County firefighters not warming to the idea
HUTTO — The town’s first foray into a city-owned fire department moved one step closer Tuesday night when officials approved several measures clearing the way for Hutto Fire Station No. 1.
Those included a land purchase and contracts for an engineering and land survey as well as a design.
The issue on the agenda at a special meeting May 26 of the City Council and the Hutto Economic Development Corp. involved the proposed station 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 of the Hutto Professional Firefighters Association, a nonprofit supporting local first responders, 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 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 nor on Hutto’s five-year capital improvement plan.
In addition, there have been no discussions or presentations at council meetings.
Snyder said the idea was modeled after Round Rock, which absorbed its ESD as it grew.
He said the efficiencies afforded by having the 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.
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We know there needs to be a fire station out there.”
— Mayor Mike Snyder
