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Politics & Government

Hillsborough's Redistricting Process, Proposals Detailed in Video

Proposals are for Districts 1 through 4 of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, made necessary with the findings of the 2010 U.S. Census.

A county video just released helps explain how and why new election boundaries have been drawn for the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

County officials posted the seven-minute online video May 24.

The proposed boundaries "contain only minor changes to existing boundaries,” said County Attorney Mary Helen Farris. “But this is really only the starting point. The public will have their input and ultimately it will be up to the county commission.”

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Drawn by county staff, the proposed election districts contain no dramatic changes, according to Edith Stewart, who is overseeing the project.

“We are not here to reinvent the wheel,” she said. "We just want to make sure the boundaries meet the legal tests.”

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Hillsborough County’s own constitution — the Hillsborough County Charter —requires reapportionment of the County Commission's single-member districts, Districts 1 through 4, every 10 years, when the U.S. Census is completed.

The process this year is to be completed by June 20. Plans then will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice for approval.

The remaining redistricting public meetings are set for:

  • May 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Plant City Hall, 302 West Reynolds St., Plant City
  • June 2, 10 a.m.-noon, Sun City Center Community Association, 1009 North Pebble Beach Blvd., Greater Sun City

Other important dates:

  • Public Hearing — June 9, 6-8 p.m., County Center, 2nd Floor Boardroom, 601 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Commissioners to discuss alternatives to proposed district boundaries.
  • Public Hearing — June 20, 6-8 p.m., County Center, 2nd Flood Boardroom, 601 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Commissioners to adopt district boundaries.
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