Jeff Reed, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau in St. Louis, visited Warren County commissioners on Monday to ask them to organize a "Complete Count Committee." The committee will have a chairperson to be named later. It will be comprised of local government, business and civic leaders and will oversee the countywide census-gathering process when it begins on April 1, 2010. "Basically, it's a partnership between the county and the Census Bureau," Reed told commissioners. "The committee will help get the message out to the public and ask them to cooperate by participating in the census." The commission signed the agreement form. Among other things, information on census participation such as promotional material and press releases will be posted on the county's Web site. County residents will also have a direct link to the census Web site by accessing the county Web site. "We feel it's important to encourage everyone to take part in the 2010 census," said Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage. Warren County did not fare well on the last Census in 2000, according to Reed. Only 64 percent of residents provided a response to the questionnaire sent to every household. That left the county in the bottom 20 percent of counties statewide with regard to the percentage returned, although nearly half the state's counties failed to reach the 70 percent mark which officials hoped to reach. Neighboring St. Charles County, by comparison, was second in the state with a 78 percent return rate. The only county with a higher rate was St. Louis, with 79 percent. Franklin County to the south produced a 71 percent response. Lincoln County to the north had a 68 percent figure while Montgomery to the west checked in at 65 percent. Reed said the low return rate could have a significant impact on the number of Missouri legislators to the U.S. House of Representatives when new districts are determined in 2011 following the census. "A low rate again could mean the loss of one seat in the House," Reed explained. "We had a similar situation in the state of Oklahoma after the 2000 Census where the state lost a representative when two districts were combined." The commissioners will select the chairman of the Complete Count Committee by March 9, they said. "It's important we have someone who knows how to network in this capacity," Engelage noted. "We need a leader who can inspire the group to get the word out and increase participation." The 2010 census forms are "much simpler," Reed said, and about 83 percent of all residents will get a short form, containing 10 basic questions. Reed said it will take the average resident about 10 minutes to fill out the survey. "People aren't interested in filling out forms they receive through the mail," Reed said. "Sometimes they throw them away because it's considered government paperwork." But Reed stressed the Census forms do not require listing a person's Social Security number, nor is the information shared with another agency. "They're safe and easy," he explained. "We'd really love to see Warren County get over 70 percent next year."