HUTTO – The city’s first foray into a city-owned fire department moved one step closer Tuesday night when city officials approved a land purchase, engineering and land survey contract and design contract for Hutto Fire Station Number 1.
The issue was on the agenda at special meeting of City Council and the Hutto Economic Development Corporation. The station will be located near the Hutto Megasite, which is south of U.S. 79 and at CR 132.
“We know there needs to be a fire station out there,” said Mayor Mike Snyder. “We have $10 billion (in investment) going out there and there’s only one fire station on the south side of town. The public has been concerned about it.”
The move puts the city afoul of county-operated Emergency Services District No. 3, which currently serves all of Hutto. Representatives from the firefighter’s union have spoken out against the measure, citing the investment the ESD has in training and certifications of personnel among other issues.
ESD No. 3 has an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 rating, the top rank available. Insurance companies generally charge lower rates for properties served by an ISO Class 1-rated fire department.
Community members have expressed alarm at how fast the idea of a city-run fire department has moved forward. The issue is not on any of the city’s master plans or on the city’s five-year capital improvement plan. There have been no discussions or presentations at City Council meetings.
Snyder said the idea was modeled after Round Rock, which absorbed its ESD as it grew. He says the efficiencies afforded by having the fire department within the city would help reduce taxpayer burden and allow the city to capture more of the tax revenue from incoming economic development projects.
