[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 151 (Friday, August 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47949-47950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19719]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2002 Census of Governments Prelist Survey of Special Districts; 
Proposed Collection

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should

[[Page 47950]]

be directed to Robert McArthur, Chief, Program Evaluation Branch, 
Governments Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-6800 
(301-457-1582).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request approval of data collection 
Form G-24, 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 up-to-date through the Boundary and Annexation Survey conducted 
annually by the Geography Division of the Bureau of the Census. 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. However, 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 3,039 counties, consolidated city-county 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.
    The feasibility of electronic data collection will be explored in 
two states (as yet undetermined) by providing along with the printed 
paper requests instructions for accessing and reporting on spreadsheet 
files. Spreadsheet files will be prepared for each of the respondent 
counties to update and passwords provided to each respondent.
    In addition, in keeping with Governments Division policy, we will 
accept printouts of respondents' own files and electronic responses 
prepared from respondents' own files.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: G-24.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: County governments, consolidated city-county 
governments, and independent cities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,039.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 0.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,520.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $24,335.
    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: July 31, 2000.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-19719 Filed 8-3-00; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P