HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution R-2022-016 RedistrictingTR13741
January 27, 2022
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CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
RESOLUTION NO. 2022 - Dj (�-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
ANALYSIS FOR THE CITY OF TAMARAC, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 6.03 ENTITLED
"REDISTRICTNG" IN THE CITY'S CHARTER,
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 6.02 of the City Charter of the City of Tamarac, Florida 9 (the
"City"), provides for four (4) separate "political districts" within the City known as district
One (1), Two (2), Three (3) and Four (4); and
WHEREAS, Section 6.03 of the City Charter provides for the periodic review and
potential redistricting of the City's election districts to maintain population balance; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 0-2016-07, adopted May 11, 2016, and by referendum
November 8, 2016, requires the City to engage a four-year university to perform a
redistricting analysis following the decennial census, and every 10 years thereafter; and
WHEREAS, in August 2021, the City engaged Florida Atlantic University ("FAU"), a
four-year university, to analyze the City's four election districts for equal population,
compactness, and for proportional and logically relational to the natural internal
boundaries of the neighborhoods within the City; and
WHEREAS, FAU conducted a thorough and comprehensive review of the City's
districts, considering a number of factors including, but not limited to future growth,
minority representation, and continuity, concluding, the City's four election districts
remain sufficiently balanced; and
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January 27, 2022
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WHEREAS, the City Commission, after considering the input of the FAU
consultants, accepts the results of the Consultant Report: District Analysis for the City of
Tamarac, attached hereto as Exhibit "A", and
WHEREAS, the City Commission accepts the consultant's recommendation that
redistricting is not necessary at this time, as the four districts are sufficiently balanced,
and the City Commission District Map, attached hereto as Exhibit "B" shall remain in
effect until the next regularly scheduled redistricting analysis, or until such time the City
Commission determines the districts appear to be sufficiently imbalanced.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA THAT:
SECTION 1: The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and
confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this
Resolution. All exhibits attached hereto are incorporated herein and made a specific
part of this Resolution.
Section 2. (a) The City Commission specifically finds and determines that the
City, through its Administration, has complied with Charter Section 6.03 wherein the
City's four election districts have been comprehensively reviewed based on population
pursuant to a contract between the City of Tamarac and Florida Atlantic University.
Section 2. (b) The City Commission hereby accepts, confirms and adopts the
findings, conclusions, and recommendations prepared by FAU, attached hereto as
Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 3. The City Commission further finds, determines and concludes that the
State of Florida Election Code, Chapters 97 and 106, Florida Statutes, as amended,
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January 27, 2022
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specifically applies to the City's implementation of election districts in the City of
Tamarac, consistent with this Resolution and the applicable sections of the City Charter.
Section 4. (a) The City Commission further acknowledges the requirements of
Sections 101.001 and 101.002, Florida Statutes, as amended, as the same is presently
constituted, or as may be later amended, which specifies that the Board of County
Commissioners of Broward County, Florida, upon recommendation and approval of the
Supervisor of Elections of Broward County, Florida, shall have the power and authority
to alter or create new election districts or precincts.
Section 4. (b) Based upon the recommendations of Section 101.011 and 101,
002, Florida Statutes, the City Administration is further authorized and directed to
transmit a certified copy of this Resolution, along with such maps, charts, graphic
descriptions and street addresses for the revised election districts adopted herein, to the
Supervisor of Election of Broward County, Florida, within such time as may be
necessary and required to implement the terms, conditions and provision of the election
districts adopted and promulgated by this Resolution for the next General Municipal
Election in November 2022.
Section 5. The City Commission further recognizes and concludes that in
compliance with Section 101.011 and 101.002, Florida Statutes, and other applicable
sections of the State of Florida Election Code, that precincts in the City of Tamarac shall
be altered, modified or increased to conform to the requirements imposed for district
elections and for the creation, division, abolition or consolidation of the boundaries of
election districts, pursuant to General Law only and this implementing Resolution.
Section 6. The City of Tamarac, through its City Commission and City
Administration, hereby formally requests the Supervisor of Elections of Broward County,
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January 27, 2022
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Florida, to implement the plan of election districts established by this Ordinance and to
create such functional revised election districts pursuant to this Ordinance as may be
consistent with the State of Florida Election Code and the terms, conditions and
provisions of this Resolution.
