|
Higher Education Branch Campus Maintenance Tax Overwhelmingly Approved by Voters
Tax makes higher education campus possible in Hutto
| |
On May 14, 2011, Hutto ISD voters approved a 5-cent branch campus maintenance tax to support a higher education campus in Hutto. With 71.75 percent of the Hutto ISD voters who voted in the May election voting in favor of the tax, construction of the East Williamson County Higher Education Center-Hutto Campus will move forward.
Temple College and Texas State Technical College officials have been working with Hutto representatives for the last year to develop plans for construction, financing, and implementation of programs at the Hutto Campus. Both institutions even went so far as to approve the building and development of a campus in Hutto, even before the local tax was passed. "Everything was approved, contingent on the vote," according to Temple College President Dr. Glenda Barron. Since the last piece of the puzzle was approved during the May election, the institutions will be moving forward with developing their presence in Hutto.
"The idea that 70 percent of you came out and voted for this is amazing," Temple College President Dr. Glenda Barron told a crowd gathered on election night at the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce.
"This is what happens when a community works together," Hutto EDC Executive Director Scott Martinez said. "This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people."
Both Temple College and Texas State Technical College are ready to establish their local presence; the first step being taken is to lease Hutto ISD's soon to be vacated Veterans Hill Elementary School in order to begin classes in September while construction on the permanent campus is taking place. Groundbreaking on the new site is expected to take place this Summer.
The first phase of the higher education center will be a 110,000 square foot facility located on a newly established 57-acre campus off SH130, north of Highway 79 on CR 108. This first phase will be the kick-off to a campus that will eventually boast up to fourteen buildings, to be built out over time, as growth occurs.
 | |
Temple College President, Dr. Glenda Barron and Texas State Technical College Senior Instructor/Director Fred Khozein accept commemorative Hippos from Hutto Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Scott Martinez and Hutto Mayor Debbie Holland after voters approved a branch campus maintenance tax to support a
higher education center in Hutto, Texas on May 14, 2011.
Top of Page |
|
|
YNN News: Hutto Prepares for College Town Transformation
Hutto featured on Channel 8 YNN for Passage of Branch Campus Maintenance Tax - May 17, 2011
Click here or on the image below for a direct link to the YNN Feature story on passage of the Branch Maintenance Tax in Hutto to develop a local higher education center.
Top of Page |
|
Chief Appraiser Presents at May Power
Breakfast
Alvin Lankford Speaks to the Hutto Community
Alvin Lankford, Chief Appraiser for Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD), was the featured speaker at the May 12, 2011 Hutto Economic Development Corporation Power Breakfast. Lankford spoke about the changes and updates that have occurred within the Appraisal District and addressed the changes in property values throughout the Hutto community in comparison to years past.
In case you missed the event, be sure to visit the Hutto EDC YouTube Channel by clicking here, or by clicking on the image below, where you can view the entire presentation.
For pictures from the event, click here.
Top of Page
|
|
SH 130 Infrastructure Development Progresses
City of Hutto and Hutto Economic Development Corporation team up on strategic infrastructure project
The Hutto Economic Development Corporation and the City of Hutto have been working together to construct water and wastewater infrastructure along the SH130 corridor for the last two years. With construction slated to begin in September, the project is anticipated to be complete in January 2012. The goal of this project is to open up hundreds of acres to future development, including the site of the future East Williamson County Higher Education Center - Hutto Campus.
Plans call for a 16-inch diameter water line and a wastewater line varying from 21-inch diameter to 24-inch diameter to be constructed. This project is being financed by the Texas Water Development Board State Revolving Fund with the debt to be paid by the City of Hutto and Hutto Economic Development Corporation.
Top of Page
|
|
Downtown Alliance to Present at June Power Breakfast
Local business owners to present to Hutto community
 Sarah Tober, owner of Sarah's Texas Pantry, will be the featured speaker as she represents the Hutto Downtown Business Alliance at the June 9, 2011 Power Breakfast. Tober will be presenting information about the Second Saturday event as well as the goals and mission of the Downtown Business Alliance. This event will be held at the Holiday Inn Express in Hutto. Like all Hutto EDC Power Breakfasts, this is a free event open to the public. Top of Page
|
Resource Corner: Information For You
Local Educational Attainment
Why is education so important? An educated workforce is key to attracting and retaining quality employers. In the Hutto area, 36.1% of the population has at least a Bachelor's Degree, compared to the national average of 27.2% and a state average of 25.5%. This educational attainment shows that the Hutto community is diverse, skilled, and capable of adapting to the changing needs within the workforce.
