Hillsborough's Redistricting Proposals Set for Brandon Resident Review

Greater Brandon residents at a public meeting May 19 are invited to put in their two cents on redrawing electoral districts for Hillsborough County commission seats.

The public meeting is scheduled to run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Brandon Regional Service Center, 311 Pauls Drive. The center is across the street and down the road from the headquarters of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce.

It's unfortunate timing for some residents and business people, given that the Brandon chamber on the same day, from 3:30-8p.m., is set to present the 23rd Annual Brandon Business Expo and Taste of Brandon.

Meanwhile, back in Brandon, county officials who helped draw up the boundaries – there are four suggested models – will be on hand at the service center to answer questions and listen to suggestions for changes.

While county staff membesr were tasked with coming up with the changes they emphasize that nothing yet is written in stone.

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.”

The proposed boundaries for the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners were at the first of a series of public meetings planned for every corner of the county. Brandon is the latest stop in that series of meetings.

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.”

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 charter also states any redrawn districts have close to an equal number of voters. Federal election law mandates the minority vote cannot be diluted in any redrawn boundaries.

The county’s redistricting web site contains detailed maps, a video detailing the process and an in-depth explanation of the issues involved in drawing up the boundaries.

Redistricting public meetings are set for:

• May 24, 6-8 p.m., C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library, 2607 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa

• 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 Workshop — May 24, 1:30 p.m., County Center, 2nd Floor Boardroom, 601 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Commissioner to discuss alternatives to proposed district boundaries.

• 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.

Download the movie