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McKenzie To Consider Abolishing Wards

Residential Development A Possibility

Posted
McKENZIE (April 8) — Following the regular monthly meeting of the City of McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council during an after-meeting workshop Mayor Jill Holland and the Council briefly discussed the possibility of abolishing the current six ward system used in the municipality elections. McKenzie is the only municipality in Carroll County using the antiquated ward system.
In elections before those of the 1990s, McKenzie had an at-large seat pitting candidates amongst themselves. During the administration of Mayor Bob Putman a sixth ward was created, doing away with the at-large seat, in hopes of minority representation. With new census data looming, the current wards have to be redrawn or adjusted. Allowing for an at-large system would allow for a greater number of candidates to run for open seats.
If the council decides to go with the at-large system, the City of McKenzie has to change its charter with approval coming from the state legislature. With further study and the drafting of an amended charter, the process would take upwards of two years. 
The council seats would be on staggered terms preventing the possibility of an entirely new council through one election. The November 2022 election would have four council elections, Ward II (Jason R. Martin), Ward III (Garrett Burns), Ward V (Bobby Young), Ward IV (Josefina Batton). Ward IV would be a two-year term realigning the term with Ward I (Jessie Townes) and Ward VI (Charles Pruneau) when those seats come up for election in 2024. Councilpersons Townes and Pruneau were write-in candidates in the last election.
Councilpersons Burns and Martin expressed concerns about equal representation of the citizens of McKenzie. The current gerrymandered ward system was designed to provide representation for all socioeconomic groups in town. Allowing for an at-large system opens the possibility for the election to turn into a popularity contest driven by those with the financial means to obtain the available seats. Mayor Holland assured the council she believed an at-large system would represent the voice of all the citizens and no one class or group would be neglected.
Also during the workshop, the council was approached with the possibility of providing incentives for residential development in McKenzie. Once a home or subdivision expansion is complete, the developer could reserve some type of rebate. The council was open to further discussion of possible rebates or aid in future development. 
In 2010, the McKenzie Regional Planning Commission provided a list of recommendations for rules for subdivision construction, the rules were adopted by ordinance by the Council that year.