SECTION 3: All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 4: If any clause, section, other part or application of this Resolution is
held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, in part or
application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this
Resolution.
"The remainder of this page has been left blank intentionally"
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January 27, 2022
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PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 9-f,day of 44 LZRL I-j, 2022.
/" 1 "-7- -
MIC ELLE J. GOM ,
MAYOR
ATTEST:
J IFER JVIHNSQ C
CITY CLERK
RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE:
MAYOR GOMEZ `IES
DIST 1: COMM. BOLTON
DIST 2: V/M GELIN
DIST 3: COMM. VILLALOBOS `I E S
DIST 4: COMM. PLACKO
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I
have approved this
RESOLUTION as to form.
JQ . HEiRIN JR.
CITY ATTORNEY
This Resolution was filed in the Office of the City Clerk on this'/ 'day of ° ,,"'' 2022.
El 1
Consultant Report:
District Analysis for the City of Tamarac
January 3, 2022
John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government
Florida Atlantic University
Steven Bourassa, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Urban and Regional Planning
James Gammack-Clark, M.A., Ph.D. candidate (ABD)
Senior Instructor, Department of Geosciences
Ronald R. Schultz, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Geosciences
Michael Stamm Jr. MURP
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Introduction
The City of Tamarac contracted with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to conduct an analysis of their City
Commission election districts. The contract outlines a two-part process: Part A, a population analysis of
the current election districts and recommendation for redistricting and Part B, if necessary, the creation
of redistricting options for the City. FAU last provided redistricting services to the City of Tamarac in 2015.
This report transmits a general analysis of the 2020 U.S. Census apportionment dataset, adjusted for
future growth to the year 2023, as well as a population analysis of the existing City Commission election
districts for the City. The report then provides a recommendation as to whether the City should conduct
a full redistricting analysis.
The districting requirements in the City Charter are consistent with generally accepted standard practice,
legal rulings and guidelines that emanate from the 1965 Voting Rights Act as well as its Amendments. The
consulting team was tasked by the City to prepare an analysis of population balance among the districts
that accounts for the 2020 U.S. Census population count to determine if the districts have fallen out of
alignment.
The 2020 Census
There are two primary differences that make the 2020 U.S. Census stand out from those that preceded it:
a significant delay in its release due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implementation of a new
'differential privacy' policy. We will briefly address both of these here for the sake of posterity and context.
The decennial census aims to capture a snapshot in time of the population of the United States of America.
Understanding that the population is constantly changing, with births, deaths, and migration patterns
constantly adjusting the fabric of the American people, Census Day represents a single moment in time
for which the U.S. population is enumerated with the greatest precision possible. This day is always April
1st. By this date, every household in America received an invitation to participate in the 2020 census, with
three options to respond: online, by mail, or by phone. 2020 represented the first census to include an
online response option. Subsequent to this day is a period of time in which the U.S. Census Bureau follows
up with non -responders and begins a quality control process. Traditionally, the Census Bureau would
deliver an apportionment count to the U.S. President on December 31st, followed by a distribution of
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redistricting data to the states exactly one year to the day after Census Day: in this case, April 1, 2021
However, due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau sought statutory
relief from Congress that would allow for apportionment counts to be delivered to the President by April
30, 2021, and redistricting data to be delivered to the states no later than September 30, 2021.
Additionally, the Census Bureau compressed the typical three-month nonresponse follow up enumeration
period to two and half months. Ultimately, redistricting data were released in a'legacy format' on August
12, 2021. This delay inevitably and unavoidably complicated redistricting efforts for every electoral district
in the nation. It also meant that the amount of error in the data, inherent to every census where 100%
accuracy is impossible, would likely be greater in the 2020 census. The Census Bureau has since confirmed
that the rate of missing information was higher in the 2020 census than in the 2010 census. However,
they have also stated that this rate was lower than they initially feared.
