Title
a. Receive a report on the impact of 2020 Census operations due to the social disruption caused by COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus.
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign and submit a formal letter by April 1, 2020, to the US Department of Commerce requesting an extension of 2020 Census operations to, at minimum, November 30, 2020.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a report on the impact of 2020 Census operations due to the social disruption caused by COVID-19.
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign and submit a formal letter by April 1, 2020, to the US Department of Commerce requesting an extension of 2020 Census operations to, at minimum, November 30, 2020.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Office of Community Engagement and Advocacy (OCESA) of the CAO functions as the backbone of the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee for Monterey County.
2020 Census Operations:
The 2020 Census Self-Response period began on March 12, 2020 and is scheduled to end on April 30, 2020. The entire 2020 Census enumeration operations is scheduled to end on July 31, 2929. Monterey County’s efforts to increase access to the online survey is to setup 94 Questionnaire Assistance Kiosks throughout all Hard-to-Count Census tracks in Monterey County libraries, schools, faith based community spaces and community based organizations.
On March 6, 2020, Monterey County declared a state of local emergency as a precaution to prepare for the local impact of COVID-19. While Monterey County has not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19, mobilization efforts to take preventative measures are in full effect.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic and communities across the nation, including Monterey County began to build upon initial preventative measures and began to close non-essential operations to help prevent the spread of the virus. The 2020 Census Complete Count Committee is comprised of a cross sector of jurisdictions and as all are now forced to redirect their capacity to respond to the outbreak, there is a diminishing capacity to administer the Census in addition to pragmatic and logistical challenges caused by the outbreak itself. Setup and launch of local operations including community kick-off events focused on raising awareness about the importance of the census and instantly provides internet access for marginalized communities have been drawn to a halt. Any count conducted under these circumstances would undoubtedly result in a severe undercount and the negative impact will specifically target historically disadvantaged communities by the census process.
Given the uncertainty of the timeline for which our communities will return to normalcy and local census efforts could resume, the formal letter to the US Department of Commerce would request that the 2020 Census operations be extended through November 2020.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This 2020 Census Complete Count Committee has confirmed support of this position by First 5 Monterey County, United Way and the Community Foundation for Monterey County. This report is prepared by the CAO-Office of Community Engagement & Strategic Advocacy with assistance from County Counsel.
FINANCING:
Approval of the recommendation included in this report will not result in additional General Fund contributions.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Receipt of this report and authorization of the proposed letter supports the selected Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
X_ Economic Development
X_ Administration
X_ Health & Human Services
X_ Infrastructure
X_ Public Safety
Prepared by: Rosemary Soto, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Nick Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer
March 24, 2020
___________________________________________ ____________________
Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer Date
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board
Exhibit A: Monterey County Letter to US Department of Commerce (DRAFT)