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 policy making the city pay medical premiums and HSA contributions for spouses and dependents of any city employee who dies in the line of duty, and to recommend retroactive coverage where appropriate. The motion also included language to add a legislative priority asking state lawmakers to clarify and enable use of public funds to cover such benefits statewide; that amendment was added and accepted during debate.

Council members who cast aye votes in open roll call were: Council member Thornton, Council member Kolar, Council member Clark, Mayor Pro Tem Gordon, Council member Thompson, Council member Porterfield and Mayor Snyder.

TMPA Government Affairs representative Brian Flatt addressed the council before the vote and framed the decision as consequential for recruitment and retention of first responders. “The decision you make on this matter will be your legacy,” he told the council.

What the council did and what happens next

- The council approved the $5,000 transfer to the Hutto Police Officers Association to cover past HSA contributions that Michelle Kelly said were not paid following her husbands death. - Council instructed staff to prepare a policy to make the city pay medical premiums and HSA contributions going forward for any employee who dies in the line of duty, and to propose language for retroactive application where appropriate. - Council also agreed to pursue a legislative clarification at the state level to resolve ambiguities in how such benefits are handled under Texas law.

Who spoke (selected) - Michelle Kelly, surviving spouse of Sgt. Chris Kelly; described her past enrollment and said she had previously received HSA contributions. - Deanna Lewis, patrol officer and president, Hutto Police Officers Association; urged council to treat the HSA contribution as part of the benefits package. - Brian Flatt, government affairs, Texas Municipal Police Association; supported council action and urged clarity. - Brian Grubbs, retired Hutto police officer; described the communitys response after Sgt. Kellys death.

Authorities and legal references - Texas Government Code, sections cited during public comment: 615.073, 615.076, 615.077 (referenced by Michelle Kelly and supporters as the state provisions underpinning survivor benefit eligibility).

Actions - Kind: motion - motion: "Direct the city manager to transfer $5,000 to the Hutto Police Officers Association for current and previous HSA contributions and direct staff to return with a policy change to make medical premiums and HSA contributions paid for for all city employees who die in the line of duty, and pursue legislative clarification as a priority." - mover: not specified in transcript - second: recorded - vote_record: [{"member":"Council member Thornton","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Council member Kolar","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Council member Clark","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Mayor Pro Tem Gordon","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Council member Thompson","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Council member Porterfield","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Mayor Snyder","vote":"yes"}] - outcome: "approved" - notes: "Motion included amendment to add legislative priority; council specified intent that future payments cover medical premiums and HSA contributions for eligible surviving family members; $5,000 transfer intended to be delivered to HPOA while staff drafts policy."

Community relevance - Geographies: ["City of Hutto"] - Impact groups: ["first responders","surviving spouses of fallen employees","city employees"]

Clarifying details - Deposit/transfer amount: $5,000 — council directed transfer to HPOA to cover prior HSA contributions. - Retroactivity request: council directed staff to address prior unpaid contributions (time periods not fully specified in council motion; Michelle Kelly cited payments for 201520).