2-16-7: DISTRICTING PROCEDURE:

   A.   The Commission shall evaluate and apply the federal decennial census data for the City of Boise in order to establish the City Council seat districts pursuant to the provisions of Idaho Code section 50-707A and all other applicable provisions of local, state, and federal law.

   B.   Upon completion of a draft districting map, the Commission shall designate each City Council seat district with a number from 1 to 6 pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The draft map and numbered City Council seat districts shall constitute the draft districting plan. The Commission shall hold a minimum of one (1) public hearing to receive public testimony on the draft districting map. Notice of the public hearing shall be published in the newspaper of record at least ten (10) calendar days before the date set for the public hearing.

   C.   After the public hearing, the Commission shall act to establish the Boise Districting Plan, to include the following documents and incorporate into the same by reference:

      1.   A map of the City showing the exact locations of the designated City Council seat districts, labeled with the district numbers and corresponding City Council seat numbers.

      2.   A description of the City Council seat districts' boundaries, described by the names of streets or other established features or landmarks.

   D.   The Boise Districting Plan must be approved by at least three (3) Commissioners to be forwarded to City Council for public hearing and consideration. The Commissioners shall certify that the City Council seat districts meet the criteria set forth in Idaho Code section 50-707A and other applicable statutes and laws.

   E.   The Commission shall transmit its Boise Districting Plan to the City Clerk to be placed on the City Council agenda for public hearing and consideration at least one hundred thirty-five (135) days prior to the next general election, as defined by Idaho Code section 50-402(a).

   F.   The City Clerk shall publish in the newspaper of record notice of the public hearing on the Commission's Boise Districting Plan before City Council at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the date set for the public hearing.

   G.   The Commission shall post any Boise Districting Plan it is considering presenting to City Council for adoption, on the City's webpage at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the date set for the public hearing.

   H.   The City Council shall conduct a public hearing on the Boise Districting Plan as proposed by the Commission. Following such public hearing, the City Council shall review the Boise Districting Plan as proposed by the Commission and, upon a finding that it meets the criteria set forth in Idaho Code section 50-707A, shall adopt it by ordinance as the final Boise Districting Plan. Modification of the Boise Districting Plan established by the Commission shall occur only upon remand to the Commission. The City Council may remand the matter to the Commission only upon a finding, supported by substantial evidence, that the Boise Districting Plan does not meet the criteria set forth in Idaho Code section 50-707A, this chapter, or Boise City Code Title 1, Chapter 9. Should the City Council fail to adopt the Boise Districting Plan via ordinance at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next general election, as defined by Idaho Code section 50-402(a), the Commission's last proposal shall comprise the final Boise Districting Plan.

   I.   The City Clerk shall file the Boise Districting Plan with the County Clerk at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the next general election, as defined by Idaho Code section 50-402(a), with a request that the County Clerk prepare ballots and establish polling places for all subsequent Boise City Council elections in accordance with the Boise Districting Plan. (Ord. 21-22, 5-3-2022)