Hutto council directs $5,000 transfer to HPOA, votes to change benefits policy for employees killed on duty

The Hutto City Council voted 7-0 on Thursday to direct the city manager to transfer $5,000 to the Hutto Police Officers Association to cover unpaid health savings account (HSA) contributions for Michelle Kelly and to have staff return with a policy ensuring medical premiums and HSA contributions for any city employee who dies in the line of duty.

The decision followed more than an hour of public testimony from current and former officers, community members and Michelle Kelly, the widow of Sgt. Chris Kelly, who was killed in the line of duty nine-and-a-half years earlier.

Deanna Lewis, president of the Hutto Police Officers Association and a patrol officer with the department, urged the council to treat the HSA contribution as part of the employee benefits package that should flow to the surviving spouse. “Teamwork in a time of need, standing in place of Chris who is unable to stand for himself or his family,” Lewis said during public comment.

Michelle Kelly told the council she is seeking what she said she has historically received: access to health coverage at the employee rate and the city-funded HSA disbursements she previously received. “Iam just asking for what's right,” Kelly said.

In addition to the transfer, the council directed staff to draft a…