After the 2010 U.S. Census, it's likely the City Council will weigh the option of whether to redistrict the city.
The council moved from five members — four ward representatives and a mayor — to seven members in 1973 with the addition of two wards. More than three decades later, there is some disagreement among council members and candidates on whether it would be a good idea to add two more wards, and thus two more council members.
Sixth Ward City Council candidate Rod Robison said adding two more wards, and therefore two more council members, would add bureaucracy. His opponent, incumbent Barbara Hoppe, agreed, adding that the current council doesn't have any trouble accessing or representing constituents.
Second Ward candidates Allan Sharrock and Jason Thornhill, one of whom will take Chris Janku's seat, offered slightly different opinions. Sharrock predicted the city would need to add two wards. Thornhill said that while he's open to redistricting, he said has yet to hear of anyone having problems contacting council members.
There's no doubt Columbia has grown in population, but is increasing the City Council from seven members to nine the best solution for accommodating the city's growth?