City OKs New Boundaries
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Chillicothe City Council members passed an ordinance Monday evening, November 14, 2011, creating new ward boundaries - a change resulting from the 2010 U.S. Census.

The biggest population change reflected in the 2010 census (compared to the 2000 census), was the near-doubling of the prison population, as well as its relocation from the 4th Ward to the 2nd Ward. The Missouri Department of Corrections moved its women''s correctional center to a new facility in 2008 and increased its offender count from 500. In 2010, according to the U.S. Census, the offender count was 968.

There was some discussion regarding whether the city should include the prison population when establishing ward boundaries. City Attorney Robert Cowherd stated that the city has no option but to count the offenders in the total population and divide the city equally into wards, based on total population. He stated, in support of a memo sent by City Clerk Roze Frampton to council members, that the city charter states that the city's boundaries shall be "fixed by city ordinance and shall be so established that the population of the several wards shall as near as practicable be equal."

Second Ward Councilman Wayne Cunningham expressed concerns about the composition of his ward as the offender population comprises what amounts to around 40 percent of his ward's total population. That translates to 968 residents who can't vote. At latest count, the offender population at Chillicothe Correctional Center was 1,072, according to Mayor Chuck Haney. Frampton, in her memo, stated that the ward boundaries are not based on registered voters but rather on population. She also stated that the wards are to be equal as possible, based on population. If the city fails to follow this, it is in violation of the city charter. Additionally, the offenders are included in the city's population. "We can't exclude them as residents just because they can't vote," Frampton stated.

The state fuel tax that the city receives each month is based on population. The higher the population, the more money the city receives. Frampton had also stated that council representatives represent all residents of the community, which includes young, old, white, black, handicap, prisoners, and so forth.

The new ward boundaries are based solely on census numbers and affect around 1,651 people, according to Frampton. The change moves 268 people from 1st Ward to 4th Ward, 597 from 2nd Ward to 1st Ward, 465 from 2nd Ward to 3rd Ward, and 321 from 3rd Ward to 4th Ward.

Chillicothe's entire population was recorded at 9,515 in the 2010 census, up from 2000's census of 8,969. All wards are increasing their total populations. Currently, according to the 2010 census, 1st Ward has a population of 2,024; 2nd Ward - 3,538; 3rd Ward - 2,153; and 4th - 1,800.

The new ward boundaries more evenly divide the city's population, Frampton said. The 1st Ward would have a population of 2,353; 2nd Ward - 2,467; 3rd - 2,363; and 4th - 2,323.

Following the 2000 Census, the city's wards were divided with 2,254 people in the 1st Ward; 2,282 in the 2nd Ward, and 2,216 in the 3rd and 4th wards.

Council members approved the new ward boundaries with a 4-0 vote. Third Ward Councilman Tom Douglas was not present.

BACKGROUND ARTICLES...

Chillicothe City Council members will consider adjustments to the city's ward boundaries as a result of the 2010 census count, and a vote could come as early as Monday. The proposed change was first discussed during Chillicothe City Council meetings in October.

The biggest population change reflected in the 2010 census (compared to the 2000 census), was the near-doubling of the prison population as well as its relocation from the 4th Ward to the 2nd Ward. The Missouri Department of Corrections moved its women's correctional center to a new facility in 2008 and increased its offender count from 500. In 2010, according to the U.S. Census, the offender count was 968.

The proposed change is based solely on census numbers, and, if approved by the council, would affect around 1,651 people, according to City Clerk Rozanne Frampton.

Chillicothe's entire population was recorded at 9,515 in the 2010 census, up from 2000's census of 8,969. Currently, according to the 2010 census, 1st Ward has a population of 2,024; 2nd Ward - 3,538; 3rd Ward - 2,153; and 4th - 1,800.

The proposed ward boundaries would more evenly divide the city's population, Frampton said. The 1st Ward would have a population of 2,353; 2nd Ward - 2,467; 3rd - 2,363; and 4th - 2,323.

Following the 2000 Census, the city's wards were divided with 2,254 people in the 1st Ward; 2,282 in the 2nd Ward, and 2,216 in the 3rd and 4th wards.

The proposed changes create straighter lines in defining ward boundaries. For example, Walnut Street currently is the main divider through the main part of town. The proposal calls for Washington Street to be the main divider.

City May Redraw Wards
Constitution-Tribune
November 1, 2011

Chillicothe City Council members will get their first glimpse at proposed adjustments to the city's ward boundaries as a result of the 2010 census count.

The proposed change will be discussed during Chillicothe City Council's workshop meeting at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Monday) in the conference room at City Hall. Additional discussion is planned for the council's regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 14.

The biggest population change reflected in the 2010 census (compared to the 2000 census), was the near-doubling of the prison population as well as its relocation from the 4th Ward to the 2nd Ward. The Missouri Department of Corrections moved its women's correctional center to a new facility in 2008 and increased its offender count from 500. In 2010, according to the U.S. Census, the offender count was 968.

The proposed change is based solely on census numbers, and, if ultimately approved by the council, will affect around 1,651 people, according to City Clerk Rozanne Frampton.

Chillicothe's entire population was recorded at 9,515 in the 2010 census, up from 2000's census of 8,969. Currently, according to the 2010 census, 1st Ward has a population of 2,024; 2nd Ward - 3,538; 3rd Ward - 2,153; and 4th - 1,800.

The proposed ward boundaries would more evenly divide the city's population, Frampton said. The 1st Ward would have a population of 2,353; 2nd Ward - 2,467; 3rd - 2,363; and 4th - 2,323.

Following the 2000 Census, the city's wards were divided with 2,254 people in the 1st Ward; 2,282 in the 2nd Ward, and 2,216 in the 3rd and 4th wards.

The clerk stated that said proposal will also create straighter lines in defining ward boundaries. For example, Walnut Street currently is the main divider through the main part of town. With the proposed change, Washington Street would, instead, be the main divider.