Three different plans for redistricting ward lines in the city of Eupora were presented during a public hearing Nov. 1 in the Community Center.
The purpose of the hearing was to receive public comments regarding a proposed redistricting plan to redraw the city's ward district lines in accordance with the 2020 Census results. GIS Manager Toby Sanford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District presented the optional plans and redistricting maps. He had previously presented information to the Board of Aldermen about redistricting on Sept. 28.
Supporting documents that Sanford shared last week show the city of Eupora's population after the 2020 Census was 2,152, down from 2,197 in 2010. Divided by four wards, the ideal population per ward would be 538. Anything less or more is referred to as a deviation.
These are the existing (benchmark) populations and percentage deviations for city wards:
Ward 1: 485, -9.85%
Ward 2: 548, 1.86%
Ward 3: 609, 13.2%
Ward 4: 510, -5.2%
The total maximum variance (lowest and highest variances added together) is 23.05%. Sanford said the goal of redistricting is to get as close to the ideal population as possible in each ward while remaining under the allowed 10% maximum variance.
Ward 1, with the smallest population, needs 53 people to meet the ideal population. Ward 3, with the highest population, needs 71 fewer people.
Proposed Plan 1 would involve changes to wards 1 and 3 only, resulting in a maximum variance of -8.55%. Proposed Plan 2 would involve changes to wards 1, 2 and 3, resulting in a maximum variance of 9.85%. Proposed Plan 3 would involve changes to all four wards, resulting in a maximum variance of 8.74%.
Wards 1 and 4 are the city's majority-minority wards with existing Black populations of 59.8% and 62.9%, respectively, and those statuses must be maintained in redistricting.
Sanford said redistricting must be completed "in a timely manner." He added this means some time before the next city election in 2025, but the sooner the better.
Webster County resident Cherraye Oats read a statement into the record which in part asked that the final redistricting plan chosen avoid racial and political gerrymandering. Oats also said an alternate plan would be submitted.
Other Hearing
Planner George Crawford of the GTPDD presented information during another public hearing on Nov. 1 concerning the city's application to USDA Rural Development for a Community Facilities Grant to purchase two new side-by-side utility vehicles for the street and water departments.
The grant, if awarded, would cover 75% of the $24,000 total cost. No comments or questions were received from those present. The Board of Aldermen approved a resolution Sept. 14 authorizing the GTPDD to prepare and submit the application on behalf of the city.
Jerry Gary (at-large) and Junior Shaw (Ward 1) were the only aldermen present for the hearings. No action was taken regarding either hearing during the regular board meeting that followed.
