PEA RIDGE -- Funding for cities, counties and states is based on population, a factor derived from census responses.
"It's very important to our city," Nathan See, street superintendent, said. "How much funding we get from turnback is determined by the census.
Online: http://my2020census…">my2020census.gov
Telephone: 844-330-2020
Mail: Return information received in mail
"And, representation ... it's determined by the census," he said.
The deadline for self-response has been extended to Oct. 31 because of the covid-19 restrictions, See said, explaining officials are encouraging everyone to "self-respond" whether online, by phone or by mail.
"They're trying to have fewer people on the street," he said, adding as soon as the library opens, people without computers at home can go to the library and use a computer there. "It takes about three minutes."
"The 2020 Census is vital to our local, county and state funding. There is about $675 billion that will be dispersed throughout the state of Arkansas, based on per capita," See said. "Currently Benton County is above the national average for self-response at 68%, the national average is 54.8%. Pea Ridge is at 65.9% self-response, we have already beat our 2010 self-response final rating which was 63.4%."
See said each person who isn't counted is money lost for the local, county and state governments.
Mayor Jackie Crabtree said the importance of the census is it determines money for the city.
"Sales taxes paid to the state are split between the schools, counties and cities, which is called turn back. This funding is based on population or per capita. So naturally the larger the population the larger the funds back to the city. In addition, our portion of the county 1 cent sales tax is also derived by the population. Our 1 cent city sales tax is ours, it is not split with any other entity.
"Secondly, different federal and state money programs are based on population. Different program grants are also based on population," Crabtree said.
"We need to get everyone counted. This count is going to fund our local, county and state governments for the next 10 years. With the growth that is predicted for Benton County to have a 1 million people by 2045 we need to get our portion of the revenue now, so we can plan for the future of our infrastructure. Each year, Census data informs federal funding for more than 100 programs, including school lunches, highway construction, and education."
See also said the census could help get more representation in state government as the results of the once-a-decade count determines the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. They are also used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
Everyone should count themself at the place where they are living and sleeping most of the time as of April 1 (Census Day), See said, adding they should include roommates, young children, newborns, and anyone renting a space in the home. If someone is staying in your home April 1 and has no usual home elsewhere, you should count them in your response to the 2020 Census."
For some, this is straightforward. But others -- including college students, service members, and people in health care facilities -- may have questions about where they should count themselves or how they should respond. Other circumstances can cause confusion as well, such as moving, having multiple homes, having no permanent address, living in a shelter, or living at a hotel or recreational vehicle park.
NW News on 05/28/2020