Council proposes ad hoc committee to review ward boundaries after population review

Council members discussed population disparities among Lititz’s wards and asked staff to assemble a process for determining whether ward boundaries should be redrawn.

Managing director Elijah described a methodology staff used to estimate population by household rather than relying solely on voter rolls. The approach combined census figures, apartment- and retirement-community counts and other local data; Elijah told council the estimate came within roughly 70 people of the most recent census figures. That prompted discussion about whether the borough’s wards remain compact, contiguous and as equal in population as practicable, as the borough code requires.

Elijah reviewed options available to council: redraw ward boundaries by ordinance, divide existing wards, or dissolve wards and move to at-large seats. Staff noted a practical constraint flagged by the Lancaster County Board of Elections: the borough cannot reasonably maintain more than six polling places, which limits the number of practical wards. Council members discussed representative trade-offs and local concerns, including the influence larger single-purpose housing communities can have in at-large systems.

Council agreed to form an ad hoc committee to work with staff on mapping and timing if council chooses to pursue boundary changes. Members volunteered to serve during the meeting and council asked staff to prepare a proposed timetable and maps for committee review. The committee will report back with recommendations and a proposed process for any ordinance changes; any redistricting would be done by ordinance if council decides to proceed.

Council did not adopt an ordinance or change boundaries at the meeting; it directed staff and the new committee to return with draft maps and a timeline for further action.