A wish list of projects for the city of Hutto was presented Thursday night to City Council by a bond advisory committee.

Committee members and city staff went through a list of 33 project proposals that would $53.6 million, including a new police headquarters, fire station, road projects, and parks and recreation improvements.

If the city asks for voters to approve a bond issue May 27, a decision to do so must be made by Feb. 17. But the amount of the bond request could change drastically.

“This is a big number and a lot to swallow,” Council Member Nate Killough said. “We already have a higher tax rate than some cities in the area. Me, personally, we have to get that number down. But it’s positive movement.”

City officials said it is too early to project how such a bond proposal would affect taxes. Those numbers depend on the final amount if the bond issue is approved, interest rates at the time bonds are issued, housing values and the amount of development activity in Hutto.

Council members thanked the committee for its work the last four months. Several elected officials said they were not comfortable with the number, but would prioritize the requests.

Interim City Manager Micah Grau, Director for Development Services Director Helen Ramirez and Finance Director Melanie Melancon were among city staff presenting information on behalf of the committee, which was led by chairman Michael Cooper.

The city will continue to discuss the proposal and seek public input in several work sessions leading up to the Feb. 17 deadline.

The 33 projects include 24 for transportation, six for parks and three for city facilities.

Transportation proposals total $18.6 million, and the suggestions are based on citizen input, accident data and committee suggestions.

Facility improvements proposed, totaling $17.2 million, included $8 million for a three-bay, 11,226-square-foot fire station; $6,090,000 for a 10,000-square-foot police headquarters; and a maintenance and storage facility for several departments at a cost of $3,075,000.

Parks and recreation suggestions totaling $17.8 million include $10.1 million toward a new athletic field complex, with four lighted baseball/softball diamonds, two soccer fields, concessions, restrooms and parking. Another $1.8 million to $2.4 million was proposed for parkland acquisitions in the next 5-10 years. The committee said 60 acres should be purchased for a sports complex, 60 acres for a community park, and 27 acres for greenbelts and open space. The working rate ranged from $15,000-$20,000 per acre.

A family aquatic center was next for parks and recreation, which would come at a cost of $5.7 million and include a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, two water slides, filtration building, restrooms and parking.

Grau said the next steps include reviewing with new City Manager Odis Jones when he is officially on board Dec. 12, future council work sessions and community forums for input.

“We have some time with the deadline being Feb. 17,” Grau said.