By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro could lose as much as $46,220.40 in federal funding for each household not counted in the 2020 Census, a spokeswoman from the Kansas League of Municipalities told city council members Tuesday.

Census numbers are used both for redistricting the U.S. House of Representatives and allocation of federal funds.

“Millions and billions of dollars are involved,” Wendy Stark said. “The information will impact the population for 10 years.”

Stark said missing 10 households in the 2020 Census could cost the city nearly half a million dollars over the next decade.

The preferred method of gathering Census data this year is online. As many as four letters will go out to residents in the hope they will respond electronically, and if they do not respond, a Census worker will come to their door, Stark said.

Stark said that if 1% of the state population is uncounted, the state could lose $604 million in federal funds over the next decade.

Council members approved up to $230,000 for chip seal and fog seal on city streets starting July or August.

Streets to be sealed include:

• Industrial Rd. from US-56 to an abandoned railroad right of way.
• D St. from Industrial Rd. to Airport Rd.
• Floral St. from Grand Ave. to near B St.
• Elm St. from Grand Ave. to near B St.
• B St. from Elm to Date Sts.
• Grand Ave. from Ash to Hickory Sts.
• S. Main from D to A Sts.
• N. Main from 1st to 3rd. Sts.
• Willow Rd. from Ash to Juniper Sts.
• Juniper St. from Ash St. to east dead end.
• Ash St. from Juniper St. to south city limit.

Although the county fair starts July 22, street supervisor Dale Dalke told council members the only streets affected by the fair and parade are D and Main Sts.