HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2768T
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A Resolution
No. 02.1 ~L~-d
Concerning Number of Single-Member City Council Districts
WHEREAS, the 2000 federal census reflected a 28% increase in the population of the
City of Fort Worth between 1990 and 2000•
WHEREAS, the population growth was not evenly distributed throughout the City
WHEREAS, it is necessary to redraw boundary lines for City Council districts to adjust
for the growth and shifts in population among the districts,
WHEREAS factors to be considered in drawing single-member district boundary lines
include.
• establishing districts that are relatively equal in size;
• maintaining compact and contiguous districts,
• dividing districts by easily identifiable geographic boundaries,
• recognizing neighborhoods and communities of interest;
• ensuring that voting rights of racial and language minorities under the current
redistricting plan are not adversely affected, and
• ensuring that voting rights of racial and language minorities to participate in the electoral
process and to elect candidates of their choice are not diluted,
WHEREAS, maintaining eight Crty Council districts will result m 67,549 residents m
each distract;
WHEREAS, the City's current population is approximately 50% white, 30% Hispanic
and 20% African-American,
WHEREAS, the Crty Council finds that 67,549 residents per district is a workable ratio
between councilperson and residents,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that eight City Council representatives provides for
efficient governance;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the voting rights of African-American and
Hispanic residents can be protected from retrogression or dilution by retaining eight City Council
districts and drawing two majority African-American districts and two majority Hispanic
districts,
CITY OF FORT WORTH
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that retauung eight City Council distncts can result in
greater proportionate representation of Afncan-Amencan and Hispanic residents on the City
Council than aten-district plan,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the interests in maintaining compact and
contiguous distncts and recognizing neighborhoods and communities of interest can be satisfied
by retaining eight council distncts,
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH.
That the City of Fort Worth retain the current plan providing for eight single-member
City Council distncts and a mayor elected at large; and
That City staff is directed to commence preparations for Phase II of the redistricting
process to draw a redistncting plan for submittal to the United States Justice Department.
'~ U. ~1.1L~J~.
Kenneth Barr Mayor of t e City of Fort Worth
ATTEST
Mona Pear on, City Secretary
OITY OF FORT WORTfI