The Flora Town Council is seeking interested people to serve on a three to five person committee to help raise awareness of the importance of a complete count for the 2010 U.S. Census.

The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a constitutionally mandated census to determine the number of people living within the United States and its territories every decade.

All entities that receive tax dollars reply on a full and accurate census count, said Clerk-Treasurer Joretta Tinsman at Monday night's town council meeting.

She said that the town's last census count was 2,227.

"We need to educate everyone in town of the importance of being counted," she said. "We don't want to go below that figure because it will affect the revenue that the town receives. That revenue is based on a per capita formula. Services could be affected if our revenue is significantly reduced. It's extremely important that everyone be counted."

Anyone interested in being on the Census-Complete Count committee should contact the town office.

Christmas decorations will be refurbished and approximately 1,300 LED lights will be purchased for the Christmas trees.

The council accepted a bid from Winterland to refurbish the four-foot bell sprays at a cost not to exceed $2,487. The LED lights will cost $1,365.

"We should be good for another 15 years," said councilmember David Albaugh.

A quote from O.W. Krohn & Associates for an electric rate study was reviewed.

"We have not done this in ten years," said council president Josh Ayres. "We need to find out where we're at - keeping the electric utility where it needs to be."

"Unfortunately we have to pay someone to tell us if we need to raise rates or leave them as is." Ayres added.

The council decided to secure another quote before making a decision.

The second quarter tracking factor from the Indiana Municipal Electric Utility will increase due to an Energy Cost Adjustment factor.

The increase is approximately 2.586 mills per kilowatt hour. This amounts to a $2.59 increase for every 1,000 kilowatt hours consumed.

The Utilities Department has been trimming and cutting trees as needed around power lines and between sidewalks and curbs, as well as patching potholes around town.

The council is looking into purchasing a new bucket truck for the electric department. One quote has been submitted and another is being sought.

The marshal's report for February included: 9 arrests/ misdemeanors, 4 felonies, 15 citations, 1 parking violation, 26 warnings, 89 calls for service, 6 accidents investigated, and 3 warrants served.

Marshal Paul Redmon reported that the new police car has been converted over and the car is in its second week of use.

No building permits were issued in February.

Kenny Coddington and Ron Fritz attended transformer schooling in Anderson and will attend two more workshops, one this month and another in May.

Tinsman, Wastewater Foreman Bill McCarty and Flora Patrolman Randy Larimore are all recent Leadership Carroll County graduates.

Spring trash pickup will be May 1 and May 2. All trash to be picked up must be at the curb by 7 a.m. on May 1.

"Once they drive by and pick up the trash, they won't be back," said Ayres.

The next regular meeting will be April 6 at 6 p.m.