Earlier this week Finance Committee members hoped to cut the county's budget and not raise taxes, but following a numbers crunching session Wednesday night, they are considering a 2-cent real estate tax hike and an 85-cent increase in personal property taxes.
That will be one option when the committee meets with the full Board of Supervisors on Monday night.
The committee's proposal also carries capital projects cuts and $1.5 million less in school funding.
School officials originally sought $13 million in local funding, but the Finance Committee is eyeing a $12.1 million figure.
The $12.1 million includes about $750,000 in one-time capital projects, Joe Morgan, county administrator, said yesterday.
New state school funding of $1.3 million is estimated in addition to the restoration of over $4 million in state school funding due to the lower composite index, explained the county administrator.
While voicing support of proposed school renovations at the middle and high schools, the proposed average 6 percent salary increase for school personnel drew comment during the Wednesday evening session.
Several supervisors voiced support for helping the school system remain competitive in recruiting teachers, but balked at administration's increases.
Supervisor William Fitzgerald voiced support for school programs, teachers and improvement in the school system. "Which includes improving the quality of education," said Fitzgerald.
"If that means rewarding the teachers and other employees with an increase, then I'm for it," said Fitzgerald.
The committee also continued to mull county administration's staff salary increases on Wednesday.
James Edmunds, the committee's chairman, said that he had a hard time considering county salary hikes when so many people were without jobs.
The committee spent several hours Wednesday evening wrestling with a budget proposal to meet county needs and create a reserve fund while dealing with the economic reality of plant closings and double-digit unemployment.
Earlier in the week, Edmunds had asked Morgan to prepare a budget floor to consider at Wednesday's meeting.
That low would reflect $21.4 million, Morgan told supervisors.
Morgan said supervisors were seeking "some kind of floor they would have difficulty going below."
With that floor and no tax increase, Morgan said supervisors would have $500,000 in the bank.
It would be "bleak in terms of expenditures, "but the budget would be out of the red, the county administrator said.
Cuts in county vehicle replacement, no funding for Edmunds park, holding the line or reducing some department budgets, and reducing school spending were among cuts.
The budget ceiling first proposed was $25.3 million. With that proposal came a 4-cent real estate tax hike and a proposed $1 hike in personal property taxes, taking the rate from $1.26 to $2.26.
A 2-cent real estate tax rate increase would add $444,085 to the county treasury. An 85-cent increase in the personal property tax would add $2,315,230.
On a $100,000 house, $20 would be added to the real estate tax bill, according to Morgan. On a $500,000 farm, the two-cent increase would add $100 to the taxpayer's tab.
Wednesday, as in previous committee sessions, Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott opposed tax increases, citing joblessness in the county.
"If we can scrape by this year, perhaps next year economic conditions will improve," Edmunds said.
"In the past two years we have used up all the reserve and gone $4 million in debt," said Edmunds. "Basically, we will keep going deeper and deeper in debt and, in my opinion, that is not fiscally responsible.
"This is a no frills budget, offering decent schools, not extravagant schools, public safety, garbage and health and welfare."
The chairman also said that the county could lose its favorable bond rating if it continued to deplete its general fund balance.
"I want to get out of this debt hole," he added.
Wisely using the approximately $4 million returned to the county treasury due to the favorable composite index change is uppermost in the county administrator's mind.
The windfall will add about $4 million to the budget for a 10 year period beginning this year.
In the Finance Committee meeting Monday, only the library system held the line on its budget request.
Sheriff Jeff Oakes sought LEOS, a supplemental retirement plan for law enforcement personnel. Oakes proposed cutting vehicle expenditures and putting that money into the LEOS program, according to Morgan.
"If he funds it from Sheriff's Department budget cuts, I can support it," Edmunds said. But the chairman said that he would be opposed to additional budget funding from the general fund or tax increases for the plan.
Dr. Jules Modlinsky of the Southside Community Services Board is facing a proposed 47 percent cut in local funding, according to county officials.
The budget proposal would reduce Modlinski's funding from this year's $95,000 to $50,000 next year.
"Basically everyone's budget has been cut except for those state-mandated requirements. Either cut or not increased," Edmunds said yesterday.
Supervisors Fitzgerald and Edmunds supported continued funding of solid waste convenience centers.
The Finance Committee is considering a May 20 public hearing on the budget, which would mean setting rates for advertisement a week before the hearing.
Once the budget is advertised, rates may be reduced but cannot be increased.

