Mayor won’t run again, cites discord
Citing the “political drama” that has engulfed her city government, Hutto Mayor Debbie Holland announced Sunday that she would not seek reelection in May.
Holland, who has served as mayor of the fast-growing city north of Austin in Williamson County for nearly five years, said in a post on Facebook that “a notable and detrimental shift” in the relations among city officials has undermined the city’s work.
She wrote that she has been trying “to address those voices of discontent and unwillingness to continue our forward motion.
“Yet, the fervor of the dis-
“Yet, the fervor of the dissension continues.
“Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that this is purely a political drama and therefore the most appropriate way for me to effectively and ethically address this political circumstance is to not seek re-election so that I can step outside my current role and attempt to bring awareness to the citizens regarding this shift.
“Personal agendas get in the way for the overall good of a community,” she wrote. “The citizens deserve to have their community working in a more positive, professional, and community oriented manner.”
In her post, she did not specify what political dra- ma she had in mind — or whose personal agenda had interfered with the community’s progress.
Holland did not immediately return a call for comment Sunday.
In a symbolic vote a month ago, four of the seven Hutto City Council members voted to say they had no confidence in City Manager Karen Daly.
That vote stemmed from a controversial decision to fire a Hutto police officer. (The city manager said the officer had lied when he said he needed to see a doctor for a work-related injury but didn’t go; the officer’s defenders said he did go to a physical therapist.)
Daly, who remains city manager, had the support of Holland.
Holland, who has served as an elected official in Hutto for 15 years, said she is “personally disappointed in the words and actions of some individuals that I have worked with over the years here in Hutto.”
Hutto City Council Member Anne Cano, who cast one of the votes against Daly, told the American-Statesman on Sunday that Holland is “a very good mayor and I’m sorry to see her go.”
But, she added, “I look forward to changes.
“Both sides think they have the good of Hutto in mind,” Cano said.
One opponent — former Hutto school board President Doug Gaul — has filed to run against Holland.
The filing deadline is Feb. 19.