Bourbon County Commissioners approve redistricting map number 2 ahead of special election

The Bourbon County Commission convened on December 30, 2024, to address significant changes in the county's governance structure, specifically the redistricting of commission districts and the process for filling upcoming vacancies.

The meeting commenced with a discussion on the adoption of a new redistricting map, identified as Map Number 2, which was developed by a mapping firm. The commissioners expressed a consensus in favor of this map, with one commissioner making a motion to adopt it. The motion received a second and was approved unanimously, indicating strong support among the commissioners for the proposed changes.

Following the approval of the redistricting map, the commissioners moved to discuss the necessary resolutions to formalize the changes. It was noted that the voters of Bourbon County had previously approved the expansion of the commission from three to five districts during the election held on November 5, 2024. The commissioners are required to adopt a resolution that divides the county into these five districts by January 1, 2025, as stipulated by Kansas law.

A motion was made to adopt a resolution establishing the new commission districts, which was also passed without opposition. The resolution will be formally numbered and documented in the next meeting, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

In addition to the redistricting, the commission addressed the need for a special election to fill vacancies resulting from the expansion of the board. A motion was made to forward the approved district map to the Governor of Kansas, requesting that a special election be called to fill these vacancies by May 19, 2025. This motion was seconded and is set to be discussed further in the upcoming meetings.

Overall, the meeting was marked by a collaborative effort among the commissioners to ensure a smooth transition to the new governance structure, with clear next steps outlined for both the redistricting and the special election process. The commissioners will continue to refine the details in future sessions, maintaining transparency and engagement with the community throughout the changes.