Precinct redistricting

County commissioners will consider a first step toward possible redistricting of voter precinct lines on Monday.

Commissioners will consider approving a qualifications list for an outside agency to analyze 2010 Census data. Commissioner Armando Rodriguez said the agency would use that data to produce an in-depth demographic report on Ector County residents - including race, gender and income - that would give a more accurate picture of where people live in the county.

Rodriguez said this is especially important for the county's minority population. Right now Rodriguez's Precinct 4 is the only one with more than 65 percent minority voters, he said, which lessens minority voter impact in other precincts.

"We want to be sure that each precinct has the same amount of racial breakdown," Rodriguez said.

He said he'd like to use the outside firm's report to help decide how to redraw precinct lines to include more minorities in Precincts 1, 2 and 3.

Rodriguez said minorities are often discouraged from running for commissioner spots because they don't feel that they have a big enough voter base outside Precinct 4 to propel them to victory.

"How many minority elected officials do we have in Ector County?" Rodriguez asked Friday. "As you can see, we have very few elected minorities."

He said any action to include more minorities in certain precincts would technically be gerrymandering, a move County Judge Susan Redford said she doesn't want to be associated with. Redford said using an outside study to help with redistricting decisions doesn't have anything to do with race.

"Race cannot and will not play a part in the precinct lines," the judge said Friday. "We're mostly just making sure that population distributions, if they have shifted in the past years, are accounted for and that the precincts are divided equally." 

The county's head purchasing agent, Kenneth Lind, said the study would cost the county $45,000 over three years. The report would be submitted in 2011 before local primary elections. Commissioners aren't required to follow the report's recommendations.

And if commissioners decide to redraw district lines, those decisions will have to be approved by the Secretary of State and Justice Department.

Commissioners will also consider:

>> A presentation from Sunflower Wind.

>> The resignation of Jefferson R. Corning as Precinct 4 constable.

>> Participating in a local government assistance program in conjunction with Texas Department of Transportation for surplus road materials. 

>> Adopting proposed bylaws for the Ector County Airport Board.

>> Changes to Ector County airport rules.

>> An addendum to the Ector County master service agreement between Ector County and REDS.

>> Approving the criteria for step placement beyond step 1 for an investigator position in the medical examiner department.

>> Moving $275 from office supplies to office furniture.

>> Moving $11,000 to general fund, other insurance from the unreserved fund balance.

>> A $75 budget amendment to general fund, justice of the peace No. 4, equipment rental from the unreserved fund balance.

>> Various budget amendments and line item transfers for the 2007-'08 fiscal year.

>> Approving the accounts payable fund requirements report.

AT A GLANCE

>> What: County commissioners meeting.

>> When: 10 a.m. Monday.

>> Where: Ector County Administration Building Annex, 1010 E. Eighth St.