Wildwood committee decides on ward redistricting plan

Wildwood’s Ward Redistricting Committee at its Jan. 18 meeting voted unanimously to recommend its Alternative D plan to the city council.

The committee had narrowed its recommendations to three boundary alternatives but later created an additional plan. The plan’s changes would include affecting six of its wards, with no modification to Wards 2 and 4. Also, wards would be more compact with no separation of neighborhoods; the odd configuration of Ward 8 would be addressed; and Ward 1 would include Rockwood Reservation and Hwy. T.

The committee asked the audience how they felt about the adjustment, and most people raised their hands indicating approval.

The Wildwood City Charter requires that every 10 years the city examine whether there is a need for ward redistricting.

“The objective is to arrive at a roughly equal population distribution between each ward,” City Administrator Dan Dubruiel said. “It’s almost impossible to hit the number right on the head, but it’s pretty close.”

The total population for Wildwood, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, is 35,517,  so each ward would average 4,440 people. Dubruiel explained that since Wildwood can vary each average plus or minus 5 percent, a ward should not be less than 4,218 people or more than 4,662 people.

In addition to the population, the committee considered other criteria before making a decision, including retaining established neighborhoods in the various wards, considering future growth potential and retaining existing councilmembers.

The Feb. 13 council meeting is the earliest opportunity for city leaders to consider the committee’s recommendations. Before making a decision, the council will hold a hearing on the recommendation to gather any public comments.

Any new boundaries city officials approve would not become effective until after the April 3 municipal election.

Mayor Tim Woerther thanked the committee members for their time.

“The fact of the matter is, ultimately, the committee came together and created some viable options,” Woerther said.