GOLDSBORO, N.C. — The Goldsboro City Council is raising concerns about proposed changes to federal census residence rules that officials fear could affect how military personnel are counted in communities surrounding military installations.
During its October 19 meeting, council members discussed a proposal they understood could use state tax-filing residence information to determine where individuals are counted.
The concern is particularly significant for Goldsboro, home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Council members expressed concern that military personnel who physically live in Goldsboro but maintain legal or tax residency in another state could potentially be counted outside the community.
Such a change, officials argued, could result in an undercount of the local military population and potentially affect funding decisions that rely on population data.
Military members frequently maintain a home of record or legal residence in a different state while serving at installations across the country.
Council members discussed the importance of distinguishing between where service members physically live and where they maintain residency for tax purposes.
During the meeting, the council reviewed a letter prepared by another military host community addressing similar concerns.
Members directed city staff to prepare a comparable letter tailored to Goldsboro, incorporating local population figures and information about Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The council emphasized that the city’s response should focus specifically on military personnel and the potential use of tax-residence information in census population counts.
The letter is expected to be submitted as part of the public-comment process, with copies provided to council members.
During the discussion, November 4 was identified as the deadline for submitting comments, although the deadline requires independent confirmation.
The council approved a motion directing staff to prepare and submit the city’s response.
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