Commissioners Discuss Census, Status of Courthouse

by Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard

At their regular meeting on Monday, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners discussed “Census Day,” April 1, which is the date that the United States Census officially begins. The census not only provides information about citizens, but also provides data that is used to determine County funding and congressional and legislative redistricting.

The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) asked the Commissioners for assistance in communicating the importance of participation in the census, and the effect participation has on funding levels for the next ten years.

The County Commissioners agreed that the 2020 census is essential to County government functions.

“People are sitting around the house right now,” District 1 Commissioner Kreg Murphree said. “It doesn’t take long to fill out.”

According to information provided by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the population of Stephens County in 2010 was 45,048. The potential federal funding loss per year with a 2% undercount is $3,591,227 ($35,912,266 over 10 years); a 3% undercount could potentially cost $5,386,840 in yearly funding ($53,868,398 over 10 years).

Shannon Yarbrough, Community and Economic Development Planner with ASCOG said in an earlier press release that “The 2020 Census will affect our federally funded programs such as volunteer fire departments, education, healthcare, USDA, FSA, housing, seniors nutrition programs and grants for the next 10 years.”

Yarbrough also pointed out the affect that census numbers have on House of Representatives seats.

“Over the last 100 years Oklahoma has had a steady decline in our U.S. House of Representative seats,” Yarbrough said. “Oklahoma held 9 seats in 1930, 8 in 1940, 6 in 1950 – 1990 and 5 in in 2000 and 2010.”

Earlier in the meeting, the Commissioners addressed the current status of the Stephens County courthouse, which was closed to the general public at a special meeting of the Commissioners on March 18. At the time the Board voted to limit access to the building and offices, they had stated that they would re-assess the decision in two weeks.

The Commissioners agreed to extend the closing until April 30th in accordance with the recommendations from Governor Kevin Stitt; the status will be discussed at the regular meeting on April 27.