WARREN — City council on Monday received proposals to redraw the city’s seven ward boundaries for the first time in more than three decades.

Council is seeking to correct population imbalances that reach nearly 41% between some districts and bring the city into compliance with state and federal equal representation requirements.

The presentation by Trevor Martin, program coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Ohio, followed a series of town hall meetings that took place across the wards between March and April.

Council is expected to deliberate on specific boundary adjustments in the next 10 days.

Ohio law requires cities to review ward boundaries after each decennial census. The 2020 data, released in 2021, showed a need for adjustment.

The League recommends keeping average population deviation between districts under 10%, consistent with the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and Ohio Revised Code criteria for contiguity, compactness and equal population.

Martin distributed summaries of the public meetings and results from optional community surveys completed by about 47 residents.

He said some of the key points of discussion included strong identification with natural boundaries such as the Mahoning River, which divides the city east and west where Wards 1, 6 and 7 are on the west and Wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the east.

Martin said residents also cited parks and recreation, school districts (which remain unaffected by ward changes), neighborhood cohesion and planned developments.

Martin presented two mapping options developed from public sessions using census blocks. The ideal ward population is about 5,600 for equal balance.

Currently, Ward 6 is significantly underpopulated at about 4,254 residents, while Ward 3 is overpopulated at about 6,540.

Option 1 makes minimal changes to reach under the 10% total deviation threshold of about 9.54%.

Option 2 pushes closer to 0% deviation with more extensive shifts, mainly moving population from overpopulated Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7 into underpopulated central Wards 2, 4 and 6.

Major potential shifts include areas around Elm Road to Ward 2 with portions south of Youngstown Road and near Trumbull Homes between Wards 4 and 5 and Peninsula-area blocks to Ward 6.

Martin stressed these are illustrative, “Any proposal that would fall in between these options… These are just one of many options … it’s up to the city council to come up with something that is acceptable for council members and stays true to residents.”

Martin demonstrated the mapping software for further adjustments. Council members reviewed maps with street-level detail and discussed refinements.

Councilman Michael Shrodek, D-5th Ward, described an adjustment between the presented options as a potential “choice three.”

“It gives the fourth ward more of the people in the fifth ward but it also brings us closer in compliance,” Shrodek said. He said any changes are temporary and will last about three-and-a-half years until the 2030 census.

Shrodek discussed expected growth from the Peninsula project, including apartments, condos, retail, a dining hall and hotel, which could increase the population and require future adjustments.

He and others referenced cleaner river conditions post-dam removals and potential recreational uses.

Councilwoman Honeya Price, D-6th Ward, said her biggest concern was that redistricting “might cut somebody out, or might cut somebody in,” potentially affecting who can run for office, voting influence, and whether boundaries are fair or favor certain groups.

Price added that, “I just don’t want to rush. I don’t want them to rush at all… I just hope we take our time, have another meeting with residents.”

She said she was disappointed with the low community turnout at the afternoon meeting but said the meeting was short notice and limited time to promote it compared to earlier resident-focused sessions.

She said she had reviewed maps from a Youngstown State University professor three years ago and found them clearer, but Monday’s meeting was the first time she had seen Martin’s specific maps.

Councilman Greg Thumm, D-at Large, asked whether ward changes would affect property taxes or home values. Martin and others confirmed they would not and that assessments are handled by the county auditor based on location, not ward.

Thumm said the exercise is “purely a population exercise,” and the city’s diverse demographics mean shifts are unlikely to alter ward character significantly.

Council members and Martin acknowledged the 2020 census challenges because of COVID-19 and undercounting concerns, estimating the city’s current population closer to more than 40,000.

The city previously had eight wards when the population exceeded 45,000.

Martin said the League’s approach was to have minimal disruption to precincts and existing boundaries while meeting legal standards.

He noted similarities with maps from YSU professors and others presented to council.

No public comments were detailed in the session beyond the earlier town halls.

Council plans to continue discussions, potentially within 10 days of resident input.