Supervisors, on a 5-3 vote, set real estate rates at 42 cents and personal property taxes at $1.76 cents per assessed $100 during Monday night's meeting.
The real estate rate was increased 2 cents, adding $444,085 to the county treasury, and personal property taxes increased 50 cents, which will add $1,361,900.
With this budget about $4 million will be in reserve for fund balance, according to the county administrator The auditors had recommended a $5 million reserve.
Three supervisors, Lottie Nunn, Ronnie Vaughan and R.E. "Dickie" Abbott, opposed the budget.
The budget reflects $2.2 million overall to schools, with $500,000 of that designated for capital improvements.
Also funded, a $1 million industrial site development allocation that can be used to create jobs, explained Joe Morgan, county administrator.
"The board would decide how those funds would be used," said Morgan. "It is a set aside in the Board's capital projects budget."
There was no increase for county board employees' compensation, but a retiree health insurance credit of $10,706 was approved.
The $45 monthly health insurance benefit credit is available to retired employees with 30 years of service.
General properties staffing was awarded $39,046 to adjust three part-time employees to full-time, with benefits.
Total annual recurring expenses under the budget reflect $23,049,102, with recurring revenue at $23,924,392. The approved budget reflects $875,290 available for future capital needs.
Superintendent of Schools Dennis Witt said the budget was a compromise.
"They took $500,000 and shifted in capital funds, but I felt like it (the allocation) was positive."
Witt said that he felt the supervisors invested in the future.
"And it was a tough choice. No one likes to be responsible for raising taxes, but at the same time it is essential that you invest in the human capital of the community, which is your children. And that was what they did.
"Being part of the school program, I was pleased with the direction that they took."
School Board Chairman Steve Anderson called the school allocation "a very workable budget" following the meeting.
"I thought supervisors made a positive statement and I appreciate the support. Now it is up to us as a board to get good results."
In opposing the budget, Supervisor Abbott said that the county has not seen unemployment yet at the level it will be later this summer.
Burlington Industries is scheduled to close this summer.
The supervisor said state budgets are being cut "but we are increasing" in Halifax County.
"It's okay to increase if you can see down the road," he said. "I hope to God it works out, but if it doesn't ..."
Supervisor Vaughan made no comment at the Monday night board meeting, but yesterday he said that he supported the $2.2 million for schools and $160,054 for the Industrial Development Authority.
"The majority of the budget I support, but I felt we could have gotten by with less personal property tax. There is a lot of unemployment," he added, noting 58 advertised home foreclosures since Dec. 8.
"Like at home, when times are tight, you tighten your buckle."
Vaughan said that he favored putting off capital improvements in several areas in order to keep the personal property tax at 24 to 29 cents instead of the approved 50-cent increase.
He cited delaying $125,000 for paving the Mary Bethune parking lot, looking at the $125,000 allocation for sheriff's cars and delaying one of the solid waste sites for one year. The county allocated $100,000 for solid waste (convenience center) sites.
Supervisor Lottie Nunn said that she had elderly residents in her district who could not afford to buy both gas and medicine and that she "could not raise taxes and look them in the eye."
Supervisor James Edmunds II, finance committee chairman, said that the board had spent many hours on the budget.
"At no time does anyone want to pay more taxes, particularly in bad economic times," he said. "This is basically an investment in education."
He said that the board had tried to keep everything level or cut.
He described the budget as "carefully thought out" by the board.
"It is an investment in the future," he said.

