Whenever there shall be a change in population in any of the three districts heretofore established, evidenced by a federal census of population published following the last federal census of population preceding March 4, 1977, or by virtue of a change in the corporation limits, there shall be a reapportionment of the council districts in the manner hereinafter provided:

1. (1) The manager shall within six months after the publication of each federal census of population for the city, following the last federal census of population preceding March 4, 1977, or if within six months after there shall have been any change in the corporate limits of the city, file with the council a report containing a recommended plan for reapportionment of the council district boundaries to comply with the following specifications:

   1. a. Each district shall be formed of contiguous and to the extent reasonably possible, compact territory, and its boundary lines shall be the center lines of streets or other well defined boundaries.
   2. b. Each district shall contain as nearly as is possible the same population.
2. (2) The council shall enact a redistricting ordinance within six months after receiving the report. If the council fails to enact the redistricting ordinance within the six months, the redistricting plan submitted by the manager shall become effective without enactment by the council, as if it were a duly enacted ordinance.
3. (3) The redistricting ordinance shall not apply to any primary or regular or special election held within six months after its becoming effected. No incumbent council member or member of the board or commission shall be deprived of his or her expired term of office because of redistricting.

(Acts 1977, No. 71, p. 78, § 7.03.)