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Shelby County is now taking steps to redraw its commission districts in light of figures from the 2000 census.

Passage of a bill by the Alabama Legislature made it possible for the county to maintain its current nine-member commission; although, the nine-member commissions of other counties had been legally questioned.

Current Shelby County Commissioners asked the Department of Development Services to redraw the districts as a starting point from which they would approve the plan then submit it to the Justice Department for approval.

The former planning department took the population of the county, 143,293, and determined each district should have an ideal population of 15,921 residents.

The total population consists of 128,671 white; 10,798 black; 1,741 Asian; 473 Native American; and 2,910 Hispanic, according to the department, which has prepared the first version of the plan.

In this version, the population of District 1, currently represented by Billy Thompson, would be 16,054 residents &045; 13,910 white; 1,885 black; and 211 Hispanic.

This district has residents in Calera, Columbiana, Harpersville, Vincent, Wilsonville and unincorporated Shelby County.

Registered voter population in the proposed District 1 are 8,583, or 53 percent of the total for that district.

The proposed District 2 has a population of 15,903. It is currently represented on the commission by George Dailey.

Population breakdown in District 2 includes 11,041 white; 4,215 black; and 215 Hispanic with 6,746, or 42 percent registered voters.

District 2 has residents in Alabaster, Calera, Columbiana, Montevallo, Pelham, Wilton and unincorporated Shelby County.

The proposed District 3 has 15,280 residents &045; 14,176 white; 812 black; and 107 Hispanic &045; 8,711, or 57 percent, of whom are registered voters.

Currently representing District 3 is Jimmy Bice. The proposed District 3 would represent Alabaster, Calera, Montevallo and unincorporated Shelby County.

The largest proposed district is District 4 with a total population of 15,693 residents, 11,273, or 68 percent, of whom are registered voters.

Breakdown includes 15,355 white; 912 black; and 193 Hispanic.

The proposed District 4 includes parts of Alabaster, Pelham, Helena and unincorporated Shelby County. It is currently represented by Commissioner Dan Acker.

District 5 is proposed to have 16,092 residents, 10,450, or 65 percent, of whom are registered voters.

Breakdown includes 14,858 white; 721 black; and 343 Hispanic.

District 5 will represent parts of Helena, Hoover, Pelham and unincorporated Shelby County. Commissioner Joel Bearden represents District 5 currently.

The proposed District 6 will have 16,400 residents &045; 15,325 white; 660 black; and 192 Hispanic. District 6 will have 12,629 registered voters, or 77 percent of the district’s population.

District 6 will represent parts of Birmingham, Hoover, Indian Springs Village, Meadowbrook, Pelham, Vestavia Hills and unincorporated Shelby County.

Commissioner Larry Dillard represents District 6 now.

The proposed District 7 will have 16,368 residents &045; 15,239 white; 563 black; and 289 Hispanic, with 68 percent, or 11,124 registered voters.

District 7 will represent parts of Birmingham, Hoover, Indian Springs, Lake Purdy, Meadowbrook, Pelham and unincorporated Shelby County.

Commissioner Lindsey Allison currently represents District 7.

The proposed District 8 will represent parts of Birmingham, Chelsea, Hoover, Lake Purdy, Leeds and unincorporated Shelby County. With a population total of 15,357, the district will have 8,977, or 59 percent, registered voters.

Breakdown includes 14,423 white residents; 506 black residents; and 215 Hispanic residents.

District 8 is represented by Ted Crockett now.

The proposed District 9 will represent parts of Alabaster, Calera, Chelsea, Columbiana, Hoover, Pelham and unincorporated Shelby County.

With a population total of 15,146 residents, the district will have 9,519, or 63 percent, registered voters.

Breakdown includes 14,344 white residents; 524 black residents; and 184 Hispanic residents.

District 9 is currently represented by Don Armstrong.

Commission chairman Acker reports the commission will vote on the proposed new districts at its next meeting