Public Hearing Tonight On $98 Million Budget

A public hearing on Halifax County’s proposed 2008-09 budget totaling $98,398,752 will be held tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the board meeting room at the Mary Bethune Administrative Complex in Halifax.
Following the public hearing, supervisors are scheduled to meet with Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) members in closed session.
According to the agenda, supervisors and IDA members plan to discuss a specific personnel matter and prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry.
Prior to the closed session, the public will have an opportunity to speak to supervisors concerning the advertised budget, a budget in which personnel makes up the largest expense.
A pool of 3.5 percent has been set aside to fund merit-based salary increases for county personnel.
Included in the proposed budget is a 2 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all employees covered under the county’s pay system, and the merit component has been reduced to a pool of 2 percent of salary expense.
Depending on their evaluation, which occurs on an employee’s anniversary date, employees will be eligible for up to a 3 percent merit increase in addition to the COLA.
Health insurance and retirement are the two main benefit expenses in the budget.
The budget projects VRS contributions will decrease, while health insurance costs for the county will remain level. The county will continue to contribute a flat $362 per month towards employee insurance coverage.
Other increases in personnel expenses include the addition of a position in the treasurer and commissioner of revenue offices due to implementation of twice annual real estate tax collection, and two new positions that are needed due to increased workload.
These two new positions are necessary in public works for staffing at the transfer station and in general properties to assist with the increased workload due to the addition to inventory of five vacant school facilities and the fairgrounds properties.
Solid waste represents another new annual expense in the proposed budget totaling $1.3 million.
Broken down, the annual landfill tipping fees are projected to cost the county $800,000, and transportation fees are estimated at $500,000 for the $1.3 million solid waste expense.
The proposed budget also continues significant funding for economic development efforts.
Not included in the proposed budget is the school system’s requested operating increase of $2,671,050. Instead, the county administrator has recommended an increase of $693,000.
Also not found in the budget is debt service of $197,000 in interest payments on the $5.2 million borrowed to purchase property and construct the transfer station. Supervisors have indicated one-time revenue gain from the twice a year tax collection will be used to pay off this debt.
A social services request for an increase of $211,000 in local funds also has not been included in the budget.
Although the Industrial Development Authority requested an operating increase of $182,793, the budget only recommends an increase of $34,601.
No funds for any renovation projects are included nor are any new outside agency requests being funded in the proposed budget.
In order to balance this budget, County Administrator Bryan Foster has recommended raising the personal property and real estate tax rates and using $1.1 million of the unrestricted fund balance and $700,000 of unrestricted fund balance earned from interest on the VPSA bonds towards school debt service.
Foster also has recommended funding only minimal additional local dollars for the schools and lease-purchasing new school buses instead of outright purchasing the buses to balance the budget.
Budget cuts across departments and agencies also are anticipated to balance the proposed budget.
Another public hearing has been set for Thursday evening on the proposed tax rates that call for an increase from 41.5 to 48 cents per $100 of assessed value in the real estate tax rate, an increase from $3.30 to $3.65 in the personal property tax rate, and maintains the machinery and tools tax rate at $1.26.
When the county underwent a general reassessment of real property that became effective Jan. 1, the total assessed value of property increased approximately 15.9 percent.
According to information provided by the commissioner of revenue’s office, the property tax assessment information indicates the assessed value of real estate in the county totals $2,534,934,479; mobile homes valued at $24,404,662; personal property at $214,026,616; personal property/rolling stock valued at $5,884,300; machinery and tools valued at $113,786,300; public service corporations valued at $1,022,478,738 and public service corporations’ personal property valued at $291,285.
At existing rates, the current property tax assessment will result in $23,444,882 in locally generated property tax revenue.
Based on the real estate tax rate of 41.5 cents per hundred (which has been lowered from 48 cents to reflect the recent reassessment), each one cent increase in the tax rate will generate $358,182, and each penny increase in the personal property tax rate will generate $21,431.
The advertised budget reflects a 6.5 cents increase in the real estate tax rate that would bring in an additional $2,328,183.
The 35-cent increase in the personal property tax rate will generate an additional $750,085 in the proposed budget.
Following the two public hearings this week, supervisors are expected to adopt the budget at its April 7 meeting.

