Special DRAC meeting to review reapportionment options

DAYTON -- The Dayton Regional Advisory Council will meet Wednesday to review county reapportionment options.

Nine different maps have been presented to county commissioners as possible realignments for commissioner districts. A final decision was postponed to allow time for local advisory councils and city councils to gather input and guage what residents prefer for their community.

Each of the five commissioner districts must be contiguous and include approximately 6,900 residents. In response to concerns expressed by some residents following the release of the first two maps, County Clerk/Treasurer Nikki Bryan drew up an additional seven options. They are all variations of the original proposals.

All maps show Dayton being divided into part of two separate districts, with residents living on the south side of Dayton Valley Road and those residing east of Smith's Market, north of the Carson River, being most affected. Depending upon the option, some residents in these areas could possibly be included in the same district as Smith Valley, Yerington or Fernley.

The wide-ranging districts are the result of the increased growth in the northern portion of the 2,000 square mile county in the 10 years since the last census. In order to create districts of equal population, Fernley and Dayton must be divided at some point.

The Dayton meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Community Center.

The county commissioners will meet Dec. 20 at 6 p.m., in Yerington, to make a final decision.

IF YOU GO

What: Dayton Regional Advisory Council

Where: Dayton Community Center

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday