Little bits of big news
City manager wins national award HUTTO — City Manager James Earp was recently named a 2023 Exemplary Public Servants award winner by American City & County. Earp was one of only five recipients recognized for the annual award and was the only one from Texas.
“Selected by the editorial staff of AC&C, this year’s winners reflect the best of community projects and public servants from across the country,” a statement from the organization read. “The 2023 Exemplary Public Servants are stars in their communities, working on public safety, citizen engagement, election integrity and construction projects.”
Founded in 1909, AC&C is a national media and information resource for city, county and state officials and public servants.
Charter amendments to be discussed Charter Review Commission Chair Onnesha Williams presented a list of proposed changes to the city charter at the Jan 25 meeting. The amendments included recommendations from council as well as from the charter commission.
“We had some tough conversations but I appreciate all the camaraderie and the teamwork and the commission,” Williams said.
Topics included changing the makeup of Hutto City Council to represent districts, requiring bonds to be issued within five years of voter approval, clarifications to the code of ethics and updates based on the city’s discrimination ordinance.
City council will discuss the amendments and possibly approve which will appear on the May ballot at their Feb. 1 meeting. By Texas law, charters can only be amended once every two years, so if any of the proposed amendments pass in May, the next opportunity to change the charter would be in 2026.
City investigates treatment plant noise Residents living near the wastewater treatment plant bordering Creekside Park have been reporting an increase in the noise levels coming from the facility. While some say it’s worse at night, many say the noise continues all day. The treatment plant is behind the Hutto Public Works Department, 356 County Road 199.
“Over the past month you can hear it inside our homes. It’s like having your ears ringing 24/7 inside your home,” a Creekside Estates resident posted. “Some living near Creekside Park have said they can feel the vibrations on the road.”
A resident of the Cross Creek neighborhood said he had informed the city and got a reply back stating the contractor who runs the treatment plant had installed noise-buffering devices to help with the sound. But the noise persists.
Mayor Mike Snyder said the city is working to fix the problem.
“The city manager has been notified that the noise is getting worse. Staff was out there a couple of weeks ago and was in contact with the group that manages the treatment plant,” he replied to a long thread of social media complaints. “To me, this is a huge quality of life issue. No one should have to hear a constant noise 24/7.”
The city of Hutto owns and operates seven lift stations that pump wastewater to gravity sewer mains within two city-owned treatment plants, operated by the Brazos River Authority.
Souper Bowl this Sunday
Hutto Resource Center’s Sixth Annual Souper Bowl is Sunday, Feb. 4 with singing, dancing, shopping and of course, soup. The event will take place at Hutto Discovery United Methodist Church 350 Ed Schmidt Blvd, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
This year’s Souper Bowl will give participants a chance to purchase artwork from Hutto area artists as well as a choice of handmade ceramic soup bowls made by students from Hutto High School.
The annual event celebrates coming together as a community to help others, according to the HRC. Proceeds help area families through supporting the organization’s food pantry and other initiatives.
“It’s going to be a really cool community event,” said HRC Executive Director Laura Wells. “Some lovely seniors will be performing traditional Hawaiian dances, followed by the children’s choir (the Hutto Independent School District Elementary Honor Choir) and closing with local musician Perry Savard.”
This year’s choice of soups are tomato basil and chicken and sausage gumbo, served with bread and a drink. Tickets for the soup are $10, and another $10 buys a ceramic bowl. Tickets can be purchased at HuttoResourceCenter.org or at the door.
Residents say noise from the water treatment plant is a real headache. Photo by Edie Zuvanich
Earp
