Houston releases latest proposed council district maps

Houston's newest proposed City Council district maps are now available for review.

Catch up quick: The city updates its council district maps every 10 years after the census.

• City Council has 11 members with geographical districts and five at-large members.

Driving the news: The latest proposal keeps the districts largely intact with some minor changes near downtown and in the southeast.

• An initial proposal in July moved Rice University into District D, but the newest proposal keeps the university in District C.
• District E would take a small portion of District I near Interstate 45 and Beltway 8 under the new map.
• In the Heights, the area north of Washington Avenue between Heights Boulevard and Taylor Street would be in District C.

What they're saying: District I council member Robert Gallegos worried the initial maps diluted the Latino vote, Houston Public Media reports.

• The Houston arm of the League of United Latin American Citizens also threatened to sue the city to eliminate at-large positions, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Flashback: Mayor Sylvester Turner and at-large council member Mike Knox in March sparred over which independent third-party company would be used to draw the maps, Chron reports.

• Houston-based law firm Thompson and Horton LLP won the $1.6 million contract.

What we're watching: City Council will vote on the new boundaries Sept. 28. The new districts would be in effect for the 2023 municipal election, when eight members will be up for re-election.