ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Lehigh County’s population increased by about 75,000 people since the last U.S. census, and now it is time the county’s commissioner districts changed to follow suit.
The county is divided into five commissioner districts, and by the rule of the state constitution, each must be "nearly equal" in population.
Commissioner Geoff Brace said in presenting new boundaries at a meeting Wednesday night that, with thousands of new residents, it is time to redraw the districts in order to reflect the growth.
- Lehigh County needs to redraw its commissioner district boundaries in response to recent population growth
- The proposed map would move some communities into new districts
- This week, the board also approved next year's budget
“As a result of population shifts through Lehigh County, we do have to make some adjustments in these districts. With the exception of District One, all of the other districts do change to some degree,” Brace said.
Brace added that he redrew the map to ensure a population of about 75,000 residents in each district. Additionally, the map aimed to keep voting wards and districts together and to minimize the splitting up of municipalities.
The new proposal still splits Allentown — the most populous municipality in the county — through three districts.
“Anybody can look at these and see imperfections," Brace said. "It’s impossible to create a district in any setting of government that is truly perfect. There are too many competing objectives."
"But I’m hopeful that the board continues to show its support for this measure.”
"It’s impossible to create a district in any setting of government that is truly perfect. There are too many competing objectives. "Geoff Brace, Lehigh County Commissioner
The biggest shifts in the proposed map would move Upper and Lower Milford Townships from District Five into District Two, and parts of Macungie that were in District Five also would move into District Two. Also, South Whitehall is currently part of District Two, but it would join parts of Allentown in District Four.
After a review of the map, the board seemed to approve, with Commissioner Zakiya Smalls thanking Brace for the work he did to prepare the proposal.
“I think this is great and I fully support you and support all the work that you put forth and have been doing for the county,” Smalls said.
The board will review the proposed map once again and is expected to have a final vote on Nov. 9.
Also at the meeting, commissioners approved the county budget for next year.
The balanced $522 million budget will not raise taxes.
In fact, when it was unveiled over the summer, County Executive Phil Armstrong said it might be the best budget he had seen in his career.
Lehigh County’s home rule charter requires the board to adopt a budget by the end of October.