The 2020 redistricting data are the first to employ 'differential privacy protection'. This represents the
Census Bureau's introduction of 'noise' into the data at the more local geographic scale (Blocks and Block
Groups) with the intent to strike a balance between data protection and precision. The effect is that while
the enumeration counts can be trusted at the Census Tract level, we must anticipate a certain degree of
'fuzziness' at the Block level. Specifically, while the aggregate count of population for a Census Tract will
be accurate, a certain proportion of people/housing units will have been deliberately misallocated by the
Census Bureau at the Block level. While this may not be problematic in the realignment of Congressional
Districts, for example, it certainly represents a challenge for Municipal Districts, for which the geographic
precision of Census Blocks is highly desirable.
Taken together, therefore, the complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation
of 'differential privacy' introduce a certain amount of additional uncertainty to the primary source of data
for this analysis (2020 Census Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)) that is unprecedented. Nevertheless, these
data remain the standard upon which municipal redistricting efforts shall be based across the nation.
Tamarac City Charter
On November 8, 2016, the voters in the City of Tamarac approved a referendum to amend the City Charter
to align the redistricting process to follow the decennial census in 2020 and every 10 years thereafter, or
sooner if determined by the City Commission.
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Per section 6.03 Redistricting:
Following the decennial census in 2020, and every ten (10) years thereafter, or sooner if it is determined
by the commission that districts shall have become unbalanced due to population shifts, the city
commission shall contract with an accredited four (4) year college or university located within the State of
Florida for the purpose of identifying and designating the four (4) election districts within the City of
Tamarac. The city commission shall adopt the redistricting plan as designated, provided that the plan
incorporates the principles of nondiscrimination and fairness set forth above. in the event an elected
commission member no longer resides in the district from which he or she is elected as a direct result of
the revisions to district boundaries in accordance with this section, that commission member shall
complete his or her term. Nothing contained within this section shall be construed to alter residence
requirements for any candidate including incumbents, during subsequent regular elections.
Current Districts
An Evaluation of the Existing Districts:
Referring to the 2020 Census Blocks, the City of Tamarac has a population of 71,897 which means the
ideal district size for each of the four election districts is 17,974 people. District 1 is the largest district
with 18,457 people and District 3 is the smallest District with 17,367 people. Based on 2020 data, the
election districts have a total deviation of 6.76% and a spread between the largest and smallest districts
of 6.07%. District 2 (18,098) and District 4 (17,975) are very close to the ideal district size of 17,974. Based
on the 2020 Census block data, the current districts are below the 10% deviation threshold used to
evaluate election districts for population equity.
An Evaluation of Future Growth:
As part of the District analysis, FAU requested information regarding development projects that may be
been constructed or occupied since Census Day 2020 or projects that will be completed or occupied over
the next year. City staff identified five developments that are expected to be constructed and occupied
by 2023: Hidden Trail, Bailey Square, Tamarac Village, Enclaves at Woodmont and Eden West. Population
projections were established for each of these projects by multiplying the number of units by the persons
per household value established by the U.S. Census for the City of Tamarac (2015-2019): 2.43 (with the
result rounded to the nearest whole number). These results are listed in Table 1 below.
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Table 1 - City of Tamarac
Population Estimates for Approved Developments
Note: The U.S. Census average persons per household (2015-2019) for the City of Tamarac (2.43) was used to
calculate the population estimate, rounded to the nearest whole number.
Accounting for this anticipated growth, the 2023 projected population for the City of Tamarac will be
74,083. Dividing by four puts the projected average population for each district at 18,521. The Existing
Districts Map and Table 2 show the geographic boundaries and projected population counts for the
current districts. The district with the greatest projected population is District 2 with 19,075 residents; the
district with the smallest projected population is District 3 with 17,367 residents. District 4, with a
projected population of 18,794 is closest to the ideal district size.
Under these projections, District 2 will account for the greatest portion of the city's population at 25.75%.
This deviates from the theoretical average population of 18,521 by 2.99%. District 3, the smallest district,
has 23.44% of the population and deviates from the average by-6.23%. This represents a difference of
1,708 people between the two districts, and a spread of 9.22% (2.99%+ 6.23%). The sum deviation of all
districts, meanwhile, is 12.46%. The current districts are not heavily unbalanced. Furthermore, given that
the spatial compactness of the Existing districts is reasonable, retaining their present configuration would
be an acceptable option. However, given that upon evaluation of future growth, the spread of 9.22%just
barely falls beneath the maximum 10% deviation threshold, it may be in the City's best interest to
investigate redistricting options that will improve the overall population balance among the four districts.
