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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
DECENNIAL REDISTRICTING
WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011 – 6:30 P.M.
SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 Main Street, Sebastian, Florida
IRC Staff Present: Also present:
IRC Attorney, Alan Polackwich IRC Commissioner Wesley Davis
IRC GIS Manager, Will Rice IRC Commissioner Peter O’Bryan
Supervisor of Elections IT Manager, Fellsmere Mayor, Susan Adams
Gary Gordon Fellsmere Vice Mayor, Joel Tyson
Poll Worker Coordinator, Martha Osborne Sebastian Council Member Richard Gillmor
Assistant to County Administrator, Dorri Roy
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS AND LEGAL OVERVIEW
1.
Attorney Polackwich explained the district system in Indian River County, whereby there are five
commissioners and five districts, population in each district should be relatively equal, that a
commissioner is required to reside within each of the five districts, though the commissioners
are elected at large. He explained this redistricting is slightly different than State redistricting
since the representatives of State districts are elected by the citizens in that district only. He
said the County is working, in accordance with Florida law, to create a better balance for the five
County Commission districts given the change in the population seen in the 2010 decennial
census. He said the goal is to have each district's population be within 3 percent of the target of
27,606 residents, noting that each of the current districts is either over or under that goal.
He outlined guidelines adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on July 12, 2011:
1. Equal Population: population shall be within 3% of the ideal average
2. Compact Districts and Contiguity: districts shall be compact rather than spread
out and no part of a district shall be separate or apart from the rest of the
district
4. Respect for Existing Districts: The geographical core of the District shall be
preserved. All current County Commissioners and School Board
Commissioners will be maintained in the current districts. No Commissioner
can be redrawn out of their existing District.
5. Communities of Interest: Neighborhoods of communities of interest shall be
included within a single district
6. Natural Boundaries: District boundaries shall follow major natural or man-
made features such as major roads or canals.
7. Census Blocks: Census Tabulation Blocks shall not be split
8. Fair and Equal Representation: No district shall be drawn to split or minimize
the political influence of any group of residents.
Indian River County
Staff Decennial Redistricting Workshop - Sebastian
August 23, 2011
Page Two
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He provided the schedule for upcoming hearings, September 13 in Indian River County
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Chambers, September 20 in Sebastian Chambers, and October 18 for adoption of
final plans in Indian River County Chambers. He said two proposals have been posted
in IRC Administration Building, Supervisor of Elections Office, Main Library, Sebastian
Library and some of the City Halls, and IRC websites, and they are seeking input from
the public.
REDISTRICTING OVERVIEW
2.
Gary Gordon, IT Manager, Supervisor of Elections, representing Leslie Swan, SOE,
Indian River County said he has been working with County staff. He said once approval
is made the SOE will map and draw district lines for Commission, School Board and
voter precincts.
PRESENTATION OF EXISTING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, REDISTRICTING
3.
GUIDELINES AND CONSIDERATIONS, AND REDISTRICTING PROPOSALS
Will Rice, GIS Manager, Indian River County gave a power point presentation,
described the existing districts and the two redistricting proposals. (See power point
presentation attached to minutes)
PUBLIC DISCUSSION, COMMENTS, AND QUESTIONS
4.
FINAL COMMENTS
5.
There were no public comments or questions.
Being no further discussion, Attorney Polackwich adjourned the workshop at 7:01 p.m.
Prepared by:
Jeanette Williams, MMC
Deputy City Clerk