County Commission reminds residents of 2020 Census

The deadline for the 2020 Census is fast approaching and at the Aug. 10 meeting, the Coffee County Commission pleaded with county residents to fill out the Census forms.

According to County Administrator Rod Morgan, Coffee County is currently sitting at a 60 percent response rate, which is below the state average. Commission Chairman Dean Smith also said that Kinston has a 37 percent response rate.

“That absolutely will not be sufficient to retain the benefits we currently enjoy,” Morgan said. “The Census is going to impact every single facet of our lives from road dollars, school dollars and how they proportion seats in Congress. It is entirely possible we could lose our representation (in Congress) if we don’t get the count up.”

Morgan said that the deadline to fill out the Census is Sept. 30 and that Aug. 12 has been designated as a Drop Everything, Get Counted Day. Morgan urges citizens to not wait because this Census will have a long-lasting impact.

“I urge everyone not to wait and go ahead and do it now,” Morgan emphasized. “You don’t count until you get counted. It asks for less information than most people post on social media and it is vitally important for our community.

“It will impact us for the next decade. We have to live with these results for the next 10 years.”

Smith also urged residents to help out family members, neighbors or friends that may be intimidated by the Census.

“I think some people are intimidated by the process,” Smith said. “I encourage you, if you have a neighbor or family member that hasn’t filled it out, to go online with them and help them register.”

The United States Census – which is mandated by the U.S. Constitution to be carried out every 10 years – is the basis for much of the federal funds that states, counties and cities or towns receive. Federal funds, grants and other support are based on the population totals and breakdown of sex, age, race and other factors counted by the Census.

Businesses also use Census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores – creating new jobs – according to the U.S. Census’ website. Congressional seats for each state are also based on the Census population count.

To register with the 2020 U.S. Census, it can be done online, by phone or by mail. To register by phone, call (844) 330-2020. To register by mail, simply fill out and return the forms sent to your home. To register online, visit my2020census.gov.

In other business, the commission approved a memorandum of understanding for a right of refusal for the City of Brundidge in regards to a company that is looking into potentially leasing the Brundidge Landfill. The Coffee County Commission holds a public-private partnership with Brundidge in regards to the landfill.

The commission also approved the purchase of a sheriff’s vehicle, which will allow the county to save $6,500 and approved a final version of a lease-purchase agreement with KBI Industries to lease the Coffee County Tire Processing Facility.

The Coffee County Commission also renewed contracts for debris removal, diesel fuel and lime rock for the county. Permission was also given to the engineering department to send out bids for plant mix and triple surface treatment to be utilized as a part of the county’s transportation plan.

Project funding – which comes from federal aid – was also approved for the installation of guardrails at culverts on County Roads 420, 719 and 148 as a part of the county’s six-year resurfacing plan.

Coffee County Sheriff Dave Sutton also addressed the return to school and emphasized that anyone that passes a stopped bus will be fined.

“We’ve heard people are not paying attention to school buses when they have red lights going and their flags out,” Sutton said. “If we catch you doing that you will be cited. This is a dangerous situation and we don’t want any children hurt. We’re here to take care of the children, not hurt them.