The City of Big Rapids will move forward to determine if there is a need to conduct a census recount due to a 27% population decline recorded in the 2020 census.

City Officials say because of the population decline, Big Rapids receives around $500,000 less per year in revenue sharing from the state.

In a letter to the City Commission, City Manager Mark Gifford said there are many questions regarding a recount. Some of the questions are logistical, process, deadline, costs. Some of the questions require researching the outcomes from 2020 to determine potential flaws that impacted our population decline.

The City Commission approved a resolution on Monday to appoint a recount committee with various members of the community as well as city officials.