MANSFIELD — It appears Mansfield City Council ward boundaries will remain unchanged for the next decade after the 2020 Census found there was no significant change in population.
Council is expected to vote Tuesday evening on legislation that would keep its six ward maps the same after the Census found the areas “didn’t vary significantly to a mean average for each ward of 7,937 individuals.”
The overall city population, according to the Census, is 47,625, down 196 from 2010, a decline of about four-tenths of 1 percent.
“Given that the minimal variances in the current ward populations provide substantially equal population in each of the City’s wards, an adjustment in the ward boundaries is not necessary,” the proposed legislation stated.
According to the Census data, Ward 2 is the largest in the city with 8,579 residents or roughly 18 percent of the city’s population. Ward 1 is second with 8,405 residents, or 17.7 percent.
The 6th Ward is the third largest with 7,936 residents, about 16.7 percent of the population. The 4th Ward is next with 7,620 (16 percent), followed by the 5th Ward with 7,608 (15.9 percent).
The smallest ward in the city by population is the 3rd Ward with 7,477 residents, or about 15.7 percent.
Richland County, overall, grew by 461 residents in the last 10 years, rising to 124,936. The largest gains in cities and villages were seen in Ontario, which added 431 residents, Bellville (which gained 45) and Lexington, which added 26.
Shelby remained the second largest city in the county with 9,282 residents, though it declined by 35 residents in the last 10 years, according to the Census.
In townships, the biggest gains were in Springfield (plus 379 residents) and Washington, which added 194. In terms of percentage gain, Bloominggrove Township gained the most with a 7.5 percent increase (91 residents).
Also on Tuesday, City Council is expected to:
— discuss during caucus the proposed transfer of the Ocie Hill Community Center, 445 Bowman St., to the Richland County Land Bank. Such a move could lead to demolition of the closed and aging building and allow for potential redevelopment.
City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal Nov. 3. The Land Bank meets Nov. 17 and could accept the property during that meeting.
The move would allow for the demolition of the century-old building, which has been closed for more than a year and has become the target of vandals.
— discuss during caucus amending an ordinance regulating hunting and trapping within city limits to allow licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control officers to trap or take live, wild animals that interfere with the use or enjoyment of property, cause a threat to public safety, or may cause damage or harm to a structure, property or person. In general, hunting or trapping is prohibited within city limits.
— vote to to allocate 5 percent of the city’s $1 million 2021 HOME funding under the American Rescue Plan Act for administrative and planning costs. The money is in addition to the $21 million the city is receiving in other ARPA funding.
