Pflugerville - Hutto Edition | April 2025

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Pugerville Hutto Edition VOLUME 20, ISSUE 8 APRIL 10 MAY 9, 2025

2025 Voter Guide

Developers eye 257 acres in Hutto

extraterritorial jurisdiction. Mixed-use developments are especially useful for cities going through periods of growth, Hutto City Manager James Earp said. The diversity of housing, work and entertainment allows cities to nd middle ground between suburban sprawl and urban sky- scrapers, he said.

BY GRACIE WARHURST

Hutto

Hutto has seen rapid growth in the last decade, leading to development, infrastructure and housing projects to accommodate over 8,000 new residents in a ve-year period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The latest project proposed for the city is The Gateway at Hutto—a 257-acre mixed-use development in Hutto’s

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Developers describe The Gateway at Hutto as a pedestrian- oriented, mixed-use community with small-town charm.

RENDERING COURTESY OF RIALTO STUDIO

Also in this issue

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Impacts: Learn about a new nursery now open in Pugerville (Page 7)

Business: Read about the Spirit of Texas Brewstillery and its latest whiskey (Page 35)

Be a h ER o Your superpower? Knowing where to go in an emergency. 24/7 emergency care, right here for Pflugerville. Our ER is open during construction. Please watch for wayfinding signs as we will soon temporarily relocate the ER entrance.

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Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2025 Baylor Scott & White Health. 09-PF-1329303 DT

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PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Impacts Pugerville

3 Ike’s Love & Sandwiches The sandwich shop will open this summer in the Cornerstone at Kelly Lane, according to signage outside the building. Customers can order from over 800 sandwich combinations, including vegetarian

Now open

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1 Lucky Eagle The social club oers sweepstakes machines and other arcade games that donate proceeds to local charities. The business also operates Lucky Hippo in Hutto and Lucky Lion in Round Rock. • Opened Feb. 21 • 1300 Pflugerville Parkway, Ste. 360, Pflugerville • www.facebook.com/myluckyeagle 137

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options and a kids menu. • Opening summer 2025 • 18725 FM 685, Ste. 120, Pflugerville • www.ikessandwich.com

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4 Lucky Claw Mania The entertainment business will have a large selection of claw machines and other games, according to a Facebook post. Once open, customers can host parties and celebrations any day of the week. • Opening spring 2025 • 18900 Limestone Commercial Drive, Ste. 610, Pflugerville • Facebook: Lucky Claw Mania 5 US Med-Equip A medical equipment supply company leased space in Martin Lane Biz Park in Pugerville, according to commercial real estate rm RESOLUT RE. The company partners with local hospitals to supply equipment for patients in their care, including movable medical equipment, beds and therapeutic surfaces. • Opening TBD

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LIMESTONE COMMERCIAL DR.

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2 Frost Bank This location is a part of a broader expansion program to double Frost’s Austin-region locations and is Frost’s 200th location, Bill Day, senior vice president of Frost’s corporate communications, said. The bank oers a full range of banking, investment and insurance products, for both personal and business nances. • Opening May 19 • 18725 FM 685, Pflugerville • www.frostbank.com

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CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY RICK COFER

RICKCOFER.COM PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 602 W. 11 TH ST., AUSTIN, TX 78701 • 512-200-3801

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BY GRACIE WARHURST

• 21415 Martin Lane, Pflugerville • usme.com

Now open

What’s next

6 Branchview Apartments A new apartment complex is coming to Pugerville in 2027, according to a ling with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Branchview Apartments will consist of 12 residential buildings totaling 330 units, two clubhouse buildings and a maintenance building. • 14709 Immanuel Road, Pflugerville • www.journeymangroup.com/jci-residential

In the news

8 Greensleeves Nursery Greensleeves Nursery took over the storefront of the recently closed Green ‘n Growing. William Glenn owns the local plant nursery, which is now open to the public. Greensleeves has an outdoor plant section, as well as a greenhouse, with vegetables, owers and succulents for sale. • Opened March 1

9 Chicken Salad Chick The rst Chicken Salad Chick in the greater Austin area recently opened in Pugerville. Made from scratch daily, the restaurant sells a variety of southern-inspired meals, including chicken salad sandwiches, soups and salads. Troy Morrison owns and operates the Pugerville Chicken Salad Chick and plans to open 14 new locations across Austin. • Opened March 25 • 18900 Limestone Commercial Drive, Ste. 200, Pflugerville • www.chickensaladchick.com

