The Raleigh-based law firm Tharrington Smith is assisting the city with the redistricting process.

Wood also presented a tentative timeline for how the process will move forward.

The plan calls for presentation of the proposed new maps on Sept. 21 followed by a public hearing on Oct. 19.

Maps would be approved by Nov. 2 and submitted to the Catawba County Board of Elections by Nov. 17. Filing for Hickory offices would then take place in December with a primary on March 8 and general election on April 26, 2022.