City ward boundaries will change soon, thanks to a City Council vote on Feb. 22 to adopt an ordinance amending current ward boundaries to accommodate population growth in the southern portions of the city.
The new ward boundaries will be in effect for the next municipal election cycle, in time for the candidate filing period beginning Aug. 8.
Council members have been receiving input and reviewing a proposal to redraw the city’s wards after Vice Mayor Dale Copeland raised the issue during a Jan. 19 meeting. Copeland said population growth in wards 2 and 5 has prompted the need to look at whether new boundaries should be drawn, and asked the council to support a review of whether or not changes were needed.
A review was conducted using the most current Census reports and considering demographic and geographic elements. It was concluded that growth in the south end of the city has caused an imbalance in the southern-most wards, including Ward 2 — which has grown substantially in recent years — and Ward 5. To provide the most balanced option, changes were made to all five wards.
Prior to the vote, Community Development Director Lisa Beeman told the council that great care was taken to balance the new wards with equal populations while allowing for future growth in the city, particularly in the more southern wards.
“We don’t expect as much growth in wards four and three as we do in five and two, for instance, so the new boundaries reflect growth expected in those wards,” she said.
Beeman said an effort was made also to align the boundaries as much as possible with known locations — such as the Caney River, railroad tracks and arterial streets — in an effort to help citizens more easily recognize their ward.
The changes will impact some current council members. Copeland, who represents Ward 5 on the council, will reside in Ward 1 once the changes become effective. Ward 1 Councilor Ted Lockin’s residence will be in Ward 4. Lockin said during a recent meeting that he does not intend to stand for re-election in November.
Candidates for the November election will be required to reside within the new ward boundaries at the time of the filing period.
The new ward boundaries were published in the local newspaper as required by state law, Beeman said, and were made available on the City’s website and in the Community Development offices at City Hall.
The measure, which by state law required a two-thirds vote of the council, passed easily with a unanimous “Yes” vote by the council.
To view a map of the newly drawn wards, see Proposed redistricting map. To find your representative, see City Councilors.