What you need to know
City Council members, including the mayor, serve as the city's lawmakers, with their main responsibility being policymaking. In Hutto, council members and the mayor are elected at-large, allowing all registered voters in the city to vote for every position. The mayor and six council members are elected to serve three-year terms.
Voter deadline registration is April 3. Early voting will be held April 22-29, and election day is May 3.
Candidates were asked to answer the questions provided in 50 words or less and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Mike Snyder
Experience:
Manage and develop real estate during the day, private business owner
Occupation:
Real Estate Manager, QT South, LLC
Candidate Website:
https://www.votemikesnyder.com
Contact Information:
512-864-4221
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities will continue to be the efficient use of taxpayer money to get our infrastructure caught up, without raising homeowner's property taxes. Doing this, while increasing our spending on Hutto PD to keep pace with our growth. Being responsible and sustainable.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I am qualified for this position as I have private development experience, am a small business owner, all while having the knowledge of the who, what, when and where of all things Hutto. Private experience will be very important for the future of Hutto.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
Cost of living (taxes and fees) while we improve our infrastructure. It's easy to go out and sell $522.0M in bonds. But, we have to remember who has to pay the debt service on that. Families are struggling to make ends meet.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
My passion for the people of Hutto. I get joy from helping people solve issues. Hutto is keeping its small town feel. And, to me, that means a mayor who is willing to sit in someone's living room and help them work through any issue. City or not.
Henry Gideon
Experience:
Strategic planning, systems/process improvement, real property/land use development, economic development, emergency operations
Occupation:
Retired from K-12 public school administration, independent consultant in K-12 operations throughout the state
Candidate Website:
https://www.henryforhutto.com
Contact Information:
512-718-8638
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priority will be to promote collaboration and cooperation to address infrastructure, public safety, economic development, workforce development and quality of life as we keep pace with rapid growth in Hutto and East Williamson County.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
My background includes oversight and management of capital improvement projects in the public domain. I am experienced in leading large operations utilizing strategic thinking and continuous process improvement. I have strong budget and fiscal skills. I have an expansive background in emergency operations planning, as well as economic development.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to serving fast-growing communities. Rapid growth demands cooperation. As mayor, I aim to foster an East Williamson County mindset that is agile and adaptable to the pace of growth, while preserving our community and prioritizing public safety as our greatest opportunity.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I am a hand-tool woodworker and I will approach my service as I might a woodworking project. To paraphrase an old quote: "when our work lifts spirits and inspires, no need to look for a standard to judge by: the work is good - a product of our collective craftsmanship."
