After several different maps were vetted over the past few months, the Municipal Council voted on Map E as its preferred districting format. The school board previously selected map W and E and their favorite.

It was noted that 12 maps were sent to the Provo City School Board, and they came forward with their five favorites — Map W appeared to be the board’s top choice with Map E a close second. In the end, it was like a session of ranked choice voting with Map E coming out on top, but not unanimously. Chairman Travis Hoban voted no and Council member Rachel Whipple didn’t like any of the maps and, therefore, abstained.

It was timely that the council voted on the map when they did by Thursday, that way the information could be shared with the county and state to prepare for the upcoming elections. Adjusting school district and board member’s district boundaries happens every ten years with the Census, the same as congressional and legislative redistricting.

The city council voting districts are next and must be decided on by the beginning of March.

Some members of the council, and several members of the audience, were not comfortable with what they felt was gerrymandering with the boundaries causing issues with Title 1 schools.

One Provo resident spoke up and said he was concerned on how lines were drawn. He felt that rather than splitting schools like Wasatch Elementary, the boundaries should reflect the racially segregated districts.

“When you are voting to provide representation in your own neighborhood, you’re taking away from low income districts and schools,” the man said.

He reminded the members that the candidates for council and the school board in the rich, northeast area of Provo ran unopposed.

After looking closely at Maps E and W, Council member Shannon Ellsworth motioned for Map E to be the choice. There were only slight differences between the two. George Handley seconded the motion.

“I don’t like any of them for some reasons,” Handley said. “And I like some of them for many reasons.”

What Handley did like was seeing the west side in two districts, rather than one large one. “It seems to be an adequate solution,” Handley said. Map E provides that.

“I hate all of these,” said Whipple. “I don’t know how to move forward and be balanced.”

It was noted throughout the discussion that school board members share a concern for all of the schools and districts in Provo, and try not to put any one school over the other.

Councilman Bill Fillmore said he is OK with Map E and that, because of west side growth, the city will be looking at a whole different map in 10 years. He said he would like to “beef-up” the downtown district and representation.

After a substitute motion favoring Map N didn’t get much interest, the council, with some still concerned maps about possible gerrymandering, ultimately voted for Map E.