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Johnstown council votes to bring newly annexed large parcels under New Community Authority
Summary
The council passed Ordinance 06-2026 to require most newly annexed parcels larger than five acres to join the city's New Community Authority (NCA), a step staff said will direct new development to fund its share of infrastructure costs.
Johnstown City Council approved Ordinance 06-2026 on July 21, 2026, adding language that will bring newly annexed land larger than five acres into the city's New Community Authority (NCA).
City consultant Joe Bachelor, filling in for staff, told the council the change is narrowly written to apply to land "greater than 5 acres" at the time of annexation and is meant to ensure newly annexed development contributes to public infrastructure rather than shifting costs to existing residents. "When that land is annexed, it would automatically come in under the jurisdiction of the NCA," Bachelor said during the presentation.
Council members asked whether the change would lock the city into control by a single developer. Jay McNally, identified in the discussion as a vice president connected with the NCA, said the city must retain a majority on any NCA board and that the ordinance does not prevent other developers from seeking participation or creation of additional NCAs. He described typical options if another developer joins the market: the city can increase board seats (by law in pairs) or reassign board seats so a new developer gains representation, and any alteration would be addressed through bylaw amendments.
Supporters framed the ordinance as a way to allocate costs for public infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer. One staff speaker said the NCA's funds are prioritized for public infrastructure and economic development projects and that the measure would let new users "pay their fair share" when they tie into lines funded by existing NCA debt. Council members pressed staff on safeguards to ensure funds are spent equitably across projects and neighborhoods; staff said those distribution decisions would be made by the NCA board and remain subject to public oversight.
The ordinance drew extended council discussion about board composition, how NCA revenue is collected (on the tax bill) and how the city can later amend the chapter if needed. After debate, council passed the ordinance by roll call.
Next steps: the ordinance will be codified in Chapter 11.41, and staff indicated additional bylaw or implementation discussions with the NCA board may follow as new annexations occur.
