Little bits of big news
Jack Allen’s Kitchen breaks ground
HUTTO — On Friday, the community turned out to break ground on what is one of the most anticipated additions to Hutto’s Co- op District, a new Jack Allen’s Kitchen restaurant.
The iconic comfort-food favorite is located at 420 Texas 79, and will join Southside Market, Top Notch Burger and other restaurants and retailers in the Co-op District.
With a planned size of 7,500 square feet, including indoor and outdoor seating areas, city officials expect it to be a large draw to the Co-op. The business is also expected to employ 100 workers, which necessitated the incorporation of a parking plan into the development.
The restaurant is being built in coordination with a six-story parking garage that will give the employees and customers ample parking, as well as serving City Hall employees.
The parking garage and restaurant are expected to open simultaneously by the end of the year.
Interim city secretary sworn in
Amanda Taylor has been promoted from her position as assistant city secretary to interim city secretary, taking over the responsibilities of Angela Lewis who passed away in April.
The city secretary has a wide range of responsibilities, including safekeeping of all official city records, coordinating elections and issuing alcoholic beverage permits.
Hutto lists improving public access to municipal records and enhancing public participation in the municipal government process among the missions of the city secretary and city manager’s office.
Canvassing of election results
The city will officially declare the results of the May 4 election at a special City Council meeting Wednesday, May 15, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 500 W. Live Oak Street.
Judge Lucas Wilson will swear in Dan Thornton for another term as the Place 2 council member after his successful re-election bid is verified through the canvassing.
The canvassing event will also proclaim the runoff between Dana Wilcott and Evan Porterfield for Place 2. Wilcott has resigned from City Council and her resignation will be addressed the following day at Thursday’s regularly scheduled council meeting.
The results of the special election for amendments that will change the city’s Home Rule Charter will also be verified during the canvassing.
City to discuss priorities
A City Council workshop will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. for council members and staff to discuss prioritizing objectives for the 2024-2025 Strategic Plan. This is the plan that will guide the city in its budgeting and help pinpoint which projects get done in the coming year.
The meeting is open to the public but seating is limited. It will be in the second-floor Executive Conference Room at City Hall, 500 W. Live Oak Street.
The meeting will be broadcast on the city’s website, and a recording will be available generally within 24 hours after the event.
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Jack Allen’s Kitchen restaurant will join Southside Market, T op Notch Burger and other eateries in the Co-op District in Hutto.
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Amanda Taylor swore her oath of office as Interim City Secretary on May 2. Photos courtesy of the city of Hutto.