Citrus Countians have are receiving their 2010 Census forms in the mail this week, and Board of County Commission officials are urging them to make sure everyone gets counted.

They say residents have good reason to want every last person counted.

“It’s critical to the community’s future that each and every Citrus Countian is counted,” said Citrus County Commission Chairman Gary Bartell. “The amount of future allocations, appropriation and grants that we get from the federal government and by pass-throughs will often depend on the numbers that come out of this Census, so I urge every resident to complete and send their survey back.”

“It’s a direct benefit to the taxpayers and all residents,” he said. “Citrus County residents’ piece of the pie depends on it.”

County Administrator Brad Thorpe said, “It’s amazing how quickly you can fill out the simple survey, but as simple as it seems, the
Census numbers we generate will have a profound effect on the county’s future.”

“It’s in everybody’s interest to get counted,” he said, adding, “So my plea to the citizens is to spread the word and make sure everyone you know realizes why it’s so important to fill out a survey and send it back.”

Census officials emphasize the surveys are confidential. The Census Bureau will have survey assistants in public buildings around the county during the next month. They will be at the county’s three senior centers, the county Resource Center, the five libraries, and Lecanto Government Building for three hours a day weekdays for the next month to help anyone who needs assistance or more information about the survey. Hours vary so check with the individual center to get the hours.