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The County Commissioners asked for additional information and said that this item will be <br />placed on the next agenda for further discussion. <br />10. REPORTS <br />a. Report _ Potential Residential Districts for Commissioner Elections <br />The Board considered a draft of potential Residential Districts for future election of County <br />Commissioners. Under this proposal, the current staggered terms and partisan primary process would <br />continue to apply. The County would be divided into five Residential Districts of roughly-equal population <br />with approximately 18,770 citizens and each district would be represented by one seat on the Board. All <br />registered voters in the County would be eligible to vote on all candidates in the years they represent <br />their party in a general election. Only registered voters of a particular party would vote on candidates in <br />their party in the primary election. In creating Residential Districts, census data is the accepted <br />standard for reliable information to ensure equally-proportioned districts. To create a draft of potential <br />Residential Districts, Planning staff has utilized a demographic software program to configure five <br />districts of roughly-equal population using 1990 Census data. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill distributed copies of the General Statutes that are pertinent to this issue. <br />He explained the process that must be followed in order to initiate such a change. It starts with <br />developing districts which is what the Board has before it tonight. The County Commissioners would <br />adopt a resolution outlining the specific districts and it would then be presented for voter approval. If it <br />receives voter approval, then there are other procedural steps that would need to be followed. He said <br />that the districts should be equal in population when first defined, however, when the Commissioners <br />redefine the districts, they do not have to be equal in population. <br />Commissioner Gordon said she feels that in this proposal the districts have no political <br />coherence; who would a commissioner from any given district represent? She does not believe this is a <br />step forward. <br />Chair Carey feels that this would increase the probability that citizens who live in rural areas <br />will have a reasonable chance of being elected. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis feels this is a good start. <br />Patrick Mulkey suggested not counting in the districts the citizens who cannot vote. Geoffrey <br />Gledhill said that this could not legally be done. <br />Bill Thorpe from Chapel Hill said that he feels drawing district lines will further divide the <br />people in this County. He is particularly concerned that minorities might be under represented. He is <br />against this plan. <br />Commissioner Gordon noted that no current commissioner resides within the town limits of <br />either Chapel Hill or Carrboro. <br />Bob Strayhorn feels that a seven member board may make a difference. <br />Commissioner Crowther and Commissioner Halkiotis said that they may work on a plan that <br />has seven districts. It was decided that this item will not again appear on an agenda unless it is <br />requested by a County Commissioner. <br />11. APPOINTMENTS -NONE <br />12. MINUTES -NONE <br />13. CLOSED SESSION <br />To consult with the County Attorney pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 143-318.11(a)(3) in the <br />matters of Nello Teer v. Orange County et al <br />This item was postponed to the next meeting <br />14. ADJOURNMENT