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Luis Camacho from the United States Census Bureau addressed the Winslow City Council last week. His presentation was geared toward raising awareness of the importance of taking part in the census.
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“All of the information needed to fund your parks, cemeteries and things like that is provided by census data. The census does a geographical information survey which provides data that is able to explain your community to your congressmen and senators.”
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Camacho explained, “A small park in a community like Winslow takes up a lot more space than a small park in a community like Phoenix. So funds really do matter here. While they can cut the funding for a small park in Phoenix, the effect it has on the community is significantly different than it is in a community like Winslow.”
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The park example is just a small one, according to Camacho. Other programs impacted by census data include S.N.A.P. (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Title 1 Grants, various rural community grants, school lunch programs and United States Department of Agriculture low income loans. In 2016, based on information gathered by the 2010 census, Arizona received over $20 billion through 55 federal spending programs. The data derived from the upcoming census will help determine how many federal dollars will be spent in rural communities such as Winslow.
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The Census Bureau is recruiting for help in distribution and execution of census surveys. According to Camacho, there will be five census offices opening this summer, providing 50 jobs. Both Flagstaff and Window Rock are slated to open offices and the operations branch for the entire Western United States will be located in Phoenix and has 1,000 jobs available.
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“Once we have a mock survey and a mock invitation available, we will come back to Winslow and show the council how to properly answer the questions on those forms. It is so important that every citizen is counted.”
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Mayor Tom McCauley added, “We need to make it imperative that everybody in our county is counted because this money makes a huge impact when it comes to our police department, fire department, public housing. This is not government money, this is our tax money and if we do it correctly, we get it back.”
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The council also heard a presentation from Winslow Recreation Director Sandra Knight. In it, she outlined this year’s summer schedule. “The outdoor pool is officially open. It is going to be open seven days a week now, so there will always be a time to swim.” The outdoor pool hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Admission to the pool is $1.50 for children under 12 years old, $2 for adults and 75 cents for those 55 years of age or older.
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The outdoor pool will also be hosting an evening movie at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. The movie being shown is Disney’s “Moana.” It is a free event open to all ages with concessions available for purchase. For more information, contact the Recreation Department at (928) 289-5714.
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In other business, and in the absence of council member Judy Howell, the Winslow City Council:
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* Heard the monthly financial report for April. The citywide revenues were $2.3 million, bringing the year to date total to $13.9 million. Citywide expenditures were $1.8 million bringing the year to date total to $15.7 million.
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* Approved a three-year contract with Waste Management for solid waste collection including recycling and disposal services. The annual cost to the City of Winslow will be $770,000. According to the motion for approval, Waste Management was the only bid received by the city. Their final offer includes a $3 per household rate increase effective immediately.
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* Approved an amendment to an existing cooperative agreement with McCauley Construction, Inc. to renew and increase compensation to the contractor for additional materials and services. The City entered into the agreement with McCauley Construction in Sept. 2018 to provide the city with job order contracting services for general construction with the annual cost not to exceed $500,000. That agreement expired May 30. City staff determined that additional materials and services by the contractor are necessary to complete projects underway and planned for fiscal year 2019-2020. The term of the agreement was approved for extension until May 30, 2020, and the annual not-to-exceed amount will increase to $1 million. Winslow Finance Director Elias Jouen said, “Funds are budgeted in various funds where contracted services may be deemed necessary.”
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* Approved a request for assistance from the Winslow High School “Raise the Bar” capstone class for their citywide cleanup. The city provided bags, gloves, and receptacles for the event held June 1.
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* Approved the appointment to the Winslow Arts Council of Antonia Spex until April 1, 2021, and Monique Chavez until April 1, 2022; and Cheri Russell to fill a vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission until May 2022.
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The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, in the council chambers, located at 115 E. Second St.
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