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preparation of an ordinance establishing water and sewer rates in accordance with the City of Paris 1994 Water and Wastewater Rate Study prepared by Reed -Stowe and Company, Utility Rate Consultants. The _ motion carried 6 ayes, 0 nays. The Council took a 5 minute break at this time. Mayor Fisher reconvened the Council meeting at 7:55 P. M. City Manager Malone announced that the next item on the agenda is a presentation of assessment of the City of Paris single member district political boundaries for the purpose of reapportionment by Allison and Associates. City Manager Malone explained to the Council.that the City of Paris has previously joined with Lamar County Commissioners Court in employing Consultant, Bob Bass, to investigate reapportionment of the political boundaries of the City for the purposes of complying with federal law. Mr. Bob Bass with the firm of Allison & Associates was present telling the Council that his firm has been asked to prepare an assessment of the City's existing political boundaries with view toward reapportion of the seven city wards. Mr. Bass gave a overview of political law regard political boundaries. Mr. Bass pointed out some of the problems from a ruff drawing of the proposed boundaries. Telling the Council that the northern tier the black population of the City of Paris that is at 65% or greater of each census block. They use 65% which identifies any racial category, and here in the City of Paris the only racial category that exceeds 2% is that of the black population which is at 22.01 %. Mr. Bass further pointed out that population is fragmented between District 1, 2, 3, and 4, there is a very small number in District 5. The present plan is discriminatory, not necessary by intent, but by a fact on two different principals, number one, you are constitutional unbalanced by 160 %, so under the constitution one person one vote test, there is no question that the City's boundaries are no longer legally permissible. Mr. Bass advised the Council that the City would be a sitting duck if someone was to bring suite under the Constitutional test 14th Amendment. Mr. Bass said the second matter is under the Voting Rights Act that is a problem in the fragmenting the City has of the minority population concentration, so when you draw the new lines you will be required to group that population into a single district or possible more districts to the extent that population will support. Also in drawing the boundaries, it is required that you give reasonable opportunity for electoral viability in a district because of the younger age of minority population compared to an anglo population you are going to have fewer of voting age due to the lower registration rate among minority population. On election day statistically fewer minority out of the same population base will turn out to vote, so in sizing you district you will need to size those districts to about 65% minority in a given district. Mr. Bass pointed out that District 1 is 63.53% and District 2 is 68.95% combined minority.