In a significant step for Monroe's development landscape, the City Council approved a developer agreement with Pulte Homes Company LLC for the Riverstone subdivision during its regular meeting on September 23, 2025. This agreement will allow Pulte to recoup costs associated with infrastructure improvements, specifically a new pump station and larger force main, which are essential for managing the increased flow from the subdivision and future developments in the area.

Rob Miller, the general manager of energy and water, presented the agreement, emphasizing that it is designed to facilitate future developments by ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place. The agreement will enable Pulte to receive compensation based on the percentage of drainage area utilized by other developments that connect to the new pump station. This arrangement is seen as a way to offset future expenses that might otherwise fall to the city.

However, the council members expressed concerns about the timing and implications of the agreement. Councilman Dotson highlighted the need for updated policies to better protect citizens' interests in future developer agreements. He suggested that the current policy may not adequately serve the community and called for a moratorium on new developer agreements until improvements are made. Other council members echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of transparency and fairness in future dealings with developers.

The council ultimately approved the agreement with Pulte Homes, recognizing that it was already in progress and that changing terms retroactively would be unfair to the developer. They also committed to revising the city's policies regarding developer agreements to ensure that future projects are handled more equitably.

As the council moves forward, they plan to refine their approach to developer agreements, aiming for a clearer and more beneficial framework for both the city and its residents. This meeting marks a pivotal moment in Monroe's development strategy, balancing the needs of growth with the responsibility to the community.