New city district map unveiled at public meeting, others planned

By MARIA RAKOCZY news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Redistricting now takes center stage for city leaders in Madison after a draft of the new city district maps were unveiled Monday during a public meeting at city hall.

Because the meeting was held after the Monday print deadline for The Madison Record’s July 19 issue, details from the meeting will be posted online first at www.themadisonrecord.com.

Madison Mayor Paul Finley said last week city consultants Slaughter and Associates were contracted to draw up the new district map. He reiterated what the city and Slaughter and Associates hope to accomplish with redistricting, “Again, their goal is to redistribute the growth that we’ve had into seven, equally sized districts,” he said.

Every 10 years jurisdictions with the city’s seven districts evaluate whether a change to their district boundaries (redistricting) is needed based on the most recent U.S. Census popu- lation data. Madison grew from 42,938 in 2010 to 56,933in 2020.

The city of Madison is currently at process #4 in the steps needed to implement a new city map of districts taking into consideration the latest census information.

The 2023 population estimate puts the city around 60,342, making it the 9th largest city in Alabama and the 640th largest city

Dr. Bao apponted to Madison Police Citizen Advisory Committee

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - Madison City

Council president Ranae Bartlett announced last week the appointment of Dr. Yeqing Bao to Place 5 on the Madison Police Citizen Advisory Committee for a term lasting until April 26, 2025, replacing Dwayne Craft. Bartlett explained, “I want to thank Dwayne Craft, who was originally appointed to that position. He served for a couple of years, and his job requirements required him not to be able to be on the committee because of his attendance at his job. Congratulations to Dr. Bao, and I know he will do a great job!” in the United States. Madison is currently growing at a rate of 1.69% annually.

The MPCAC functions as the community conduit for citizens and the Madison Police Department. The committee, made up of nine appointed members, is selected by each City Council member for their respective district along with seats appointed by the mayor and the chief of police.

The meeting on Monday will was held in the city coun-

Bartlett said Dr. Bao has lived in Madison’s District 5 for 20 years. She stated Dr. Bao is a Professor of Marketing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and has

See MAP Page 3B See Dr. BAO Page 3B