This would be especially applicable if the City anticipates additional growth in the near future (even if that
growth were moderate) that might push it's deviation beyond the 10%threshold.
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Table 2 - Current Commission Districts - City of Tamarac
2020 Enumeration and 2023 Population Projection
The overall pattern of district boundary changes would need to increase the population of District 3. This
will, of course, necessitate an adjustment of their geographic boundaries where District 3 gains territory,
while some combination of its neighboring districts must contract in size. This may, in turn, have a domino
effect on the other district(s).
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Redistricting Criteria and Data Sources
The City's Charter provides the general framework for the four election districts whereas, following each
decennial census the City Commission shall contract with an accredited four-year college or university
located within the State of Florida for the purposes of identifying and designating four election districts
within the City. Further, the city commission shall adopt the redistricting plan as designated, provided that
the plan incorporates the principles of nondiscrimination and fairness set forth above. To conduct the
City's redistricting process, the consultant will abide by the following standards by which rational districts
are developed nationwide and which are supported by case law and practice throughout the nation. These
criteria can be summarized as follows:
1) Reasonable population equality across districts:
o Districts should have approximately the same number of people when all persons,
regardless of age, are counted. Ideal district size is based on the total population divided by
the number of districts.
o Redistricting should adhere to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and
interpreted through case law. This criterion requires that minority population clusters be
respected in the development of district boundaries. Arbitrary dilution and other
discriminatory practices are prohibited.
o Redistricting should adhere to Florida's Fair Districting Amendment.
o Although deviations should be avoided wherever possible, there must be no more than a
10% overall deviation from the ideal size across districts.
2) Geographic contiguity and appropriate compactness:
o Follow major natural and manmade boundaries to the extent possible in defining
boundaries of voting districts.
o Maintain the integrity of communities of interest based on race, life cycle/age, income, and
other community identity characteristics such as subdivisions.
o Minimize the degree of change in pre-existing patterns of districts, to promote continuity
of citizen identification with a district.
o Maintain district compactness and spatial contiguity. A compact shape for each district will
be sought in each redistricting option presented to the city.
The first criterion is of primary importance; the second is significant in guiding decisions in reaching
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reasonable population balance.
In developing revised Tamarac City Commission election districts, the spatial units used in composing or
building the districts are residential housing subdivisions (communities) and U.S. Census blocks.
Subdivisions are typically homogeneous in their housing characteristics and thus serve households with
broadly similar interests. Therefore, district borders are typically subdivision boundaries and associated
major roadways or other obvious physical features. U.S. Census blocks are typically subunits in
subdivisions and are the smallest spatial unit used in tabulating Census data.
Recommendation
It is the opinion of the FAU redistricting team, that the existing City Commission election district
boundaries are sufficiently balanced. However, when considering new and future development, a
realignment of the boundaries could reduce their population differences and improve population equity.
Nonetheless, given the reasonable spatial compactness of the existing districts, and the fact that the
projected population spread falls just below the 10% deviation threshold, maintaining their present
configuration would be and an acceptable option. Thus, while it is our recommendation that the City of
Tamarac engage in the redistricting process to achieve improved population balance, it is not absolutely
necessary and the City Commission could choose to keep their current election district map in place.
The overall pattern of district boundary changes will need to increase the population of District 3 to
achieve the desired population equity between districts. This will, of course, necessitate an adjustment of
the geographic boundaries where District 3 must expand in size at the expense of one or more of its
neighboring districts. This may have a domino effect on the City's other district(s). Should the City of
Tamarac opt to proceed, it is the intent of the FAU team to provide the City's Commission with redistricting
map alternatives for their consideration, consistent with the terms of the agreement between FAU and
the City. FAU will work with City staff to schedule future meetings to present the redistricting map
alternatives to the City Commission.
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Appendix
District Demographics
The table below depict the projected demographics taken from the 2020 U.S. Census for the existing
commission districts. Note that the columns 'White' through 'Other' sum to the City's population total
(although there is rounding error that throws this value off slightly). These categories represent the
U.S. Census' definition of race. The last two columns ('Hispanic or Latino' and 'Not Hispanic or Latino') also
sum to the City's population total (the U.S. Census' classification of ethnicity).
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