Little bits of big news
EDIE ZUVANICH Special to the Press
City names economic director HUTTO — The city of Hutto announced Cheney Gamboa has been promoted to director of economic development, replacing Bob Farley who recently left the post.
Gamboa has been the city’s assistant director of economic development for over a year, prior to which she served on the Hutto Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
“I’m beyond honored to continue to serve my community in this role,” Gamboa said in a released statement. “We have an incredible team in the city of Hutto, and we are on a great path to execute on several major legacy projects for Hutto.”
Gamboa has a Master’s of Business Administration with concentrations in project management and global management, as well as a bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in management and marketing. Earlier this year she earned a graduate certificate in real estate investment and development.
“Her work ethic is just above and beyond,” said City Manager James Earp, announcing Gamboa’s promotion during the Dec. 7 city council meeting. “I want to say what a pleasure it’s been working with Cheney so far and I know she has a really bright future here in Hutto. Cheney is deeply committed to our Hutto community and I know she’s very passionate and volunteers a lot.”
City dissolves emergency task force
Hutto City Council voted to officially dissolve or “sunset” the emergency task force, a group of volunteers who helped the city coordinate efforts and check on residents during recent extreme weather events including the February 2023 ice storm.
At a council meeting earlier this year, task force members revealed they had faced internal challenges and conflicts between members. The charter for the group was set to end in June 2023, so all that was left was for council to determine whether to extend it or let it lapse. The city hired Bill Zito, Jr. as emergency management coordinator in March, and he recently presented council with a plan to create a different type of volunteer-based community group that would serve many of the same functions and make the task force unnecessary.
“The intent of a sunset is that you are approving the fact that the task force has run its course and is done,” said Earp.
Council denies another ETJ release request
Another development has requested and been denied release from Hutto’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The petition for release under Senate Bill 2038 was made by HWY 3349, LLC, for approximately 384.249 acres of land.
At the Hutto City Council meeting Dec. 7, council retired into executive session to receive legal advice on this issue. After returning from the closed-doors discussion, the council members voted to add the petition to the engagement agreement with the Messer Fort Law Firm.
As with a previous rebuke, council included the phrase “the city does not consent to the reduction of its ETJ” in their denial.
Three new businesses open in one week The Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce is wearing out their giant scissors. The business organization arranged three new business grand openings in the space of just a few days.
H-E-B Fresh Bites Convenience Center had its ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 5008 Gattis School Road in Hutto.
EZShip Plus will snip the ribbon at noon Thursday, Dec. 14 for their new location, 143 Exchange Blvd, Suite 300.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is set to unveil its automotive store at 420 Chris Kelley Boulevard Tuesday, Dec. 19 at noon.
