Hutto DEIB commissioners approve public launch of three citizen working groups, contingent on finalized interest form

The Hutto Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Commission voted to publicly launch outreach for three citizen working groups focused on veterans, senior citizens and small businesses, contingent on a finalized interest form in English and Spanish and guidance from the city communications manager.

Commissioners and staff said the citizen working groups are the commission’s top short-term priority. Christie Barnes, the city’s community and culture officer and staff liaison to DEIB, described a plan to use Huddl Connect, neighborhood pages and in-person outreach—including the library’s senior programming and the chamber of commerce—to reach residents who are not online.

"We could put it on Huddl Connect and then share it to get it out into the community," Barnes said, explaining the commission can launch its own outreach while the city updates its official website. Commissioners expressed a preference for both digital outreach and targeted in-person meetings for seniors and others who may not use the internet.

Members discussed how to ensure the outreach and subsequent work are representative: the commission will request that the city’s contracted survey vendor (ETC) share whether it already has a question measuring belonging and asked staff to include key DEIB-related survey items as a top-line packet item at future meetings so commissioners can track trends.

The commission agreed the interest form should capture basic contact information, the working group of interest, an optional short statement of why the person wants to participate, and an age confirmation box. Commissioners also asked staff to coordinate translations; the motion approved on a voice vote said the public launch should be contingent on a finalized Google interest form in English and Spanish and communications direction from the city’s communications manager.

Votes at a glance: Commissioners approved the motion to post the working-group outreach and interest form and promote it via Huddl Connect and commissioners’ networks, contingent on staff finalization of the form and communications guidance. The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by voice vote.

Next steps identified in the meeting: staff will meet with the communications manager (Abby) to finalize wording and translation options; the consultant who will run the volunteer orientation will be asked to hold a post-holiday orientation for volunteers; and commissioners will begin in-person outreach to community groups and existing meetings to recruit participants.