To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Yvonne Shu 565-1739
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
11:00 A.M. Redistricting Workshop
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Conduct a redistricting workshop to discuss and consider modifications to the Board-preferred draft map (NDC 51162-D).
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Executive Summary:
At the November 16, 2021 public hearing on redistricting, the Board requested a special meeting to discuss modifications to their preferred draft map (NDC 51162-D) before the final redistricting public hearing on December 7, 2021. National Demographics Corporation will facilitate making adjustments to the preferred draft map at the workshop.
Discussion:
Every 10 years, the United States Census Bureau conducts a nationwide census to enumerate the country’s population. The Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the California Elections Code Section 21500 mandate that the Board of Supervisors adjust supervisorial district boundaries within the County to reflect the new census data and to keep supervisorial districts substantially equal in population. In addition to those mandates, Elections Code Section 21500(c) requires the supervisorial district boundaries to use the following criteria as set forth in order of priority:
1. To the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be geographically contiguous.
2. To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes division.
3. To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of a city or census designated place shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division.
4. Supervisorial district boundaries should be easily identifiable and understandable by residents. To the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the county.
5. Where not in conflict with the preceding criteria listed above and to the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.
On December 7, 2021 the Board will conduct a final public hearing to introduce and adopt an ordinance to approve the final map of supervisorial district boundaries in compliance with federal and state laws. The final date for ordinance adoption is December 15, 2021.
The public may submit feedback to Redistricting2021@sonoma-county.org <mailto:Redistricting2021@sonoma-county.org>. The final map is expected to be posted on November 30, 2021 (subject to change).
After the supervisorial district map is approved by the Board in compliance with federal and state laws on December 7, 2021, County Permit Sonoma Surveyor staff will prepare a written description to reflect the approved district boundaries. County staff will return to the Board on consent calendar to update Sonoma County Code, Section 1-8, with the supervisorial district boundaries’ written description.
Prior Board Actions:
11/16/21 Conducted a public hearing to identify a preferred draft map
11/2/21 Conducted a public hearing to receive and consider a draft redistricting map recommended by the Advisory Redistricting Commission
10/5/21 Conducted a public hearing to receive an update on the 2021 redistricting process and 2020 Census data
7/20/21 Expanded the number of members of the Sonoma County Advisory Redistricting Commission (ARC) from 15 to 19; appointed the remaining five commissioners; and authorized the use of $53,800 from contingency funds for stipend expenditures for the additional members of the ARC, development of English and Spanish videos that explain the redistricting process and tools, and a 20% contingency for future miscellaneous expenses that may be incurred in connection with the redistricting effort
7/13/21 Moved to continue the ARC agenda item of approving the 15th member to July 20, 2021, and directed staff to return with a resolution amending the ARC, increasing the commission size from 15 to 19 members and filling the remaining five seats with people whose applications were previously received
6/8/21 Appointed 14 members of the ARC; authorized the use of $20,000 from contingency funds for stipend expenditures
4/20/21 Adopted resolution establishing a stipend for ARC members; authorized the use of $40,000 from contingency funds for media production and placement costs for public outreach; authorized the execution of a contract for redistricting services for an estimated contract value of $120,000
2/23/21 Adopted resolution establishing the Sonoma County Advisory Redistricting Commission (ARC); directed staff to solicit interest in serving on the ARC; authorized the use of $130,000 from contingency funds to procure specialized redistricting facilitation and training services, interactive mapping technology, and unanticipated translation and interpretation services to support the redistricting process.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
None
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None