News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Putnam County Redistricting Committee has moved forward with two plans to present to the full commission next month.
Seven district and 12 district plans were approved Tuesday with no recommendation from the committee. A work session has been scheduled for November 8th after Member Jonathan Williams said officials should have a week to digest the changes.
“Something like this that has such a profound effect not just on the commission but on the school board and the county, had I not been a part of this body I would’ve wanted to have more time than an hour to think about it.”
Williams said the county school board should also be invited as an additional member seat could be created. The seven district plan consists of 21 commissioners. The 12 district plan is consistent with current elected official numbers, 24 commissioners.
Mayor Randy Porter said committee Chairman Bob Duncan will present both plans on November 15th as a special committee report. Commission Chairman Mike Atwood said maps of both plans will be sent out to commissioners beforehand to prepare questions for the committee.
Committee Member Ben Rodgers said if the county votes for the seven district plan, there would not be a school board member inside district seven. Rodgers said the seat would likely be filled with a two-year term to get in sync with the four-year election cycle.
“Most county’s did private acts to establish their school boards,” Rodgers said. “State law said they have to be staggered. State law said there can not be more than 11 school board members in the county, and state law also says you got to have the same amount of school board member per district. After that, the county decided how they are elected, which districts are elected when.”
Whatever is approved, Rodgers said the current districts will remain intact until September of 2022. The redistricting work session will be held inside the county commission chambers at 5:30 p.m.
