Supervisors made only one budget change during their Monday night session prior to setting the proposed $61.5 million budget's public hearing date for June 22.
The board reinstated a previous budget item, an $18,075 allocation for Southside Regional Partnership, if Pittsylvania County remained in the partnership.
Two ordinance changes, one calling for an increase from $2 to $3 in the utility tax and a second reflecting an increase from 40 cents to $2.50 for the E-911 fee, will also be addressed.
The proposed budget carries a 5-cent real estate tax hike, taking the new rate to 36 cents per $100 assessed value.
Other budget proposals include:
· Personal property tax ( per $100 valuation), $1.26.
· Industrial Machine and Tools (rate per $100 valuation) based on 50 percent of original capitalized cost, $1.26.
The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. in the conference room of the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
High-band Radio
The board also approved Sheriff Jeff Oakes' proposal to acquire high-band radio equipment for his office.
"The majority of funds are already in place," the sheriff advised supervisors.
Oakes told supervisors that $21,676.85 in state Compensation Board funds had been approved for carry-over and would be used for the new high-band radio equipment for the sheriff's office.
He said that immediate action was needed in order not to lose the funds gained through salary savings.
The sheriff said that the total cost of the high-band radio equipment is $228,700, plus the cost of furniture for the consoles for his office.
The current budget for the sheriff's office has $107,175.48 remaining in communications equipment, and the Compensation Board has approved $63,750 in communications equipment in next year's budget, explained Oakes.
"If you include the above-mentioned carry-over funds, a total of $192,602.33 will be available toward the purchase of the new equipment, and that does not include any communication's funds from the 2000-2001 county budget," he added. "Basically, the majority of the equipment could be paid for with existing funds.
"The money is in place and we have selected the equipment, Motorola," added the sheriff.
Two supervisors, Lottie Nunn and C.W. Rorrer, questioned Oakes and Ron Wells, a Commonwealth Radio Services representative, about the proposed radio system's compatibility with South Boston's and the Town of Halifax's systems.
The sheriff said that the new high-band radio would bring him up to the towns' systems.
Wells told supervisors that the new system was planned with the probability in mind that South Boston and the county would combine emergency radio systems.
"It is easily upgradable" to allow South Boston to come in, Wells said.
Supervisor David Martin asked about the possibility of being able to talk to the center by hand-held walkie-talkie.
Martin was advised that with the new equipment walkie-talkies would have 60 percent reliable coverage of the county.
"We will have vehicular repeaters," said Wells. Ninety-five percent coverage will be provided with the new system, Wells said.
For fire and rescue units, Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace said that it was recommended that detailed technical information be sought.
Supervisors agreed, passing a proposal to seek technical information and specifications.
Staunton River Park
A request from Staunton River State Park Manager Tim Vest to the Sheriff's Dept. seeking volunteers to work weekends and holidays off at the state park was approved by supervisors. Only one deputy per day with a vehicle would be involved.
However, Oakes said that he did not know if deputies would volunteer to give up their days off, even at the good salary, because the limited time off is valued by the men.
In other business, supervisors approved a resolution authorizing solicitation of proposals from financial institutions for $1,750,000 for Continuing Education Center bonds.
Supervisors will be advised of the response to the solicitation.
Voters approved the issuance of the bonds in the November 1998 election.
The CEC has pledges of support of over $1,750,000, Steve Johnson, with Mays and Valentine law firm in Richmond, told supervisors Monday night. Verification of pledges is expected by the end of the month.
CEC was to raise $1,750,000 to match the bonds.
"It is time for the board to move ahead," Johnson said.
During the Monday night session, supervisors also adopted a resolution in support of a Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors' resolution seeking an increase of 1 percent in general retail sales tax available to counties, cities and town throughout the Commonwealth.
Roads
Following a request by a Clover resident to have signs installed asking motorists to watch out for children, supervisors asked the Virginia Department of Transportation to conduct a study, which is necessary prior to any action.
VDOT also was asked to study Route 672 regarding possible prohibition of tractor trailers.
Supervisors accepted the Planning Commission's recommendation that public hearings be held by the commission on June 27, and by supervisors on July 3, regarding an SBA, Inc., conditional use permit application for a tower at a site on the west side of Route 360 in Election District 2. The tower is for personal communications services.
The proposed site is on Harold Throckmorton's property at 6017 James D. Hagood Highway, between Terry's Bridge and the Route 360 traffic signal.
The application is one of a total of four sites being investigated by SBA, Lovelace said.
No one spoke Monday night during a public hearing seeking location of the absentee ballot precinct.
Supervisors approved the location of the absentee ballot precinct in the Electoral Board meeting room in the courthouse office annex in Halifax.
The absentee ballot precinct will be used only for November general elections.
In other business, supervisors voted to recommend Fred Black to the circuit court judge for the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Supervisor C.W. Rorrer named Carolyn Edmondson to the Improvement Council.

