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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-05-2009 - 4nORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 5, 2009 Action Agenda Item No. 4 _ n SUBJECT: Census 2010 Complete Count Committee DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Clerk to the Board ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Draft Memorandum of Invitation Craig N. Benedict, 245-2592 2. List of Organizations for Invitation Karen Markovics, 245-2583 3. 2010 Census Partner Resolution Donna Baker, 245-2130 PURPOSE: To approve the creation of a Complete Count Committee and approve a partnership resolution to promote the 2010 Census to ensure that every resident in the County is counted. BACKGROUND: A primary goal of the 2010 Census is to increase the national mail back response rate. In order to help make everyone in the community aware of Census 2010 and maximize response, the Census Bureau suggests local participation in its Complete Count Committee (CCC) Program. A CCC is a volunteer committee established by tribal, state, and local governments, and/or community leaders to increase awareness about the Census and motivate residents in the community to respond. The committees work best when they include a cross section of community representatives from government agencies, education, business, religious organizations, and the media. The Census will be taken in April 2010 and will serve as the basis for population-based revenue sharing over the next decade. In addition, the Census provides valuable socio-economic data that can and will be used for a variety of planning purposes. Although County participation in the 2010 Census and CCC program is voluntary, it is highly recommended to ensure an accurate count. Orange County participated in this program during the 2000 Census. Planning Staff suggests: 1. Formation of an Orange County Complete Count Committee, consisting of 20-30 members, based on response; 2. Sending memoranda of invitation (Attachment 1) to local organizations (Attachment 2) requesting their participation and assistance (Planning will also include an informational brochure, prepared by the US Census, with each memo); 3. The first meeting of the CCC early this summer to design Orange County's census awareness campaign for implementation through the end of 2009 and until the Census is taken in April 2010; and 4. "Sun setting" of the CCC in May 2010. a FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct public fiscal impact regarding this item. Planning and the Clerk's office staff will coordinate the effort to form the CCC. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends the Board: 1. Approve the creation of a Complete Count Committee; 2. Authorize Chair signature and transmittal of invitations to local organizations; and 3. Approve the 2010 Census Partner Resolution (Attachment 3) and authorize the Chair to sign. Attachment ( . MEMORANDUM TO: Chair, " board or organization " FROM: Valerie Foushee, Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners RE: Census 2010 -Complete Count Committee DATE: tbd You are receiving this letter as Chair of the " board or organization ." The " board or organization " is being invited to participate in the upcoming Census by participating in the Complete Count Committee. The purpose of this Committee is to assure that each and every citizen in Orange County is counted in the upcoming Census 2010. As you are no doubt already well aware, a complete count is extremely important. Census 2010 is fast approaching. One of the most important functions that our community can perform is to participate in the Complete Count Committee. This committee is a cooperative effort between governments, community organizations, and the Census Bureau to incorporate local knowledge, expertise, influence, and resources to enhance census efforts in data collection, recruiting, and promotional activities. Please review the attached brochure and recommend a representative of "board or organization "to become a member of the Complete Count Committee. Please have your nominee complete the attached application and return no later than (date) in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. This is an extremely important effort. A joint effort on the part of all local agencies and organizations will assure that we have a Complete Count in Orange County. This has a direct impact on funding for the next decade. Therefore, it is in our best interest to participate fully on this project. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at one of the numbers listed below. y ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES TO CONTACT FOR CENSUS COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE 2010 • Advisory Board on Aging • Amer'scan Assoaadon of Retired Persons • Apartment Assodation • Association for Retarded Citizens Board bf Social Services • Carrboro - Torun of • Cedar Grove Human Services Center • Chapel Hill Newspaper Chapel Hilt -Town of • • Chad Hip Herrald • Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Camm®rce • Chapel Hiil-Carrboro PTA Council • Chape! Ffill-Carrboro Schools- Board Chair • Cooperative Extension Agency • l~mployment Security Commission • Hillsbarougtt -Town of • Hipsborough Chamber cf Commerce • Housing ~ Community Development • Human Relations Commission • interPalth Counal ~ JOCCA • Mebane -Town of • Mental Health Assodation • Ministorial Association • Minority Reprasentativ®-Hispanic Community • Minority Representative -other • NAACP Minority Repnesentative - • News S Observer • News of Orange • OPC Mental Health • Orange Congregation In Missions • C3range Carrectton Facility • grange County Literacy Council • Orange County Sdtioo! Board • Orange Enterprises Board of Directors • Private Citizen • ~ Privy#e Ci~zen • Private Citizen • Residential Services • UNC Director of Housing & Residential Education • WCHL Attachment 2 ~\'.l~ 4~ ~ ~_ ~~ ~F~; _Y~. -{ A-ttA~,i~ ~,~-~ 3 5 IT'S IN U~ HANDS 2010 Census Partner Resolution A resolution affirming Orange County support of and partnership with the 2010 Census. WHEREAS the U.S. Census Bureau is required by the Constitution of the United States of America to conduct a count of the population and provides a historic opportunity for Orange County to help shape the foundation of our society and play an active role in American democracy; WHEREAS Orange County is committed to ensuring every resident is counted; WHEREAS more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities, and decisions are made on matters of national and local importance based on census data, including healthcare, community development, housing, education, transportation, social services, employment, and much more: WHEREAS census data determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the redistricting of state legislatures, county and city councils, and voting districts; WHEREAS the 2010 Census creates hundreds of thousands of jobs across the nation; WHEREAS every Census Bureau worker takes a lifetime oath to protect confidentiality and ensure that data identifying respondents or their household not be released or shared for 72 years; WHEREAS a united voice from businesses, government, community-based and faith-based organizations, educators, media and others will allow the 2010 Census message to reach a broader audience, providing trusted advocates who can spark positive conversations about the 2010 Census; Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that Orange County 1. Supports the goals and ideals for the 2010 Census and will disseminate 2010 Census information to encourage participation. 2. Asks its affiliates and membership to partner together to achieve an accurate and complete count. 3. Encourages people in Orange County to participate in events and initiatives that will raise overall awareness of the 2010 Census and increase participation among all populations. Signature Name Valerie Foushee Title Chair, Board of Couniy Commissioners Organization Orange County, NC United States' USCENSUSBUREAU Census 2010