NCLM Volume 70, Issue 4, 2020

SOUTHERN CITY QUARTER 4 2020 30 Another option is the Special Census, a basic enumeration the Census Bureau will conduct at the request of a governmental unit. “When local officials believe there has been a significant popula- tion change in their community due to growth or annexation, a Special Census may be in order,” the Bureau says. “The Official Census statistics produced by conducting a Special Census may produce an increase in state revenue sharing or other benefits. This could also offset the cost of actually conducting the Special Census, but much depends on the individual state’s laws or regulations.” That’s right—unlike the CQR, a Special Census isn’t free and can be quite expensive. The state has not provided offsetting funds in the past, so it’s generally at the expense of the local gov- ernment. It’s not a flat cost; the jurisdiction has to request an estimate from the Bureau. But, with each Census-counted person in North Carolina rep- resenting $1,823 in funds per year, it’s still a worthy tool North Carolina communities have successfully pursued. The rapidly growing Morrisville spent $510,000 for a Special Census in 2015. It paid off, according to the Raleigh News & Observer, as the Photo Credit: U.S. Census Bureau. Special Census found thousands more residents than previously recorded, opening up the town to greater funding eligibility that essentially healed the added costs. Steps are in place to get the most accurate counts possible un- der the circumstances. Indeed, the Census Bureau is, at its core, nothing more than a data collection agency. But those circum- stances, from politics to the pandemic to the fact that this was the first Census with online responses and other factors, assure that the 2020 Census will be extra-heavily analyzed and scruti- nized and possibly the subject of additional lawsuits. In the meantime, experts like Coats say municipal leaders should keep the Census at their attention and prepare. They should have ready the most current data possible on their towns’ boundaries and placement of housing units and group quarters in the event they need to mount a challenge via the free CQR. Essentially, it’s not over. “Let’s don’t waste time on that,” said Coats. “Be ready when the data comes out.” continued from page 29 Steps are in place to get the most accurate counts possible under the circumstances . Those circumstances, from politics to the pandemic to the fact that this was the first Census with online responses and other factors, assure that the 2020 Census will be extra-heavily analyzed and scrutinized and possibly the subject of additional lawsuits . Census 2020: What Now?