7 Crumbl Cookies Crumbl Cookies, an on-demand cookie-delivery company, celebrated ve years in Pugerville’s Stone Hill Town Center in February. The dessert franchise oers a weekly rotating menu of freshly made cookies in over 200 avors. • 18817 Limestone Commercial Drive, Ste. 200, Pflugerville • www.crumblcookies.com

• 601 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville • www.greensleevesnursery.com

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PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Impacts Hutto

will be located in a building outside of the new Hooky entertainment venue. Diep also owns Broth & Basil in the Stone Hill Town Center in Pugerville. • Opening this fall • 180 Alliance Blvd., Hutto • No website available 4 Happy Core Pilates The Pilates business is expected to open a brick-and- mortar location in Hutto soon. The business, owned by Rebecca Rogers, o ers group classes and private sessions on the Pilates Reformer. • Opening April 2025

Now open

Hutto

1 Clearly Eye Care The practice, owned by Dr. Tina To, o ers eye exams, contact lens tting, LASIK consultation, cataract evaluations and other eye care. Dr. To also owns a Round Rock location of Clearly Eye Care. • Opened March 3 • 201 E. Wilco Highway, Ste. 102, Hutto • www.clearlyeyecare.com 2 Grapes & Rye The curated cocktail and mobile tap trailer business opened a physical location in Hutto. The new space is designed to host a variety of events and classes that celebrate the art of mixology. The business is owned by Rachel Green-Williams and Lawrence Williams. • Opened March 29 • 3333 CR 119, Ste. 28, Hutto • www.grapesandrye.com

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• 3333 CR 119, Ste. 34, Hutto • www.happy-core-pilates.com

In the news

5 Hooky A family entertainment center in Hutto, formerly branded as EVO Entertainment, will now open in May as Hooky, Es Vedra Cinema’s new brand. Hooky will o er a game room, bowling alley, grab-and-go concession stations, eight movie theaters and an event room. The theater o erings will include one IMAX and two Dolby Atmos auditoriums. Es Vedra Cinema also owns Violet Crown Cinemas and ShowBiz Cinemas. • 180 Alliance Blvd., Hutto

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3 Basil & Bites The restaurant, owned by Phen T. Diep, will o er Vietnamese cuisine with a Texas twist. The business

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OPENING SOON!

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Now open

Relocations

6 No. 1 Boba Tea The shop o ers a variety of classic milk, avored and slush teas. Flavors for the milk tea include matcha, coconut, earl grey, to ee, vanilla chai and more. The business also sells pastries, such as mu¦ns, brownies and danishes. The business has another location in Cedar Park and several

7 Hippo Beauty Supply The store o ers a variety of supplies for beauty, cosmetic and personal care. The shop sells hair products, barber supplies and makeup, and the business also provides hair braiding by appointment. • Opened January 2025 • 3333 CR 119, Ste. 21, Hutto • Facebook: Hippo Beauty Supply

8 Haute Boutique & Beauty Bar A locally owned boutique o ering clothing and cosmetic services in downtown Round Rock since 2022 moved to Hutto. Owned by Amy Kerley, the business will focus more heavily on beauty services and reduce in-store shopping to Saturdays to better serve customers who book beauty-related services. Customers can still shop the boutique brand using the Haute Boutique app, Kerley said. • Relocated March 15 • 5947 Chandler Road, Ste. 101, Hutto • www.linktr.ee/Hautellc

throughout Nevada. • Opened March 14 • 111 Co-Op Blvd., Ste. 101, Hutto • www.no1bobatea.us

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PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Impacts Round Rock

security surveillance, complimentary washer and dryer access, exible lease agreements and more. • Opened in March • 1307 Chisholm Trail Road, Round Rock • www.salonsonchisholm.com 3 Zara Nails Bar The nail salon opened its doors in early February and is now oering nail and beauty services. Customers can partake in a number of services including manicures using acrylic, SNS dip, pedicures, eyelash extensions, waxing, permanent makeup and head spas. Owner Ellise Chau said the business oers nail designs, fresh tips, natural ombre and more for manicures. • Opened Feb. 1 • 2800 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock • www.zaranail.com 130 TOLL

July, according to project information led with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The supermarket sells produce, meat, canned goods and pastries. It will occupy a space formerly home to The Exchange Church in the Renaissance Square retail center.

Round Rock 1431

UNIVERSITY OAKS BLVD.