Work on the Halifax County War Memorial should begin at the end of July, Larry Clark, chairman of the War Memorial Commission said yesterday.
Clark told the commission that the Virginia Department of Transportation would start reworking the sidewalks and expanding the roadway as early as this summer.
"The contracts will be shown on May 6, and bids for the project are due May 21," Clark said during the afternoon meeting of the commission.
He added that it would take about two months to award the contracts, and the actual construction of the monument would begin shortly thereafter.
Zack Weddle of the Virginia Department of Transportation reported that it would take about 60 calender days to rework the sidewalk along the boundary of the property.
When asked if VDOT crews could complete the project by the November 11 deadline, Weddle said that the work would be contracted out, but he didn't foresee any problems.
"I will relay the deadline to the contractors, and they are pretty good about meeting any deadlines we set," he said.
"I think we have plenty of time to meet the deadline if we don't run into any unforeseen problems," commission member Jack Dunavant noted.
During the treasurer's report, the commission was told by treasurer Sara Spell that they currently have $102,346.93 on hand to fund the construction.
"That doesn't include interest," Spell said.
"It's important to note that we are still accepting donations, because we are going to need to maintain the monument," Clark added.
While no concrete timetables have been set, Clark said that they would be presented at the next meeting of the commission.
The centerpiece of the monument will hold a time capsule, the commission noted.
"People can be working on ideas of what to put in the capsule," Dunavant said.

Town planning commissioners will review two hot topics, a leash law, and hunting within Town of Halifax's boundaries, prior to their May session.
Four residents endorsed the leash law, and one opposed it during the Planning Commission's Wednesday night meeting.
Evelyn Allocco, a North Main Street resident, is one resident in favor of a leash law.
"Grace Byrne and her granddaughter had to grab sticks and frighten dogs off," Allocco said following the meeting.
She added that one man had been bitten by a dog, but that his skin was not broken.
Allocco's objections to wandering dogs include the waste they leave for others to clean up, as well as nuisance factors, such as scattered trash.
Commissioners are to study the issue and revisit the topic during their May session.
Commissioners also tackled the hunting issue, again.
It is an issue that has been before Town Council, been the subject of a public hearing, and is once again back on the Commissioner's agenda for recommendation.
Introduced as a bow hunting issue, discussion during Wednesday night's session was ultimately directed to overall hunting.
Currently, hunting is not allowed within town.
Commissioner Richard Dunavant advocated letting landowners hunt large tracts of land formerly approved by the county for hunting but taken into the town during the boundary adjustment.
"The key issue is landowners," said Bob Greene, town manager.
Landowners would need to legally request permission to hunt on their land, he explained.
Rocky Reynolds, the town's finance manager, suggested commissioners investigate a ban on developed old Town of Halifax hunting, but study rules to allow hunting in the undeveloped pre-town sections that previously allowed hunting.
He said this would be done with the town's official permission and would have to be reviewed periodically.
Commissioners also set a May 15 work session to review the town's Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioner Dunavant noted that except for the 501 Corridor, there was limited space for development.
He said that he wanted to help small businesses looking for a place to grow. He advocated "getting in front of the ball" and encouraging growth in certain areas.
Commission Chairman Carl Espy agreed, saying that the town needs to maintain its village character, but be proactive in terms of growth.
Espy supported Dunavant and urged a proactive approach. He suggested the Southside Planning District would be a good resource for information.

Courthouse Square will shed its legal mantle May 9 to kick off the county's 250th anniversary celebration in the Town of Halifax.
The town opens the three-day celebration with a 6-9 p.m. Open House that will feature three bands, a Civil War living history display, face painting by Jackie Wright, a moonwalk, an antique car show and a grand balloon release at 6:30 p.m. at the library parking lot.
The Tinker's Car Club will host the antique car show at Booker Plaza and the moonwalk will be at Halifax Tire Company.
T-shirts emblazoned with the county's seal will be sold for $12 during the event. Proceeds will benefit the Halifax Village Business Association.
Hot dogs will be sold along Main Street and the town's restaurants will be open.
Sammy Watts and Friends will kick off the musical evening at 6:30 p.m. at the courthouse. Watts will be followed at 7 p.m. by The Piedmont Community Band in its premiere performance.
Kyle Martin and Friends will complete the musical set entertaining the crowd from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Halifax businesses open for the event will include Halifax Flower and Gift Shop, Attic Treasures, Triangle Florist, Halifax Pharmacy, Courthouse Cafe, Garlands Jewelry and Bridgeview Express.
On Friday, May 10, a formal ceremony in Halifax Circuit Court will mark the county's creation in 1752. Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine will be a featured guest.
On Saturday morning, the annual Noland Village Day will host a Civil War encampment and offer a tour of two restored homes. Lunch, good friends and fellowship are fond ingredients at this annual event.
At 3 p.m. the county will begin celebrating its 250th anniversary in downtown South Boston with bands, old-fashioned games and good food, culminating with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Sandy Junior Scott

