Council revisits Strategic Plan, CIP priorities

The Hutto City Council has revisited its Strategic Plan to help guide decision-making through the upcoming annual budget process and beyond.

At a special work-session lasting nearly eight hours March 10 and 11, Council members discussed their vision for moving the City forward--especially with regard to road and infrastructure work. Paying close attention to the results of the City's most recent community survey, Council members shared with staff leaders their preliminary ideas for prioritizing capital improvement plan (CIP) projects.

The following is a preliminary vision of capital-related priorities, as of March 2023. It is not final. It is pending further research and reports by staff, continuing discussion by City Council and further public input. City Council aims to prioritize the below-listed CIP projects over the next couple of years: 

Water 

• Determine water capacity and distribution needs. 
• Determine water source alternatives. 
• Determine the cost to purchase and “take or pay” requirements. 
• Determine pass-through rate structure. 
• Study cost/benefit of owning versus selling the system to the private sector 
• Establish a planning and development timeframe. 

Transportation 

General considerations:

• Update the 2018 Transportation Master Plan. 
• Schedule construction to avoid overcrowding areas of town. 
• Develop realistic project planning/construction schedule. 
• Outline funding sources and tax rate implications including P3 and county and state participation. 

Project priorities (short term):

• CIP Priority T4: SH 137 (consider including traffic circle). 
• CIP Priority T11: Traffic Signal installation. 
• CIP Priority T13: CR 199 repairs. 
• Front Street 
• Jim Cage/Highway 79. 
• Exchange Blvd. reconstruction 

Project priorities (long-term):

• FM 1660– between 79/13. 
• Mager – Kate’s Way to Limmer Loop.
• Hwy 130 Frontage Roads and on-ramps (north and south).
• Highway 79 through Hutto. 

Mobility 

Project priorities:

• Sidewalks 
  • Complete currently funded projects, then reconsider priorities and funding levels to meet other priorities. 
  • Prioritize pedestrian crossings (overpass) needs 
• Trails 
  • Update current Trails Master Plan 
  • Fund trails through development projects (development driven)
  • Utilize P3 investment; policy considerations - develop an asset-naming policy to take advantage of private sector investment opportunities

Parks 

General considerations:

• Reassess funding schedules and priorities. 
• Review and revise 2018 bond funding schedule. 
• Encourage P3 funding opportunities 
• Maintain and make better existing parks as priority over establishing new parks. 
• Utilize surveys to determine citizens appetite for various type parks and recreation opportunities. 

Project priorities (short term):

• Fritz Park – continue improvements. 
• Brushy Creek Amphitheater – continue improvements. 
• Durango Park – begin planning for improvements. 
• Adam Orgain Park – review and complete plan. 

Project priorities (long term):

• Community pool – survey citizens further.
• Hutto Lake – begin planning for improvements. 

Facilities  

Project priorities:

NOTE: This number order indicates the initial priority order but may change with further research and continuing Council conversations.

1. Public Works/Parks Maintenance Facility – begin programming and planning. 
2. Public Safety/Justice Center – begin program planning to include police, municipal court, emergency operations center (EOC), county office, emergency communications, and training. 
3. Recreation/Community Center – begin after Priorities 1 and 2 are complete. 
4. Library– begin after Priorities 1 and 2 are complete.