It's Time for Geographic Representation

Quick, can you name the largest city without geographic representation on it's city council?In the last 40 years (1971-2011) 26 city council elections have been held to fill 17 mayoral positions and 100 city council positions. Of those 17 mayors, 15 of them were from only two zip codes in the western and northwestern sections of the city as did 32 of the 100 council members. A closer look at the representation map shows that over the same 40 years, 55% of all the cities elected officials came from only four zip codes. Leaving the majority (90%) of the city to be represented by the minority 45% on the city council.
So what city am I talking about? Austin, Texas! Yep, that's right, the 13th largest city in the country. The city that prides itself on being weird, while at the same time being progressive, is behind the times when it comes to geographic representation. The city has even turned down the idea six times. This November, the idea is on the ballot once again. Proposition 3 and Proposition 4.

Prop 3

Proposition 3 is the so called 10-1 plan. Under this plan there would be ten geographically elected council members and one mayor elected at large (by the whole city).

Shall the city charter be amended to provide for the election of council members from 10 geographical single-member districts, with the mayor to be elected from the city at large, and to provide for an independent citizens redistricting commission?

Fiscal impact: If this amendment is approved it is estimated that it will cost the City $332,361 for four additional Council members and staff the first-year for three months beginning July of 2014. There would also be a one-time cost of $888,350 for construction and build-out for the new offices in the first year. The projected five-year costs from FY 2013 through FY 2017 are $5,622,000
- City of Austin (Charter propositions)

Prop 4

Proposition 4 is the so called 8-2-1 plan. In which there would be eight geographically elected council members, two elected at large and one mayor elected at large.

Shall the city charter be amended to provide for the election of council members from eight geographical single-member districts, with the mayor and two additional council members to be elected from the city at large?

Fiscal impact: If this amendment is approved it is estimated that it will cost the City $332,361 for four additional Council members and staff the first-year for three months beginning July of 2014. There would also be a one-time cost of $888,350 for construction and build-out for the new offices in the first year. The projected five-year costs from FY 2013 through FY 2017 are $5,622,000.
- City of Austin (Charter propositions)

If both plans win the one that garners the most votes will be the one declared the winner. Personally, I would be happy with either of these plans. However, I do prefer proposition three over proposition four. Both plans give citizens geographic representation, the same as we have in the state legislature and federally in the lower house of congress. So why shouldn't we have the same thing on the local level? For those reasons I am voting in favor of geographic representation and I hope my fellow citizens in this great city will join me in voting yes on this important issue.
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My name is Kevin, and that's what I think. What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

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