Kalispell council to redistrict city's four wards

The Kalispell City Council will consider redistricting its four wards at a work session Monday evening.

State law requires the wards to be “as nearly equal as possible,” but Census 2020 data suggest Kalispell’s population distribution no longer makes the current ward map equitable.

According to the work session agenda, the City Development Services Department, using the Census 2020 population figures and GIS software, analyzed the data and modified the ward maps. The new ward boundaries are intended to be adjusted “as little as possible to correct the population differences between the wards.”

The current wards are based on 2010 Census data, when Ward 1 had a population of 4,754 people, Ward 2 had a population of 5,030 people, Ward 3 had a population of 5,140 people and Ward 4 had a population of 5,078 people.

Under the new ward boundaries, Ward 1 would have 6,277 people, Ward 2 would have 6,170 people, Ward 3 would have 6,208 people and Ward 4 would have 6,178 people.

Large portions of Ward 1 in North Kalispell would be transferred to Ward 2, and a few small portions of Ward 1 would become Ward 3.

The portion of Ward 2 that currently extends south of the Parkline Trail would become Ward 3, while the adjoining portions of Ward 3 along the trail would become Ward 2.

Finally, two small sections on the border of Ward 3 and 4, which are currently part of Ward 3, would become Ward 4.

A map of the proposed wards can be found online at https://www.kalispell.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11222021-722

No formal decisions may be made during work sessions.

The work session starts at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 201 First Ave. E.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.

Correction: This story was corrected to reflect ward changes along the Kalispell Parkline Trail, rather than Idaho Street.