Four candidates will be on the ballot for the Hutto City Council Place 6 race. Amberley Kolar is the sitting council member, and is running for re-election against Aaron King, Brandon Deleon and Erin McGowan.
What you need to know
City Council members 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.
Amberley Kolar
Experience:
Elected to Hutto City Council in 2022, knowledge of state laws relevant to local government.
Occupation:
Legislative director
Candidate Website:
kolarforhutto.com
Contact Information:
512-846-3188
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My primary goal is to ensure that the City and City Council operate more efficiently while improving our capabilities. My top priorities will be to promote public safety, continue to work on maintaining and investing in infrastructure and focus on Hutto’s current and future water needs.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I work well with my colleagues on the city council and often find myself as the negotiator when there is disagreement. I continually ask, “What is the role of government?” when it comes to private business operations, property owner rights and non-profits and challenge my colleagues to apply it appropriately.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
The greatest challenge to the city are the increasing costs associated with maintaining and building our roads, water and wastewater infrastructure. In order to help with the costs it’s important for the city to partner with developers and the county to share costs.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I am a native Texan and have lived in Hutto since 2018. I will continue to serve the residents of Hutto with integrity and professionalism. I am committed to the future success of the city and I look forward to hearing from you. Please contact me at 512-846-3188.
Aaron King
Experience:
Board Secretary, Patterson Covenant Church; Deacon, Cityview Bible Church; Former Instructor, King's Martial Arts Academy
Occupation:
Roofing-Project Bid Coordinator
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573653022860
Contact Information:
(737) 274-2111
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Keeping taxes low (NNR-No New Revenue). Prioritizing infrastructure repair over unnecessary projects or administrative costs. I believe we can address poor road conditions without overburdening the taxpayers. Work with City Council in redirecting funds from wasteful expenditures to critical infrastructure repairs to ensure taxpayers dollars get the most value for the taxpayers money.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I have been responsible for managing timelines and budgets as a project manager for telecom, semi-conductor, and health/wellness companies ensuring projects come in on time and within budget. I have leadership qualities that focus on transparency and accountability, to find real solutions and improvements for our community.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
The City Council working together balancing differing priorities and political perspectives while making decisions that serve the entire community. I will do my part to help foster open communication and common ground for the benefit of the entire community with the Mayor and City Council.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I serve in the Men's Ministry, Guardians Ministry and the Deacons Ministry (with my wife, Patti) at Cityview Bible Church. I have a passion to serve. If elected to City Council, I will represent the citizens of Hutto by listening, representing and making decisions that truly serve the people.
Brandon Deleon
Experience:
Analyze future financial commitments for the company goals and have a bachelors in Business
Occupation:
Senior planner
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/LetsGoBrandonHutto/
Contact Information:
512-887-3679
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities for Hutto involve keeping it affordable by avoiding tax increases, ensuring fiscal responsibility, improving road and wastewater infrastructure with existing funds, and supporting law enforcement with competitive pay and benefits. This will keep Hutto safe, prosperous, and a great place for families to call home.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
As a Senior Demand Planner in the medical device industry, I specialize in long-term planning, analytics, and strategy. My expertise in fiscal responsibility and financial literacy, combined with my passion for Hutto’s success, makes me uniquely qualified to tackle rising debt, rebuild reserves, and restore responsible spending on the council.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
Hutto’s biggest challenge is rising debt service costs, which limit essential infrastructure projects and will increasingly strain the budget as interest compounds. I will advocate for fiscal responsibility by prioritizing needs over wants and cutting wasteful spending. To fix this, we must first stop digging the financial hole deeper.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
My wife, Rae, and I moved to Hutto in 2020 and deeply care for this community. I stay engaged in local government, regularly following city council meetings. I’m not a politician—I’m a concerned resident running to ensure Hutto’s leadership prioritizes its people and makes responsible decisions for our future.
Erin McGowan
Experience:
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Occupation:
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Candidate Website:
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Contact Information:
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What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
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What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
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What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
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What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
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