• 1604 N. I-35, Ste. 305, Round Rock • www.pocolocosupermercado.com

A.W. GRIMES BLVD.

CHISHOLM TRAIL RD.

7 The Bar Method A new barre studio is set to open in The Market at Round Rock shopping center, per project information led with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The Bar Method oers classes that provide low-impact resistance training incorporating elements of Pilates, yoga and strength training. • 110 N. I-35 Ste. 125, Round Rock • www.barmethod.com

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Coming soon

Relocations

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4 Austin Regional Clinic The new facility is planned as a multispecialty clinic as well as an outpatient surgery center and, at 22,000 square feet, will double the clinic’s footprint within the city. On the rst oor will be an outpatient surgery center, and the second oor will include ENT, general surgery, orthopedics, podiatry and endoscopy. • Opening this fall • 3207 Greenlawn Blvd., Round Rock • www.austinregionalclinic.com 5 IT’SUGAR The specialty candy retailer will open a store in the Round Rock Premium Outlets later this spring. The new location will be next door to The Children’s Place within the shopping mall. • Opening spring 2025 • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.itsugar.com

8 Shamrock Acupuncture Owned by Wanjun Shamrock Xu, the business relocated from Georgetown and oers acupuncture to help people with pain management, insomnia, anxiety and other issues. • Relocated March 1

GREENLAWN BLVD.

MOPAC

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• 1850 Round Rock Ave., Round Rock • www.shamrock-acupuncture.com

Now open

In the news

1 Sherwin-Williams Commercial Paint Store The paint retailer opened a location catering to contractors and professional customers. While not intended for consumers, the commercial version of the paint store oers paint, coatings and equipment. • Opened in February • 3581 Greenlawn Blvd., Round Rock • www.sherwin-williams.com 2 Salons on Chisholm The salon oers private suites for rent where hair stylists, barbers, nail technicians, massage therapists and estheticians can serve clients out of the location. According to its website, the business provides complimentary high-speed internet, 24/7 access and

9 Chili’s The restaurant, which features American and Tex-Mex cuisine including burgers, chicken, fajitas, pasta and seafood, celebrated 50 years of operation in March. The franchise was founded in Dallas in March 1975 and has now expanded to over 1,600 locations in 28 countries. • 2711 S. I-35, Round Rock • www.chilis.com 10 Golden Goat Tattoo Company The tattoo shop is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in Round Rock since opening in March 2015. The tattoo shop oers piercings and a wide range of tattoo styles including traditional, neo-traditional, watercolor, ne

What’s next

6 Poco Loco Supermercado The rst Round Rock location of the neighborhood supermarket is expected to nish renovations in

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11 Curry Pizza House Owner Mahendra Kakarla said the restaurant where Shipley Do-Nuts was previously located is expected to open in July. The company is an Indian pizza establishment that oers classic pizza, curry-inspired pizza, wings, salads, vegan pizzas and build-your-own pizza options. The franchise operates locations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington. • Opening in July

13 Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt This will be the rst Menchie’s in Round Rock with the closest current location in Pugerville at 2324 Dessau Road, Ste. 204. The business oers a range of froyo avors, which vary by location, such as banana pudding, blue raspberry tart and orange cream bar. • Opening May 2025 • 3107 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Ste. 753, Round Rock • www.menchies.com

16 Buddy’s Burger Zain, Isha and Saad Fidai are on track to open their third restaurant later this month, per the city. The burger joint oers hand-formed, 100% Angus beef burgers, milkshakes and seasoned fries. The business has two other locations in Austin and San Marcos. • Opening later this year • 1551 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock • www.buddysburger.com

• 1300 S. Mays St., Round Rock • www.currypizzahouse.com

14 Joann The craft retailer announced Feb. 23 that the company would be sold as a result of bankruptcy and all store locations will “conduct going-out-of-business sales.” The rst location opened in 1943 and expanded to an estimated 850 stores in 49 states, as stated on its website. The business sells crafting and home supplies. • Closing TBD • 201 University Oaks Blvd., Round Rock • www.joann.com 15 Delizioso Delicatessen & Charcuterie The deli closed its doors in Round Rock at the end of February to relocate to Taylor, the restaurant announced via its social media. It will reopen as Main Street Deli & Diner in April. The business operated in the space next door to Lonestar Kolaches for three years

and stated that the relocation is timed with the end of their lease on the space. • Closed in February • 1207. E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock • Facebook: Main Street Deli & Diner 17 Furia Western Wear The Round Rock location posted a note on its front doors stating, “We are closed. If you like please visit us at our other locations.” The business has four remaining locations throughout the Austin area. The western shop oers boots, hats, accessories and clothing with brands such as Estampida, Ariat, Wrangler, Cuadra and Stetson. • Closed in January • 1601 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Ste. 360, Round Rock • www.furiawesternwear.com

line, geometric, tebori and more. • 2021 N. Mays St., Unit 600, Round Rock • www.goldengoattattooco.com

