Census shows adjustments needed for city’s four wards

Mayor discusses plan for economic development director

The Forrest City Council last night discussed redrawing ward boundaries after an initial survey found a 17.9% deviation among the city’s four wards.

The survey was submitted by Jeff Hawkins, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Planning District

Hawkins also performed redistricting for St. Francis County’s justice of the peace districts based on the newest census data this year as well as the districts 10 years ago.

Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams told the council that the ideal map would show a deviation of 10% or less.

"It appears we need to redraw ward lines," said Williams, adding that Municipal League officials suggested the city move forward as quickly as possible due to the city’s filing period be held in May.

Councilman Chris Oswalt asked if the percentage included the prison population, and Williams said it did not.

Councilman Marvin Metcalf told the group that due to redistricting laws presented to the council he does not feel redistricting is necessary.

"It says may," said Metcalf. "Whether or not we need to be redistricted, I don't agree with it at all. We need to do a better job in what we are doing. I don't see a reason."

City Attorney Marshall Wright explained that the law Metcalf was questioning was written so that the city could take action before being forced by the court to do something.

"You have to redistrict every 10 years if you have to keep them in that 10% range," said Wright.

Metcalf asked if it could come down to 30 people or not to which Wright said that due to the city's population that could very well be the case.

"One district can't have even 100% more population," said Wright.

Williams shared the breakdown for each of the city’s wards after Oswalt asked if the information was available.

According to Williams, Ward 1 has 2,231 residents, Ward 2 has 2,669, Ward 3 has 2,589 and Ward 4 has 2,312.

"He said he was looking for about 10 or more people and he had to go back and research," said Williams "But, that's where he got the 17.9%.”

Wright and Oswalt said Hawkins has over 30 years of experience in drawing voting wards.

"He's quick and very reasonable on his price," said Oswalt, who also worked with Hawkins as the county’s election commission chairman on the new JP lines.

Metcalf asked if the council members would be allowed to speak with Hawkins once his surveying is completed, to which Williams answered yes due the council needing to vote on any proposed maps Hawkins might draft.

In other business, Williams presented the council with information on a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 15, for residents to express concerns on existing water and sewer rates.

"This is information for the next council meeting when we have the public hearing," said Williams.

Williams also told the council that the purchase of a portable building from KIPP’s Forrest City campus had been completed and the building would soon be moved to the public works department to give those workers more space.

The council voted unanimously to approve the Forrest City Public Library Board Trustee Report for 2021, a capital asset list deletions and payment of bills. The bills included general funds for $26,969.80; street for $1,237.18; solid waste for $2,449.02 and water for $261,995.93. Council members Jason Evansingston and Justin Reeves did not attend the meeting.

The mayor also told the council there were several groups, including St. Francis County government, Forrest City Advertising and Promotion Commission and the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce wanting to work together to hire an executive director for economic development.

"I anticipate having a proposal by the next meeting to bring to the council for consideration," said Williams.

"This is a common model that when we visited with the Arkansas Economic Commission we found was used in other cities as far as recruitment of industries and other things," said Williams. "I look forward to bringing that proposal to the next council meeting."