MOTION-- Redistricting takes place in Los Angeles once every decade following the release of census data. It is a critically important part of the City's democratic process to ensure fair representation in the City Council. Redistricting is an opportunity for communities of interest to voice their concerns and ensure they are grouped and represented in an equitable manner that respects the diversity of our City. The testimony and input of the residents of Los Angeles is critical to creating a redistricting plan that provides fair and effective representation for all residents of the city. The Council appropriated approximately $1.2 million for the work of the 2021 LA City Council Redistricting Commission (LACCRC), including nearly $600,000 for outreach and marketing expenses. Due to the delay in the release of US Census data due to the pandemic and improprieties from the Trump Administration, the City Council later appropriated an additional $375,000 in the FY21-22 budget, specifically for outreach and marketing costs. Given the challenges of the pandemic, it was essential that the Commission go above and beyond traditional communications strategies in order to ensure robust participation.
Because the public gets the opportunity to participate in determining Council district lines only once every decade, and because the taxpayers of Los Angeles invested significant funds to ensure the greatest possible degree of public engagement, it is imperative that the Council ensure accountability for this expenditure.
I THEREFORE MOVE that Council INSTRUCT the Chief Legislative Analyst to report to the Budget and Finance Committee within 15 days on how the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission expended its appropriated taxpayer funds (particularly on the marketing budget), how it selected contractors that would receive taxpayer funds, how the commission conducted outreach, and how it ensured maximum participation of all communities of interest.