Item 8BAGENDA ITEM # 8B
AUGUST 11.2008
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Revised Recommendations for Creation of Districts
SUBMITTED BY: Jim Hanson, City Manager and Donna Bartle, City v~~
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DATE: August 4, 2008
BACKGROUND: We had previously presented recommendations to the City Commission
for the creation of voting districts in accordance with the district
referendum last year and with instructions from the City Commission
given during the strategic planning workshops in February of 2008.
Before those recommendations were approved in final form, Jerry
Holland, Supervisor of Elections for Duval County, informed the City that
his previous advice to use the number of registered voters as a basis for
setting up the districts was not recommended by the Jacksonville General
Counsel's Office and that the City should instead use US Census data for
establishing the districts. The census data could either be for the total
population of the City or for voting age population. After receiving the
report from Jerry Holland, the City Commission appropriately voted down
the draft ordinance on July 14, 2008.
Information on the census counts was then obtained and staff prepared
proposed changes to the existing precinct boundaries to create districts
based upon both the total census population and voting age population.
Each were prepared following the language in the approved referendum
stating that "the four districts shall be created using the precinct lines
existing as of November 2007, as a beginning point, shall be established
by ordinance, shall be as equal in population as possible, and to the extent
possible shall maintain the integrity of neighborhoods and communities of
interest."
We recommend that the City Commission use voting age population as a
basis for establishing districts. This is based upon three reasons. The first
is that voting age population is used by the City of Jacksonville for
creation of their districts. Using census numbers for voting age population
is less likely to create confusion by using the same data as the City of
Jacksonville in the future when adjustments are needed. The second
reason is that use of voting age population will result in a larger
geographic area for District 135. Precinct 13S is currently approximately
twenty five percent of the total City voting age population, and therefore
districts can be established using existing precinct lines. If the total census
data is used, Precinct 13S is approximately 10% to lazge, and must be
AGENDA ITEM # 8B
AUGUST 11, 2008
reduced. This may be important because there have historically been very
few candidates to run from Precinct 138 for City Commission. Having a
larger geographical area will theoretically increase the possibility and
number of candidates running for City Commission from that district. The
third reason to recommend using voting age population is that it will
require fewer changes to the current precinct lines and is thereby more
consistent with the approved referendum language.
A map of the proposed district boundaries based upon voting age
population highlighting the areas being changed from the current precinct
lines is attached for your review. Following are the associated precinct
and district populations relating to the recommended district boundaries.
District Current Precinct
Population Amount Over/
Under Average
Po ulation Additions/
Subtractions Recommended
District Size Amount +/-
Average
13F 2189 -402 421 2610 19
13G 2778 187 -174 2604 13
13H 2810 219 -247 2563 -28
13S 2588 -3 0 2588 -3
Total 10,365 0 10,365 0
BUDGET: This action has no direct budget implications.
RECOMMENDATION: We recommend that the City Commission authorize preparation of an
ordinance to create districts in accordance with adopted referendum based
upon the attached district map.
ATTACHMENT: Map of proposed districts for the City of Atlantic Beach
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