Council directs EDC to select consultant for study of a city-owned fire department

Hutto City Council on July 2 directed the city’s Economic Development Corporation to select, in partnership with council and legal counsel, a consultant to produce a long-term (year 1–20) financial and operational analysis for a possible city-owned fire department.

The motion — described by a council member as intended to “produce the actual cost from year 1, full year, all the way through year 20” — followed extensive public comment and council questions about procurement and cost assumptions. Resident Daniel Arenas urged the council “do not move forward” with creating a city fire department in the 2027 budget, arguing the city’s own materials showed a hypothetical $972,000 in at-risk revenue against estimated startup and operating costs that could exceed $3 million annually.

Council discussion focused on how staff would obtain reliable numbers and whether an RFP or a targeted procurement should be used. David Amsler, executive director of strategic operations, told the council procurement “will include a RFP in this situation” and noted staff could pursue a targeted approach if council authorized a budget threshold to avoid a full RFP process. General counsel for the EDC, George Hyde, warned that consultants chosen might later serve as expert witnesses if disputes with the ESD proceed, and recommended legal involvement in vetting firms.

The council amended the original direction to task the EDC with selecting the consultant and voted 7–0 to proceed. Members requested staff return expected consultant costs, a procurement timeline, and a scope so the public and council can review full assumptions before any policy decision or budget allocation.

Next steps: staff and the EDC will identify procurement options and return cost estimates and scope for council approval before hiring a consultant.