Editor’s note: Place 1 candidates Sarosh Jafri, Brandy McCool and Jerrel Reynolds, and Place 4 candidates Brandon DeLeon and Corina Zepeda did not answer questionnaires provided by the Taylor Press.
1) What motivated you to run for Hutto City Council?
Hutto is growing rapidly, now with more than 42,000 residents, and the decisions we make today will shape our city for decades. What motivated me to run is hearing consistent concerns from residents — traffic congestion, rising property taxes, and the feeling that growth is happening faster than planning.
Growth itself is not the problem. The challenge is managing it responsibly. I’m running to ensure that infrastructure, public safety, and fiscal responsibility keep pace with that growth, so we can protect families and neighborhoods as our city continues to expand.
To better understand how the city operates from the inside, I am also participating in Hutto Citizens University. Through this program, I’ve been able to engage in discussions, meet with department heads and staff, and gain exposure to a wide range of city services and ongoing projects. This experience strengthens my ability to serve effectively and make informed decisions.
2) What is your campaign strategy?
My campaign is focused on three things: listening, clarity, and consistency.
I’m engaging directly with residents to understand their concerns, and I communicate clear priorities: infrastructure first, public safety always, responsible growth, fiscal discipline, and transparent leadership.
To strengthen that connection, I also created a dedicated email — [email protected] — and a campaign phone/ WhatsApp line — (512) 269-5004 — where residents can send questions, concerns, and suggestions directly. I want people to know their voices are heard and valued.
In addition, my participation in Hutto Citizens University reflects my commitment to being an active and informed community member, learning directly from city leadership, and preparing to contribute effectively from day one.
Rather than making complicated promises, my strategy is to stay disciplined and focused on the issues residents face every day.
3) If elected, what changes will you bring to the table?
The most important change I will bring is a shift toward proactive planning rather than reactive decisionmaking.
Hutto already has important planning tools, including its Capital Improvement Plan, which focuses on infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and utilities. My goal is to ensure that development decisions are consistently aligned with those plans in real time.
My involvement in Hutto Citizens University has also given me valuable insight into how different departments operate and how decisions impact residents across the city. That perspective will help me connect policy decisions with real-world outcomes.
I will also prioritize clearer communication with residents, a stronger focus on core services, and policies that encourage balanced economic development, so homeowners do not bear the majority of the tax burden.
4) What can voters expect from you?
Voters can expect consistency, transparency, and accountability.
I will consistently prioritize infrastructure, public safety, and responsible financial management. I will support clear, open communication so residents understand how decisions are made and how they affect their community.
I am committed to being accessible — including through the dedicated email and phone/WhatsApp line I created — so residents always have a direct way to share their concerns, questions and ideas.
They can also expect a leader who is actively engaged in the community. Through Hutto Citizens University, I am building relationships, learning how the city operates, and preparing to serve with knowledge and responsibility.
Most importantly, I will approach every decision with a longterm perspective, focusing on what is best for Hutto’s future while respecting the taxpayers who make our city possible.
Hutto is at an important moment in its growth, and I believe we have the opportunity to manage that growth in a way that strengthens our community for years to come.
LUIZ DUNHAM, PLACE 1
