Council committee to discuss ward redistricting
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Two committees of the Hillsboro City Council will meet Monday to discuss the proposed restricting of city wards, as well as traffic issues.
Council's zoning and annexation committee is scheduled to meet Monday, Dec. 5 at 5:45 p.m. in council chambers at the Hillsboro fire station.
During council's November meeting, Hillsboro resident Kelley Walker said that the city needs to look into redistricting the city wards so that they are in line with the most recent population figures as reported by the 2010 U.S. Census.
"The last time (the ward lines) were voted upon by the people would have been in 1999 when it was affirmed by a 59-percent to 41-percent vote," Walker said during the meeting. "I would encourage the council to look at this data and determine the manner in which the wards can best be re-drawn to represent all Hillsboro residents in an equitable manner."
Acting council chairperson placed the matter in the committee for further review. Council member Rod Daniels is the chair of that committee, but he is currently serving overseas with the U.S. Army Reserve. On Monday, council voted to excuse Koogler's absence due to illness but did not address Daniels' absence. Because Daniels is not available, Shoemaker appointed council member Brian Waller to temporarily chair that committee, and Shoemaker said that he would also sit in on the committee. Council member Mary Brown Turner is also on the committee.
The city of Hillsboro is divided into four wards. Each ward elects one member to council, and there are three at-large seats which are voted on by the entire city, as well as a president of council.
Prior to the zoning committee, on Monday, the street and safety committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. to discuss a request for a stop sign at North Elm Street and Fairground Road. Waller is also the chairperson for that committee.[[In-content Ad]]
Council's zoning and annexation committee is scheduled to meet Monday, Dec. 5 at 5:45 p.m. in council chambers at the Hillsboro fire station.
During council's November meeting, Hillsboro resident Kelley Walker said that the city needs to look into redistricting the city wards so that they are in line with the most recent population figures as reported by the 2010 U.S. Census.
"The last time (the ward lines) were voted upon by the people would have been in 1999 when it was affirmed by a 59-percent to 41-percent vote," Walker said during the meeting. "I would encourage the council to look at this data and determine the manner in which the wards can best be re-drawn to represent all Hillsboro residents in an equitable manner."
Acting council chairperson placed the matter in the committee for further review. Council member Rod Daniels is the chair of that committee, but he is currently serving overseas with the U.S. Army Reserve. On Monday, council voted to excuse Koogler's absence due to illness but did not address Daniels' absence. Because Daniels is not available, Shoemaker appointed council member Brian Waller to temporarily chair that committee, and Shoemaker said that he would also sit in on the committee. Council member Mary Brown Turner is also on the committee.
The city of Hillsboro is divided into four wards. Each ward elects one member to council, and there are three at-large seats which are voted on by the entire city, as well as a president of council.
Prior to the zoning committee, on Monday, the street and safety committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. to discuss a request for a stop sign at North Elm Street and Fairground Road. Waller is also the chairperson for that committee.[[In-content Ad]]