City to Discuss Reapportionment of Wards
By : Kyla McMoran
Posted August 11, 2011 16:40 to NEXT Blog
City to Discuss Reapportionment of Wards
The Reapportionment Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit comment on proposed changes to the City Council ward boundaries on August 17, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 West Gray Street.
The City Charter requires the Commission to present a proposal to the City Council equalizing the population among the wards after they receive the results of the Decennial Census. Currently the difference in population between the largest and smallest ward is 3,860, which is 27.44% of the average ward population of 14,048.
The proposed plan reduces the overall range from the average ward size to 7.30%. All wards are modified by the proposal. In addition to equalizing population, the commission strives to minimize the number of precinct splits in order to reduce the opportunity for voter confusion. Commissioners also focus upon keeping neighborhoods and areas of common interest intact.
In accordance with the City Charter, the Reapportionment Commission has scheduled a meeting on August 29 at 6:00 p.m. to determine whether they will forward the proposed boundaries to City Council for action or make modifications to the proposal based on the public’s response. All meetings related to reapportionment are posted and open to the public.
Ward population statistics:
| WARD | Current Ward Population | Current % Deviation |
Proposed Ward Population |
Proposed % Deviation |
| 1 | 15,950 | 13.54 | 13,765 | -2.01 |
| 2 | 12,223 | -13.12 | 14,288 | 1.71 |
| 3 | 12,686 | -9.83 | 14,093 | 0.32 |
| 4 | 13,298 | -5.48 | 14,523 | 3.38 |
| 5 | 14,672 | 4.29 | 14,425 | 2.68 |
| 6 |
16,083 | 14.32 |
14,082 | 0.24 |
| 7 | 13,715 | -2.52 | 13,498 | -3.92 |
| 8 | 13,757 | -2.22 |
13,710 | -2.41 |
Population estimates based upon Census 2010 data and certificates of occupancy issued between through April 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.
Should citizens have questions, please contact Joyce Green at 366-5467.








