8-2-1 districts plan now goes to voters

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The City Council on Tuesday sent another plan to the November ballot that would overhaul the way Austin is represented at City Hall.

Under the latest plan, the council would be expanded from seven members to 11. And rather than have all members elected citywide, only the mayor and 2 council members would represent the entire city. The others would be elected from districts drawn that are equal in population.

The so-called 8-2-1 plan will now compete with another proposal that would have 10 council districts and only the mayor serving citywide.

The 10-1 plan was approved last week in a marathon council meeting that started Thursday and ended around 3:30 a.m. Friday.

Voters in November can choose either plan, or opt to keep the present system in place.

"If the citizens of this community feel they are not being represented, they need to have the opportunity to go to the ballot and express that," said Councilwoman Sheryl Cole said after the 10-1 vote.

Austinites for Geographic Representation petitioned to have the 10-1 plan on the ballot.

\Mayor Lee Leffingwell said he favors giving the voters a choice between the two representation plans at the next election