Closings

12 Chicken Express A note posted to the restaurant’s door in February stated that the location had been sold. The business oered a menu centered on fried chicken, with sides like french fries, fried okra, mashed potatoes and biscuits. • Closed Feb. 28 • 3220 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock • www.chickene.com

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PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

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Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD, BEN THOMPSON & GRACIE WARHURST

Hutto gets feedback on FY25 26 budget The city of Hutto received input from 305 residents, business owners, visitors and employees between Feb. 18 and March 7, as part of its Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget process. The results Common results show a desire to manage growth in a sustainable way, according to the city’s result summaries. Primary concerns for city spending included allocating resources to the city’s infrastructure, with responses across the board focusing on roads and utility systems. Respondents proposed prioritizing infra- structure improvements over other services and suggested xing existing roads and sidewalks, widening roads in developing areas, and generally improving trac ow. The responses also emphasize a need for better communication, transparency and public involvement from the city. Residents showed a desire for information about what’s happening in Hutto, especially in nances, projects and City Council.

1.45-acre tract o Schultz rezoned for retail use Pugerville City Council approved a zoning change for a 1.45-acre plot for retail and business use at its meeting March 25. The details The property, located along the south side of Schultz Lane, sits near the Springbrook residential subdivision. City Council approved an ordinance to apply split zoning to the land, with .85 acres zoned retail, and the remaining .58 acres zoned for general business. The new zoning designation will “enable future development” in the area, city of Pugerville Planning Manager Dr. Yasmin Turk said. Several businesses sit nearby, including gas stations, a car wash, a Starbucks and a future daycare facility. General business zoning allows for a range of retail and oce uses, and some speci c residential uses like an assisted living facility. Retail zoning has similar uses, and should spe- ci cally serve nearby residential areas, according to Pugerville’s development code. Austin metro grows to 25th most populous The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area became the 25th largest in the country last year after continuing to rise in national rankings, boosted by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of new residents since the start of the decade. Overview Entering the 2020s, the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area ranked as the 28th most populated in the U.S. with 2.3 million residents. Following years of steady population increases, the region ranked 25th with an estimated 2.55 million residents as of July 2024, a nearly 11% increase, per new census estimates released in March. The Greater Austin totals cover Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.

General business

Retail

Pugerville

What else? This zoning supports Pugerville’s vision for the upper westside district, Turk said. The area should aspire to enhance pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, increase housing options with the opportunity for mixed use, and increase access and safety to parks while using trails as transporta- tion, according to the city’s future land use plan. Pugerville constructed a realignment of Schultz Lane in 2009 for nearby road improve- ments. As part of the process, the city zoned the land acquired for the realignment to general business, and the former right of way for Schultz Lane was not zoned.

Central Texas leaders strive to address wage theft

launched the county’s Economic Justice Enforce- ment Initiative in September 2021, said his team has received complaints in the construction and hospi- tality industries, as well as from both white-collar and blue-collar sectors. Members of the public, regardless of their immigrant status, can report incidents of wage theft to the Travis County District Attorney’s oce through the agency’s website or by emailing TCDAWageTheft@traviscountytx.gov.

Recent increases in reported wage theft have prompted local leaders to push for stronger initia- tives to hold employers accountable. The overview Last year, 1,296 cases of wage theft were reported in Central Texas, with roughly $21 million in back wages due to workers, according to the U.S. Depart- ment of Labor. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, who

Wage theft claims in Central Texas

Travis County

Williamson County

Hayes County

1,000

0 200 400 600 800

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S WAGE AND HOUR DIVISIONTEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Election

COMPILED BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Voter Guide

2025

Dates to know

Where to vote

April 22: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) April 22: First day of early voting April 29: Last day of early voting May 3: Election day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or May 5 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)

Travis and Williamson County residents can cast their ballots at any polling location during early voting and on Election Day. Williamson County voters can nd wait-time estimates at www.wilcotx.gov/election, and Travis County voters can nd wait-time estimates at www.votetravis.gov/current-election.

Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.

KEY: *Incumbent

City Council Place 3 Jim Morris Monekia Kea Cory Denena City Council Place 6 Amberley Kolar* Brandon DeLeon

Place 4 Vernagene Mott* Claudia Yañez Place 5 Kelly Daniel* Lee R. Wallace

Aaron King Erin McGowan

Sample ballot

Hutto City Council Mayor Mike Snyder* Henry E. Gideon

P ugerville ISD School Board Place 3 Renae Mitchell* Trish Smith

SOURCES: WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TRAVIS COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT

New Homes at Flora

o th mi $300’ HUTTO, TX

The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Maps not to scale. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. © 2025 Tri Pointe Homes Texas, Inc. All rights reserved.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY GRACIE WARHURST

KEY : *Incumbent

Hutto Mayor

Mike Snyder* Occupation & experience: real estate manager, QT South, LLC. Manage and develop real estate during the day, business owner 512-864-4221 www.votemikesnyder.com

Henry Gideon Occupation & experience: retired from K-12 public school administration, independent consultant in K-12 operations throughout the state. Strategic... 512-718-8638 www.henryforhutto.com

What will be your top priorities if you are elected?

My top priorities will continue to be the ecient use of taxpayer money to get our infrastructure caught up, without raising homeowner’s property taxes. Doing this, while increasing our spending on Hutto PD to keep pace with our growth. Being responsible and sustainable.

My top priority will be to promote collaboration and cooperation to address infrastructure, public safety, economic development, workforce development and quality of life as we keep pace with rapid growth in Hutto and East Williamson County.

What uniquely quali es you for this position?

I am qualied for this position as I have private development experience, am a small business owner, all while having the knowledge of the who, what, when and where of all things Hutto. Private experience will be very important for the future of Hutto.

My background includes oversight and management of capital improvement projects in the public domain. I am experienced in leading large operations utilizing strategic thinking and continuous process improvement. I have strong budget and scal skills. I have an expansive background in emergency operations planning, as well as economic development.

Cost of living (taxes and fees) while we improve our infrastructure. It’s easy to go out and sell $522.0M in bonds. But, we have to remember who has to pay the debt service on that. Families are struggling to make ends meet. What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?

Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to serving fast-growing communities. Rapid growth demands cooperation. As mayor, I aim to foster an East Williamson County mindset that is agile and adaptable to the pace of growth, while preserving our community and prioritizing public safety as our greatest opportunity.

What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?

My passion for the people of Hutto. I get joy from helping people solve issues. Hutto is keeping its small town feel. And, to me, that means a mayor who is willing to sit in someone’s living room and help them work through any issue. City or not.

I am a hand-tool woodworker and I will approach my service as I might a woodworking project. To paraphrase an old quote: “when our work lifts spirits and inspires, no need to look for a standard to judge by: the work is good - a product of our collective craftsmanship.”

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

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Election

BY GRACIE WARHURST

Hutto City Council, Place 6 KEY : *Incumbent

Amberley Kolar* Experience: Elected to Hutto City Council in 2022, knowledge of state laws relevant to local

Aaron King Experience: Board Secretary, Patterson Covenant Church; Deacon, Cityview Bible Church; Former Instructor, King’s Martial Arts Academy Occupation: Roo ng-Project Bid Coordinator

Brandon DeLeon Experience: Analyze future nancial commitments for the company goals and have a bachelors in Business Management Occupation: Senior planner facebook.com/ LetsGoBrandonHutto 512-887-3679

Erin McGowan Questionnaire not returned by deadline

government Occupation:

Legislative director kolarforhutto.com 512-846-3188

Facebook: Aaron King for Hutto City Council Place 6

What uniquely qualies you for this position?

My primary goal is to ensure that the City and City Council operate more e ciently while improving our capabilities. My top priorities will be to promote public safety, continue to work on maintaining and investing in infrastructure and focus on Hutto’s current and future water needs.

Keeping taxes low (NNR-No New Revenue). Prioritizing infrastructure repair over unnecessary projects or administrative costs. I believe we can address poor road conditions without overburdening the taxpayers. Work with City Council in redirecting funds from wasteful expenditures to critical infrastructure repairs to ensure taxpayers dollars get the most value for the taxpayers money.

