Item M5 � M.5
� � �, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
County of Monroe � ��r�i
�r � s�� Mayor Heather Carruthers,District 3
The Florida.Keys Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Coldiron,District 2
Craig Cates,District 1
David Rice,District 4
Sylvia J.Murphy,District 5
County Commission Meeting
August 19, 2020
Agenda Item Number: M.5
Agenda Item Summary #7221
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: BOCC District 3
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Carol Schreck(305) 292-3430
n/a
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners
requesting that the U.S. Census Bureau retain the extended response deadline of October 31, 2020
for the 2020 Census.
ITEM BACKGROUND: The goal of the 2020 Census is to count every person living in Monroe
County, the United States, and U.S. territories. The census is conducted every 10 years by the U.S.
Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency.
The primary constitutional purpose for the census is to determine the number of congressional
representatives for each state for the next decade and to ensure equal representation in the
redistricting process. Congressional districts and the boundaries of every county and city ward are
determined by census numbers.
In addition, federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on
population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race, and other factors.
Academic institutions, medical facilities, businesses, and government rely on census data to inform
their decision making and planning. The population counts and demographic data that the census
produces serves as a benchmark for most current statistics —all of which help gain deeper insights
into every community.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
Packet Pg. 2458
M.5
Census Deadline Resolution BOCC 8.2020
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
n/a
REVIEWED BY:
Heather Carruthers Completed 08/07/2020 12:51 PM
Bob Shillinger Completed 08/07/2020 12:53 PM
Kathy Peters Completed 08/07/2020 1:05 PM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 08/19/2020 9:00 AM
Packet Pg. 2459
RESOLUTION NO. —2020
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
REQUESTING THAT THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU RETAIN
THE EXTENDED RESPONSE DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 31,
2020 FOR THE 2020 CENSUS.
WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau is required by Article I, Section 2 of the U.S.
Constitution to conduct an accurate count of the population every ten years; and 0
WHEREAS, census data is used to determine political representation, specifically the X
number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to
draw congressional and state legislative districts; and
WHEREAS, data collected during the Census is used to determine the distribution of
billions of dollars in federal funding to communities for hospitals,fire departments, schools,roads,
and other resources; and .2
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WHEREAS, the decennial census provides important data that lawmakers, business
owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support within the
community; and
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WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau, Nation, State of Florida and Monroe County face U
an unprecedented level of difficulty gathering a complete count during the COVID-19 pandemic; °r°
and
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WHEREAS,participation at all levels including national,state and local are acknowledged
to be low; and
WHEREAS, the deadline for completion of the Census, previously extended to October
31, 2020, has been reduced to September 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Non-Response Follow-Up operations, or door-to-door enumeration,
originally scheduled to begin in July is approximately six weeks delayed in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, the Service Based and Homeless enumerations originally scheduled for
March 29 - April 1, 2020 has been rescheduled to September 22-24, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Enumeration of Transitory Locations (which include RV parks,
campgrounds, marinas, and hotels), originally scheduled for April 9 — May 4, 2020 has been
rescheduled to September 3-28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, enumeration of populations that are traditionally undercounted or difficult to
count are scheduled to conclude mere days before the new deadline leaving little to no time for
follow-up and a questionable length time to ensure the effort accomplished a complete count; and
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WHEREAS, Monroe County has large numbers of traditionally undercounted or difficult
to count populations including renter-occupied units, non-traditional housing such as liveaboard
boats, households with non-English speaking, low-income, immigrants or children. These
populations require adequate time during the special enumerations and Non-Response Follow-Up
operations to ensure a complete and accurate count; and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, in affirmation of the
importance of an accurate and complete count of the County population, is committed to ensuring
every resident is counted;
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
1. The Board of County Commissioners encourages and requests that the U.S.
Census Bureau honor the original extended deadline of October 31, 2020 to
allow adequate time during this global pandemic for all Monroe County
residents to participate in, and thus benefit from, the 2020 Census and the r_
representation and funding dependent upon census data. .2
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2. The Clerk is directed to send copies of this resolution to:
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Dr. Steven Dillingham U.S. Senator Rick Scottco
Director, U.S. Census Bureau 716 Hart Senate Office Building
4600 Silver Hill Road Washington, DC 20510 U
Washington, DC 20233
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
284 Russell Senate Office Building 114 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 Washington DC 20515
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting held on the 19th day of August 2020.
Mayor Heather Carruthers
Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Coldiron
Commissioner Craig Cates E
Commissioner David Rice
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
(SEAL) OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK
BY:
By: Mayor Heather Carruthers
As Deputy Clerk
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