By JIM BUTLER

Alexandria has for now settled the reapportionment issue but an aspect apparently remains unresolved in district court.

The city’s request for cost reimbursements and damages from what it claimed was a baseless suit has yet to be heard.

According to court records, a January 9 order set a hearing on the city’s petition for 9:30 this morning in Judge Mary Doggett’s court.

Records available online Sunday showed civil rules on her docket today though not specifically listing the city matter.

The journey to this point began two years ago. 

District 4 Councilwoman Lizzie Felter proposed in March 2024 to re-reapportion council election districts in order to put her residence in the district she represents.

After the ensuing hoorah the council, 4-3, in April 2024 redrew lines drawn two years earlier.

Three citizens, represented by Malcolm Larvadain, sued; the city on April 12, 2024 filed its reconventional demand, according to records.

Larvadain and two others were elected in November-December 2024 to the council and the majority on the issue switched to 4-3 opposing the new boundaries.

By October 2025 it was a foregone conclusion that a pending vote would again shift the lines.

Councilman Larvadain on October 15, 2025 moved to dismiss the matter as resolved or no longer being pursued, according to his filing.

On October 21 he moved to withdraw as counsel and to have Tiffany Sanders enrolled as plaintiffs’ attorney.  The court so ordered.

On October 23, according to the record, Doggett, per Larvadain’s motion, dismissed the case.

On October 24 the city learned of the dismissal, which in effect cancelled a scheduled October 27 hearing on its counter measure.

In November 2025 it appealed to Doggett, noting in its motion the inadvertent dismissal of its counterclaims for damages, costs and sanctions.

Records show Doggett on December 4 vacated her dismissal order relative only to the city’s claim.

Also in December, the City Council passed the ordinance, 4-3, reverting the election district boundaries to pre-2024 lines.

Mayor Jacques Roy vetoed and the council sustained. A super-majority of five votes is required by the City Charter to override. The override vote, to no surprise, was 4-3. 

Whatever and whenever a resolution occurs it will not change boundaries for this fall’s election in Felter’s District 4. Also on the ballot are mayor and one of two at-large seats.