"You look into some of those firefighter's faces and you can see their pain," said Dr. Melvin Bradshaw.
Bradshaw and his wife Jean recently returned from working at Ground Zero in New York with a new sense of national pride.
Several people from Halifax County have spent time at the site, the Bradshaws said.
"You get the feeling of helping and a sense of accomplishment," he said.
But they said they were glad to come home.
"I can tell you we were glad to come back to South Boston," Dr. Bradshaw said.
His wife volunteered to help three different times, first with the Virginia Baptist Association, and then with the Salvation Army.
"I don't want this to be about me, she's the one the story needs to be about," he said.
And what a story she has to tell.
"I got there the first time and the buildings were still burning," she said.
"The stench was just terrible.
"It smelled like chemicals, airplane parts and bodies," she added.
Jean Bradshaw worked with a group that cleaned apartment buildings affected by the attacks.
"There was this thick ash all over everything," she said.
"And there was this dust and debris- even human remains," she added.
She said the group was divided into groups of six, and were supplied with commercial vaccums and cleaning supplies by the North American Mission Board.
"The people who lived in the buildings were really appreciative of us," she said.
Even though they weren't living in their apartments at the time, Bradshaw said the residents would come over and thank them.
"I think a lot of the people thought Baptists were a group that cleaned apartments," she said with a laugh.
Being at the site of the attacks brought a sense of overwhelming sorrow for the Bradshaws.
"The first day we were there, we were on the 35th floor of the Gateway Apartments, and I looked down from the balcony at Ground Zero," she said.
"I didn't realize how close we were," she added.
"It was overwhelming seeing the destruction there for the first time," she said.
"Sixteen acres were destroyed.
"You can't get a feel for it on television, you have to be there to know how bad it was," she noted.
They both said the sheer numbers of people killed were overwhelming.
"Two thousand people lost their lives and will never be found," Dr. Bradshaw remarked.
The Bradshaws got a chance to meet many of the rescue and search personnel working on the pile.
"Food was catered the first two weeks, and we all ate together," he noted.
He said the last week there, all they did was feed the firefighters.
All of the firefighters had a story that they needed to tell, he said.
"We mostly listened at the end," he said.
The stories they heard were heartbreaking.
"One fireman took out a picture of his partner that was killed and showed it to us," he said.
"And another time we talked to a man who had been working ten and twelve hours a day since September 11.
"Most of the stories involved someone who had died in the attack," he added.
His wife related a story of a father who had lost two sone in the attack.
"He would come down every day and visit the site," she said. "I guess he felt closer to his sons there."
The couple said they got a lot from volunteering at the site.
"I got a sense of overwhelming sorrow from being there," she said.
"But it was such an experience to just be there and be a part of it.
"Just by listening to people's stories made us feel like we were making a difference," she added.
"I got a deeper appreciation of the United States," her husband said.
" And a lot of joy and satisfaction.
"While we were there New Yorkers would just stop us and thank us," he added.
The experience also renewed their faith in human nature.
"There were people there from all over the country who had come to help.
"I think we saw America at its best," she said.
"There isn't another nation on Earth that would respond like this one," he said.

The Prizery and Halifax County Agricultural Office's barn conversion proposal will not be recommended for funding to the full tobacco commission today.
But the museum and Virginia International Raceway received the executive committee's recommendation yesterday.
"I think the projects that were applied for were a community effort, and its unfortunate the programs that weren't funded were viewed that way," Halifax County administrator Joe Morgan said yesterday.
Five items of local interest were discussed during the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission yesterday at Danville Regional Airport.
"All will be recommended to the full commission for final action tomorrow," Morgan said yesterday.
The Prizery was seeking $800,000, but was not approved for any funding.
"Sen. Charles Hawkins said the committee really needs to examine whether it should fund cultural projects," Morgan noted.
The executive committee approved the $437,500 loan to Virginia International Raceway for water and sewer projects.
The Halifax/South Boston Museum had asked for $50,000, but was recommended to be funded with $100,000.
"I think it was such a small amount to the committee that it got in under the wire," the county administrator suggested.
The Halifax County Agricultural Development Office was hoping to receive $312,000 for tobacco barn conversion, but was turned down.
"But the committee suggested the details of the proposal be reviewed and an application filed next year," Morgan said.
Both the Prizery's and the museum's requests were referred to the Commission's Executive Committee for review yesterday following their April meeting.
The total amount available to the county from the Tobacco Commission is $2,713,512.
That amount was applied for by the county and town's endorsed request to the commission.
"There is some good news," Morgan said.
"For next year, the preliminary allocation for the county appears to be just over $5 million, based on the commission's recommendation," he added.
The committee also recommended the Southside Economic Development Commission use any unallocated funds for the Riverstone Project.
"I calculate that to be about $1,012,000," Morgan said.
Three Halifax County projects received approximately $1.6 million in tobacco commission funding in April.
Funded were the Riverstone Technology Project, for $1,190,764; Tuck Airport, $210,000 for terminal and office construction; and a proposed agricultural marketing center, $200,000.

