Federal Register: February 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 24)
DOCID: FR Doc E6-1527
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
2007 Census of Governments Prelist Survey of Special Districts
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 7, 2006.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
I. Abstract
The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request approval of data collection
Form G24, Prelist Survey of Special Districts. This form will be used
to verify the existence of special districts for the 2002 Census of
Governments, to obtain current mailing addresses, and to identify new
districts. The quinquennial Census of Governments enumerates five types
of local governments: county governments, municipal governments,
township governments, school district governments, and special district
governments. Lists of county, municipal and township governments are
kept uptodate through the Boundary and Annexation Survey conducted annually by the Geography Division of the Census
[[Page 6037]]
Bureau. School district governments and other ``local education
agencies'' are kept current through data sharing arrangements with
state education agencies, and the National Center for Education
Statistics. There is no national source of information on special
district governments. We, therefore, enlist the help of county clerks,
and other county officials to provide information on changes in special
districts, including the creation of new districts, disincorporation of
existing districts, and address changes. An updated list is necessary
for subsequent phases of the Census of Governments to ensure complete
coverage and to minimize the need for remailings caused by inaccurate addresses.
II. Method of Collection
Each of the approximately 1,500 counties, consolidated citycounty governments, and independent cities designated for the survey will be sent a printed list of previously identified special districts within their county areas. Respondents will be requested to review and update the list to identify those districts that are no longer active, districts with address changes, and districts that are not included in the list. For new special districts, respondents will be requested to provide, in addition to the district name, mailing addresses and the names of counties included in the service area.
This data collection effort will offer fax and email as electronic response options, but no electronic form on the Internet. The Census Bureau explored the possibility of an electronic form during the previous survey cycle and determined that the nature of the informationunique and specific for every respondentrendered this too costly. The effort required to develop and deploy a comprehensive and effective electronic response instrument would far exceed both the budget and potential benefits of such a method.
In addition, in keeping with Governments Division policy, we will
accept responses prepared by the respondents from their own files in either electronic, or printed form.
III. Data
OMB Number: None.
Form Number: G24.
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: County governments, consolidated citycounty governments, and independent cities.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,500.
Estimated Time Per Response: 0.5 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 750.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $15,000.00.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 161.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: January 31, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E61527 Filed 2306; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351007P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Stephen Owens, Chief, Government Organization and Special Programs Branch, Governments Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 202336800 (301 7635149).