Posted: 5/15/02

Washington County will decide next week on new county commissioner districts

A final decision on redrawn county commission districts in Washington County will be made before the end of the month. And the decision is likely to expand the territory now served by First District County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg of Forest Lake.

The Washington County Board last week selected a proposed County Commissioner Redistricting Plan from four options presented at a board meeting. The proposed plan will be considered for adoption at the Tuesday, May 21 board meeting. Citizens will have an opportunity next Tuesday to make comments on the proposed plan.

Hegberg said this week he is resigned to the fact the district he serves will grow larger due largely to major population gains in the Woodbury area. The one major question remaining is whether the city of Marine on St. Croix stays or leaves the First District, Hegberg said.

Under the plans now being studied, Hegberg said Marine could remain in District 1 or be shifted to District 3 which follows the St. Croix River south.

ìIíd prefer to keep Marine,î Hegberg said. But Hegberg adds there are ìlogical reasonsî to move Marine into the river corridor district where it has common interests. Marine is also in the Stillwater school district, he said. May Township will fall into District 3.

The plan approved by the county board on May 8 recommends Marine remain in Hegbergís district. The matter may be discussed again at the 9 a.m. May 21 meeting, he said.

Under the recommended plan, Hegbergís current district will extend farther south and include the cities of Mahtomedi, Birchwood, Willernie and Pine Spring, plus the small area of White Bear Lake that is in Washington County. The area is essentially that part of the county north of TH-36 and on the west side of Stillwater.

Hegbergís district will include roughly 40,000 residents, he said. ìIt will add significant number to my district,î he said.

Under the redistricting plan, two of the five districts will be elected for two-year terms this fall. Hegberg said he is considering volunteering District 1 as one of the two that will be on the ballot again in 2004. That matter could be resolved on May 21, he said.

The proposed plan is based on precinct boundaries determined by municipalities in the county. The number of precincts has increased from 78 to 84 as a result of the redistricting process and population increases.

A map of the proposed plan is available on the countyís web site at www.co.washington.mn.us. Citizens may also direct any questions and/or comments regarding the proposed plan to the Department of Assessment, Taxpayer Services and Elections at (651) 430-6790.

The board must adopt a final redistricting plan no later than Tuesday, May 28.

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