Sandy Junior Scott of 1227 Rabat Rd., Nathalie died April 19 in South Boston.
Survivors include his wife, Claris Scott; five sons, William, Ray, Richard and George, all of Nathalie and Master Sgt. Sandy Scott of Fort Gordon, GA; four grandchildren, Tiara, Adrian and Cedric of Nathalie and Brandie Moore of Stafford; one great-grandchild, Montana Moore; and four daughters-in-law, Wanda, Dale and Corlis of Nathalie and Sandra of Fort Gordon.
Funeral services will be held today April 26 at 2 p.m. at New Shiloh Baptist Church with the Rev. Sylvester Crawley conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mary Jane Owen

Mary Jane Owen of 711 Leasburg Road, Roxboro, NC, died April 21, at her residence at the age of 42.
Ms. Owen was born in Halifax County on February 8, 1960, and was the daughter of Earnestine Bailey Owen Hill and the late Charlie Junior Owen. She was a member of the Owens Grove Baptist Church.
Ms. Owen is survived by a daughter, Shamara Peaks of Spring Valley, NY; two sons, Derrick Creighton and Darron Creighton, both of Spring Valley, NY; her mother, of Roxboro, NC; four sisters, Darlene Winstead of Roxboro, Wanda Owen of Virginia Beach, Cecilla Walton of Roxboro and Sarah Pumphrey of South Boston; six brothers, Jason Bailey, Charlie Owen and Wayne Walton, all of South Boston, Lindwood Bailey of Hopewell, Lindwood Walton of Danville and Vincent Walton of GA.
Funeral services for Ms. Owen will be held today, April 26, at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home with the Rev. John T. Hubbard officiating. Burial will follow in the Walton Family Cemetery.

John Henry 'Buck' Chandler Sr.

John Henry 'Buck' Chandler Sr., 71, of 6209 Hunting Creek Road, Nathalie, died April 22 at The Medical College of Virginia Hospital in Richmond.
Mr. Chandler was born in Halifax County on May 30, 1930, the son of Joe Chandler and Lillian Chandler Penick, and was married to Daisy Cousins Chandler. He was a member of Ellis Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Mildred Britton, Odessa Chandler and Vera Chandler, all of Nathalie, and Cheryl Chandler of Richmond; two sons, John H. Chandler Jr. of Clover and Darryl Chandler of Nathalie; four sisters, Dorothy Howard and Ernestine Phillips, both of New York, Denise Stewart of Clover and Leola Carden of Augusta, GA; six brothers, Grant Chandler, Alexander Penick and Andre' Penick, all of Nathalie, James Chandler and Eddie 'Billie' Penick, both of New York and William Penick of South Boston; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Jason Chandler and one sister, Edith Croaker.
Funeral services for Mr. Chandler will be held April 27 at 1 p.m. at Bethel Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael Terry officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Chandler, 7023 Hunting Creek Road, Nathalie.

Roosevelt Freeman

Roosevelt Freeman, 64, of Nathalie died April 22 in Charlottesville.
Survivors include one sister, Doris H. Marshall of Nathalie; three brothers, Clinton Freeman of Albany, NY, Dorsey Freeman of Richmond and Lafayette Freeman of Nathalie; two sisters-in-law, Nannie and Sylvia Freeman; one brother-in-law, Albert Caddle Sr.; and a devoted friend, Johnnie Mae Miller.
Funeral services for Mr. Freeman will be April 27 at noon at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Nathalie with the Rev. Sylvester Crawley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening from 7 to 8, at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home, Brookneal.

Tony Baretta Smith

Tony Baretta Smith, 27, of 2150 Sinai Road, South Boston died April 20 from injuries received in an accident.
Mr. Smith was born in Halifax County on March 12, 1975, the son of Billy Lee Smith Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Fountain Smith. He was married to Monica Jackson Smith.
Survivors include his wife; three children, Dayquan B. Smith, Dalisha Smith and Fantavia Jackson; five sisters Dorothy Lee Fountain of Baltimore, MD, Diane Hargrove of South Boston, Amy Gregory and Katina Gregory, both of Clarksville and Chris Fountain of New York; two brothers, Douglas Fountain and Billy Lee Smith Jr., both of South Boston; his mother-in-law, Mary Faulkner of Burlington, NC; and his father-in-law, Robert Jackson Sr. of Scottsburg.
Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held April 27 at 4 p.m. at Greater Mayfield Apostolic Church with Elder Bernard Wilkins officiating.
The family is receiving friends at the home of John DeJarnette, 1921 Alderson Avenue, South Boston and Tanuneka Tucker, 2150 Sinai Road, South Boston.