Gainesville city commissioners discuss redesigning the county boundaries

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – A month after Governor DeSantis vacated Alachua County’s school councilor Diyonne Mcgraw’s seat for living outside her district, Gainesville city commissioners began redesigning the city’s boroughs.

At the meeting, new software was presented that enables residents to submit their own district plans for review.

According to Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos, a timetable proposed on the agenda of the meeting does not match the one that the Commissioners are currently using. He said an updated schedule would be released in a few months.

This meeting is usually scheduled after the census, but the latest census numbers are delayed due to Covid-19.

Commissioner Hayes-Santos said he still had a timeframe in mind to set the new district lines.

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“The aim is to have an open and transparent process so that the public can also submit cards that they believe are fair districts. And then my goal is to have these new districts ready for the autumn 2022 elections, ”said Hayes-Santos.

Mayor Lauren Poe said this involves the community in the process and can give a voice to anyone who wants one.

“The value will be to make it available to as many as our neighbors who want to present cards, tell us why they think it works, and then just us – because ultimately we are all the ones legally obliged to they create the decision, “explained Mayor Poe.

Hayes-Santos made it clear that the redesign of the districts in the city is not related to the current controversy surrounding Diyonne Mcgraw on the school board. However, he stated that it is important that officials live in the district where they are elected as fair representation in the community is essential.

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The post Gainesville city commissioners discuss redesigning the county boundaries first appeared on Daily Florida Press.

from Daily Florida Press https://dailyfloridapress.com/gainesville-city-commissioners-discuss-redesigning-the-county-boundaries/