14-PROPOSAL FOR CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH OUTSIDE CONSULTANT FOR REDISTRICTING ANALYSIS

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pertaining to commissioners court precincts, justice of the peace precincts, city wards in some cities, and a variety of other state concerns regarding the administration of elections within each affected political subdivision. Once again, we will guide you through this complex process. 7. Drafting, either by working directly with the executive body of the governmental body, or with a Citizens Committee appointed by the executive body, three alternative plans that will satisfy federal law, at no additional costs. The three (3) fully developed plans, with complete maps, charts and analysis are included in the Allison, Bass & Associates program. Three alternative plans are normally sufficient to complete the process. Should your needs require additional alternative plans beyond the three (3) contractual plans provided for, we will quote you a"per plan" fee in advance upon request. This "per plan" fee will include all maps, charts and analysis, in a similar format to those provided under the original contract. Each additional plan beyond the minimum three (3), will be developed at our cost, including cost of legal time, support staff, and printing/reproduction costs. 8. Present the alternative plans in not less than one, but no more than two separate public hearings conducted in suitable locations within the political jurisdiction being reapportioned. 9. Following receipt of public comment, we will assist you in the consideration and adoption of a final reapportionment plan, and subsequently prepare all necessary documentation necessary to comply with state and federal law, including legal notice of any hearing in which adoption of a plan will be considered, and the submission of all necessary documents and supporting information necessary for submission of the adopted plan to the United States Department of Justice for preclearance under the requirements of the Voting Rights Act. 10. We will coordinate the implementation of the final adopted plan, once precleared, with the Texas Secretary of State's office to comply with state law requirements. 11. We will work with your election coordinator/administrator to implement the resulting voting plan for your jurisdiction and seek to coordinate your political boundaries with other political jurisdictions. In the unusual circumstance of litigation, we are available, under a separate contract, to provide legal counsel, expert testimony, or other support through all phases of litigation including appeal, if necessary, to the United States Supreme Court. The cost of preparing and submitting a redistricting plan is dependent upon several factors, including the complexity of the issues and, to a great extent, the degree to which all interested parties are able to reach a consensus. While much of the initial public contact can be performed locally, it is usually to the city's advantage if our firm participates in that process. With our experience and state-of-the-art computerized mapping system, we can provide immediate responses to citizen and interest group inquiries and proposals. Most political subdivisions prefer our fixed fee program. We are providing you with a contract that provides an initial retainer of $1,500.00. Should redistricting not be required, this would be the total fee. If redistricting is required, and frankly, most jurisdictions are required to 183