"It looked like a monsoon pouring in," said Heinz Pritchard, owner of Becker Furniture in downtown South Boston that suffered damage to the roof from the Saturday afternoon hailstorm.
Rain water poured through the holes of a protective layer (a tough tear-resistant rubber membrane covering the roof) after hail had penetrated the covering, and standing water gushed into the second floor.
The water traveled by the gallons on to the ceiling tiles that absorbed the water and then crashed down into the showroom, causing water damage to sofas and wood furniture.
About 50 town police and firemen rushed over to help Pritchard move furniture out of the way of the gushing water and to cover the stock with plastic.
"If it wasn't for their help, I'd have lost everything," said Pritchard, who estimated about 50 percent of his stock was damaged.
Virginia Power shut off the electricity as water entered the lighting system and the furniture store has been temporarily closed until the roof can be repaired.
"The parking lot looked white," said Christina Wilborn of the family-owned furniture business that has been operating for 10 years in South Boston.
"At first, the hail was the size of a penny and then increased to the size of golf balls at least," Wilborn added.
It was reported that the storm rained hail the size of baseballs that broke windows of residences in the South Boston area.
Felton Bros. on Edmunds Street suffered roof damage and broken windows. The roof, consisting of a rubber membrane, took a beating from the hail that then allowed water to enter the building.
Several other businesses of the westside area of South Boston also sustained hail damage to roofs.
The roof of Z Antiques in Riverdale was also constructed with a membrane material and it, too, was heavily damaged, according to Al Zimmerman, the owner.
"Hail the size of my fist punched holes in the roof about every square foot, allowing a significant amount of water to come through into the building," said Zimmerman.
Zimmerman placed a piece of plywood over his head to protect himself as he headed outdoors to his truck. He said the hail was hitting against the wood like a hammer.
"It looked like artillery shells hitting the road," said Zimmerman.
About 4,000 square feet of the roof at the Halifax County Middle School suffered damage, allowing water to enter a section of the girls' locker room.
The roof was of a plastic PVC type of covering that had been put in place in 1982, according to Larry Roller, director of Operations and Maintenance.
"I thought we got by pretty good until the rain last night," said Roller, referring to the inch and a half of rain that fell Monday afternoon and into the evening, according to William Perry, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Over a hundred claims have been made at State Farm Insurance Company with drive-ins occurring from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Appointments are booked until late Saturday, according to Sharon Blosser, office representative.
Hundreds of vehicle owners, including dealerships in South Boston along Wilborn Avenue and in the Riverdale area, were still accessing damages yesterday. Those damages, according to George Albach, an independent appraiser, range from a few hundred dollars to more than $10,000.
"Some of these cars are total losses," Albach said while performing an inspection of a vehicle which had noticeable dings on the hood, deck and top. The appraiser had already viewed an estimated 200 vehicles and expected the count to rise as more owners begin to discover damages.
"A lot of people don't realize they've got damages yet."
Special vehicle repair companies, skilled in removing dings and dents caused by hail, have already arrived in South Boston to begin the often long and tedious task of straightening and removing the indentations. But those techniques, said Albach, are not cost effective when vehicles have more than a few dents. Many of those who was inspecting had hundreds of dings and dents.

