Data Centers, LLC has been contracted to provide redistricting services for the Caddo Commission.
Federal law requires that the commission redistrict its 12 districts based upon the 2020 census.
Data Centers was one of the few demographers that was sent a Request for Proposal (RFP) by the commission.
Reportedly, the company that had provided these services after the 2000 and the 2010 censuses was not forwarded an RFP for the 2020 census.
Data Center was also contracted by the Caddo School Board.
Its owner, Cedric Floyd, appeared early this year at a school board meeting and made a presentation. Floyd only provided one plan for consideration.
Several members of the Caddo School Board have privately expressed dissatisfaction with the services provided by Floyd's company.
The new commission plan can have a maximum deviation between district populations of 10%.
Thus, there is substantial leeway to prepare a plan for the 12 districts that maintains the same political alliances on the commission.
Caddo commissioners should meet with Floyd privately to review his suggestions for redistricting.
And in so doing, the commissioners should insist that Floyd prepare at least two plans for consideration.