Pembroke Park adopts redistricting map on first reading; approves outside counsel

The Town of Pembroke Park Commission voted on Feb. 26, 2026, to adopt an ordinance on first reading that would reestablish five election districts, selecting the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) consultants’ Alternative 1 as Exhibit A to Ordinance 2026-007.

The vote to move the ordinance forward on first reading was made by Commissioner Hodgkins and seconded by Vice Mayor Kashem; the roll call recorded five affirmative votes. FAU consultant Mike Stamm told the commission the town’s 2020 census population was 6,280 and FAU’s current estimate is 6,354, producing a target of roughly 1,271 people per district. "Our goal is that we try to get these within a overall 10% deviation," Stamm said, describing Alternative 1 as the option that provides the best population equity.

Town Attorney Horowitz reminded commissioners of the legal parameters that shape redistricting. He cited the Voting Rights Act and state law (Chapter 166, as discussed in the meeting) and warned that consultants may not draw maps with the intent to favor or disfavor any candidate or incumbent. "Their job is to provide you with a configuration or multiple options of configurations that align with the population breakdown," Horowitz said.

Several commissioners pressed FAU on neighborhood-level detail and a GIS overlay. FAU said a preliminary neighborhood layer would be available by Friday and could be overlaid for refinement, but that the overlay would not change the overall population totals FAU used. Commissioners discussed making small tweaks between first and second reading; Horowitz said the commission could adopt a preliminary map on first reading and modify Exhibit A at second reading after further neighborhood analysis.

Town Manager Lynch and other commissioners also raised a longer-term alternative: a charter amendment to eliminate geographic districts and convert to numbered seats elected at large. Lynch said removing districts and creating numbered seats could be proposed to voters as a charter amendment. Horowitz said that option is legally available but cautioned that, if a charter amendment failed at the ballot, the town would still need compliant districts.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2026-007 (first reading): Motion to adopt FAU Alternative 1 as Exhibit A to reestablish five election districts. Mover: Commissioner Hodgkins. Second: Vice Mayor Kashem. Result: Passed on first reading (roll call affirmative votes recorded).

- Appointment of outside counsel (Item 6.2): Motion to appoint Michael Garcia to represent the town in pending litigation. Mover: Commissioner Hodgkins. Second: Commissioner Morissette. Result: Motion carried; vote recorded as carrying with an abstention by Commissioner Mohammed. Town Attorney Horowitz read FMIT/League correspondence stating the coverage is "reimbursable coverage only" with a $100,000 maximum aggregate limit and that reimbursement applies to outside counsel fees, not town attorney time.

Why it matters

The commission moved quickly to place a compliant district configuration on the ordinance track to meet the town charter’s residency timing for the March 2027 municipal election. By approving a first-reading ordinance with a selected exhibit, the commission preserves time to refine neighborhood boundaries and to schedule the required public hearing and second reading. The competing option to pursue a charter amendment to eliminate geographic districts was discussed as a longer-term, voter-driven solution.

What’s next

Commissioners directed staff and FAU to continue work with the town’s GIS layer and to schedule a special meeting or workshop before the end of the month to consider tweaks and prepare for a second reading and public hearing. The commission also authorized the town to engage outside counsel for the pending litigation and to pursue reimbursement steps with the town’s insurance adjuster per the FMIT guidance.