The City of Sedona has partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure
everyone completes and mails back their 2010 census form.  Participation is
important to the future of our community.  Funding for essential local programs
and services is based on our Census numbers. The City encourages everyone living
in the City of Sedona to “take 10” and beat the area’s mail participation rate
from Census 2000.  The national mail participation rate in Census 2000 was 72
percent as of the April 2000 cut-off, while the mail participation rate was 65%
in the City of Sedona. 

One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10
questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.  The individual in whose name
the housing unit is rented or owned should complete the form on behalf of every
person living there, both relatives and non-relatives.  The most efficient way
to respond to the 2010 Census is to complete the form as soon as it arrives and
return it in the postage-paid return envelope.  Beginning in April, Census
workers will visit homes that do not return forms to take the count in person. 
They can be identified by a badge and a Census Bureau bag.

The Sedona Public Library has volunteered to be a Questionnaire Assistance
Center now through April 19.  A Census Bureau employee will be available to
answer questions and assist in completing the census form on the following days
and times: Monday 2-6 p.m.; Wednesday 4-8 p.m.; Friday 1-5 p.m.; and Saturday
12-3 p.m.  Language assistance is available for 59 languages. In addition, the
Library will serve as a “Be Counted Site” during their regular business hours,
where a box of blank Census forms will be displayed in 5 languages including
Spanish for those that need language assistance, those who did not receive a
survey, individuals who were not included in the survey that was returned from
their household, or for households whose original form was destroyed. 

By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone,
including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.  All Census
Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect
the confidentiality of the data.  The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine
of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

For more information, visit 2010census.gov.