Census data shows McComb had enough population shifts in and out of its neighborhoods over the past decade that the city now must redraw its ward lines, city officials said Tuesday.
More residents moved into Ward 1 on the west side of town, Ward 2 in the central McComb and Ward 4 in south McComb, which had the largest growth. Ward 3 in East McComb and Ward 5 saw a lower rate of population growth.
Governments whose districts see population shifts of 10% or more over 10 years must draw new lines for those districts.
McComb has a population of about 13,000 and five wards. City Administrator David Myers said Wednesday data provided by the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District — one of the firms offering to draw new lines for the city — suggested that each ward should have about 2,483 residents.
However, wards 1, 2 and 4 were above that number, while wards 3 and 5 were below it. When factoring in the changes in population changes in each ward, McComb’s overall deviation was 31%.
The current Ward 4 is the most populated district at 2,820 residents, followed by Ward 1, which sits at 2,765, according to census data provided by the Golden Triangle.
Myers said he has asked for proposals from four organizations to handle redistricting — The Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University, Southern Echo, Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, and One Voice.
Selectman Devante Johnson threw his lot in with One Voice, while Selectman Ronnie Brock said he preferred Southern Echo.
Myers said he has only received a proposal from Golden Triangle, and he would have a recommendation by next week’s board meeting.
“In my conversations with them (Golden Triangle), it is something that we have to do right away because they need to be done before January,” he said.
Myers called for redistricting to be done “the sooner the better.” It needs to be handled by the end of the year since qualifying for next year’s municipal elections will begin shortly thereafter, he noted.
Brock said the public could come together and draw up redistricting plans as well and the city can choose between multiple proposals, but he said it is important to get it done in a timely manner.
“Redistricting has to be completed before qualifying times because once you draw the lines, that is it,” Brock said. “The public can also draw up a redistricting plan that we can accept.”
Brock asked if they had to make a public notice of the redistricting and asked board attorney Marcus Williams to look into it.
The board was expected to choose an organization to handle the task at the next board meeting.
In other news, the board:
• Heard from Barbara Blackmon representing a grant writing company Strategic Solutions.
The board asked Myers to draft a proposal for the company to work with the city.
• Discussed rescinding a donation to Southern Miss Titans at board attorney Marcus Williams’ request. He said after looking into the donation, he did not believe it was appropriate.
