Precincts to shift Bartholomew County Council districts to balance population

Several precincts would shift to different Bartholomew County Council districts under a proposal under consideration by the county commissioners.

County Clerk Shari Lentz brought the proposal to the commissioners Monday, saying that the state has set a deadline of June 30th to make changes to balance council districts. Lentz said that the state requires all districts be within 10 percent of each other based on population. The population count is based on the 2020 Census, she said.

She recommended moving Precinct 1900 to Council District 1 from District 3 and moving Precinct 2900, which is District 2, also into District 1. She said that would bring the Bartholomew Council districts into just under a 9 percent size differential.

Lentz said that the change would affect 1,478 registered voters and would take effect the next council election. Lentz said that there would be signs posted at county vote centers explaining the change.

Commissioners gave their first approval to the ordinance making the changes yesterday. They will consider the realignment again next week.