STAFF REPORT
Operations Committee, November 5, 2009

Wake County Census Complete Count Committee (AD10-005)
Consideration of Resolution Census 2010 committing the Town of Cary to participate in the Wake County Census Complete Count Committee (CCC) and designating April 1, 2010 as Census Day
Speaker:  Ms. Lana Hygh

From:  Benjamin T. Shivar, Town Manager
Prepared by:  Lana Hygh, Assistant to the Town Manager
Approved by:  Benjamin T. Shivar, Town Manager
Approved by:  Michael J. Bajorek, Assistant Town Manager

Executive Summary:  The federal decennial census will take place on April 1, 2010. The Complete Count Committee is working to ensure a full, accurate population count in Wake County and has requested that the Town Council adopt a resolution agreeing to participate in the Complete Count Committee and designating April 1, 2010 as Census Day.

Background:  Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a headcount of every person living in the United States, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution.  In addition to determining Congressional representation, the Census helps describe who we are as a municipality, county, state, and nation.

Census questionnaires will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will be mailed or delivered to every U.S. household in March 2010. The questions should be answered based on household composition as of April 1, 2010. All responses are confidential and protected by law.

The Wake County Complete Count Committee is a volunteer committee established by local governments and community leaders to increase awareness about the census and motivate residents in the community to respond. The committee includes a cross-section of community representatives from government agencies (including the Town of Cary), education, business, religious organizations and the media.  The CCC is charged with developing and implementing a local campaign designed to target hard-to-reach and historically undercounted persons in the community.  An accurate census is important to local government because it provides the basis for federal and state fund allocations that are based on population.  Revenue sources that are based, at least in part, on population include sales tax and federal block grants.

The 2010 Complete Count Committee was formed to: 

• Increase the response rate for residents mailing back their questionnaire through a focused, structured, neighbor-to-neighbor program.
• Use the local knowledge, expertise and influence of each Complete Count Committee member to design and implement a census awareness campaign targeted to the community.
• Bring together a cross-section of community members whose focus is 2010 Census awareness.

As part of the Town’s participation in Census Complete Count, Wake County has asked that the Town adopt a resolution to participate and to designate April 1, 2010 as Census Day.

Fiscal Impact:  The Town has contributed $5,000 to Census Complete Count.  Funds were included in the operating budget for this purpose.  While participation will require staff time, no additional staff positions will be required.

Staff Recommendation:  Staff recommends adopting the Census 2010 Resolution.

 



RESOLUTION CENSUS 2010
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Town of Cary
Wake County
United States Bureau of the Census, Charlotte Region

WHEREAS, the Town of Cary is an active and committed part of the Wake County community; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Cary understands that this is a unique opportunity to participate in and have influence on CENSUS 2010;

No therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that to accomplish the goal of a more accurate and cost-efficient census in Census 2010, the Town of Cary takes the following action:

1. The Town of Cary agrees to participate in the Wake County Census Complete Count Committee, and

2. The Wake County Census Complete Count Committee is charged with working with the Census Bureau and its representatives in promoting Census 2010 to all of our people; and

3. The Town of Cary will work with the Wake County Census Complete Count Committee to provide assistance to the Census Bureau to recruit temporary employees; and

4. The Town of Cary will work with the Wake County Census Complete Count Committee to make every effort to develop outreach activities especially designed to meet the needs of all residents and reach those considered “hard to enumerate”; and

5. The Town of Cary will work with the Wake County Census Complete Count Committee to encourage every resident to accurately complete the Census questionnaire and promptly return it by mail; and

6. That April 1, 2010 be designated Census Day in the Town of Cary.

Adopted by the Town of Cary in a meeting duly assembled on the ____ day of ___________, 2009 at which a quorum was present and voting.

________________________
Harold Weinbrecht, Jr, Mayor