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Columbia County 2011 Redistricting

Decennial Redistricting

Under Wisconsin Stat. § 59.10, counties are required to redraw supervisory districts following completion of the federal ten –year or “decennial” census. This process is commonly referred to as “decennial redistricting,” with the purpose of realigning supervisory districts to shifts in population that have occurred over the past ten years. Decennial redistricting also provides counties with the opportunity to increase or decrease the number of supervisory districts.

In 2010, the Columbia County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution that sets the number of supervisory districts at 28 for the redistricting process. The current number of supervisory districts is 31.

Columbia County Census and Redistricting Committee

The Columbia County Census and Redistricting Committee is responsible for facilitating the process of creating a supervisory district plan to present to the Columbia County Board of Supervisors for consideration. The Committee is comprised of 5 County Board Supervisors, assisted by County staff to provide technical support.

Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee Members

  • Neil M. Ford
  • Vern E. Gove
  • Kenneth W. Hutler
  • Barry Pufahl
  • Andy Ross, Committee Chair
  • JoAnn Wingers

Contact Information

To learn more about the Decennial Redistricting process in Columbia County, contact the following:

Ad Hoc Redistricing Technical Support Staff

Name/Title Phone # E-mail
Andy Ross/Co. Bd. Vice Chair 608.444.6370  aross@mailbag.com
Sue Moll/Columbia County Clerk 608-742-9654  sue.moll@co.columbia.wi.us
Brian Zirbes/GIS Specialist 608-742-9883 brian.zirbes@co.columbia.wi.us
Kathleen Haas/UWEX Educator 608-742-9683 kathleen.haas@ces.uwex.edu

Tentative Supervisory Districts

Tentative Redistricting Plan

Redistricting Timeline

The Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee has established a tentative timeline that you can view by clicking on the link (.http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/6/AdHocSpace/Timeline.pdf).  The timeline may be modified throughout the process, please check back regularly for any changes.

  • January 19, 2011, Columbia County Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee Organizational Meeting (Minutes:http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/6/AdHocSpace/Minutes011911ADHOC.pdf)
  • February 3, 2011, Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee at 9 am, Room 126 of the Administration Building (minutes:  http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/6/AdHocSpace/Approved020311Redistricting.pdf)
    • April 1, Tentative date to receive census data
    • April 1, Redistricting Road Show in Madison (link @ http://legis.wisconsin.gov/ltsb/redistricting/PDFs/Roadshow_Flyer.pdf)
    • April 7, 2011, Columbia County Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee Meeting (minutes:   http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/6/AdHocSpace/RedistrictingApril72011.pdf)
    • April 14, 2011, Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee at 1:30 pm, Room 126 of the Administration Building (minutes:  http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/6/AdHocSpace/RedistrictingApril142011.pdf)
    • April 15, 2011, Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee at 9:00 am, Room 126 of the Administration Building (minutes:  http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/ColumbiaCounty/Portals/6/AdHocSpace/RedistrictingApril152011.pdf)
    • May 12, 2011, Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee Public Hearings, two sessions, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Law Enforcement Center, John Roche Community Room
    • May 18, 2011, Columbia County Board adopts tentative plan by resolution
    • May 19, 2011 Columbia County’s 2011 Redistricting Tentative plan sent to municipalities
      • July 11, 2011, , Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee at 11:00 am, Chairperson’s Office of the Administration Building
      • July 19, 2011, Deadline for municipalities to adopt ward plans and submit to Columbia County Clerk
      • August 17, 2011, 2nd Public Hearing at 6:00 pm, Room 126 of the Administration Building
      • August 17, 2011, Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee at 6:45 pm, Room 126 of the Administration Building
      • August 17, 2011, Columbia County considers the adoption of the 2011 Redistricting plan by ordinance

 

Columbia County Redistricting Guidelines

Columbia County Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee Members prioritized guiding principles as follows:

1. Equal Population
2. Contiguous
3. Compact
4. Preservation of Political Subdivisions
5. Preservation of Communities of Interest
6. Protection of Incumbents (recognizing incumbent’s “value” to the board)

Municipal Voting Wards

All Municipalities in Columbia County are required by Wisconsin Stat. § 5.15 to create municipal voting wards (Legislative Reference Bureau Publication).  By July 21, 2011 municipalities should submit the following to Columbia County:

  1. Copy of ordinance adopting ward plan.
  2. Ward boundaries shown on a map.

Columbia County would be happy to assist your municipality with the creation of wards using the WISE-LR software or answer any questions that you might have. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment please contact:

Brian Zirbes, GIS Specialist
Columbia County Land Information Department
608-742-9883 and Brian.zirbes@co.columbia.wi.us

Redistricting Resources