§ 207. Revision of councilmanic districts.

(a)

Redistricting commission; composition. Not later than March 1 of the year after each decennial census of the United States, the County Council shall establish, by resolution, a councilmanic redistricting commission. The commission shall be composed of five members appointed by the County Council. A person who holds elective office is not eligible for appointment to the commission.

(b)

Commission action. The commission shall hold at least three public hearings, and, by October 15 of the year in which the commission is appointed, the commission shall recommend to the county council legislation to revise, amend, or reconstitute, but not to increase or decrease the number of, councilmanic districts in effect at such time. The legislation shall provide for councilmanic districts that are compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population, and in which due regard is given to current natural, geographic, and community boundaries.

(c)

Council action. The county council shall hold one or more public hearings on the recommendation of the commission, and by January 31 of the year following the appointment of the commission, the council shall adopt a final redistricting plan by legislative act adopted by a majority plus one of the total number of county council members. The final plan may not increase or decrease the number of councilmanic districts in effect at the time. The plan shall provide for councilmanic districts that are compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population, and in which due regard is given to current natural, geographic, and community boundaries.

(d)

Final redistricting plan. The final redistricting plan adopted by the county council is not subject to the executive veto provided in Article III, Section 308(g), but is subject to the referendum provision of Article III, Section 309.

(Bill No. 78, 1978, § 1) (Approved by voters Nov. 7, 1978; effective Dec. 8, 1978) (Bill No. 67-02, 2002, § 1) (Approved by voters Nov. 5, 2002; effective Dec. 5, 2002)

Editor's note

By Bill 59-11, § 1, the County Council revised and reconstituted the councilmanic districts in accordance with the 2010 census.