Two windows of Willow Oaks Apartments in South Boston were fired on early Monday morning by what may have been a hand gun, according to Lt. Loftis of the South Boston Police Department.
Loftis said four apartments were damaged by bullet holes , along with a home entertainment center, which occurred at around 4:40 a.m., when bullets were fired through the windows and traveled through the walls into other apartments.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the South Boston Police Department at 575-4271 or Crime Stoppers at 575-TIPS (8477). A $1,000 reward is available should information lead to a conviction and the informant will remain annonymous.
· A break-in occurred late Sunday night at a small apartment behind Ernie's Restaurant at John Randolph Boulevard.
Lt. Loftis said the perpetrator(s) entered through a window of the apartment at around 11:30 p.m. and took a 19 inch television set, a keyboard, two VCRs, a Sony walkman, a tool box with assorted tools, a Schrade pocket knife and $30 in U.S. currency.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the South Boston Pokice Department at 575-4271 or Crime Stoppers at 575-TIPS (8477).
· Betty Jane Wilborn, 39, of Union Grove Road in South Boston, was arrested Friday by sheriff's deputies on felony charges of larceny.
Wilborn was charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit larceny in the daytime at the dwelling of Ray Newcomb and the stealing of U.S. currency of $200 or more belonging to Newcomb.
A hearing for Wilborn is scheduled for June 14 in Halifax County General District Court.
In other police reports:
A South Boston man was in good condition Tuesday afternoon at Halifax Regional Hospital, after crashing a motorcycle into a tree Friday night, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Jimmy Charles Wilson Jr., 28, was riding a 1986 Yamaha on Fox Trail and failed negotiate a curve, according to Trooper S.M. Krantz.
Krantz said the motorcyle ran off of the left shoulder of the road and struck a tree.
The trooper said the 9 p.m. crash occurred three-tenths of a mile south of Old Grubby Road (Route 682), and estimated $600 in damages.
Wilson was charged with reckless driving; failing to maintain control.
· Several injuries resulted from a two-car crash late Friday evening on Buffalo Road.
Trooper R.T. Ridgeway said the 10:15 p.m. crash occurred on Route 640, three-tenths of a mile north of Evergreen Road (Route 669), when a 1990 Pontiac, driven by Delano Brain Grasty, 22, of Long Island, ran off of the right side of the road, overcorrected and ran off of the left side of the road, before the vehicle struck an embankment and overturned several times.
The trooper said a second vehicle, a 1988 Buick, driven by Dante Duval Monroe, 24, of Long Island, skidded to avoid Grasty and ran off of the right side of the road, struck an embankment, came back across the road and ran off of the left side of the road before it struck a tree.
Ridgeway said Monroe was partially ejected by the impact with the tree.
Monroe sustained injuries and was transported to Duke University Medical Center where he was listed in fair condition as of Tuesday, according to a hospital spokesperson.
A passenger in Monroe's vehicle, Lavell Chambers, 23, was injured and taken to Halifax Regional Hospital where she was treated and released, according to a spokesperson at the Halifax hospital.
Grasty received minor injuries but was not admitted at Halifax.
Ridgeway estimated $3,500 in damages to the Grasty vehicle and $3,000 in damages to the Monroe vehicle.
Both drivers were charged with reckless driving.
· A reckless driving charge was the result from a two-car crash Saturday evening, in which injuries occurred.
Trooper D.T. Conner said the 7:15 p.m. crash occurred on Farmer Trail (Route 673), three-tenths of a mile north of Chatham Road (Route 832).
A 1987 Pontiac, driven by David Lee Ross, 50, of Java, crested a hill and overtook a 1986 Chevrolet, driven by Clifford Lenwood Reed, 41, of Vernon Hill, and struck the vehicle, according to Conner.
The trooper said Ross then left the scene of the accident.
Conner estimated $1,200 in damages to Reed's vehicle and $1,000 to the Ross vehicle.
Ross was charged with reckless driving.
· Danny Louis Perkins, 21, of Nathalie, was charged with reckless driving after he lost control of a vehicle and struck a utility pole off of Volens Road.
Trooper D.O. Cooper II said Perkins was injured in the 8:30 p.m. crash that occurred on Volens Road (Route 603), two-tenths of a mile east of Route 501.
Cooper said a 1972 Pontiac, driven by Perkins, went out of control and ran off of the left side of the road and struck the utility pole.
Perkins was treated at Halifax Regional Hospital and released, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Cooper estimated $1,000 in damages to the vehicle and $2,000 in damage to the utility pole.
· Two injuries occurred late Saturday evening when a vehicle struck a dog at the intersection of Route 360 and Guill Town Road (Route 720).
Trooper Conner said a 1995 Buick, driven by Joyce Vernon Torbert, 42, of Richmond, struck and killed a dog at the intersection.
Conner said the air bag deployed injuring Torbert and a passenger, Grace Powell Vernon, 71, in the 12:30 p.m. incident.
Both Torbert and Vernon were treated at Halifax Regional Hospital and released, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Conner estimated $3,000 in damages to the vehicle and no charges were filed.
· A two-car accident occurred Monday afternoon at the intersection of East Hyco Road (Route 744) and Cherry Hill Church Road (Route 658).
Trooper Krantz said a 1991 Chevrolet, driven by Linda Faye Allen, 27, of Roxboro, N.C., pulled into the path of a 1999 Toyota, driven by Alexander Boxley, 62, of South Boston, and that Boxley's vehicle struck the vehicle driven by Allen.
Krantz estimated $800 in damages to the Allen vehicle from the 5:40 p.m. crash and $1,000 in damages to the Boxley vehicle .
Allen was charged with failing to yield the right of way.

