Council committee discusses re-drawing city wards
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
A committee of the Hillsboro City Council will further investigate whether or not the city wards need to be re-drawn in order to reflect current census figures.
Council's zoning and annexation committee met Monday evening to discuss the city's options and the pros and cons of redrawing the ward lines.
Council member Brian Waller had been appointed as acting committee chairperson, as chairperson Rod Daniels has been deployed to serve overseas in the 15th psychological operations Army Reserve. Council member Peter Pence was also given a provisional appointment to the committee by council president Lee Koogler.
During council's November meeting, Kelley Walker said that the city needs to look into redistricting the city wards so that they are in line with the most recent population figures as reported by the 2010 U.S. Census.
"The last time (the ward lines) were voted upon by the people would have been in 1999 when it was affirmed by a 59-percent to 41-percent vote," Walker said during the meeting. "I would encourage the council to look at this data and determine the manner in which the wards can best be re-drawn to represent all Hillsboro residents in an equitable manner."
As the committee addressed the matter Monday evening, some council members said that Walker is not a resident of the city of Hillsboro.
Koogler and Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said that the wards are currently geographically drawn, with High Street and Main Street dividing the city into four sections. Koogler said that in the 1990s, the wards were drawn to reflect the population, and it caused confusion for residents and for voters. In 1999 the matter was sent to the voters, who changed the wards back to the original geographic divisions.
Waller and Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt asked what the benefits to city residents, or possible unfair advantages elected officials, would have by re-drawing the wards. They also discussed if there were negative effects by leaving the wards as they are.
Koogler said that some voters could feel "disenfranchised" because they live in a section of the city with a significantly larger population and having the same number of representatives as a ward with a significantly smaller population.
Waller shared census figures that Kelley had provided to the city. Waller said that the wards reportedly have the following population numbers: Ward 1- 986; Ward 2 -530; Ward 3 - 1,634; Ward 4 - 1,657.
"There is definitely a difference," Pence said.
"It's quite different," said council member Bonnie Parr. "(Wards 2 and 3) are three times larger than Ward 1."
Pence suggested that the committee involve the Highland County Board of Elections, to discuss the alleged confusion from the previous re-districtings.
"I think it would all go a lot more smoothly if they were involved," Pence said.
Koogler said that he would consult Hillsboro Law Director Fred Beery prior to the next meeting. Zink also suggested contacting the Ohio Secretary of State's Office.
Waller said, "This sound like it's going to be one big headache."
"It's going to be a lot of work," Koogler said.
Parr said, "It's going to be a lot of work and it's going to cost (the city money)."
Pence said, "No matter what ward you live in, you have one council member representing you and three council-at-large members. Everyone should be represented."
Waller said that in the years he has been on council, he has only been contacted by constituents on two occasions.
Committee member Dave Shoemaker made a motion to table the issue until council receives further information.
In other business, council's street and safety committee met prior to zoning and annexation. The committee reviewed a request for a stop sign at North Elm Street and Fair Street. The committee voted that council approve a stop sign at the intersection.
A committee of the Hillsboro City Council will further investigate whether or not the city wards need to be re-drawn in order to reflect current census figures.
Council's zoning and annexation committee met Monday evening to discuss the city's options and the pros and cons of redrawing the ward lines.
Council member Brian Waller had been appointed as acting committee chairperson, as chairperson Rod Daniels has been deployed to serve overseas in the 15th psychological operations Army Reserve. Council member Peter Pence was also given a provisional appointment to the committee by council president Lee Koogler.
During council's November meeting, Kelley Walker said that the city needs to look into redistricting the city wards so that they are in line with the most recent population figures as reported by the 2010 U.S. Census.
"The last time (the ward lines) were voted upon by the people would have been in 1999 when it was affirmed by a 59-percent to 41-percent vote," Walker said during the meeting. "I would encourage the council to look at this data and determine the manner in which the wards can best be re-drawn to represent all Hillsboro residents in an equitable manner."
As the committee addressed the matter Monday evening, some council members said that Walker is not a resident of the city of Hillsboro.
Koogler and Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said that the wards are currently geographically drawn, with High Street and Main Street dividing the city into four sections. Koogler said that in the 1990s, the wards were drawn to reflect the population, and it caused confusion for residents and for voters. In 1999, the matter was sent to the voters, who changed the wards back to the original geographic divisions.
Waller and Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt asked what the benefits to city residents, or possible unfair advantages elected officials, would have by re-drawing the wards. They also discussed if there were negative effects by leaving the wards as they are.
Koogler said that some voters could feel "disenfranchised" because they live in a section of the city with a significantly larger population and having the same number of representatives as a ward with a significantly smaller population.
Waller shared census figures that Kelley had provided to the city. Waller said that the wards reportedly have the following population numbers: Ward 1- 986; Ward 2 -530; Ward 3 - 1,634; Ward 4 - 1,657.
"There is definitely a difference," Pence said.
"It's quite different," said council member Bonnie Parr. "(Wards 2 and 3) are three times larger than Ward 1."
Pence suggested that the committee involve the Highland County Board of Elections, to discuss the alleged confusion from the previous re-districtings.
"I think it would all go a lot more smoothly if they were involved," Pence said.
Koogler said that he would consult Hillsboro Law Director Fred Beery prior to the next meeting. Zink also suggested contacting the Ohio Secretary of State's Office.
Waller said, "This sound like it's going to be one big headache."
"It's going to be a lot of work," Koogler said.
Parr said, "It's going to be a lot of work and it's going to cost (the city money)."
Pence said, "No matter what ward you live in, you have one council member representing you and three council-at-large members. Everyone should be represented."
Waller said that in the years he has been on council, he has only been contacted by constituents on two occasions.
Committee member Dave Shoemaker made a motion to table the issue until council receives further information.
In other business, council's street and safety committee met prior to zoning and annexation. The committee reviewed a request for a stop sign at North Elm Street and Fair Street. The committee voted that council approve a stop sign at the intersection.
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