Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution adopting criteria for use in redistricting the city council districts based on the 2020 Census.
Summary
DATE: October 19, 2021
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Traci Briggs, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Adopting criteria for use in redistricting process
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The law firm of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta has been engaged to assist the City in redistricting its city council districts following the 2020 Census. On October 5, 2021, Gunnar Sequist with the Bickerstaff firm presented the Initial Assessment, a copy of which is attached.
Mr. Sequist explained that adopting a set of guidelines to be used in the redistricting process will serve as a framework in the formulation and consideration of districting plans and provide a means for evaluating proposed plans. Criteria also assist the City in its efforts to comply with federal and state laws.
The recommended criteria to be used in establishing new city council districts are:
• Following easily identifiable geographic boundaries
• Maintaining communities of interest and neighborhoods
• Composing districts of whole voting precincts
• Basing the plan on existing districts
• Adopting districts of relatively equal size
• Drawing districts that are compact and contiguous
• Keeping existing incumbents in their districts
• Narrowly tailoring the plan to comply with the Voting Rights Act
• Avoid fragmenting a geographically compact minority community or packing minority voters
All plans submitted to and reviewed by the City Council should conform to these criteria.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
The City Council may decline to adopt the recommended criteria or adopt the criteria.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends adopting the criteria more fully described in the attached resolution. The criteria assist the City in complying with state and federal laws.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This item complies with city policy.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
N/A
Is this expenditure budgeted?
N/A
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the criteria for redistricting the city council districts.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Resolution