Council holds first reading on tool letting administrator negotiate impact-fee payments or NCA participation

Council held the first reading of Ordinance 2026-16, which would authorize the village administrator to negotiate with developers either the payment of an impact fee or participation in the Ashville Community Authority (NCA).

Council member Burke described the practical differences: impact fees (established in 2022) are charged at permit/closing and generally must be used for projects in the area or returned after six years; an NCA can provide broader flexibility because it enables a developer-funded millage and ongoing revenue flows. Burke said the Fisher homes negotiations included a proposed seven-mill NCA that would carry a tax levy with 20% to local schools and the remainder available to the village subject to the NCA board's approval.

Burke said the NCA option can be "a much better deal for the builders" because it gives longer-term revenue and flexibility, while impact fees are limited to narrower, area-specific spending. Council members asked who sits on the NCA board and Burke named several local appointees, including Mark Lewood and Ron Foreman; he said the NCA board must approve expenditures for projects in the authority area.