ARIZONA NEWS

Phoenix City Council members mull possibility of adding districts

Feb 6, 2023, 11:36 AM
phoenix city hall...
(City of Phoenix Photo)
(City of Phoenix Photo)

PHOENIX — As Phoenix starts its required redistricting process this year, the idea of adding seats the city council is being kicked around.

The council voted unanimously last week to approve a schedule for redistricting, as required every 10 years under city code, that will put a new map into effect in 2024.

“I hope part of the discussion will be looking at some additional council seats so that we have the right kind of representation for our constituents,” Councilwoman Debra Stark said before Wednesday’s vote. “Hopefully, that will be part of the dialogue as we go through the process.”

The current Phoenix districts are among the largest in the country, with about 200,000 residents each, more than most Arizona cities have.

It would be up to voters to decide if the city council should be larger and the districts smaller.

“The composition of the current council is in the charter, and therefore it would have to be referred to the voters for it to change that,” City Clerk Denise Archibald said during Wednesday’s meeting.

In addition to Stark, members Jim Waring, Carlos Garcia, Sal DiCiccio and Yassamin Ansari all said the idea was worth exploring.

“The districts have grown dramatically and will only continue to do so. By 2032, they’re going to be a lot bigger than they are now,” Waring said.

DiCiccio, who is leaving office next month, said he thinks the issue should be addressed now, not in 10 years.

“It’s really hard to represent people with their values and their interests when it’s that large. It’s just a lot harder, and it doesn’t allow for the diversity of opinion as much,” he said.

DiCiccio couldn’t run for reelection in District 6 last year because of term limits, and his successor will be anointed in a March 14 runoff between Kevin Robinson and Sam Stone. District 8 also went to a runoff, with Garcia facing a challenge from Kesha Hodge Washington.

The agenda item approved Wednesday laid out the following schedule for mapping new districts based on 2020 census results:

  • April: Council approves redistricting consultant.
  • April-May: Consultant data gathering and analysis; public meeting schedule development.
  • May-August: Stakeholder meetings (two rounds) and district boundary map proposals.
  • August: Council adopts redistricting plan.
  • January 2024: New district boundaries effective.
  • November 2024: Regular council election using new districts.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(DEA Photo)...
Taylor Tasler

Valley students taking peer-to-peer approach when raising awareness for fentanyl

A group of students at Valley schools are working together to raise awareness of the deadly effects of fentanyl.
5 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/US Border Patrol, Tucson Sector)...
KTAR.com

Man pleads guilty to assaulting 2 Border Patrol agents in Arizona in 2022

A Mexican citizen pleaded guilty last week to the assault of two Arizona Border Patrol agents last year, authorities said.
5 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/The Offspring)...
KTAR.com

Offspring with Simple Plan, Sum 41, coming to Phoenix for summer tour

PHOENIX — American rock band The Offspring announced Monday it will stop by the Valley on its 24-city Let The Bad Times Roll Tour this summer. The Offspring, accompanied by Canadian rock bands Simple Plan and Sum 41, will stop by Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix on Aug. 9. Tickets go on sale to […]
5 hours ago
(Banner Health Photo)...
SuElen Rivera

Banner Health announces plan to open Scottsdale hospital in 2026

Banner Health announced Monday it plans to open a full-service hospital and cancer care center in the northeast Valley.
5 hours ago
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)...
KTAR.com

Man arrested after allegedly attempting to kidnap woman at Phoenix airport

A man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly attempting to kidnap a woman from a Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport parking garage.
1 day ago
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)...
Sponsored Content by

A man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly attempting to kidnap a woman from a Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport parking garage.

Sponsored Articles

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.
(Pexels Photo)...

Sports gambling can be fun for adults, but it’s a dangerous game for children

While adults may find that sports gambling is a way to enhance the experience with more than just fandom on the line, it can be a dangerous proposition if children get involved in the activity.
...
Quantum Fiber

How high-speed fiber internet edges out cable for everyday use

In a world where technology drives so much of our daily lives, a lack of high-speed internet can be a major issue.
Phoenix City Council members mull possibility of adding districts