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During last night’s Cortland County Legislative meeting, legislators voted to approve reducing the number of legislators in the county from 17 to 15.
Before the legislative session began though, Chairman of the Cortland County Legislature, Kevin Fitch, asked for a moment of silence to honor former Cortland County Sheriff Lee Price. Fitch also noted flags will be half-staffed for 16 days, each day representing one year Price was Sheriff.
It was the first item on the legislative agenda, reducing the number of county legislators from 17 to 15. Every 10 years, redistricting is required from results of the Federal Census data. The county formed a redistricting commission who came to the conclusion that reducing the number of legislators by 2, would be the most beneficial.
It was also considered the perfect compromise for all as some on the committee advocated for 13 legislators while some wanted the number of legislators to remain the same at 17. Legislator Beau Harbin (D-LD 2) spoke regarding the new map and the work to keep communities together within a district.
“It’s not a perfect map, it’s not a perfect solution. There are no perfect maps. There are no perfect solutions.” Harbin said to the legislature.
Each newly drawn district will have a population between 3,000 to 3,200 Cortland County Residents.
The vote was unanimous by the legislator to which Chairman Fitch thanked the legislator. The public, though, will still have a say on the reduction of county legislators with a referendum that will not take effect until at least 45 days after its adoption.
