The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday formed a nine-member committee that will explore changing the boundaries of the supervisorial districts.
The committee, consisting of five public members and four elected officials, will develop recommendations that will be sent to the Board in September. The Board also approved allocating up to $100,000 on a public outreach campaign that will ensure the widest possible awareness and inclusion in the decision-making process.
“This is an important process and we want to hear from every member of our community who has something to say on this issue,” said Board President Don Horsley.
Read the Staff Report.
Creation of the committee stems from the settlement of a lawsuit that challenged the County’s system of electing supervisors at-large rather than by districts. In an at-large system, all voters elect all five supervisors.
Voters in November 2012 changed from an at-large to a district-based system. Voters only within a geographic district can now cast ballots for their supervisor.
The committee members chosen by the Board are: Supervisors Adrienne J. Tissier and Warren Slocum; Gonzalo “Sal” Torres, a Daly City Council Member; Laura Martinez, an East Palo Alto Council Member; and public members: Hayden Lee of Millbrae; Raymond Lee of San Mateo; Barbara Arietta of Pacifica; William Nack of Menlo Park; and Rebecca Ayson of Daly City.
Each public member resides in one of the five districts, ensuring that all geographic areas of the county are represented. Eric Reed and Isabel Annie Loya were selected as alternates.
The public members were recommended to the Board by the County Manager.
The committee is expected to meet soon to develop a schedule of public meetings. All committee meetings will be public. A target date of September 13 was given for a recommendation on boundary lines to be given to the full Board of Supervisors.
Under State law, the boundaries of the districts the board may give consideration to the following factors: (a) topography, (b) geography, (c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (d) community of interests of the districts. The population of each district must also be roughly equal in size.
To follow the progress or the committee or to learn more about the process, visit www.smcgov.org/districtlines