To view this graph in further detail by downloading a printable copy, click here or click on the picture above. If you would like more information on this topic or have any questions about other resources that may be available for your use, please feel free to contact Seanna at sroysden@huttoedc.com. |
City of Hutto - News
General/Special Election - May 14
Election Results
| The following are the results from the May 14 General and Special Election:
Council Member Place 1
Anne Cano - 339 votes (71.97%)
DeMont Jenkins - 132 votes (28.03%)
Council Member Place 4 Michael Smith - 347 votes (73.99%)
Chuck Murphy - 122 votes (26.01%)
Mayor Debbie Holland - 417 votes (100%)
Council Member Place 2
Bart Coleman - 123 votes (27.21%)
Matt Minton - 86 votes (19.03%)
Paul Prince - 243 votes (53.76%)
HISD Proposition No. 1 (Branch Maintenance Tax)
For - 485 votes (71.75%)
Against - 191 votes (28.25%)
Top of Page |
|
Council Approves Agreement to Develop Wastewater Master Plan
| On May 5, 2011, Council approved an agreement with K. Friese & Associates engineering consultants to develop a Wastewater Master Plan for the City of Hutto and the surrounding region. K. Friese was selected from a pool of ten respondents to the request for qualifications that was issued in November 2010. The plan will address the City's future wastewater treatment capacity needs, wastewater collection system, and opportunities for reclaimed water use. The final document will have a cost analysis of the different options as well as a schedule of construction for wastewater infrastructure projects. K. Friese comes with an excellent reputation for engineering planning and design.
At the same meeting, Council approved an agreement with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for $90,000 in grant funding to be used towards the plan. In order to qualify for the grant, the City will be partnering with Jonah SUD, Pflugerville, Williamson County, Hutto EDC, Hutto Chamber of Commerce, and Hutto ISD on a regional wastewater master plan. By partnering with Jonah SUD, we can be sure that development in their CCN that is within the City limits will be planned for. Pflugerville is a partner because the City currently pumps wastewater from the Lakeside Estates Subdivision to Pflugerville's system. The other entities will help determine growth and economic factors that will be addressed in the plan.
Top of Page |
|
Opening of Hutto Lake Park Celebrated
| On May 7, the City celebrated the grand opening of Hutto's newest park, Hutto Lake Park with a number of festivities. This 36 acre passive-use park is located at 805 Estate Drive in Hutto. The park was awarded $400,000 in matching funds from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Grant Program, the Texas Recreation and Park Account. An Additional $800,000 comes through the City's budget. Two days of celebration were enjoyed by man that began with a ribbon cutting event on Friday.
On Saturday families enjoyed a day of play at the opening day events which include presentations from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on "Basic Angler Education Program", "Learn to Fish", "Back Yard Bass", "Knot Tying and Baiting Basics." Williamson County Master Naturalists was also on hand to teach on "Bird Identification."
For more information, please call Hutto Parks and Recreation Department at 512-759-4000.
Top of Page |
Keep Hutto Beautiful and the Hutto Downtown Business Alliance Held the First Ever Second Saturday Hutto's Premiere Outdoor Art Market
| On Saturday, May 14, Keep Hutto Beautiful and the Hutto Downtown Business Alliance held the first ever Second Saturday event. The event included approximately 17 vendors with various wares from beautiful framed photographs, hand made toys, rustic furniture, jewelry, and more! The first Second Saturday event was a big success drawing a large crowd down to East Street.
The next Second Saturday will be June 11. Join Hutto's premiere outdoor art market with live entertainment, local artisans, musicians, and original crafts. Celebrate the return of Hutto's Old Town every second Saturday of the month beginning in May and continuing through October down on East Street in historic downtown Hutto from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Sarah Tober, President of the Hutto Downtown Business Alliance at 642-5067. Be sure to visit the Alliance Facebook page by clicking here.
Top of Page |
|
City Receives Prestigious Envision Central Texas Award
| The City of Hutto's newest park addition, Hutto Lake Park, received the New Development Award - Neighborhood Scale - at the Envision Central Texas annual awards banquet. Hutto Lake Park is unique in its layout as it was designed by the very children who will use the park every day. Ray Elementary students who live in the Lakeside Estates Subdivision, which abuts the park, spent part of a day on the property visualizing, planning and laying out the park's amenities. The judges for the Envision Central Texas awards took special note of the involvement of the students in planning the park. The award represents the second time Hutto has been recognized by Envision Central Texas, and is an accomplishment that all of Hutto's citizens can be proud of.
Hutto Lake Park's grand opening occurred on Saturday, May 7, 2011. The Park includes a catch and release fishing lake, fishing dock, walking trail, picnic tables, pavilion, bird watching station, basketball courts, bathrooms and kids play area. The lights under the pavilion are solar powered through solar panels that are located on the roof of the pavilion. The rain water from the pavilion's roof is also collected in a rain barrel and used to water the plants around the pavilion.
