Would Fewer Wards Make St. Louis Better? New Committee Will Investigate
Date Posted: March 26, 2019
Posted In: Discussion, Regionalism,
From St. Louis Public Radio: The St. Louis Board of Aldermen is forming a Ward Reduction Advisory Committee to get public input as to what going from 28 to 14 wards would mean for the city.
The committee will study the effects of ward reduction on the Board of Aldermen, budgets and constituent services. The group will then be tasked with providing recommendations.
“This is really a chance for residents in the city of St. Louis to say, ‘These are my concerns, or this is what I would like to see happen, here are some opportunities, here are some things that need to be addressed,’” said Alderwoman Heather Navarro, D-28 Ward.
Who Will Serve?
The committee will consist of 11 members. Navarro and Alderwoman Pam Boyd, D-27 Ward, serve as co-chairs. A representative from Mayor Lyda Krewson’s office and the city counselor’s office will also serve on the committee.
Spots are open for three residents who will represent north St. Louis and south St. Louis and the central corridor. Two representatives will be chosen to represent the city at large. Two representatives from a university and a neighborhood nonprofit group will round out the committee.
Navarro said the group will schedule meetings with other city departments and submit its findings to the Board of Aldermen legislation committee by May 31, although that deadline could be extended. The legislation committee could then decide to accept the recommendations and present them to the board.
“I’m hearing from people that they want to see the city move in this direction; they think there’s opportunity for the city to be more efficient, more effective,” Navarro said.