A request from Mecklenburg County for the Town of South Boston to join it in seeking from the General Assembly a 1 percent general retail sales tax increase was considered at the council committees' work session on Monday.
The Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors is seeking an increase from 1 percent to 2 percent in the general retail sales tax available to counties, cities and towns in Virginia.
Virginia law now limits to 1 percent the general retail sales tax which may be levied by those localities.
Council adopted a "wait and see" attitude toward the Mecklenburg proposal, deciding to confer first with the Halifax Board of Supervisors.
The Halifax board adopted a resolution supporting Mecklenburg County's action during its meeting on Monday.
Vandie Saunders, town financial officer, reported to council a change in the local meals tax as a result of recent General Assembly action.
The main change is that towns may no longer tax "factory-sealed" beverages, snack items and single- serving items.
Town staff has recommended adopting an amendment to the town code reflecting these changes.
According to Saunders, the changes could possibly mean a loss of tax revenue for South Boston of an estimated $15,000 for the next fiscal year.
"We could lose some money, but it's not as devastating as it could have been," said Saunders.
The proposed amendment was put on the agenda for the town council's monthly meeting next Monday.
Council also discussed the proposed 2000-2001 budget at Monday's session, including the additional state funding in the adjusted budget for the Halifax County-South Boston Regional Library.
Recent state legislation has resulted in a $20,000 increase in state funding for the Halifax County-South Boston Regional Library for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.
Council requested that the town staff find out how the additional money would fit into the library system's upcoming budget for the upcoming year.
The Current Issues committee reported on a new HUD program that allows local governments to purchase properties that have been listed for sale for more than six months, for $1 plus closing costs.
The "Good Neighbor Program" would make it possible for local governments to rehabilitate homes and put them to good use at considerable savings.
One property now exists in South Boston that has been listed with the new program. The Current Issues committee will ask council to consider purchasing the property.

Other Items
· A request to rezone the Double Bubbles carwash/laundromat from R-1 Low Density Residential to B-2 General Business Zone was discussed.
The 1.6-acre property, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Mark Repokis, is at the northwest corner of the intersection of Route 129 and Love Shop Park Road.
A public hearing will be held during the monthly meeting of town Council next Monday.
· Council will study five prerequisite policies to be adopted before funding can be received for the Tobacco Warehouse District Revitalization Project.
A non-discrimination policy and fair housing certification are two of the five policies to be considered.
· Also approved for the council agenda is a request to petition the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to study and evaluate the Staunton River between Brookneal and Staunton River Battlefield State Park, to determine if it is eligible for "Scenic River Designation."
The request was made by Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace.

By CATHERINE WILSON
AP Business Writer
MIAMI (AP) - The nation's five biggest cigarette makers are worth $157 billion domestically and have a ''strikingly rosy'' future, a financial expert testified Tuesday for smokers seeking punitive damages from the tobacco industry.
George Mundstock, a professor of finance at the University of Miami law school, said the tobacco companies could raise that amount in six months by Wall Street borrowing or selling themselves.
The dollar figure is key testimony for a jury considering how much to award 300,000 to 500,000 sick Florida smokers to punish the industry for decades of misconduct.
The jury in the case - the nation's first class-action lawsuit by smokers to go to trial - previously ruled that the industry makes a dangerous product.
Mundstock estimated the worth of Philip Morris' domestic and foreign cigarette business at $118 billion. But he agreed when company attorney Brad Lerman said, ''They don't have their hands on that cash today.''
Lerman said that amount isn't something the company could pay in 30 days.
The industry fears a crippling award even though Florida law does not allow a punitive damages verdict to put a company out of business.
During the punitive damages phase, the cigarette companies lost a fight to keep the jury from considering their borrowing power, and the smokers' attorney has stressed the industry's ability to raise prices.
Wholesale cigarette prices are up 58 percent and sales are down 9 percent since the tobacco companies settled lawsuits with states in 1998 for $254 billion, Mundstock testified. The settlements are called the MSA, for Master Settlement Agreement.
''In the post-MSA world, things are really looking strikingly rosy,'' he said of tobacco finances.
Mundstock offered values for the domestic tobacco companies, based in part on their share of the domestic market.
He concluded that Philip Morris, with 49 percent of the market, is worth $80 billion; R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., with 24 percent, $36 billion; Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., with 14 percent, $22 billion; Lorillard Tobacco Co., with 11 percent, $17 billion; and Liggett Group Inc., with 1 percent, $1.8 billion.
On the Net:
Tobacco links: http://www.umich.edu/(tilde)umtrn/websites.html

