ROGERS — The 2010 census is expected to put more money in city coffers and extend the term of the mayor.
Getting an accurate count is paramount to the city. Sales tax revenue and turnback money is based on population, said Debbie Roberts, manager of local government services for the state treasurer’s office.
“The law is that sales tax is distributed (proportionately). We use the last federal census to distribute funds. For those taxes that are distributed by population, once we receive the new census figures we will change the calculations,” Roberts said.
Turnback money is also based on the population of the last decennial census. The greater the population the higher the rate of return, Roberts said.
Turnback money is derived from fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees. Cities receive $62.50 per resident with $47 earmarked for streets and $15.50 for the general fund.
Census data also determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. The data is also used to allocate federal money for school lunch programs, senior citizens centers and construction of highways and hospitals.
The decennial census is important for other reasons as well, said Mayor Steve Womack.
“The census drives so many things,” Womack said. “Besides the additional money the city may get, it drives our decision-making process. If our population is growing at ‘X’ percent a year we need to know that. It gives us a basis on which to make important decisions.”
Beyond money, the 2010 census, the first census of the 21st century, has special significance to Rogers.
If the population of Rogers is more than 50,000, which local officials believe is the case, the term of the mayor will be extended from four years to six years and aldermen will serve four-year, staggered terms by state law.
Census figures won’t be certified until 2011, according to the Census Bureau. Nonetheless, if the census finds there are 50,000 or more residents in Rogers it will have an impact on who is elected in 2010: whoever is elected mayor will serve two additional years.
The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and city officials have formed a committee to help with the census.
“The committee is named the Complete Count Committee and the purpose of the committee is to ensure we have a complete and accurate count in Rogers,” said Dana Mather, vice president of communication and community development for the chamber.
Committee members will concentrate on getting out the message that the census is quick and safe and confidential, Mather said.
“The information collected is used only by the Census Bureau and is not released to any other agency or organizations,” she said.
The chamber is also helping the Census Bureau find enumerators and allowing the chamber building to be used as a training center.
Infotext
AT A GLANCE
Basic Census Information
More than 130 million citizens will receive a 10-question census form in the mail or from a census worker in March.
Canvassing of residents will begin on April 1.
The results of the national census will be presented to the president on Dec. 31.
The Census Bureau will deliver the redistricting data to the states in March 2011.
Source: The U.S. Census Bureau