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Posted: 2:37 PM- After a near six-month challenge, Eagle Mountain has convinced the U.S. Census Bureau that it has 17,391 residents - not 12,232 as the 2006 estimate reported.
City calculations say the population is actually near 22,000. City officials cited building permits, water, sewer, gas and electric figures that backed the challenge issued in April.
The vast difference affects more than just statistics and bragging rights. For this city six miles west of Lehi, it could mean more cash - a welcome addition in a city looking to serve its booming number of young residents.
The Census will officially revise its figures next month. Then, Eagle Mountain could get more state sales-tax dollars - perhaps in the hundreds-of-thousands. range
City Administrator John Hendrickson expects around $500,000, upping the general fund from about $1.2 million to $1.75 million.
That money would go toward the city's general fund and could then be used toward any of the area's various budget needs, from park improvements to new infrastructure.
And the new bucks don't stop there.
The adjustment might give the city additional funding toward transportation and capital projects from state and federal agencies that base their allotments on Census figures.
"The mayor and I were absolutely elated," Hendrickson said Thursday. "It's always nice when you have officials recognize you were right."
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