Presently, five City Council members are elected on an at-large basis across the municipality.

But that will change in November when two council seats will be filled by voters in newly established districts. The three other council seats will be up for grabs in the remaining three districts in 2007.

Riverton was divided into five voting districts, said Mayor Mont Evans “to make sure everyone gets a voice. Everyone will have a representative.”

The new system will make campaigning easier and less expensive for candidates, who will seek election from districts of about 49,000 residents each, the mayor said.

But the proposal - which was added to the city's agenda only on Friday - caught residents by surprise, said Dennis Sampson, president of a citizens group called Riverton United.

“We're disappointed. We'd hoped they put this off so that the citizens could hear more about it,” Sampson said.

No public hearing was required before a vote, said City Attorney David Church.

Nonetheless, Sampson told the council that unless the proposal was put before the electorate it would disenfranchise voters. “This is reconstituting the government. Have some faith in the citizens. Put this to them in November and see what they think.”

Resident Amy Murray also urged the council to take more time. She reminded its members that many residents in Riverton have lost trust in local government following the 2004 approval of a large-scale residential and commercial development.

That proposed project, which was to include a Wal-Mart and high-density housing, remains in litigation following a thwarted petition drive to stop it.

“With what has occurred in this city recently, many citizens will see this as a ploy,” Murray told the council of the plan to move to voting districts. “You'll be reducing the checks and balances in the city.”

But Councilman Bill Applegarth said voting districts would give constituents better access to their city representative. “If you are voting for someone in your neighborhood, you can make a more informed choice.”

The new system will make running for City Council less expensive, said Councilwoman Gayla Brinkerhoff. “Districts will make it easier. And more people could run if it didn't cost as much.”