North Carolina Councils of Governments - Regional Council Budgets

Regional Council Budgets

Although representation and number of services provided by COGs has increased over the years, the budgets of these councils have not followed suit. In general, total budgets have increased, but per capita budgets have decreased substantially between the years of 1994 and 2007. This is due to the fact that the population of North Carolina has increased at a faster rate than the COG budgets.

Depending on geographical size, population and number of services provided, the budgets of regional councils in North Carolina vary greatly. In 2007 Region R or the counties of: Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrell and Washington had the smallest budget of all regional councils in the sate at approximately $4.4 million. Region I or the counties of: Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin had the largest budget of all regional councils at approximately $15.2 million. Between 1994 and 2007, the average total budget for North Carolina COG's increased 11% from $8 million to $8.9 million. Direct State Contribution to regional councils of government decreased by 27% during this same time period (1994–2007) in which the average total budget increase was realized. From 1994-2007 North Carolina saw a population increase of 26%. This increase in population, coupled with the substantial decrease in state contribution, led to an average per capita budget decrease in regional councils of 39% or from $42 to $26 during this time period.

Regional Councils receive the bulk of thir funds from federal and state sources. In 1994, it was reported that approximately 92% ($95 million) of $103 million dollars received by regional councils was from State and Federal funding. Approximately 84% of these State and Federal funds were passed through to local governments or other agencies to provide services for target populations such as those needing housing assistance or the elderly. The remaining 7% or approximately $8 million dollars in revenues received by regional councils came from local funding.