Redistricting moves to next step

By Melinda L. Lucas

There was no public comment at a special hearing last Friday morning, and Shackelford County commissioners moved forward with the process of redistricting the precincts in order to “equalize” populations within the four areas.

Since there was more than a 10% deviation between Pcts. 2 and 4, that’s where most of the changes will occur, with several blocks between Breckenridge St. and East South 1st St. moving from 3 to 1, and a fairly large area around the Albany Golf Course changing from 4 to 2.

The commissioners also adjusted the way that the four precinct lines “touch” the Courthouse Square, but those changes do not affect any population numbers.

Current commissioners are still living within their precinct lines, and road maintenance within precincts is not changing.

After the required public hearing time, commissioners Steve Riley read the proposed order to adopt the redistricting plan, and it was adopted unanimously. Once it is approved by the state, the new plan will go into effect in time for the next general election.

The change in precinct lines affects only Albany citizens, even though some residences around the golf course are technically outside the city limits.

A map of the proposed plan is available in the county judge’s office.

In other business, the commissioners passed a resolution to give county judge Robert Skelton the authority to take the “necessary steps to secure an agreement to purchase a transferable permanent easement for the road to and property around the county-owned radio transmission tower on One-Mile Hill.”