Redistricting Guidelines and Procedures

Guidelines for the Redistricting Advisory Committee

In establishing the Committee, the Board of Directors adopted the following guidelines:

1. Comply with all the applicable laws, including the avoidance of gerrymandering.
   
2. Equalize the population count in each district within 5-7%.
   
3. Minimize the dilution of votes and avoid the fragmentation or over-compaction of minority and disadvantaged communities.
   
4. Maintain cohesive neighborhoods within electoral districts and, where possible, keep neighborhood associations within a single district.
   
5. Avoid moving current elected Valley Water Board members out of their districts.
   
6. To the extent possible, recognize the importance of parks, creeks and public facilities in districts.
   
7. To the extent possible, provide income diversity within electoral districts.
   
8. Strive to balance district interests with county-wide interests, but not at the expense or exclusion of individual districts.
   
9. Ensure that minority and disadvantaged communities have opportunities to participate in the redistricting process, including specific opportunities for timely and meaningful comment.

Redistricting Advisory Committee Operating Guidelines, Direction and Procedures

The Board of Directors re-adopted guidelines, direction and procedures for the Committee from 2011. These guidelines, direction and procedures are to maximize public participation while ensuring an open, fair and transparent process. The adopted guidelines, direction and procedures for the Committee are as follows:

1. The Committee shall follow all applicable Federal and State laws in addition to the criteria established by the Board of Directors for the redistricting process.
   
2. The Committee, through its public discussions, shall provide the sole and only direction to Valley Water staff and supporting consultants for any and all changes to the redistricting maps under consideration by the Committee.
   
3. The Committee shall consider all maps created by any member of the public through the public participation process.
   
4. The Committee shall ensure that all meetings are open/accessible to the public.
   
5. The Committee may establish subcommittees, as needed, for specific activities or goals. These meetings shall be open to the public.
   
6. The Committee will be subject to the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act.
   
7. As a standing Committee meeting agenda item, the Committee members shall disclose any and all conversations with any parties, internal or external of the Valley Water District, including the name or names of the parties and the contents of communication, whether verbal or written, regarding Valley Water District redistricting.
   
8. All emails, letters, phone calls and other official communications regarding redistricting will be documented and copies will be provided to the Committee as part of every agenda.
   
9. No member of Valley Water staff or Board of Directors shall attempt to influence the Committee while the Committee is engaged in the process which will result in a map or maps being sent to the Valley Water Board of Directors for their consideration and deliberation.