§ 14-40-1205 - Division of smaller municipality into wards. - Arkansas Statutes

14-40-1205. Division of smaller municipality into wards.

(a) As soon as practicable after the annexation, the council of the larger city or incorporated town shall, by ordinance, form the territory of the smaller municipality into such number of wards as shall seem to be to the best interest of the combined city or incorporated town, or shall change the number and boundaries of all the wards of the entire city or incorporated town, or any part of them, as shall seem to be to the best interests of the combined city or incorporated town. In such way, however, the wards shall have as nearly an equal population and assessed valuation of property as practicable and as, in the opinion of the council, would best subserve the true interest of the citizens and taxpayers of the combined city or incorporated town.

(b) The territory and inhabitants of the smaller municipal corporation shall receive that fair and just representation in the city council as the size, population, and assessed valuation of property demands, as compared with the representation accorded to other wards of the city or incorporated town.

(c) If inhabitants of the smaller municipal corporation feel aggrieved at the number of wards, or in any manner dissatisfied with the division of the territory into wards, upon petition of fifty (50) qualified electors, the circuit court is authorized to make changes in the number of wards as the justice of the case requires, in the manner provided in 14-43-311, so far as applicable.