Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Approving the Redistricting of the City’s Single-Member Council Districts and Establishing New District Boundary Lines for McKinney City Council Elections Based on the 2020 Census Data; and Providing for an Effective Date
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
(1E: Increase community involvement and participation within local government / community)
Operational Excellence
(2B: Balance available resources to accommodate the growth and maintenance needs of the city)
MEETING DATE: November 1, 2022
DEPARTMENT: City Council
CONTACT: Mark Houser, City Attorney
Alan Lathrom, Assistant City Attorney
Empress Drane, City Secretary
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Approve an Ordinance establishing the City Council single-member district boundaries
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The results of the 2020 United States Census indicated that the City of McKinney’s single-member council districts are sufficiently out of population balance, which requires redistricting to comply with the “one-person, one vote” (equal population) principle established by the U.S. Constitution.
• Newly defined district boundaries must be approved prior to the next election of City Council members, which is scheduled for May 2023.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The City of McKinney engaged the law firm of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP to act as the City’s redistricting consultant, including advising and assisting the City Council in preparation of a new redistricting plan in compliance with applicable requirements of state and federal law.
• On October 26, 2021, the City Council adopted redistricting criteria to assist the City and the public in developing redistricting plans which comply with applicable federal and state laws, and the adopted redistricting criteria were applied in the development of the City’s new redistricting plan.
• The City Council considered proposed redistricting plans at City Council meetings on January 25, 2022, and February 14, 2022, held a public hearing on the proposed redistricting plans on May 17, 2022, and received input and counsel from its legal counsel and redistricting consultant.
• Additional City Council discussions on this topic:
o Regular Meeting June 21, 2022 - action on the measure was tabled until a future meeting
o Regular Meeting July 19, 2022 - action on the measure was tabled until a future meeting
o Regular Meeting August 16, 2022 -
§ motion to approve Plan D failed with three (3) Council Members voting in favor and four (4) Council Members voting against the plan;
§ motion to approve Plan A was not seconded; and
§ additional action on the measure was tabled until a future meeting
o Work Session September 20 - discussion only
o Regular Meeting October 18, 2022
§ motion to approve Plan A (Revised) failed with three (3) Council Members voting in favor and four (4) Members voting against the plan;
§ motion to approve Plan D failed with three (3) Council Members voting in favor and four (4) Members voting against the plan;
§ additional action on the measure was table until a future meeting
• Following up on City Council’s discussion and direction a new plan, Plan H, was developed.
• Plan H is attached for the City Council’s consideration.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY: N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: N/A