Vets, Streets, Neighborhoods On Council Work Agenda

A Vietnam veteran and retired physician is seeking South Boston Council’s support for a regional veterans health center for Southside Virginia.
In a letter to Mayor Carroll Thackston, Dr. Roger Browne explained that Southside veterans have to travel to Salem or Richmond for basic services from VA hospitals.
During his 34-year medical practice here, Browne said he has encountered many veterans, and that one veterans’ organization advised him there are thousands of vets in Halifax County alone.
“Many of our vets depend on the VA system for health care and low cost medicines,” wrote Browne. Establishing a VA outreach clinic providing primary medical and psychiatric services in our region will improve access and reduce costs and travel time for their care.
“Before I write to the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs in Richmond, I would like to have the support of local government,” wrote Browne.
In other business, during the work session tonight council is expected to receive information regarding a CDBG Planning Grant application for the Infill Housing Program. This program can assist in preparing vacant neighborhood lots for development, according to town officials.
Jenny Hochstein, director of the Halifax County Improvement Council, is expected to offer an updated Adopt-A-Street Program report. When participants adopt a street, governments provide and place signs designating the program and its supporters.
Councilmen also is scheduled to receive a monthly financial statement.
Following the financial statement, council is expected to go into closed session to discuss personnel and real estate.
Council will meet this evening at 5:45 p.m. in Council chambers a 542 Yancey Street.

Halifax Hopes To Hold Tax Rate Line

Halifax Council will begin crunching budget figures during its work session this week, but the numbers are looking good, according to the finance committee’s initial review.
“We’re still in a state of flux,” said Finance Committee Chairman Phil Hollis during a committee meeting Friday. “We’re looking at every line item and reviewing, but we are anticipating being able to hold the line on the tax rate.”
The town’s current rates include: real estate, 19 cents per assessed $100; personal property, $1.68 per $100: and 40 cents per hundred for machine and tool tax.
Due to the recent real estate reassessment, the actual tax rate would be adjusted to reflect that change.
Last year’s general fund budget was $859,597. Preliminary budget figures for the new budget appear to be just under $800,000 at this working stage, according to town officials.
During the finance committee meeting Friday, Councilman Dick Moore addressed needed improvements at the town cemetery, and Town Manager Carl Espy noted needed municipal building repairs including roof work, possibly one section of the heating system, and repair to the building’s back wall.

Obituaries

Raymond Edward Wilborn
Raymond Edward Wilborn, 69, of 3071 Mountain Road, Halifax died March 28, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Wilborn was born in Halifax County March 28, 1939, the son of the late Robert Harris Wilborn and Gaynell Loyd Wilborn, and was married to Nancy Bane Wilborn.
In addition to his wife, survivors include one daughter, Donna Short and husband, Mark, of Nathalie; one son, Edward Dean Wilborn of Alton; two grandchildren, Jimmy Pulliam, and Eric Short and wife, Shawn; and one great-grandchild, Brooklyn Short, all of Nathalie; three sisters, Ruby Wilborn and Margaret Barksdale, both of South Boston, and Mildred W. Propst of Virgilina; two stepdaughters, Nancy Pappenhagen and husband, James, of Holly Spring, N.C., and Mary Crowder and husband, Preston, of Halifax; two step-grandsons, James Pappenhagen of Holly Spring, and Matthew Crowder of Halifax.
Funeral services for Mr. Wilborn were held March 30, at 2:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Campbell officiating. Burial followed in Halifax Baptist Church Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Humane Society, P.O. Box 189, South Boston, 24592, or Halifax County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 183, South Boston.
Online condolences may be directed to powell@gcronline.com

Nellie Slaughter Averett
Nellie Slaughter Averett, 91, died Saturday, March 29, 2008. She was the daughter of the late Moses and Della Davis Slaughter and was married to the late Willie Averett.
She lived in Granville County, Oxford, N.C. most of her life and was a member of the Oxford United Methodist Church. She was retired from Burlington Mills, Oxford plant.
Mrs. Averett is survived by one daughter, Patricia Averett Wilson and husband James of Virgilina; one sister, Christine S. Rogers of Roxboro; three brothers, Elmo Slaughter of Roxboro, Henry Slaughter of Ashland, Tenn., and Paul Slaughter of Lancaster, Pa.; one grandson, David James Wilson of Virgilina; and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Hebert Yarborough.
A funeral service for Mrs. Averett will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at Gentry-Newell and Vaughan Funeral Chapel, Oxford. Burial will follow in the Rock Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Person County.
Visitation for the family will be one hour prior to the service at Gentry-Newell and Vaughan Funeral Home, 503 College St., Oxford.
Online memorials can be left at www.gnvfh.com.

