Whitley County fiscal court advances reapportionment ordinance in compliance with federal standards

The Whitley County Fiscal Court approved first reading of Ordinance 2023-06 on reapportioning magisterial districts so the county complies with federal population standards, the court said.

Judge Executive introduced the ordinance and credited Carolyn Willis and the reapportionment committee for preparing the proposed boundary changes. The measure, the judge said, responds to population shifts shown in the federal census and seeks to keep district deviations within the plus-or-minus 5% threshold required under applicable federal guidance. "We appreciate Carolyn Willis and the efforts she made with the reapportionment committee to try to find us a reasonable path forward," the judge said on the record.

A motion to accept Ordinance 2023-06 for its first reading was moved and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from the members present and the ordinance advanced as first reading. No amendments or substantive debate were recorded during this meeting.

The court did not take a final adoption vote at this meeting; next steps typically include additional committee work, possible public notice or hearings as required by local procedure, and subsequent readings before final approval.