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HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectoral Boundary Review - Terms of Reference County of Newell Electoral Boundary Review Terms of Reference County of Newell Council has confirmed its interest in proceeding with a redistribution of the County’s population between a reduced number of electoral divisions. To ensure that the review process is thorough and robust, public engagement and consultation will be undertaken as part of the process. This Terms of Reference outlines the current state of the electoral boundaries, the legislation, and the purpose, criteria, process and timeline for the project. Current State of Electoral Boundaries The County is currently divided into 10 electoral divisions, where one person is elected by residents of each electoral division to represent their geographic area on Council. With the exception of Divisions 5 & 10 which both border on the City of Brooks, the current divisional boundaries for Divisions 1 through 4 and 6 through 9, have primarily remained unchanged since the County of Newell was incorporated 70 years ago in 1953. Because the population in Division 5 around the City of Brooks had increased significantly between 1953 and 1987, prior to the 1987 municipal election (36 years ago), Division 5 was split in two with the new area becoming Division 10. Since then, the County’s population has continued to shift, but there has been no further realignment of divisional boundaries. The table below summarizes the County population by electoral division, based on the results of the most recently completed Municipal census in 2020. At the provincial level, the population of a proposed electoral division must not be more than 25% above nor more than 25% below the average population of all the proposed electoral divisions. This standard will be applied to redistributing the County’s population across electoral divisions. The Legislation The Municipal Government Act Sections 148 and 149 authorize Councils to divide municipalities into wards and to establish ward boundaries. Determination of the boundaries must be undertaken through a Bylaw. Prior to the final adoption of a bylaw establishing electoral divisions a public hearing may be conducted. Notifications of the Bylaw and a Hearing must conform with Section 606 of the MGA. Purpose of the Electoral Boundary Review The purpose of the Electoral Boundary Review is to adjust electoral boundaries to reflect equitable elected representation in future years. The Electoral Boundary Review shall include: 1. A review of best practices of electoral boundaries for municipal districts. Division Number Resident Count % of County Population Variation from Average Population of all Divisions 1590 7.86%-21.4% 21,035 13.80% 38.0% 3565 7.53%-24.7% 4719 9.58%-4.2% 51,301 17.34% 73.4% 6580 7.73%-22.7% 7374 4.99%-50.1% 8768 10.24% 2.4% 9630 8.40%-16.0% 10 940 12.53% 25.3% Total 7,502 2. GIS modelled options for alternate ward boundaries to balance population nodes and rural areas. 3. Council review of electoral boundary options. 4. Public consultation and engagement to review electoral boundary options and to receive input on preferred boundary options. 5. A Public hearing to consider a new electoral boundary bylaw. Electoral Boundary Review Criteria The following criteria are to be used to evaluate the determination of new County of Newell division electoral boundaries: 1. Council will rely on the Municipal Government Act and regulations, general advice from Administration, the methods and best practices of other municipalities and advice from government agencies, 2020 County of Newell census data and most importantly the input and feedback received from the citizens of the County of Newell and stakeholders. 2. Population vs. Number of Electors The population per division, not the number of electors per division, will be the primary factor in designing division boundaries. The average population per division will be determined by dividing the County population by nine (9) (the number of divisions). Division boundaries will be designed so the population of each division is within a range of +/- 25% from the average. 3. Easily Identifiable Boundaries Wherever possible, division boundaries will be readily identifiable to the public by utilizing roadways, significant natural and man-made barriers such as rivers, ravines, highways or railways. 4. Least Number of Changes Division proposals developed, in consultation with Council and the public, should involve the fewest changes possible to accomplish the required adjustments. Maintaining historical community and neighborhood cohesiveness is a primary goal through this process. 5. Block-Shaped Divisions Insofar as possible division boundaries should be designed relatively block-shaped with sides as straight as possible. This will help ensure that division boundaries are drawn impartially. Division boundaries which are long, narrow, twisted or have saw-toothed or indented sides are more likely to give the impression of being designed in a biased approach to achieve a specific result. Division boundaries which follow natural terrain features like highways, rivers, irrigation canals, railways or intermunicipal boundaries are an exception. Electoral Boundary Review Process & Timelines Phase 1 – Terms of Reference – December 7, 2023 Review and adoption of the Electoral Boundary Review Terms of Reference by Council. Phase 2 – Concept Maps for Council Review – January 11 and February 1, 2024 Administration will provide up to 4 concept maps for Council review utilizing the 2020 municipal census population data. The maps will be developed based upon the criteria established within the Electoral Boundary Review Terms of Reference. Phase 3 – Public Consultation and Engagement – February 2 to March 4, 2024 Utilizing up to 4 concept maps which will be available for review and discussion by the public, the consultation and engagement portion of this project will include:  in person open house,  local newspaper and online advertising of the planned open house,  advertising of draft electoral division maps, an online engagement survey and  a public hearing conducted at a regular session of Council as part of the review of the Electoral Boundary Bylaw. All phases of the public engagement plan shall include engagement of Councillors, stakeholders and the general public. Public engagement sessions will be conducted at the County Administration Facility. Phase 4 – Review of Public Feedback – March 14, 2024 Council will review public feedback received as part of the engagement process and, utilizing this information, Council will review a summary of public feedback and conduct a discussion for the purpose of narrowing the focus of the project to a final concept map. Phase 5 – Production of Single Map, 1st Reading and Public Consultation – March 28, 2024 Following the development of a single Electoral Division Boundary concept map, the map will be included in an updated bylaw for Council to provide first reading. A public hearing will be scheduled and advertised for the purpose of considering a new County of Newell Electoral Boundary Bylaw and Map. The bylaw will be advertised for two consecutive weeks (i.e. April 3 & 10 issues of Brooks Bulletin) for stakeholder and public review. Phase 6 – Public Hearing – April 11, 2024 During the Hearing, the public may provide input and feedback on the final Electoral Boundary Map and bylaw after which Council will have the opportunity to provide 2nd at their discretion. Phase 7 – Petition Period – April 10 to June 10, 2024 60-day petition period waiting period. Phase 8 – 3rd Reading – June 20, 2024 Council will have the opportunity to provide 3rd reading to the bylaw depending on the outcome of the petition period.