Every 10 years after the national census is completed, Rutherford County re-draws its district lines to account for growth and  to ensure that the population is being represented equally.

The Redistricting Committee was proposed to consist of five county commissioners, two election commission members, a citizen at-large, and the election administrator.

Commissioner Jeff Jordan added an amendment to make the election commission members consist of one republican and one democrat on the re-districting committee. Concern that such a move would create partisan politics in the county commission was voiced by Commissioner Gary Farley.

“We are not elected as Republicans or Democrats in the county commission. Is this going to be setting an example that we’re going to be districting as Republican or Democrat by doing this,” Farley asked.

Commissioner Robert Stevens proposed that the five county commissioners who will serve on the committee be made to include one commissioner who resides in La Vergne, one residing in Smyrna, two residing in Murfreesboro, and one who does not reside in any municipality.

Debate became lively as Commissioners Will Jordan and Steve Sandlin argued that having only one rural commissioner on the committee would not be equal representation.

“We don’t have the city councils to be our voice for us,” Sandlin said.

Stevens countered Sandlin’s argument by pointing out that the majority of people in Rutherford County reside in a city, not the county and the proposed representation within the Redistricting Committee would be equal based on population.

Sandlin proposed having seven county commissioners instead of five with a total of three to be from a rural district. The motion passed.

Anyone wishing to serve on the Redistricting Committee must apply to the Steering Committee and be approved by the Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Jeff Jordan ended the discussion with a warning to the board.

“The urge to influence this process is going to be strong. I urge you not to do that,” Jordan said.

The Redistricting Committee meetings will receive public notice and are subject to open meetings laws.