HIPPO BITES Little bits of big news
Speed limit changing on U.S. 79
The Texas Department of Transportation has asked Hutto to approve a consistent speed limit of 45 mph on U.S. 79 between FM 1660 South and Chris Kelley Boulevard.
The request was made based on a traffic survey completed by TxDOT.
City Council will consider altering the speed limit at its Thursday, Oct. 3 meeting.
According to the state agency, the section of roadway has four speed-limit changes ranging from 45 mph to 55 mph.
The change would go into effect after the ordinance is approved and TxDOT’s installation of the new speedlimit signs is completed.
TxDOT has also recommended changes on 79 in Round Rock and in areas outside of the city limits.
Charitable organization funding to be discussed
Outside agencies made funding requests totaling almost $225,000 from the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, but the city has trimmed that figure to $186,602.25.
In July, a committee including council members Evan Porterfield, Brian Thompson and Randal Clark recommended approving $208,602.25 of the requests.
After the FY25 budget was OK’d, the final amount available for the charitable agencies was reduced to $186,602.25.
On Thursday, the council will consider where to make the additional $22,000 in cuts.
The amounts recommended by the committee for approval in July included:
• CASA of Williamson County: $10,000
• Feeding the 5000: $25,000
• Hutto Education Foundation: $25,000
• Hutto Family YMCA Annual Campaign: $10,000
• Hutto Family YMCA Senior Services: $5,000
• Hutto Resource Center: $75,000
• Hutto Young Life: $20,000
• Hutto Youth Baseball & Softball League: $8,602.25
• Sacred Heart Community Clinic: $10,000
• The Sandbox at Madeline’s Place: $20,000 Hutto Young Life had requested $26,000, but based on last year’s budget contribution of $15,000, the committee held them to $20,000. In addition, the youth softball league asked for $15,000, but the committee said as a firsttime applicant for the grant, it wanted to be able to ensure support of existing applicants is maintained before bringing on new ones.
City documents state that funding outside agencies supports the City Council’s Strategic Pillar No. 4, a commitment to creating the highest quality of life in the city.
Two opportunities for fall cleanup
From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12, a Household Hazardous Waste Cleanup Event will be held at the Williamson County Central Maintenance Facility, 3151 S.E. Inner Loop, Georgetown. All county residents are invited to bring items for disposal that are not allowed to be thrown in regular waste bins or poured down the drain.
Acceptable items include lawn and garden chemicals, paints, pesticides, batteries, antifreeze and cleaning products. Prohibited refuse includes commercial waste, explosives, medical items, tires or propane cylinders.
On Oct. 26 from 7 to 11 a.m., Keep Hutto Beautiful Foundation hosts the Great Hutto Cleanup. Residents can bring household items for disposal to the rear parking lot of the East Williamson County Higher Education Center, 1600 Innovation Blvd.
City officials said the annual junk and trash haul-off also is a great way to get rid of old mattresses, carpet and furniture.
Lumber from small projects will be accepted. Do not bring commercial waste, batteries, oil, paint, tires or rocks.
Also offered is document shredding up to four standard-size document boxes per vehicle.
For information about either cleanup event, visit facebook.com/ KeepHuttoBeautiful.