South Boston Town Council advanced a revised draft weed and trash ordinance, a conditional zoning request for a recyclables warehouse and the funding request for youth baseball for the current fiscal year to its agenda for next week's meeting, the actions taken at Monday's work session.
CIC Advances Draft Weed/Trash Ordinance
Town Manager Ted Daniel told the Current Issues Committee (CIC) that the biggest changes in the revised ordinance involve more concise definitions of junk, litter, trash, weed or weeds, and woodlands, to name a few.
The draft ordinance defines "trash" as waste food products and other household garbage, personal property, refuse, litter or debris openly lying on any parcel, which might endanger the health of residents of the town.
"Weed or weeds" means any plant, grass, or other vegetable growth more than 15 inches high growing upon private property within the Town of South Boston, with the term excluding cultivated crops, or undisturbed woodland not otherwise in violation.
The term excludes trees, flower gardens, cultivated crops, or undisturbed woodland, and ground cover purposely planted for bank stabilization.
The draft ordinance gives a reasonable time period of not less than 48 hours and not more than 10 calendar days to abate a violation.
The term "reasonable time" with respect to a property with repeat notices of violation within any 12-month time period means a time period of not less than 24 hours and not more than 10 calendar days, the ordinance states.
The draft ordinance also states that it is "unlawful for the owner or occupant of real property to permit the accumulation of trash and weeds," while outlining the procedure for notifying property owners or occupants of a violation.
The ordinance states that the cost of any town action to abate a violation will constitute a lien against the parcel.
"In addition, an administrative fee of $150 or 25 percent of the cost, whichever is less, but in no event less than $50, is ordained to be assessed against the owner.
The costs plus the administrative fee would constitute a lien against the parcel and would be enforceable in the same manner as provided in the Code of Virginia, according to the ordinance.
Council requested that a summary of the draft ordinance be published for public input prior to a public hearing scheduled for July.
Councilmen also approved for council's agenda an application by Donald Hochstein for conditional zoning to operate a recyclables warehouse in Riverdale.
Town planners recommended approval of the application under certain conditions after its meeting last month.
Those conditions stated that materials outside of the warehouse be properly enclosed and that all activities take place within an enclosed space.
Hochstein will recycle cardboard, newspaper, plastic and aluminum at the warehouse, the building that once housed the Victory Tobacco Warehouse.
He told councilmen that he has been awarded a five-year contract by Halifax County to handle its recyclables, now that Waste Industries has pulled out.
He said he began curbside pickups in Halifax about three weeks ago, and plans to expand curbside service into South Boston soon.
Hochstein reminded council that the storage building at the county landfill currently used for recyclables is close to or at capacity, and can begin operating out of his new warehouse in a week to 10 days after his application is approved.
"It's a void that needs to be filled, for the sake of the environment and for the sake of the community," said Hochstein, who added he planned to reinvest some of his profits into community through non-profit groups such as area Ruritan clubs and the Boy Scouts.
A public hearing on Hochstein's application is scheduled for next week's council meeting.
Youth Baseball Appropriations Advanced to Council Agenda
Councilmen discussed the recommended $9,000 appropriation for the operation of youth baseball in South Boston for the current fiscal year.
The FY 2001-2002 budget recommends an allotment of $5,688 for Dixie Inc., and $3,312 for the Dixie Majors baseball programs.
None of that money has been allocated to date, according to Town Finance Officer Vandie Saunders.
In particular, council discussed the proposed appropriation for Dixie Inc.
The operating procedures of Dixie Inc. came under scrutiny of council late last year, after parents and coaches of youth involved in its baseball programs came to council with their concerns.
Dixie Inc. and its supporters subsequently had an opportunity before council to defend their operation.
Council outlined a series of conditions for Dixie Inc. that it felt would streamline its operation and open the door for additional input and participation of others in the decision-making process.
Although several councilmen acknowledged some progress has been made, others felt some work remained to be done before the money could be allocated.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions Advanced to Council Agenda
The CIC advanced appointments for VASAP, the Library Board of Trustees, the Southside Planning District Commission and Southside Regional Partnership to council's agenda.
Those up for consideration or reappointment include: Police Chief Jim Hall, VASAP; Nancy Zirkle, Library Board of Trustees; Tom Raab and Ted Daniel, Southside Planning District Commission; Glen Abernathy, Carroll Thackston, Coleman Speece, Doug Bowman and Ted Daniel, Southside Regional Partnership.
Other CIC Agenda Items
· The CIC decided to ask Community Development Coordinator Tamyra Vest to act as contact person with the county to study a proposal to establish a local food bank.
· The CIC took no action on a National Association of Counties Expand Democracy in America Program, designed to improve the nations's election system by recruiting additional poll workers.
· The CIC advanced to council's agenda a list of mandated pre-contract activites for the Shepherd's Gate Community Improvement Grant Project that require formal approval of council.
Finance Committee
Saunders reported that the town remains in "good financial shape," as of April 30, with expenditures and revenues at projected levels as a whole.
A total of $2,573,000 is held in the town's various checking accounts, with a total of $908,000 being held in certificates, according to Saunders.
In final action, the adoption of the operating budget for FY 2002-2003 on its second reading, and its accompanying appropriation resolution and taxes and fees list were approved for the council agenda.

