A proposed $53 million bond proposal will not go before Hutto voters in May.

City Manager Odis Jones told Hutto City Council members on Thursday he would like to see an intense 120-day evaluation of city finances and develop a plan for growth over the next 3 to 5 years.

In December, council members listened to a proposal from a council-appointed bond committee, which listed improvements for police, fire, parks, recreation, roads, buildings and maintenance. The proposal included 33 projects, including $17.2 million for facility improvements such as a new police headquarters and new fire station. Parks and recreation proposals totaled $17.8 million, and transportation improvements were $18.6 million.

Jones, who began as city manager in December, proposed two special, three-hour meetings in January to start the financial review process, utilizing a consultant who specializes in city growth and fiscal stability.

“We need to do a deep dive and go to the public and really get their input,” Jones said. “We need to look at the financial state of the city—what can we afford to do? The hope is to come out of there with a plan to lower the tax burden, not increase it.”

Jones said the city can work in several directions to improve its credit rating at AA-.

“To talk about increasing the taxes, you need to be able to give [taxpayers] specific answers,” Jones said. We need to take the time to assess where we are financially. I want to make sure we are prepared.”

Council members had few comments. Mayor Pro Tem Michael Smith said there is not enough input and firm numbers to receive his support.

With time to review the proposals and re-prioritize, Mayor Doug Gaul said updates to the land use map and capital improvement program will coincide with the late April deadline of council’s financial due diligence.

“At the end of April, we could all be on the same page, marching in the same direction,” Gaul said.

Jones also cautioned City Council members to not repeat history on how bonds are handled. Voters passed a bond issue in 2009 for roads and parks. Some of the projects are still under construction in 2017—and at higher costs. Jones also alluded to financial overruns still occurring on certain projects, including Fritz Park.

“Fritz Park is an example, for me and my staff, when you don’t spend the right time getting answers,” Jones said. “That’s a project that has not been managed correctly.”

The council agreed to work with the city manager to develop a financial plan going forward.

“We’ve got a lot of questions to answer,” Jones said. “Fifty-three million is a lot to put on the backs of taxpayers. I’m a conservative guy. The council will need to be truly engaged.”

If the city decides to go for a bond election in November, the deadline to place the item on the ballot is in August.