrying out the plan over three years at a $2.3 million investment each year.
City Manager James Earp said an extra $2.3 million a year could add about 5 cents to the tax rate.
The council will need to approve an annual budget for seeing the process to fruition.
The federally required plan includes restrooms in City Hall that are not wide enough to be used by people with mobility devices, damaged sidewalks creating trip hazards and bulletin boards set too high in the Police Department.
“Once you adopt a plan you’ll be on the clock and held accountable to a certain degree,” Earp told the council.
Reaching a water compromise
City leaders and developers have reached a compromise over supplying water to a 256.7acre development in Hutto’s extraterritorial jurisdiction that hit a roadblock in February.
At that time, the council turned down a request to supply water to The Gateway at Hutto, but on Nov. 20 city leaders signaled they were now open to providing a lower volume of water for a few years while Manville Water Supply Corp. completes its infrastructure.
Manville would then take over and supply the development’s water.
“Without a shortterm water source, the project, annexation and community benefits are no longer feasible,” said Seth Mearig, a civil engineer with Gray Engineering.
The Gateway at Hutto is along CR 137 spanning the East Wilco Highway. The developers are planning to build a convention center, a hotel and more than 1,000 living units which will be annexed into the city and pay city property taxes as well as a hefty community benefit fee.
The water utility’s transmission line is expected to be operational in three to five years.
The developer would be responsible for building the line to connect with the city water system, and Hutto could use the line in the future as an additional connection to receive more water from Manville.
The city has been working to increase its water supply and is expecting an additional source to come online early next year, which will eventually be used by developments that are in agreements with City Hall.
The council asked staff to bring back a contract between the city, the developer and Manville.
“We’re effectively paying reservation rights today for water we’re not using. In February we’ll be paying for 2 million gallons of water we’re not using,” said Mayor Mike Snyder. “I would never vote to give water away...but anything I feel like we can do in the interim to soften the cost of that 2 million makes sense.”
TIRZ No. 4 boundaries approved
In August, the council considered the creation of a tax increment reinvestment zone along Texas 130 to take advantage of planned development.
During the Nov. 20 session, the council held its first public hearing to establish the boundaries. A second is set for Dec. 4.
A TIRZ allows developers to use a partial deferral of property taxes to investment in infrastructure improvements and public projects. Money collected into the TIRZ fund can be used for specific projects, including reimbursing developers for building infrastructure.
The rest can go into the city’s general fund.
The 130 area has several initiatives on tap for 2026, including the Highway 130 Mixed Use development and a new site for Penske Automotive Group.
Travis James, vice president of financial consulting firm TXP, told council if the TIRZ had a 25-year lifespan at the city’s current tax rate and assuming a 3% growth, it could add about $6 million a year to the city’s coffers with another $6 million going into the TIRZ fund.
James expects his company will have the TIRZ project and finance plan completed by March 2026, but council will vote on establishing it by the end of the year to lock in 2025 property values as the base.
City gives Texas Veterans Commission office space
The council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Veterans Commission to provide limited office space and access to printing for TVC advisors at City Hall, 500 W. Live Oak St.
The TVC will provide trained claims and benefits staff to meet with veterans, assist with documentation and connect them with available federal, state and community resources.
Juan Amaya, claims operations manager for the TVC, said filing for benefits is one of the most important services the company provides for veterans and their surviving spouses.
“Compensation’s a very, very big thing... having an advisor here is a very, very big thing,” he said.
