By Sara Strong
County constituents will vote on four of five Commissioner districts this fall.
The process of redistricting in the county is complete as of Tuesday, and as a result, more commissioners are up for re-election.
Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be on the ballots this year. Districts 3 and 5, which are now occupied by Ron Boyenga and Jane Wildung will be two year terms.
When looking at the redistricting options, the county commissioners had to keep in mind the population range set by state statutes (1,750 to 2,138) and precinct lines set by the city of Luverne and Luverne Township.
Following those lines, the county was able to set its own district lines with as little change from the current districts as possible.
Commissioners Wendell Erickson and Jane Wildung in Districts 2 and 5 would have had to run for re-election even without the changed boundaries.
With the City of Luverne making up about 47 percent of the county's population, the County Board will be as close to fair representation as the county and city could agree upon.
The County Board will be made up of two city representatives, two rural representatives and one that's almost split.
The districts of Erickson, Bob Jarchow and Hoime will stay the same.
Wildung, who now represents only city residents, will take on about 200 township residents. Boyenga will likely pick up 300 more city residents than before, meaning that his district is made up of about half city and half township residents.
Commissioner Districts and Populations
District 1 — pop. 1,928
Rose Dell Township
Jasper city (part in county)
Denver Township
Hardwick City
Battle Plain Township
Mound Township
Vienna Township
Kenneth City
Magnolia Township
Magnolia City
District 2 — pop. 1,923
Martin Township
Hills City
Beaver Creek Township
Beaver Creek City
Springwater Township
District 3 — pop. 2,142
Luverne City SW
Luverne City NW
Luverne Township (part 2)
Clinton Township
Steen City
Kanaranzi Township
District 4 — pop. 2,142
Luverne City NE
District 5 — pop. 1,944
Luverne City SE
Luverne Township (part 1)
The commissioners who currently represent these districts are District 1, Kenneth Hoime; District 2, Wendell Erickson; District 3, Ron Boyenga; District 4, Bob Jarchow, and District 5, Jane Wildung. Every district but No. 1 requires an election this fall because of either term limits or new district boundaries.