By JUSTIN SCHNEIDER, Herald Bulletin
INGALLS — The Ingalls Town Council took the next step toward breaking ground on the Hamptons subdivision Monday when it passed the first reading of annexation ordinance that would bring 200 acres along County Road 800 South into the town.
With council members Myers and Thompson absent, the council voted 3-0 to pass a first reading on both the annexation ordinance and a pre-annexation agreement that will help offset infrastructure and service costs related to the development.
Under the agreement, the town would receive $2,000 per home from Centex Corp., builder of the development. With 682 lots planned, that adds up to about $1.4 million in added revenue.
That total will be divided among three beneficiaries. One-third (around $454,000) will go to the South Madison School District, one-third to road improvements for County Road 800 South and one-third for fire protection to the area.
Centex is also looking for other entities to share the burden.
“They’re putting up $450,000, which they feel is their fair share,” said Ingalls town attorney Randy Sorrell. “They have also asked for other entities who use the road to pony up, which I agree with.”
Before the ordinance goes into effect, however, the council will set a meeting with the Madison County Board of Commissioners. Centex has entered into a similar agreement with Madison County. Council president Pat Fox said he is working with commissioner Paul Wilson to set such a meeting.
“We need to ask the commissioners to cancel their agreement with Centex Corp. at the time our agreement goes into effect,” Sorrell said.
Because part of the property is not contiguous to Ingalls, owner Charlie Hamptons will enter into a voluntary annexation agreement with the town. First, though, Hampton has asked for assurance that the deal for the housing development will actually go through.
Hampton has also expressed concerns over property taxes, but Fox said the land will be zoned agricultural so as not to affect the tax rate. Ingalls has already annexed part of Interstate 69.
Fox said the Ingalls Town Council will take no more action on the ordinance until town officials have met with the commissioners.
“I think annexation is an issue where we’re all on the same page,” Fox said. “We’re glad it’s moving forward. It’s going to be an interesting summer.”