Impact
WARD / COUNCILMEMBER: Ward / Citywide
$ IMPACT:
Title
Approval of Resolution RES2022-11 for the City of Smyrna, Georgia adopting redistricting criteria for the redistricting of the City Council Ward's following the 2020 Census and authorize the Mayor to sign and execute all related documents.
Ward / Citywide
Body
ISSUE AND BACKGROUND:
As a result of the 2020 Census, the boundaries of the City of Smyrna, Georgia’s (“City”) seven councilperson wards require redistricting in accordance with applicable state and federal law; the Mayor and City Council (“Governing Body”) of the City have engaged redistricting legal experts and consultants to assist the City in its redistricting efforts; and , the Governing Body now desires to adopt certain redistricting principles to serve as a roadmap for drafting ward boundaries.
Section 1. That any redistricting plan to be considered and adopted by the Governing Body shall comply with the U.S. Constitution, the Georgia Constitution, applicable state and federal law, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, and such plan shall also contain contiguous wards within +/- 5% deviation from the ideal ward population. In addition to these primary criteria and to the extent practicable, the Governing Body may also separate incumbents into individual districts, maintain core retention to avoid voter confusion and follow natural geographic boundaries in drawing ward lines.
Section 2. That upon completion of a draft redistricting map adhering to the criteria adopted herein, the Governing Body shall order and set a public hearing to provide the public an opportunity to review and comment on the redistricting process.
Section 3. Prior to any final adoption, the City will proceed with the required charter amendment process authorized by Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 36-35-4.1.
RECOMMENDATION / REQUESTED ACTION: A request is made for the approval of Resolution RES2022-11 for the City of Smyrna, Georgia adopting redistricting criteria for the redistricting of the City Council Ward's following the 2020 Census and authorize the Mayor to sign and execute all related documents.