Florida Atlantic University consultants advised the Pembroke Park Town Commission on Oct. 29 that the town's five commission districts are materially malapportioned and should be redrawn before the 2027 elections.

FAU adjunct consultant Mike Stamm told commissioners the town's 2020 census count was 6,260 people, which implies roughly 1,252 residents per district. Using local building certificate-of-occupancy updates, FAU's short-term estimate was about 6,381 residents (roughly 1,276 per district). "Your districts today though are currently not in alignment," Stamm said, and he read district counts: "District 1 currently has a population of about 624 people. District 2 has a population of about 531 people... District 5 2,798."

Why it matters: Florida statute 166.0321 requires municipalities to keep district boundaries "as nearly equal in proportion to their respective populations as practicable" and forbids drawing lines to favor or disfavor candidates. FAU said the spread between the smallest and largest districts in Pembroke Park is well beyond typical legal guidance and advised moving forward with a map redraw.

What FAU will do next: Stamm said FAU will return in December with three alternative maps for the commission to consider and that the town's attorney will advise on the ordinance process and deadlines. "Our plan and my team's plan is to bring back 3 options to you at your earliest meeting in December," Stamm said. The firm noted that, under state timing rules, districts may not be changed within 270 days of a general election for the governing body and recommended adopting any ordinance early enough to meet those limits.

Context and caveats: FAU's analysis used 2020 apportionment data and local building permit information but acknowledged uncertainty from post-2020 changes — notably a mobile-home community closure and seasonal residents who do not always fill out census forms. Stamm told the commission he has decades of redistricting experience and that Pembroke Park's current imbalance is among the largest he has seen.

What the commission directed: Commissioners asked FAU to return with map options in December and discussed whether the town should add a charter trigger to require periodic reviews. The town attorney and manager said staff will draft an ordinance and consider placing a charter amendment or ordinance language on a future ballot to require routine reviews after the decennial census.