In about six months, Westmont will be counting on its residents to make themselves known in the 2010 U.S. Census, so the village can get more federal revenue.

For the past few months, the village has been getting ready to promote the census in the community. The number of residents for which the village has accounted helps determines how much money the village gets in state and federal dollars.

As part of the preparation, the village has established the Westmont Census Complete Count Committee to educate residents about the importance of participating in the upcoming census in April, said Committee Chairman Larry McIntyre.

The committee meets monthly, and last met on Oct. 22.

The goal of the Complete Count Committee is to promote the 2010 Census and ensure all Westmont residents are counted so that the village receives its maximum share of tax dollars from the federal and state government. 

The village formed a similar committee for the 2000 Census. The committee was even recognized nationally and became a model for other communities to follow, McIntyre said.

“Our efforts resulted in the highest percentage count in DuPage County and one of the highest percentage counts in the state,” he said. “Our publicity campaign was very well received by the U.S. Census Bureau, which resulted in having representatives of Westmont flown to Washington, D.C., to be recognized.”

McIntyre said the committee is looking to reach out to the community to build more contacts for an eventual phone tree that will notify the community about the upcoming census.

But just how much money could the village gain from the census? Village Manager Ron Searl said the village conducted a partial  special census in 2007 with the U.S. Census Bureau targeting growth areas in he village. As a result, the village increased in size by 1,657 residents.

“The village receives about $140 (on average) per person from state shared revenues,” said Searl.

Which means, as a result of the special Census, the village bought in about $231,980 in additional state revenue. The population increase also allowed the village to gain Home Rule Status, since communities with 25,000 or more residents can automatically become home rule without going to referendum.

Searl said all indications is that the village will again receive about $140 per additional resident that is counted in the upcoming census. He said if the village does drop below 25,000 people, they would not automatically lose Home Rule status.

Home rule status gives the Westmont Village Board special taxing authority as well as the powers to create ordinances that are more stringent than state statute.

As a result of problems experienced during Census 2000, the U.S. Census will be getting rid of the long-form census questionnaire completely. All citizens will be asked the same 10 basic questions to make it easier for people to fill out.