Public Should See Rough Drafts of New District Maps Soon

Louisville’s ad hoc committee on redistricting met on Monday and expects to have some rough drafts of new district maps out to the public next week.The committee said because the population has been shifting east, redistricting will begin in the western part of the county, where multiple districts converge.Council President Jim King said the committee is pleased with how far it’s come.“At best we’re 85 percent there. And that 15 percent, just like getting into the red zone on a football field, those last 20 yards could be pretty tough,” he said.Councilman Rick Blackwell said he plans to invite the public and other council members to the Southwest Government Center next Tuesday. There, he expects to present a rough draft of his district's new boundaries. The map will include the effects to neighboring districts.“If I have a meeting in District 12 and I just have a map of district 12 well the can give input but they don’t see how that fits into the other areas. Where if we have people from 12, 14, 25, all the ones in the area can give input on it then they can see particularly where the border precincts are,” said Blackwell.Some redrawn areas in Louisville are likely to be contentious, he said. In a previous committee meeting residents from the Highlands were unhappy with shifting district lines that would break up areas of their neighborhoods.After next week, public forums will work their way east until residents of all districts have had a chance for public comment. The committee has set a Sept. 8 deadline to make final decisions regarding redistricting. Legally, they have until the end of the year.