The attorney/consultant began by stating that the city has
an opportunity to address this by ordinance due to a new law that took effect
Jan 1, 2016. By moving on this now, we
have control over what we (assuming we participate) think the districts should
look like. If this were to happen after
litigation, the court controls how the city is broken up into districts. Also, the cost to fight it can range anywhere
(based on other cases) from $200k to $4million.
That is quite a price tag. How
this will play out in the short term?
The demographer is going to come up with a series of maps based on data
from the 2010 census and the American Community Survey. He takes that data and will break it down
into 5 districts in various ways. Each district
should have approximately 16k people with 5% give or take per district. Some ways to divide it up are taking downtown
and the business community into consideration.
This way council members not only have to take its citizens into
consideration, but the business community as well. I have heard from some local business owners,
who live in county territory but own businesses in city limits, would appreciate
a voice. I understand that.
The demographer suggested that council engage the public,
educate the public and empower the public!
They stated that council should take lots of public comment because it
not only helps them in their decision but protects them should lawsuits arise. Only the districts where council members up
for re-election (Wright, Milne, Youssef) will be on the November ballot. The
districts Raver and Krupa fall will not be open until the next election cycle
after their 4-year term expires. Everyone serves out their time in office.
Here is a rough/initial timeline per the demographer and
attorney/consultant:
2/9/2016: workshop
3/1/2016: initial drafts
March-April 2016: at least three public hearings
Late April/Early May: reading of ordinance; followed by a 2nd
reading of ordinance and adoption (ordinance has to be read twice)
30 days after final passage: effective
7/18/2016: opening of candidate filing period
11/2016: implementation of adopted election districts
How will this play out in the long run? There will be redistricting after the 2020
census. We will be back at this in 2021
and then every 10 years after.
One question asked: Why does this need to happen for the
2016 election? The attorney/consultant told council that if you do not move on
this you will open yourselves up to a lawsuit.
In case you are not aware, I am mix of everything; Latina
included. My grandmother immigrated here
from Brazil. My main priority is to encourage dialogue and
community in this city. If we obtain a
more ethnically diverse council that truly represents the diversity of our
growing city, then even better. However,
my main priority as an American is democracy.
I want the discussion, the debate and the community engaged. People: this experiment of democracy only
works if we participate. That is my
priority and why I am excited. This city
can only benefit from community, communication and being actively engaged!
