Aldermen place annexed citizens into Ward 1
RIDGELAND — As city officials face the possibility of having to redraw ward lines because of the recent annexation, aldermen passed a temporary resolution that will allow those in the annexed area to vote in the June general election.
Based on new census data and the 345 people added to the city with recent annexation, officials anticipate redrawing lines but not before the election.
The resolution incorporates the newly annexed area into Ward 1 so that those residents can vote in the June 8 election.
City Attorney Jerry Mills said the temporary solution is not expected to affect any election results as Ward 1 Alderman Ken Heard has no opponent in his race. It will allow the new residents to vote in the contested alderman-at-large race.
“This is necessary to allow those (new residents) to vote but will need adjusting,” Mills said.
Ward 1 includes the city limits west of I-55.
Democrat Poteat Medley will face incumbent Alderman-at-Large Republican D.I. Smith.
Ward 2 incumbent Alderman Chuck Gautier also has a Democratic challenger in Walter Young Jr. in the June 8 election.
The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ridgeland on Feb. 22, 2021, allowing the property west of the city to be annexed into the City.
The area was incorporated into the city on March 5.
The annexed area includes 345 residents and 4.9 square miles, making the city’s current estimated total population 24,683 and the total city limits 26.3 square miles.
The annexation includes property surrounded by Greens Crossing Road, North Livingston Road, the Natchez Trace Parkway, and north and West County Line roads.
The resolution states that the portion is completely adjacent to Ward 1 and was a “logical extension” to the ward. It further state that the addition represents an 11.96% increase the population, exceeding the customary limit of 10%.
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen will look into the redistricting process in the coming months. The resolution says that the city will have to reassess the district lines anyway when they receive the 2020 census data.
The resolution passed 7-0 on the consent agenda, a unanimous vote.
In addition to voting lines, the city s currently analyzing zoning classifications that will ultimately be determined by the Board of Aldermen in the near future.