REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 9, 2021
FROM
JANICE RUTHERFORD, Second District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Ordinance to Establish the Advisory Redistricting Commission
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Consider proposed ordinance to establish the Advisory Redistricting Commission to assist with the required revisions to the Supervisorial Districts boundaries.
2. Make alterations, if necessary, to proposed ordinance.
3. Approve introduction of the proposed ordinance.
4. Read title only of proposed ordinance, waive reading of the entire text and SCHEDULE FOR FINAL ADOPTION ON TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 on the Consent Calendar.
(Presenter: Janice Rutherford, Second District Supervisor, 387-4833)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The ordinance establishing the Advisory Redistricting Commission (Commission) includes the payment of a stipend of $100 per meeting attended by each member and alternate. The members and alternates will also receive reimbursement for mileage exceeding 20 miles round trip from their home. Other costs associated with redistricting, such as consultant fees, website development and maintenance, and public outreach are anticipated, but these costs are undetermined at this time. Approval of the necessary budget adjustment to fund these costs will be presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) at a future date, if necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Board must adopt boundaries for all of the supervisorial districts, based on the 2020 Census data, so that the districts are substantially equal in population and comply with state and federal law regarding the criteria used to redraw the district boundaries.
The criteria include, to the extent practicable and in the following order of priority, boundaries that are:
• Geographically contiguous,
• Respect the geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities of interest,
• Respect the geographic integrity of a city,
• Easily identifiable and understandable by residents and bounded by natural and artificial barriers, and
• Drawn to encourage geographical compactness.
The boundaries shall not be adopted for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
The new County Charter, approved by the voters in the November 2020 election as Measure “J”, requires the Board to adopt an ordinance to establish a redistricting commission. The proposed ordinance establishes a Commission consisting of seven members and five alternate members. The individuals shall not be an elected County official or a family member, staff member or paid campaign staff member of an elected County official.
The Presiding Judge of San Bernardino County Superior Court shall appoint two members, who may be retired judges or another qualified individual, one of which shall serve as Chair of the Commission. Each member of the Board shall appoint one member and one alternate for the Commission. The Board appointments shall be approved by majority vote of the Board. Other than retired judges, individuals appointed cannot have:
1. Served as a staff member of an elected official in the past four years.
2. Served in elected office or campaigned for an elected office in the past four years.
3. Served as a member of a political party central committee in the past four years.
4. Contributed over $500 per year to any candidate for elective office in the past four years.
It is anticipated that the proposed members and alternates will be appointed by the Board at its April 20, 2021 meeting. The proposed ordinance provides that the Commission shall hold its first meeting in May 2021. Currently, the census data is not expected to be received until July/August 2021. The proposed ordinance requires the Commission to recommend to the Board a minimum of two possible maps containing the boundaries for all of the supervisorial districts within sufficient time for the Board to meet all State deadlines. The State deadline is December 15, 2021, however the Board will need to consider the possible maps during October and November to allow time for the final adoption of the required ordinance.
PROCUREMENT
Not Applicable
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 4, 2021; Finance (Stephenie Shea, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on February 4, 2021; and Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on February 4, 2021.