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Fr- I <br />BOOK J-00 FAGAM0 <br />Community Development Director Bob Keating explained that two <br />organizations develop the figures, the Census Bureau and the Bureau <br />of Economic Research at the University of Florida. The Census <br />Bureau looks at births and deaths and what address is used on <br />Income Tax Returns. He pointed out that migration is the principal <br />component of our population increase and that is the point on which <br />we will have to challenge. The Bureau of Economic Research looks <br />at building permit activity, average persons per household, and <br />other data that can verify the building permit data. <br />Director Keating advised that staff has begun to investigate <br />and are finding numbers and percentages which show about a 2,000 <br />person increase, not 200. He felt that the County has a good case <br />to challenge the census numbers. With the Board's approval, staff <br />will continue to compile data and challenge the census figures. <br />Chairman Eggert wanted to set the county up better for the <br />year 2000 census. She felt it was fairly sloppy in 1990 and the <br />more we can do to challenge, the better. She cautioned that we do <br />not want to do anything that will jeopardize any funding coming <br />into the county, based on population. She thought there was no <br />harm in proceeding. <br />Commissioner Adams was curious to know what the negative <br />effect would be, if there was any financial implication, and was it <br />worth using staff time to challenge it. <br />Director Keating was unsure what the Census numbers were used <br />for, but the Bureau of Economic and Business Research estimates are <br />used to determine most of the in-state activity with respect to <br />distribution of funds or determining eligibility for grants. <br />Discussion ensued on financial implication concerns and <br />Administrator Chandler stressed that the State uses the Bureau of <br />Economic and Business Research figures which affects our state <br />shared revenue. He thought that the Census Bureau figures might <br />affect our transit funds and MPO. <br />Director Keating pointed out that many people come to his <br />office who use the figures for market analyses, grant applications <br />and so forth. He felt it was important to have accurate <br />responsible figures. He advised that this will not be an expensive <br />project for his staff. <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Ginn, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Tippin, the Board unanimously (4-0, <br />Commissioner Macht being absent) directed staff to <br />try to get the census figures more in line with what <br />we believe are realistic figures. <br />44 <br />March 25, 1997 <br />