County’s mayors want you: to fill out and return 2010 Census form

SALT LAKE CITY — The 2010 Census is so important, Murray Mayor Dan Snarr said, that if people don't mail in their forms, he'll go count them himself.

"I will personally go to every door," Snarr said. "Get them filled out so you don't have to get a visit from the mayor."

Snarr and other Salt Lake County mayors gathered Thursday at the Utah Food Bank to announce a friendly competition in hopes of encouraging area residents to participate in the census.

"We're going to have a little challenge to see whose city can fill out and return the most forms," Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon said.

In the 2000 Census, Salt Lake County had a 72 percent response. Corroon and mayors throughout the county agreed they want to top that this time, and several city leaders were eager to unseat Sandy's victory in 2000 with 80 percent.

Every census form returned by mail saves the government $67, Corroon said. For unreturned forms, the federal government has to send someone on foot to count.

"The census not only determines how you're represented but how tax dollars are spent," said Taylorsville Mayor Russ Wall.

Those population projections help determine allocation of tax dollars, such as funding for transportation projects, Wall said.

In fast-growing Herriman, first-year Mayor Joshua Mills said the city is counting on the U.S. Census Bureau to help attract economic development by accurately projecting growth.

"I filled it out over lunch," said West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder. "It took me all of six minutes."

West Valley had just a 70 percent return in 2000, which Winder says was unacceptable.

No prize was specified for the winner Thursday, but none of the mayors seemed concerned about that.

"I'm not sure what the winner gets," said Holliday Mayor Dennis Webb, "but we'll accept it with gratitude."

e-mail: ashaha@desnews.com