The El Dorado City Council will consider a proposal to review the boundary lines of the city's four wards and school zones, per the results of the 2020 U. S. Census, during a regular meeting that will begin at 5:25 p.m. today in the Council Chamber of City Hall.
According to state law, "political subdivisions of the state are required to review the boundary lines of various election districts, (city wards, Justice of the Peace districts and school district zones) after each decennial census."
The American Community Survey, a demographics survey program conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, showed that that the city's population dropped significantly between 2010 and 2020, going from 18,884 to 17,155.
The number represents a 9.6% population decline within the past decade and a decrease of 496 people last year, according to a 2019 population estimate of 17,651.
Earlier this year, Monticello-based EFS GeoTechnologies submitted a proposal to conduct an evaluation, based on the Census numbers, to determine how the 2020 population count affects local voting districts, including the city's four wards and school zones (phase one), and if a redistricting process will be in order to comply with state law (phase two).
GeoTechnologies proposed costs of $900 for phase one and $1,500 for phase two, but City Clerk Heather McVay said last week that since so much time has passed since the initial offer was made in February and the firm has taken on other such projects, the quotes are no longer current.
McVay said she has asked for an updated proposal and if the city still has the opportunity to work with GeoTechnologies.
The city council is also expected to hear from Andy Matson, project development associate with Francis Energy.
Francis Energy, which is headquartered in Oklahoma, operates electronic vehicle charging stations in the U.S. and Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer said the company is looking to lease a building in El Dorado.
Council Member and Finance Committee chairman Vance Williamson is also on the agenda to provide an update on a Finance Committee meeting that was held Tuesday.
The Finance Committee covered a number of topics, including a decision regarding the vacant city treasurer's position.
Council members will also hear the third reading of a proposed ordinance that will amend city Ordinance 1586.
The El Dorado Water Utilities requested the amendment to ensure that commercial/industrial customers regularly inspect their backflow preventers.
John Peppers, general manager of the EWU, said the measure will further protect public health and safety by helping to prevent the contamination of the city's potable water supply.
If the revision to Ordinance 1586 is approved, the EWU will begin sending letters to applicable customers, notifying them when the inspections are due for their backflow preventers.
The inspections must be conducted annually.
Upon receiving a letter, the customer will have 10 business days to respond.
If the backflow prevention device is not inspected and certified within that time, the EWU will conduct the inspection and certification at the expense of the customer.
A 10% surcharge will also be added to the customer's bill.
City Attorney Henry Kinslow read the proposed amendment for the first time during an El Dorado City Council meeting on Aug. 19.