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Female councilors past and present offer a special resolution. (Jill Sheridan WFYI)
Redistricting in Marion County is complete after a vote Monday night at the City-County Council meeting.
State statute requires redistricting of Marion County’s 25 districts after the federal census, which was completed in 2020. The new council districts were laid out after months of planning and input, including public forums in each of the county’s nine townships.
Despite a Democratic supermajority on the council, the new maps may favor more Republican seats. The motion passed 22-3.
Newly independent Councilor Ethan Evans, was one of the no votes.
“I did wish that we had had more time that was open to the public after the maps had come out to be open to public input,” Evans said.
Republican Michael-Paul Hart and Democrat Monroe Gray also voted no.
More: See the City-County Council district map
A new proposal to institute a pay increase for councilors was submitted. Councilors currently make $11,000 a year and haven’t had a raise since 2002. The new proposal would hike pay to $31,000.
A new proposal to update the city’s Complete Streets ordinance was introduced. The initiative works to create more safe, accessible infrastructure.
The council gave final approval for the new Moto Hotel project that will receive 9 million in TIF funding to transform the historic King Cole building downtown.
A special resolution recognizing women councilors past and present was presented at the meeting. Councilor Ali Brown said 43 women have served on the council since its inception.
“We need to encourage women to run for office, because we see things that men don’t,” Brown said.
Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.
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