In celebration of the Hutto Lake Park opening, the Hutto Parks and Recreation Department had a "Day of Play" event last Saturday. There was a great turnout. Children from all ages were out enjoying the park. We would like to thank our sponsors for the event: Good Water Chapter of the Williamson County Master Naturalists, Williamson County PARD, Wag-a-Bag, Boy Scout Troop #12, and the Hutto PARD staff for their help. Congratulations to our door prize winners who received gift cards to Academy. They were: Anne Dill, Chris Rabel, Dylan Ash, and Kade Fly.
The public is encouraged to get out and visit their newest park today! Come learn why the Parks and Recreation Department's motto is "In Parks We Play"!
Top of Page |
Community Demographic Information
To view the current Economic Profile for the Round Rock-Austin MSA,
click here.
To view the current economic profile for the Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Area, click here.
|
|
Type A Economic Development Sales Tax Allocation
| |
Fiscal Year
|
Apr.
|
May.
|
Cumulative
Total
| |
1997/98
|
$1,124.52
|
$4,708.08
|
$40,417.02
| |
1998/99
|
$1,380.71
|
$2,656.78
|
$32,045.20
| |
1999/00
|
$3,719.04
|
$3,890.78
|
$35,093.61
| |
2000/01
|
$4,346.71
|
$3,017.39
|
$50,940.93
| |
2001/02
|
$4,127.65
|
$6,470.99
|
$58,299.83
| |
2002/03
|
$4,284.53
|
$8,043.02
|
$73,572.84
| |
2003/04
|
$5,203.96
|
$10,416.63
|
$98,841.25
| |
2004/05
|
$12,700.25
|
$24,661.05
|
$216,990.28
| |
2005/06
|
$20,865.44
|
$30,865.78
|
$336,629.05
| |
2006/07
|
$26,069.31
|
$39,226.88
|
$376,036.41
| |
2007/08
|
$28,878.89
|
$47,942.38
|
$481,309.64
| |
2008/09
|
$33,722.39
|
$50,393.59
|
$495,826.74
| |
2009/10
|
$30,156.44
|
$44,811.09
|
$467,917.40
| |
2010/11
|
$33,488.22
|
$59,422.06
|
$334,681.76*
| |
*Cumulative Fiscal year-to-date Data Figures
|
|
Single Family Building Permit
Requests by Month
| |
Month
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
| |
January
|
63
|
93
|
71
|
64
|
18
|
20
|
23
| |
February
|
51
|
70
|
49
|
49
|
15
|
6
|
11
| |
March
|
56
|
101
|
84
|
47
|
14
|
16
|
22
| |
April
|
67
|
91
|
75
|
46
|
48
|
17
|
24
| |
May
|
53
|
66
|
37
|
29
|
22
|
36
|
| |
June
|
58
|
68
|
44
|
22
|
29
|
17
|
| |
July
|
61
|
56
|
34
|
32
|
39
|
11
|
| |
August
|
78
|
70
|
25
|
41
|
22
|
11
|
| |
September
|
67
|
66
|
24
|
28
|
24
|
7
|
| |
October
|
65
|
58
|
51
|
5
|
19
|
7
|
| |
November
|
49
|
37
|
60
|
9
|
6
|
17
|
| |
December
|
46
|
46
|
7
|
12
|
7
|
15
|
|
|
April 2011 Unemployment Rates
| |
Area
|
Apr. 10
|
Mar. 11
|
Apr. 11
| |
Austin/Round Rock MSA
|
6.9%
|
6.8%
|
6.5%
| |
Texas
|
7.9%
|
8.1%
|
7.7%
| |
National
|
9.5%
|
9.2%
|
8.7%
| |
Area
|
|
|
Apr. 11
| |
Williamson County
|
|
|
6.7%
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
A Note from the Executive Director
Many exciting things are happening in Hutto. With voters approving the branch campus maintenance tax, Hutto students will be able to continue receiving college coursework through Temple College at in district rates. Additionally, world class workforce and technical training will be coming to Hutto through Texas State Technical College. All of this would not have been possible without the collaboration of the Hutto EDC, City of Hutto, Hutto ISD, and Williamson County. All entities put skin in the game to make this project a reality for Hutto. By the wide margin of voters who supported this project, it is evident this is something the Hutto community is behind. This is a once in a generation project for Hutto, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this is going to have in our community's growth.
Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you, and I look forward to visiting with you at one of our Second Thursday Power Breakfast.
Warmest regards,
Scott Martinez, CEcD
Hutto Economic Development Corporation
Top of Page |
|
|
Did you Know... |
... that in Hutto 36% of the population has at least a Bachelor's Degree?
| |
 Join Our Mailing List ! |
|
|
![Facebook Logo [3D]](http://www.prwatch.org/files/images/facebooklogo1.png)
![You Tube Logo [Revised]](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs057/1101309895197/img/259.png?a=1105757611620)
