Perdue meets with local government officials

Governor Beverly Perdue met with members of her Local Government Advisory Council on June 22 and touched on a variety of subjects, including the ongoing phase out the county Medicaid share and alternative revenues for counties.

NCACC First Vice President Joe Bryan welcomes Governor Beverly Perdue to the Albert Coates Local Government Center for a meeting of the Governor's Local Government Advisory Council on June 22. (Photo by Jason King) See more photos from the meeting

The council, which met at the Albert Coates Local Government Center, consists of the governor and county and city officials. NCACC First Vice President and Wake County Commissioner Joe Bryan, Past President and Vance County Commissioner Terry Garrison, Cumberland County Commissioner Breeden Blackwell, Guilford County Commissioner Kay Cashion, Mecklenburg County Chairman Jennifer Roberts and Martin County Chairman Ronnie Smith represented counties at the meeting.

While discussing the state of the budget, Governor Perdue said she would resist any efforts to undo the plan agreed to by counties and state officials to phase out the county Medicaid match.

As part of the plan, beginning July 1, counties will no longer pay a portion of the state’s share of Medicaid costs. On Oct. 1, the state will assume the final quarter-cent of the Article 44 sales tax. In addition, the distribution method of the half-cent Article 42 sales tax will be switched from per capita to point of delivery beginning Oct. 1.

Governor Perdue also told county officials that she was a willing partner in the fight for alternative revenue options.

“I think that is critically important and I will join with you when you think the time is right,” she said. “You’ve got to have revenue other than the property tax.”