10/25/2011: "Redistricting Hearing Today"

The County Council will conduct a PUBLIC HEARING October 25th, 10:15 AM, to Consider Adopting Council Redistricting Plan - Milene Henley, Auditor; Randall Gaylord, Prosecuting Attorney. Proposed ordinance below:

REVISING SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
STATE LAW AND 2010 CENSUS DATA

BACKGROUND

A. San Juan County received from the State Redistricting Commission in April 2011
updated information on county population based on the 2010 decennial federal census.

B. The county is required by state law to prepare a plan for redistricting its council districts
within eight months of receiving the updated population information.

C. The County Charter requires that the County Council appoint a Districting Committee
within sixty days of receiving the census data to draw a redistricting plan for the County.

D. The Districting Committee presented a final recommended plan, and a minority opinion
plan, to Council for discussion on September 20, 2011.

E. The County Council reviewed both plans and determined that both met the requirements
of RCW 29A.76.010, in that:

1. Each district is as compact as possible; and
2. Each district consists of geographically contiguous area; and
3. Population data was not used to favor or disfavor any racial group or political party;
and
4. To the extent feasible, district boundaries coincide with existing recognized natural
boundaries and, to the extent possible, preserve existing communities or related and
mutual interest; and
5. Each district is as nearly equal in population as possible to every other district, given
the four other considerations above.

F. The Council believes that the districting plan recommended by the majority of the
Districting Committee better preserves existing communities of related and mutual interest in our
unique island environment.

G. The County conducted a duly advertised public hearing and has received public
testimony.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the County Council of San Juan County,
state of Washington, as follows:

Section 1. Pursuant to RCW 29A.76.010, the San Juan County Council adopts the
attached map for San Juan County Districts.

Section 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2012.