Coryell County commissioners approve changes to precinct map

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press

The Coryell County Commissioners approved changes to the Commissioners Court precinct map during a special meeting held Friday morning. 
Due to the 2020 census and redistricting efforts by the state legislature for U.S. Congressional districts as well as state House of Representatives and Senate districts, the county is required to also make changes to its precinct maps to balance the population among each district/precinct. 
After holding two public hearings last Wednesday in Gatesville and Copperas Cove, the Commissioners agreed on the changes proposed by consultant Mike Morrison. 
The changes will only affect residents in Copperas Cove who are in Precincts 1, 2 and 4 and those who are on Fort Hood in Precinct 3. 
The changes shift the total population in Precinct 1 from 21,364 to 19,221. In Precinct 2, the total population shifts from 16,611 to 18,651. In Precinct 3, the total population shifts from 19,338 to 18,534. The total population in Precinct 4 shifts from 17,777 to 19,284. 
The changes include changing the precinct lines in Precinct 4 to now encompass from Courtney Lane to Locust Drive and Maple Drive and extending out to F.M. 116. This area had previously been part of Precinct 1. 
Changes in Precinct 3, on Fort Hood, show the precinct lines for Precinct 2 moving to now encompass the area near the Courses of Clear Creek to Clear Creek Road and along Wichita Drive to Apache Drive, Hopi Street and out to Tank Destroyer Boulevard. This area had been part of Precinct 3. 
Changes in Precinct 2 also show the lines for Precinct 2 in Copperas Cove moving to encompass Chalk Street, Willowbrook Street, Edwards Street, a majority of Randa Street, Holly Street, a majority of Deorsam Drive, Valley Drive, Phyllis Drive and Brookview Drive. These streets had previously been part of Precinct 4. 
Kyle Matthews is the Commissioner for Precinct 1. Daren Moore is the Commissioner for Precinct 2. Ryan Basham is the Commissioner for Precinct 3. Ray Ashby is the Commissioner for Precinct 4.