As part of our City charter, our council wards must be kept as even as possible in regards to population. In response to a growing imbalance due to residential growth in the northern parts of Wards 1 and 2, council has created a new ward map that will be effective as of January 1, 2014. City Engineer Jim Sayles drew up this new map with a target population of 3,700 residents per ward as the goal. As a result, the current Ward 1 has been split into a new Ward 1 and Ward 2. Ward 2 Councilman Bob Fiala will then live in Ward 3. Current Council President and Ward 3 Councilman Jerry Ranally will be in Ward 5 along with current Ward 5 Councilwoman Karen Manning. Downtown Willoughby, currently split into two wards, will be wholly within the redrawn Ward 5. Wards 4 and 6 will remain largely unchanged.
Elections this November will decide the occupants of these Council seats.
Download the new Ward Map for a look at the redistricting efforts.