Smith County Encouraging Redistricting Input
Posted/updated on: June 7, 2011 at 11:24 am
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County is asking for redistricting input from the public at two upcoming public hearings and through the County’s redistricting web page. You can go to http://www.smith-county.com to view the web page.
According to the Census Bureau the Smith County population grew to 209,714 in 2010, making the ideal population for the four commissioner precincts 52,429. According to the initial data presented to the court, only County precincts 1 and 4 will be affected by the proposed new boundaries. Initial information showed Precinct 1 experienced significant growth and is more than 10 percent above its ideal population, while Precinct 4 needs about 9.5 percent more population. Each commissioner precinct must be within 10 percent deviation from the ideal population.
The new population numbers create a 19.5 percent imbalance. The proposed plan will
address the imbalance and bring Precinct 4 under the 10 percent threshold. Morning and evening public hearings will be held on June 21 at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. inside the Smith County Courthouse Annex, 200 E. Ferguson St. The public is also encouraged to send questions, concerns and input to County Commissioners via the “comments” tab on the Smith County redistricting page.