My top priorities for Hutto involve keeping it aordable by avoiding tax increases, ensuring scal responsibility, improving road and wastewater infrastructure with existing funds, and supporting law enforcement with competitive pay and bene ts. This will keep Hutto safe, prosperous, and a great place for families to call home.

Questionnaire not returned by deadline

What uniquely qualies you for this position?

I work well with my colleagues on the city council and often nd myself as the negotiator when there is disagreement. I continually ask, “What is the role of government?” when it comes to private business operations, property owner rights and non-pro ts and challenge my colleagues to apply it appropriately.

I have been responsible for managing timelines and budgets as a project manager for telecom, semi-conductor, and health/wellness companies ensuring projects come in on time and within budget. I have leadership qualities that focus on transparency and accountability, to nd real solutions and improvements for our community.

As a Senior Demand Planner in the medical device industry, I specialize in long-term planning, analytics, and strategy. My expertise in scal responsibility and nancial literacy, combined with my passion for Hutto’s success, makes me uniquely quali ed to tackle rising debt, rebuild reserves, and restore responsible spending on the council.

Questionnaire not returned by deadline

What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?

The greatest challenge to the city are the increasing costs associated with maintaining and building our roads, water and wastewater infrastructure. In order to help with the costs it’s important for the city to partner with developers and the county to share costs.

The City Council working together balancing diering priorities and political perspectives while making decisions that serve the entire community. I will do my part to help foster open communication and common ground for the bene t of the entire community with the Mayor and City Council.

Hutto’s biggest challenge is rising debt service costs, which limit essential infrastructure projects and will increasingly strain the budget as interest compounds. I will advocate for scal responsibility by prioritizing needs over wants and cutting wasteful spending. To x this, we must rst stop digging the nancial hole deeper.

Questionnaire not returned by deadline

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DR. DAVID BAKER has been in practice since 1988, but has known that he wanted to be a dentist since he was seven years old. He attended the University of Texas in San Antonio and went to dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he received the General Practice Award as “Most Likely to Succeed.” SMILE MAKEOVER 6 porcelain veneers for $ 3,990 ($6,000 value) BEFORE 6 porcelain veneers for BEFORE AFTER

SMILE MAKEOVER 6 porcelain veneers for $ 3,990 ($6,000 value) DR. DAVID BAKER has been in practice since 1988, but has known that he wanted to be a dentist since he was seven years old. He attended the University of Texas in San Antonio and went to dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he received the General Practice Award as “Most Likely to Succeed.” DR. DAVID BAKER has been in practice since 1988, but has known that he wanted to be a dentist since he was seven years old. He attended the University of Texas in San Antonio and went to dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he received the General Practice Award as “Most Likely to Succeed.” 6 porcelain veneers for $5,280

AFTER

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ALFE DR. DAVID BAKER has been in practice since 1988, but has known that he wanted to be a dentist since he was seven years old. He attended the University of Texas in San Antonio and went to dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he received the General Practice Award as “Most Likely to Succeed.” SMILE MAKEOVER WWW.HUTTOHIPPOFAMILYDENTAL.COM (512) 806-7740 401 EXCHANGE BLVD., BLDG. 2-A, HUTTO, TEXAS 78634 (512) 806-7740 N 79 N ALFE 79 ALFE 79 ALFE

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Election

BY GRACIE WARHURST

Hutto City Council, Place 3

Cory Denena Occupation & experience: Parks Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Recent-Charter Commission, HOA board of directors corydenenaforhutto.org

Monekia Kea Occupation & experience: fraud investigation, HOA Board President, Hutto Citizens University graduate, Advocate for accountability, transparency and community... Google Sites: Monekia Kea for Hutto

Jim Morris Occupation & experience: retired electrical engineer, Ethics Review, Planning & Zoning, Project Management, Masters Degree Engineering, Nonprots’ board... Jimmorriscitycouncilhutto.com

Collaboration is KEY: Leadership that gets things done, professionally, collaboratively, with collegiality and respect. Infrastructure Investment: Optimize trac ow, plan out and deliver on road expansions and rerouting trac. Prepare for water and wastewater needs. Address facilities needs. Community Well-Being: Build nature trails, expand trail connectivity and install playgrounds. What will be your top priorities if you are elected? I am deeply involved in Hutto through boards and commissions and other volunteer work. I’ve decades of experience as a teacher and ensemble director, motivating, bringing out the best in others, building consensus and collaborating to achieve common goals. I’ve a vision for Hutto trails to enhance quality of life. What uniquely quali es you for this position?

