Treasure Island Looks at Redistricting

As the time for redistricting nears, members of the Treasure Island City Council realize they have their work cut out for them.

The City of Treasure Island, like almost every other part of Florida, gets the chance to change political boundaries because of the 2010 U.S. Census. The city is required to reflect population changes since the 2000 Census.

This gives officials an opportunity to right a few "wrongs."

The most obvious example is the Isle of Capri. It is physically separate from the main part of Treasure Island, represented by District 1 Commissioner Phil Collins—mostly.

However, there is a small sliver of the island west of Second Street East. Those residents are part of District 2, represented by Commissioner Gail Caldwell.

Collins believes that separation causes confusion for the residents on Isle of Capri.

"I have a real problem with this," Collins told the CityCcouncil on Tuesday night. "The Isle of Capri is an island unto itself."

"My problem is, when you go across the Capri Bridge, to the right of Second Street… belongs to District 1," Collins said. "If you look to your left, those currently with this adoption will continue to be in District 2. Everybody who lives there thinks they are in District 1."

"I think you should look outside the box a little bit, and accommodate the residents who feel they are in District 1, call as if they are in District 1."

"I think we should look outside the box a little bit," Collins said, "for the convenience of those people living in the area."

The main concern for city officials is that they may have little influence in the matter, because of mandates that limit the population in each district. They face the same challenges as most Florida lawmakers, where state and federal congressional lines are required to represent a specific number of citizens.

The challenge for the city leaders is being honest along constitutionally required guidelines. The twist comes with , approved by voters in 2010.

Known as the "fair district" amendments, they stop "gerrymandering" and require redistricting without favoring any one lawmaker or political party.

Unfortunately, Treasure Island lawmakers did not resolve the issue Tuesday night. They tabled redistricting for a future meeting.

"If it's legally permissible to change the boundaries," said Mayor Robert Minning, "then we will do so."