By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald
The Bonney Lake City Council is considering a change in the city's ward configuration to balance out the population in the five districts.
According to Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman, Ward 2, represented by Jim Rackley, has the highest population compared with the other four wards.
“We believe there are about 5,300 people in Ward 2 compared to about 2,500 in the others,” Swatman said.
The city is divided into five wards and there are two at-large council positions representing the entire city.
Ward 1 is represented by Councilman Dave King and takes in Lake Debra Jane and the northern part of the city.
Rackley's Ward 2 stretches north above Lake Bonney to the southern edge of the city.
Councilwoman Cheryl Noble represents Ward 3 and takes in Lake Bonney and the central part of the city to 191st Avenue East and south to state Route 410.
Ward 4 is represented by Councilman David Bowen, taking in Eastown and the south portion of the city.
Councilman Phil DeLeo in Ward 5 represents Inlet Island and the southern portion of Lake Tapps.
Swatman and Councilman Mark Hamilton are the at-large members.
Swatman said the city staff has redrawn the wards to balance out the population and keep all members in their respective wards.
The council will consider two options. The first calls for a five-ward system with two at-large positions it now has with a balanced population in each.
The second option is a three-ward system with four at-large positions.
According to Swatman, four at-large seats allows for a “bigger candidate pool.”
The city could change to an all at-large council, but there is little appetite for this option on the council.
“No one wants all at-large,” Swatman said. “A person living in the neighborhood is probably more attuned to the issues there, but it does hurt the available candidates.”
If the council makes a change it must be submitted to the Pierce County Auditor 30 day prior to the first filing day for candidates, which is June 4.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.