Halifax County got few opportunities against the Batting Center Astros Monday night.
Unfortunately it wasn't able to take advantage of them.
The result was a 5-0 loss to the Astros in Greensboro, N.C., a loss that evened the team's slate at 1-1 for the young season.
Halifax County had only three hits against the Astros with Justin Saunders, Dabney Cosby and Kenneth Day getting a hit each.
That wasn't nearly enough to upend the host team which had nine hits in the game.
Halifax County had its best opportunity in the top of the second inning when Cosby led off with a walk and Day followed with a single that placed runners on first base and second base.
Chad Compton, who came in as a pinch runner for Day, and Cosby pulled off a steal to move into scoring position with nobody out.
But the Halifax County rally stopped there as designated hitter R.D. Cole, Morty Barron and Dan Powell struck out in succession and left the two runners stranded.
Halifax County got a double from Cosby with one out in the top of the fourth inning but the Astros retired the next two batters to get out of the inning.
Saunders had a hit with two out in the top of the fifth inning but was left stranded on the sacks.
The Astros jumped on top in the bottom of the third inning when Halifax County hurler Justin Smith gave up a walk with one out and the Astros followed with back-to-back base hits to plate a run and go up 1-0.
Halifax County was in a real jam in the top of the fourth as the Astros loaded the bases with the help of a leadoff error by Collegiate and two walks.
The Astros got a hit to plate one run but Collegiate put a halt to the scoring at that point and emerged from the inning trailing 2-0.
However, the dike burst on Halifax County in the bottom of the fifth inning when the Astros tagged Smith for three runs to go up 5-0.
Barron came to the hill at that point and Collegiate got out of the inning by turning a double play and getting the seventh Astros batter in the inning to hit into a force play for the final out.
The Astros threatened to add to their total in the bottom of the sixth inning when the leadoff batter reached base on a Collegiate error, advanced to second base on a wild pitch and moved to third base on a base hit with one out.
Barron struck out the next batter for the second out of the inning and the next batter grounded out to Barron to end the inning.
As far as the mound totals went, Smith worked four and a third innings and gave up eight hits while fanning seven batters and allowing four walks.
Barron, the reliever, worked one and two thirds of an inning and gave up a walk and hit and fanned two batters.
Halifax County was back in action last night, facing Burlington (N.C.) at Leonard Field in Greensboro, N.C.
Collegiate will play its home opener tonight at 8 p.m. when it faces Gate City at the Halifax County High School field.
That game will open a three-night home stand in which Collegiate will face the South Boston American Legion Post 8 team here Thursday night and will play league opponent Franklin County here Friday night.

