Commissioners debate including redistricting committee letter in county newsletter; no consensus to advance tonight

Commissioner Carlson proposed including a letter authored by the redistricting committee in the county newsletter explaining why certain redistricting maps were proposed and the ‘snowball effect’ that led to boundary adjustments.

Carlson told the board he had edited the letter to clarify the history and reasons maps were chosen and said he wanted the author, Laura Buchholtz, to approve edits. He said the explanation would correct misunderstandings that the map choices intentionally targeted any commissioner.

Commissioner Gergole said the issue was “beating a dead horse” and suggested no action. Commissioner Sumner said similar information had been presented in newspapers and videos and that she wanted time to review the proposed letter before allowing it in a county communication. Concerns were raised that allowing a grievance letter in the newsletter could open the floodgates to other partisan submissions and that the newsletter has historically been for department information.

With a Feb. 14 deadline for newsletter submissions and the next board meeting on Feb. 18, Carlson asked for tonight’s vote; the board did not have consensus to bring the letter forward. Commissioners agreed to leave the matter for future consideration after additional review.