Redistricting Advisory Commission propose maps of Commissioner’s Precincts within Hays County

Amira Van Leeuwen | Staff Reporter

SAN MARCOS – The Redistricting Advisory Commission (RAC) presented proposals at the Hays County Courthouse concerning the redistricting of Commissioner’s Precincts within Hays County on November 2. Hays County Judge Ruben Beccera also announced his plan to run for reelection.

Mark Trahan, Democratic Hays County Public Party Chair requested that redistricting be considered based on population growth. Analysis of the county’s population shows a need to move Precinct 2 to Precinct 3 based on Precinct 2 significant overpopulation and Precinct 3’s underpopulation.

The RAC advised protecting Precinct 1 since the Hispanic-majority presence is protected under the Voting Rights Act from “delusion of representation.”

The RAC developed a strategy of talking to community partners, evaluating the history of past representation in Precinct 1, and examining the Hispanic growth along the I-35 Corridor to determine ways to produce a map that represents changes in these demographics.

The Commission proposed Map M9 which includes several characteristics regarding the majority-minority Hispanic Precincts.

First, Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 reflect Census Data and population changes on the I-35 Corridor. The map proposal also includes two boundaries that are based on rivers, creeks and major thoroughfares. M9 keeps existing communities of interest together, like Buda, Dripping Springs and Texas State University. M9 is also drawn to keep non gerrymandered compact precincts together.

Additionally, the map reduces the Kyle area from three commissioners to two.

“We believe this is more efficient to develop a relationship to bring forth infrastructure and development needs,” Trahan said.

The map keeps Precinct 1 the way it is due to its “perfect” population and Hispanic leadership. The map advocates for another majority-minority Precinct which was selected to be Precinct 2.

The Commission also chose to place Texas State in Precinct 3 rather than Precinct 1 due to lack of common interest with surrounding Precincts.

The other map proposed continues the three commissioner trend in Kyle.

Citing the previous debacle over Texas State not being in one precinct, Precinct 4 County Commissioner Walt Smith is concerned that this map does not place the entire university in one precinct. Another concern he has is having three commissioners in Kyle rather than two.

“We, by mandate, can’t build on — or we can’t designate or draw lines where we specifically know development is coming or where we anticipate development is coming, and that’s concerning to me,” Smith said.

Smith thinks there are some good things on map M9 but would make more considerations regarding population influx.

Precinct 1 County Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe says that she’s spoken to a few Kyle council members who have expressed that they would prefer only two people representing their area.

Hays County Republican Party Chairman and Co-Chair of the RAC Committee Bob Parks was also called to the podium to present his map.

Parks questioned what exactly is a community of interest when discussing the Hispanic community in Hays.

Parks urges commissioners to look at the numbers and percentages in a way that does not discriminate one group over another.

Smith wants to move forward with both commissioner maps to ensure that neighborhoods know who represents them.

“I would like to just suggest, heartily suggest as you reference the Latino community or Hispanic community or any other people of pigment, other than the population that is still the majority,” Beccera said. “I would just suggest not articulating it with the price of homes as an indicator.”

Precinct 2 County Commissioner Mark Jones “hates” both maps because his Precinct would lose 13,000 people.

Ingalsbe would have liked to see both maps aligned as it relates to Texas State University. She is open to having a portion of the University in Precinct 1.

“Let’s not make the mistake of diluting representation,” Beccera said.

The Commissioners have until Nov. 13 to approve the proposed redistricting maps.