Mary Helen Pointer died June 5, 2000, while in The Brian Center in Yanceyville, N.C.
Ms. Pointer was born February 1, 1916, in Person County, N.C. the daughter of W.W. Pointer and Luna Allen Pointer. She was a retired school teacher for the City of Danville having taught for 40 years.
A graveside service will be held June 8 at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Robert Hillman in Birchwood Cemetery in Roxboro, N.C.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, W.W. Pointer Jr., Allen B. Pointer, Carl H. Pointer and Cecil Pointer; and one sister, Virginia Soloman.

The family will receive friends this evening, June 7 from 7:00 until 8:30 and other times at the nephew's residence, Bill Pointer, Hwy. 119N., Semora, N.C.

Fannie Younger Powell, age 69, of South Boston, died June 2, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Powell was born in Halifax County on January 18, 1931.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda Powell of South Boston and Martha Davis of Halifax; three sons, Raleigh Powell of Brooklyn, N.Y., Donnell Powell and James Powell, both of Halifax; 25 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; her mother, Flossie Chappell Younger of Halifax; four sisters, Orlean Younger of Bronx, N.Y., Vanessa Anderson and Louise Edmonds, both of South Boston and Hallie Stovall of Halifax; four brothers, Bernard, David and Ralph Younger, all of Bridgeport, Conn. and Ralph Younger of Queens, N.Y.
Funeral services for Mrs. Powell were held June 6 at 1 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church in Nathalie with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Willie Muse officiated.

Augusta Reid Barley, age 58, of Nathalie, died June 3, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Barley was born in Halifax County on August 2, 1941.
Survivors include two daughters, Vicarolyn Napier of Brookneal and Janet Barley of Nathalie; four sons, Richard Barley Jr., of Penn., Paul Barley of Brookneal, Chris Barley of Gladys and Orellas Barley of Lynchburg; 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her mother, Mamie Reid of Nathalie; one sister, Lula Barksdale of Alexandria; and one brother, James Reid of Washington, D.C.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barley will be held today, June 7 at 2 p.m. at Crawford, Garrett & Burton Funeral Chapel in Halifax with burial in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery in Nathalie. The Rev. James Traynham will officiate.

Frances Adell Oakley Talbott, age 84, formerly of South Boston, died June 5, 2000, at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News.
Mrs. Talbott was born in Halifax County on September 18, 1915, the daughter of Harvey M. Oakley and Delia Oakley and was married to Ammon B. Talbott.
Funeral services will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel on June 8 at 11 a.m. with burial in Harmony United Methodist Church Cemetery, Alton.
Survivors of Mrs. Talbott include two daughters, Jean T. McCoy and Faye T. Childrey, both of Seaford; two sons, Curtis W. Talbott of South Boston and Ronnie P. Talbott of Roxboro, N.C.; four sisters, Peggy Wilkerson of Roxboro, Shirley Rich of Durham, N.C., Mary Webb and Faye Ragans, both of Greensboro, N.C.; four brothers, Sam Oakley of Roxboro, T.G. Oakley of Rougemont, N.C., Harry O. Oakley of Durham and Harry P. Oakley of Daytona Beach, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Emmitt F. Talbott; two sisters, Marie Turner and Helen Turner; and two brothers, Calvin and Melvin Oakley.

The family will receive friends this evening, June 7 from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home of her son, Curtis Talbott, 1057 Paradise Road, Alton.