William Edward Gupton

William Edward Gupton, 78, died Wednesday, May 29, at his home in Oceanside, CA. A native of Halifax County, he was born June 14, 1923, in the Aarons Creek community. He was the son of the late Eugene Graham Gupton Sr. and Nora Royster Gupton.
Mr. Gupton is survived by his wife, Anita Ramsay Gupton of the home; a son, Dr. Michael Edward Gupton and his wife, Joy of Clarksville; a daughter, Cindy Gupton Strong and husband, Bob of Myrtle Beach, SC; three step children, Jack Ramsay of Los Angeles, CA, Calvin Ramsay of Seattle, WA and Linda Ramsay of Oceanside, CA; two grandchildren, Jennifer Fesperman of Seattle, WA and Christopher Fesperman of CA; three step-grandchildren, Kady and Bryce Ramsay of Seattle, and Raymond Gonzalez of Oceanside; three sisters, Virginia G. Wilson of Virgilina, Gladys G. Thompson of Richmond, and Helen G. Bomar of South Boston; two brothers, Prentice V. Gupton and Bobby J. Gupton, both of Clarksville; and a number of nieces and nephews survive. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Eugene G. Gupton Jr., Douglas R. Gupton and Wallace H. Gupton and his sister, Ruby G. Overbey.
Mr. Gupton was a member of Aarons Creek Baptist Church in Virgilina, was a World War II veteran, having served with the U. S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre. He was active in Boy Scouts of America in the Los Angeles area where he served as a leader for the Explorers as well as Boy Scouts. He was a retired businessman in California.
A memorial service will be held at Aarons Creek Baptist Church, Virgilina, on June 15, at 2:30 p.m.
Anyone wishing to send a memorial is asked to consider Hospice of the North Coast, 5421 Avenida Encinas #N, Carlsbad, CA, 92008. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Anita R. Gupton, 1076 Turnstone Way, Oceanside, CA 92057-7716.

Willie Thomas Francis

Willie Thomas Francis, 61, of Nathalie died June 2 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home.
Mr. Francis was born in Halifax County on June 6, 1940, the son of John Thomas Francis and Ella Pierce Francis. He served in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include one son, Willie Thomas Francis Jr. of Halifax; one grandson, Holden Thomas Francis of Halifax; six brothers, Paul J. Francis of Brookneal, Vanda Lee Francis of Gastonia, NC, Howard B. Francis, Glenn M. Francis, Stanley C. Francis and David L. Francis, all of Nathalie; four sisters, Ann Francis Butler of Halifax, Vernell Francis Ford of Davidson, NC, Donna M. Owen of Danville and Judy Faye Elder of Brookneal.
Services for Mr. Francis will be held today, June 5 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

Eleanor Reagan Cannon

Eleanor Reagan Cannon, 87, of 2526 North Main Street, Danville, died June 2 in Roman Eagle Memorial Home.
Mrs. Cannon was born in Glens Falls, NY on August 16, 1914, the daughter of the late Henry T. Reagan and Ella Roussea Reagan and was married to John Thomas Cannon. She was of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include four daughters, Gina Mallare and Joannie Sheldon, both of Danville, Joyce Prichard of Selkirk, NY and Judy Kobrin of Boca Raton, FL; two sons, John R. Cannon of South Boston and Thomas Cannon of Balston Spa, NY; 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Charlotte Reagan, and her husband.
A funeral service for Mrs. Cannon was held June 4 at 10 a.m. at the Funeral Liturgy at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Charles Breindel officiating. Burial will take place in Glens Falls.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Michael Mallare Scholarship Fund, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 540 Central Blvd., Danville, 24541.

Rosa Conner Hancock

Rosa Conner Hancock, 87, of 1058 Shepherd's Gate Road, South Boston, died June 4 in Richmond.
Mrs. Hancock was born in Halifax County on March 9, 1915, the daughter of Holt Easley Conner and Daisy Powell Conner. She was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church and a retired employee of Star Laundry.
Survivors include two daughters, Alice Tucker of Douglasville, GA and Alice Tucker of Richmond; one son, Hubert Trent of Saxe; one sister, Lucille Moore of South Boston; one brother, Emery Conner of South Boston; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hancock will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel June 6 at 11 p.m. with the Rev. Jack Stewart officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening, June 5, from 7:00 until 9:00, and other times at her home.