As redistricting criticized, Tarrant County holds first of four public hearings

For the first time in 15 years, Tarrant County is considering a significant update to its commissioner precinct boundaries, as required by federal law, as the population grows in different regions.

But the process is already drawing sharp criticism.

A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday night at the Azle ISD Administration Building, the first of four community meetings planned this month. The commissioners' final vote on the new district lines is scheduled for June 3.

Critics said the process to redraw voting districts is moving too fast and with too little public input. , prompting concerns over whether there has been adequate time for public review and engagement.

During a commissioners court meeting last week, Commissioner Alisa Simmons questioned the methodology behind the five redistricting maps submitted by the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), a Virginia-based law firm contracted to oversee the process.

“It took a week or less for him to draw five maps,” Simmons said while addressing Joe Nixon, an attorney for PILF. “Using what criteria? What principles?”

Nixon did not provide specific details, instead stating that each commissioner met individually with the firm to provide input, meetings that were not open to the public. But he stressed that the public hearings, , are a way for the public to take part in the proposed changes.

In addition to accepting online public comments, Nixon encouraged community members to .

“The public is now going to have an opportunity to respond and to provide its input in a very open and transparent fashion,” Nixon said.

Among those raising red flags is Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr., who said some of the proposed maps would remove most of the unincorporated roads from his precinct, affecting operations, staffing, and road maintenance.

“Some of the maps that were presented, the majority of my unincorporated Tarrant County roads were taken away,” Miles said. “How is that going to affect my maintenance facility and the staff that we support? When you shrink it down to basically nothing, then that has implications on the people we hire.”

Other commissioners have also expressed concern about the dramatic shifts proposed for Precincts 1 and 2, questioning the involvement of Adam Kincaid, a subcontracted map drawer who also serves as executive director and president of the National Republican Redistricting Trust.

Click here to read more about the reaction during the last commission meeting on May 6.

Three more public meetings are scheduled this month following Tuesday night’s forum in Azle. Residents are encouraged to attend, review the proposed maps, and submit feedback.

The contains all five redistricting proposals, meeting information, and instructions for submitting comments.

Public Hearings Schedule:

Azle -- May 13 at 6 p.m.
Azle ISD Administration Building
300 Roe Street

Fort Worth -- May 14 at 6 p.m.
Como Community Center
4660 Horne Street

Arlington -- May 17 at 10 a.m.
Arlington Subcourthouse
700 E Abram Street

Hurst -- May 21 at 6 p.m.
Gary Fickes Northeast Courthouse
645 Grapevine Highway