Viola Stephens Stovall
Viola Stephens Stovall of East Hyco Road, South Boston, died Saturday, March 29, 2008, in Sutherlin. She was 79.
Born in Halifax County on August 23, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Stephens and the late Mary Lucy Brandon Stephens.
She was a member of Greater Brandon Missionary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Stovall is survived by two daughters, Ester S. Mosley of South Boston and husband Carter, and Cender S. Brandon and husband Barry of Sutherlin; two sons, William Stovall and Larry Stovall, both of South Boston; one sister, Elizabeth Stephens of South Boston; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Six sisters and four brothers preceded her in death.
Funeral services for Mrs. Stovall will be held Wednesday, April 2, at 2 p.m. at Greater Brandon Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Ricky Surgeon officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home on Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. and all other times at the residence of Barry and Cender Brandon, 1227 Brooklyn Road, Sutherlin.

Comets Hit Early; Down Rockets 8-2

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Halifax County High School baseball coach Kelvin Davis often speaks of the importance of a good start.
His Comets had both a good start and a good finish as they downed neighboring border rival Person High School 8-2 Friday night in Roxboro, N.C.
“I thought our guys were hungry for this win,” Davis said after the win that improved the Comet’s record to 3-2 on the season.
“It’s kind of rivalry game. It was a good game for us. It was a good win for us.”
The Comets jumped on top early, tagging Person High School hurler Dylan Dickens for four runs in the top of the first inning.
Leadoff batter Michael Ferrell reached base on an infield single, moved to second base when Daniel Wilborn reached base on an error and scored on a single by Justin Bagbey to put the Comets up 1-0.
With Wilborn at third base and Bagbey at first base, Comets hurler Kyle Long helped his own cause with a single that plated Wilborn, a score that gave the Comets a 2-0 lead.
Bagbey and Bill Wooding, who was running for Long, scored when Jeremy Foster reached base on an error to give the Comets a 4-0 lead.
“We always try to get aggressive early,” Davis said.
“We did that tonight. I’m glad that we got on top early and did what we had to do early.”
The Rockets clawed their way back into contention by picking up a run in the second inning and adding another in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it a two-run game at 4-2.
Person High go a leadoff double from Trey Davis to start the bottom of the second inning. Ricky Crabtree followed with a single to plate Davis to give the Rockets their first run.
Long got his Comets team settled in after that by fanning the next two batters he faced. The inning ended when the Rockets’ Shawn Whitt flied out to centerfiield.
Person High added what would be its final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Whitt laced a double with one out and Zack Oakley followed with a single that scored Whitt to make the score 4-2.
The Comets stretched their lead back to three runs at 5-2 in the top of the sixth inning. Foster reached base on a fielder’s choice, advanced on a hit by Eric Brandon and later scored on a passed ball.
Halifax County put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh inning when Ferrell led off with a double and Bagbey followed with a one-out, two-run homer to put the Comets up 7-2.
Kyle Long followed by reaching base on an error. A single by Dale Trent allowed the Comets to add their third and final run of the inning to put them up by the final 8-2 score.
The Comets finished the game with 11 hits with Bagbey leading the way with three hits in his four trips to the plate. Ferrell, Trent and Josh Williams each had two hits. Kyle Long and Brandon both had one hit.
“That was a good ballclub,” Davis said of the Rockets.
“That pitcher (Dickens) had his stuff working. We just hit the ball tonight.
“Our guys hung in there,” added Davis.
“We made some good defensive plays. We also made some good base-running plays. Those are the little things we talk so much about.”
Long had a solid night on the mound, allowing six scattered hits and one walk while fanning four batters.
“Kyle wanted it,” Davis said.
“He hadn’t pitched in a while. This was a very important game for him. I thought he threw well. I don’t think he threw but around 90 pitches. His pitch count was all right and he never got tired. I thought he did a wonderful job with that.”

