Board hears public input on trustee-area maps, asks demographer for revisions

Dr. Doug Johnson, representing the district demographer, reviewed the statutory criteria for transitioning to trustee-area elections, the sequence of hearings required under state law, and the trade-offs in current draft maps (numbered 1-03, 1-04, 1-11, 1-12, 1-13). He emphasized the primacy of equal-population requirements (based on the 2020 census), compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act, and the new California Fair Maps Act criteria (continuity of neighborhoods and communities of interest, avoiding city/CDP splits, use of identifiable boundaries, compactness).

Trustees asked technical questions about how map features can be combined and whether pieces of one draft map can be used to improve another. The demographer described how census blocks constrain adjustments (cul-de-sacs and clustered blocks can require odd "hooks") and explained deviation targets (the practical goal is roughly plus-or-minus 5% per seat while keeping the overall range to 10%). Several trustees preferred map 1-11 or revisions that better respect HOA boundaries and elementary-school zones; others noted the revised map 1-12 cleans up jagged lines by following major streets.

The board opened a required public hearing on trustee-area maps; commenters who submitted cards raised technical and sequencing questions. Kevin Cooper (who submitted map 1-13) urged clearer statistical explanations and asked the board to consider future growth patterns when choosing a map. Travis Majet asked for clearer public-facing information about election sequencing and how currently elected trustees' terms would align with new trustee areas.

Board direction: trustees asked staff and the demographer to prepare two additional revised maps (a revision to map 1-13 and an adjustment to 1-04/1-12 to better keep Whitney Ranch/Whitney Oaks neighborhoods together and incorporate elementary boundaries) and to post them in advance of upcoming meetings so the public can review changes prior to any formal vote. The demographer confirmed options exist for moving southeastern census blocks to improve balance, though changes produce ripple effects elsewhere.

Next steps: revised maps will be posted for public review; the board expects to take final action on trustee-area maps and election sequencing at a future meeting (likely May 15 or as otherwise published once legal counsel and staff provide sequencing schedules).