Not later than January 31st, 1953, the then incumbent Council shall by ordinance establish three (3) wards for election purposes, each of which shall be as nearly equal in population to each of the others as shall be practicable. Each ward shall be composed of contiguous and compact territory within the Municipality bounded by street lines and natural boundaries. Such equality of population shall be maintained by the Council by an adjustment of such boundaries as follows: Each ten (10) year period, commencing in the year 2010, the Council shall, upon the release of United States Federal Census Data, make, or cause to be made, a survey of the population changes in the respective wards and enter a written report thereof upon its journal. In the event such survey discloses a decrease or an increase of population amounting to fifteen percent (15%) or more in any ward, an equalizing adjustment of boundaries shall be made by an ordinance of Council. Equalizing adjustments of boundaries may be made at more frequent intervals, if desired by Council, but no adjustment shall be effective with respect to any Municipal election unless the ordinance providing for such adjustment has been passed and publication or posting thereof has been completed at least ninety (90) days prior to the last date of filing nominating petitions for candidates in such election.
(Amended 11-4-52; 11-7-00)