•Commissioners talk about the possible 12-cent tax hike and what impact Medicaid relief could have on it.

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

It accounts for roughly 18 cents of Columbus County’s tax rate.

Medicaid, a government funded health insurance program for low-income individuals, takes a huge toll on the county’s budget each year and this year taxpayers are facing one of the highest tax increases in recent history (See related story at top of page).

A budget proposal presented to commissioners Monday calls for a 12-cent tax hike, but many commissioners say they can’t support it any more than they can count on state Medicaid relief that is not “in stone.”

With a state mandate that requires counties to pay a portion of the expense and with one of the highest Medicaid-eligible populations in the state and growing, Columbus County could spend as much as $6.5 million on Medicaid next year. That is more than $1 million more than what is budgeted.

County officials are hopeful for at least a cap on the county’s share (which happened last year).

Under a house proposal, Columbus County stands to gain nearly $3.5 million in targeted Medicaid relief.

Officials emphasize it is just a proposal – as is a plan to permanently take over the county Medicaid share in exchange for counties giving up local revenue from certain sales tax. While it is a seemingly good deal either way for counties like Columbus that spend more on Medicaid than they gain in the tax revenues proposed for the trade-off, it may not be appealing to wealthier counties or their senators.

“I doubt seriously the Senate accepts the House bill,” Sen. R.C. Soles Jr. said this week. “I prefer the Senate plan.”

Soles said the Senate plan would hold cities and counties harmless of sales tax revenue foregone in exchange for permanent state Medicaid relief. He said he is confident there will be some form of relief and hopes the Senate and House will reach a compromise within the next 30 days.

“Well, as usual the state giveth and the state taketh away,” Commissioner Bill Memory said, pointing out it is likely a good deal for Columbus County because of the huge Medicaid expense. “My concern is we need to know about it before we set a tax rate. I would hope the state legislature would move forward as quickly as possible.”

Memory said Medicaid relief would “go a long way” but reiterated the county really can’t count on it. “Any poor county is in the same boat we are.

“I don’t want to raise taxes on anyone,” Memory said. “I don’t think the average person can stand it.”

Memory said he doesn’t see how the county can cut back on expenses.

“Let’s face it, we’re not spendthrifts but with inflation – I feel it every time I go to the gas pump,” Memory said, pointing out costs are rising but the county’s tax base is not growing nearly as fast.

“There is no new growth in property,” he said. “I’ve been worrying about it – thinking about it but I can’t find anything to cut.”

Memory pointed out the public was obviously not going to be happy with a tax increase.

“Give us some ideas. Don’t just come blast us,” he said. “We’ve robbed the undesignated fund balance for years,” Memory said, pointing out it can’t be used to balance the budget any longer.

“Please, I don’t want to be tarred and feathered,” said Memory.

Commissioner Ronald Gore wants to cut budgets. He says talk of Medicaid relief has gone from one extreme to the other. “We can’t be sure of the dollars and cents the state may give us,” he said.

“I cannot support a twelve-cent tax increase – I don’t see that people can afford that,” Gore added. “I don’t think we’re looking at a twelve-cent tax increase –that’s my feeling.”

Gore said there are departments – every department, including the commissioners – that can scale back expenses.

“If we get Medicaid relief we will be in good shape,” Gore said, but pointed out that the budget needs “trimming.”

“I’m going to suggest we ask commissioners give up 10 percent of their salary,” Gore said.

He did not say which budgets should be cut. “It may be a few hundred dollars here and there. Hundreds add up to thousands,” Gore said.

“Property tax is not the answer to our problems,” Gore said. “Our big problem is the Medicaid — that’s the big thing.”

“I can’t support a twelve-cent property tax increase,” Commissioner Ricky Bullard said. “People have been taxed more than what they feel they can pay.”

He said that Columbus County has one of the highest tax rates but is “third from the bottom in poverty.”

Bullard said he knows departments are pushed to cut back costs now as it is, but they need to be even more efficient.

He said he plans to ask for a budget workshop as soon as possible so that the board can begin working through it.

“I’m willing to work as many nights as necessary,” he said. Bullard, a first-time commissioner, pointed out he wanted to be more knowledgeable about the budget, he said.

“I do hope the House and Senate come through with a permanent solution for Medicaid,” Bullard added. “It is a huge burden and we do need it, being a county with a low income.

“It’s a bad situation either way,” he added.

Commissioner James Prevatte did not wish to comment. Chairman Sammie Jacobs, Commissioners Lynwood Norris and Amon McKenzie were unavailable by press deadline Wednesday.