Comets Look To Extend Win Streak

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
The Halifax County High School varsity baseball team enters its final week of non-district action looking to extend its winning ways following Friday night’s 8-2 road win over Person High School.
Halifax County opens its two-game week on Wednesday with a 5 p.m. home game against Bluestone High School. On Friday, the Comets will go back on the road to face Tunstall High School in a game that is set for a 5 p.m. start.
The Bluestone and Tunstall contests will complete the Comets’ run of early-season non-district contests. In the week that follows, the Comets will open Western Valley District season competition, with Franklin County at home on April 8, for the Comets’ district opener.
Comets head coach Kelvin Davis points out that his players just need to focus on one game at a time and do what they need to do to keep the momentum from Friday night’s win over the Rockets going.
“We’ve just got to keep the momentum going,” Davis said.
“I don’t know what Bluestone has, but we’re going to go out and try to take care of it on the field.”
Davis said he, his coaching staff and players head into practice today and this week’s pair of games knowing they need to continue to work hard to improve.
“We’re not going to let up,” Davis pointed out.
“It’s important that we stay hungry and not be satisfied with where we are. We’re always trying to get better. During practice this week, we’re going to be hungry. We’re going to go right back at it trying to pick up on some things we need to pick up on.
“We’re going to try to gear these guys up for the start of district play, which comes up soon,” Davis concluded.

Lady Comets Fall To Rockets

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
It all came down to one swing of the bat in the varsity softball game Friday between Halifax County and Person High, the Rockets’ Tracey Vaughan delivering a two-out RBI single in the top of the 11th inning to give her team a 3-2 win over the Comets.
Person took an early 2-0 lead with a pair of runs off a Comets’ error and two hits in the second inning, but Halifax responded with two runs off two hits and a Person error to tie the score in the fourth.
Both starting pitchers went the distance, the Comets’ Stephanie Clark allowing seven hits in 11 innings, while striking out 10 batters.
The Rockets’ Brittany Shotwell gave up five hits and struck out 17 in 11 innings, while collecting two hits at the plate.
Katie Barnett hit a two-out, two-RBI single that tied the game in the fourth, and Clark and Ally Thompson each finished with two hits for Halifax, Clark with a leadoff singled in the second and a one-out single in the fourth.
Thompson had a two-out single in the fifth and a leadoff single in the eighth inning.
Carrie Albert, Chelsea Wrenn, Melissa Harris, Jennifer Bowen and Vaughan got the other hits for Person.
The Comets’ defense made several good plays to hold the score at 2-2 before the tenth inning, according to Rockets’ coach Mike Shotwell.
“We hit the ball and put it in play a lot today, but Lashunda [Davis] made a couple of good plays,” said Shotwell.
“The second baseman (Lyndsay Lawter) made two or three great defensive plays where we thought we had base hits, and the third baseman (Barnett) made every play she had the chance to make.
“We were just looking for a break.”
That “break” occurred in the top of the 11th, when Shotwell reached base on an error, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on an infield ground out.
Vaughan then stroked a two-out RBI single to plate the game-winning run.
Halifax had opportunities to score outside of the second inning, but failed to lay down bunts to advance base runners on at least a couple of occasions, according to Saunders.
“We had scoring opportunities, but we failed to lay down a bunt to advance base runners, and they got the bunt down in the last inning when they needed to,” said Saunders.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better game and I’m not disappointed in anything in particular with the exception of our failing to execute the bunts.
“Both pitchers went the distance and worked hard until the end. Defensively I thought we played a heck of a game and made some plays behind Stephanie.
“Brittany kept us off balance on the mound, and it took 11 innings for them to get the key hit to win the game.”
Person took the lead in the second when Wrenn reached on a Comets’ throwing error, and Harris singled, before Bowen hit a line drive single to plate one run.
With runners at third and second, Kaylyn Newsome’s ground ball out scored the other run.
Halifax got out of a two-on, two out situation with a Clark strikeout in the third and tied the game in the bottom of the fourth.
Clark hit a one-out single and went to second on a passed ball. Lauren Daniel walked and Whitney Womack reached on an error to load the bases, before Barnett hit a two-run single to tie the game.
Person had three other base runners between the fourth and tenth innings, on a walk and fielder’s choice in the fifth and a single in the eighth, while the Comets had five base runners from the fifth through the 10th innings.
Thompson hit a two-out single in the fifth and advanced to second on a passed ball, but was stranded there.
Thompson hit a leadoff single in the eighth, Melissa Morris drew a two-out walk in the ninth, and Davis a leadoff walk in the tenth, but neither advanced any further than first base.
“It was a heck of a game, and it’s always this way when we come to Halifax,” said Shotwell.
“This was Tracey’s second varsity start and she came through for us in the clutch, but this game had timely hitting and good defense on both sides.”
Saunders said the game was just what the Comets needed to prepare for the upcoming district contests.
“That’s what we want, to be matched up with teams that make us work, and that’s exactly what happened,” she noted.
“This was a picture perfect example of what ‘preseason’ games can do for you.”