EDIE ZUVANICH Special to the Press
First robotics competition of the year
HUTTO – Elementary and middle school robotics teams will compete in their first competition of 2024 Saturday, Jan. 20, at Hutto Middle School, 1005 Exchange Blvd. The event is the “Full Volume” VEX Challenge.
“This event is not just any competition; it’s a State qualifying event, and our talented robotics students are geared up to shine! We invite you to join us and be part of the excitement! Come out and support our budding engineers and problem solvers as they navigate the challenges of ‘Full Volume’ and aim for success,” said a notice from the district.
VEX IQ Robotics Competition Full Volume is played on a 6’x8’ rectangular field, with teams operating robots they have built to place block into goals, both in competition against other teams and individually. More than 8,500 teams from 45 countries are signed up to play in 900+ tournaments on the road to the world championship, according to the company.
Billed as the largest robotics competition in the world, the VEX Robotics World Championship will be held in Dallas from April 25 to May 4. Last year an estimated 30,000 students representing 2,900 teams from over 40 countries competed in the championship event. Hutto schools regularly win regional events and go on to compete at the world championship.
Police budget increase, charter items on the agenda
Police Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough will present the police department’s mandatory racial profiling report at the city council meeting Jan. 18 at City Hall, 500 W. Live Oak. During this meeting, council is being asked to increase the police department’s annual salary budget from $4,955,851 to $5,043,677 in order to fund two additional officers.
Staff members say the increase is coming from savings in other areas and are not asking for an overall budget increase.
Hutto raised the salary of police officers in their 2023-34 budget, which led to more qualified officers contacting the department about transferring to Hutto from surrounding cities.
“ The Hutto Police Department’s initial budget proposal for new officer salaries was calculated at a cadet officer annual hiring rate of $60,000. However, the adoption of an improved step pay scale and competitive increases in pay, dramatically improved the department’s ability to attract highly qualified lateral police officers. The recruitment success has led to the hiring of experienced officers at the top end of the step pay scale, at an annual salary of $86,000,” city staff reported in the agenda briefing.
Council will also hear the final report of recommended charter amendments, given by Onnesha Williams, chair of the charter review commission. Special events at Brushy Creek Amphitheater, rental fees for The Gin event center and Fritz Park construction will be among other items discussed.
Information session for school board candidates
Hutto Independent School District will host an information session for anyone wishing to run for the board of trustees. There are two at-large positions open for election.
Board President Billie Logiudice and Board Secretary Shannon Jacobs will lead the session Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Hutto ISD Board room, 200 College St.
The deadline to file for a place on the ballot is Friday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. Applications and instructions are available at the ISD Central Administration building, also at 200 College St.
Business awards to be announced
The Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 2024 Gala Jan. 27 at Kalahari Resorts, 3001 Kalahari Blvd., in Round Rock.
Last year’s event, also at Kalahari Resorts, had more than 400 attendees dressed in 1920s attire, posing in front of antique cars and bidding on high-value auction items. This year’s theme is “Walk of Fame: Red Carpet Gala.”
Business of the Year and Businessperson of the Year awards are announced annually at this event. The Chamber stated they expect tickets to sell out.