Improving infrastructure and prioritizing road repairs to keep up with Hutto’s growth. I’m committed to being smart with taxpayer dollars, ensuring every penny is well spent. Working alongside my colleagues, I’ll push for growth that benets everyone and hold developers accountable to build responsibly for a stronger community.

Mobility Master Plan—critical roads to reduce trac congestion. Property Taxes—No New Revenue, new business tax base to reduce resident burden. Water Rates—distribute costs, cooperative municipal ventures and secure future sources. Manage Growth— critical infrastructure while integrating with existing developments. Public Safety—low crime rate, now & future.

My strong investigative skills, attention to detail, and commitment to collaboration. I’m dedicated to serving Hutto residents with transparency, delivering real solutions that improve the quality of life for every family while strengthening our city’s future.

Passionate Hutto civic volunteer for 13yrs; member of multiple Boards, Commissions. Keep Hutto Beautiful Board Member, 50yrs living 25mi of Hutto, Hutto resident 17yrs. Beautiful wife Mia, a Cardiac Electrophysiology Nurse, who also shares my passion helping our community. Never forget the Little, the Least, the Last, and the Lost.

We have a leadership crisis. Our city council is periodically dysfunctional, hindering operations. I’ll bring a mature, solutions oriented approach to problem solving. Collaboration is key, where relationships with all stakeholders are valued and respected. I’ll mend fences with city sta¢, Williamson County, Hutto ISD and community non-prot organizations. What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?

The greatest challenge Hutto faces is managing rapid growth, overcrowded roads, and rising taxes. I will prioritize these issues, ensuring development pays their fair share and that residents are not burdened with unnecessary tax increases. Responsible growth and infrastructure improvements will benet everyone in our community.

Help Hutto stay nimble in a dynamic landscape; Economy, Projects, Debt, Growth. Managing to benet ALL residents is the challenge. Focus on the Hutto silent majority; they may not feel empowered, they may not understand avenues of communication, they may not feel that their concerns heard or gain Council attention.

Now open!

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PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

A task force to help shape Pugerville ISD’s strategic plan recently completed its list of action items. Superintendent Quintin Shepherd provided the task force’s ndings during a Pugerville Chamber of Commerce event March 11 at Spare Time Texas. The details Shepherd said the ndings are the “big overar- ching statements” indicating the general direction the district should go toward, while the directions provide a more “granular” look. • Planning for the future: prepare students to discover their passions, develop core values and life skills, communicate eectively, and foster a sense of self worth and community • Student learning experiences: create an envi- ronment of connection and trust where teachers inspire and empower students to take risks, think critically, and embrace a growth mindset • Recruit, develop and retain teachers and sta: essential for fostering student achievement • Community: collaboration between the district and community will help families and students foster a value for learning • Safety, belonging and mental/social wellness: foster a culture of safety and connection to ensure students and sta feel respected • Communication: transparent, proactive PfISD prioritizes student growth, nancial planning

Pugerville ISD Superintendent Quintin Shepherd provided updates on PfISD’s strategic plan visioning task force and Texas Legislature updates during a March 11 Pugerville Chamber of Commerce event.

BRITTANY ANDERSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

communication, active listening, and sharing students’ work with the community • Finance: transparent and intentional nancial planning to ensure equitable access to education • Facilities: monitor, review, and address facilities and infrastructure and integrate sustainable solutions Also of note A few education bills have been discussed since the Texas Legislature convened in January. The PfISD board of trustees adopted a list of priorities for legislators ahead of the session, including shifting public school funding from attendance-based to enrollment-based, increasing the basic allotment, increasing funding for safety mandates and fully funding special education. Community Impact recently reported that legislators discussed House Bill 2, which pro- poses a $220 increase to the basic allotment. The basic allotment has not increased from

"...When doubling the [funding] amounts are still less than half of what we need, it’s just not good enough.” QUINTIN SHEPHERD, PFISD SUPERINTENDENT

$6,160 since 2019. “You can reach out to our legislators and say that’s not even close to being enough,” Shepherd said. Legislators have also eyed House Bill 3, which includes a plan for a potential school voucher program. However, Shepherd said the district is still trying to fund House Bill 3 from 2023, which required schools to place an armed police ocer on each campus. The district needs 20 additional police ocers to meet HB3’s requirements, which equates to about a $3 million cost.

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