The Hutto Economic Development Corporation board of directors on Nov. 10 elected new officers, approved a budget amendment to fund creation of a fourth Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone along State Highway 130, and authorized outside legal review of construction contract templates intended to speed infrastructure projects.

Vice Chair Caitlin Morales was elected vice chair in a board vote after the agenda was amended to move officer appointments to the start of the meeting; the board then approved Irma Gonzales as secretary/treasurer. Both appointments passed unanimously, with the clerk recording a 6‑0 vote.

Why it matters: board leadership sets who speaks for the EDC and can shape priorities for the year ahead. Several members said clarifying who may provide quotes or sign correspondence is important as the corporation increases its public role around major projects.

Financial and contract approvals
EDC staff asked the board to approve resolution R‑HEDC‑2025‑146, a $30,000 FY‑26 budget amendment to pay consultant fees for forming TIRZ 4 (the Hutto SH‑130 TIRZ). Staff said $10,000 was already budgeted and TXP has been engaged; estimated consultant cost is $40,000, leaving a requested $30,000 amendment. The board approved the amendment unanimously (6‑0).

Christina Bishop, the city’s assistant finance director, briefed the board on October financials and reported that a reimbursement payment under the NQ2 incentive agreement in the amount of $404,000 was being prepared. "That payment is $404,000 that represents 21 months of reimbursement," Bishop said, and staff explained that the broader incentive includes a $4,000,000 grant (paid over 12 years subject to milestones) and a sales‑tax reimbursement not to exceed $5,000,000 over 12 years.

Legal review and procurement approach
The board also voted to engage the Jeff Chapman law firm as special counsel to assist the corporation’s general counsel with construction contract preparation, with the requirement that city and EDC counsel collaborate on engagements. Staff described a plan to have EDC legal draft master template contracts and then have Chapman review and supplement them, a step board members characterized as a fiscally prudent way to incorporate specialized litigation‑avoidance language and to mirror protections that commonly appear in city contracts. The motion, as amended to ensure coordination between city and EDC attorneys, passed 6‑0.

Capital projects and minutes
Board members approved a staff recommendation to authorize several capital improvement projects as authorized EDC projects and instructed staff to proceed with project documents. The project list included a wastewater line project (Brushy Creek #4), a roundabout at County Road 137 and 1660 S, an extension of Live Oak to Edgemont and additional Limmer Loop segments. Members emphasized the wastewater line has a tight bid and construction schedule that staff must protect while drafting contract language and procurement documents. The motion to accept the projects and move into the project‑documentation phase passed unanimously (6‑0).

Votes at a glance
- Officer appointments (vice chair, secretary/treasurer): approved, vote 6‑0.
- Resolution R‑HEDC‑2025‑146 (TIRZ 4 budget amendment, $30,000): approved, vote 6‑0.
- Monthly financial report (Oct. 2025): approved, vote 6‑0.
- Engage Jeff Chapman firm as special counsel (with city counsel coordination): approved, vote 6‑0.
- Authorize CIP projects and proceed with project documents: approved, vote 6‑0.
- Approve minutes (10/02 and 10/08 meetings): approved, vote 6‑0.
- Post‑executive session actions (contract with Fidelis; land offer to Hutto ISD): approved, vote 6‑0.

What’s next
Staff will return with project documentation for the CIP items and follow up on next steps for the TIRZ consultant work. The board also directed staff to prepare contracts and documents stemming from executive‑session discussions and to work with city legal and the Chapman firm on the contract templates.

Sources: meeting transcript and in‑meeting verbal briefings; quotes attributed to meeting speakers.