Commission moves to hire outside mapper to produce redistricting options before January deadline

The Bourbon County Commission voted to hire an outside mapping firm to prepare three draft maps as the county prepares to redraw commission districts from three to five following a voter-approved change. Commissioners cited state statute KSA 19-204(c), which requires the board to divide the county into the new districts after the election.

Commissioner Brandon told the meeting that the commission had fallen behind on the process and that outside help would reduce litigation risk and speed delivery: "I discovered that it's a sole responsibility of the commission to redistrict based on KSA 19 dash 204," he said, urging the commission to produce legally sound maps and to hold public hearings on them.

Staff said the county's internal mapping resources lack the block-level census data and software to generate compliant maps quickly; commissioners supported contracting a firm referred to as "Sam" that has done similar work for nearby counties. Estimates discussed ranged from a few thousand dollars to a quoted $7,600 to complete the work in time, depending on when the vendor can start. The commission approved a motion to hire the mapping company and asked staff to prepare associated paperwork and public-notice steps. The commission also formed an advisory committee to review maps; commissioners emphasized the committee would be advisory only and maps must return to the commission for final action.

Commissioners said they will review the maps at the next meeting and hold public hearings as required by state law, with the goal of completing the redistricting process within statutory windows to avoid court intervention.