News and Record

Halifax County Supervisors ended their day and a half annual retreat at

noon Friday setting forth an ambitious list of goals to be achieved

during the coming year.

Topping the list of their goals, Supervisors cited the need to dispose

of the closed elementary schools around the county with completion of

the new transfer station for the collection of solid waste being second

on their list.

The elimination of all green boxes by July 2009, in which residents

place their trash, was next on the list as the Board plans to increase

the number of convenience centers throughout the County.

Listed next was the consolidation of services by which spending may be

controlled through the elimination of duplicated services.

Other goals set by Board members included the renovation of the

exterior of the Courthouse, the evaluation of space needs for

government employees, the elimination of county decals, a study of

agricultural and forestal districts, approval of the upcoming year's

budget and the institution of semi-annual real estate tax collections

as well as a master plan for use of the fairgrounds, which will include

plans for the county fair and rental rates for use of the grounds and

facilities.

During the Friday wrap-up Supervisors' Chairman William I. Fitzgerald

challenged newly hired Finance Director Stephanie Jackson "to suggest

any ways we can cut expenses for our taxpayers."

The expense of the vacated elementary schools was highlighted by Bill

Wolfe, Director of General Properties, who noted that the electric and

heating bills for the closed schools were adding a lot of expense in

his department. One of the six closed schools had a monthly electric

bill exceeding $2,000, he explained. It was suggested that South of Dan

and C. H. Friend elementaries be the first to be placed on the market

for sale.

Another major expense, according to Public Works Director Ricky Nelson,

is the collection of solid waste from over 100 green boxes scattered

across the County. "In order to minimize our collection expenses and

operate more efficiently, we need to consolidate the existing

smattering of green boxes around the county into convenience centers as

soon as possible," Nelson advised the governing body members.

Nelson also pointed out that for many years the County has avoided

costs in the area of solid waste disposal through use of the South

Boston landfill, but now the County will be paying for the

transportation and disposal of all waste collected at the Boydton

regional landfill, including that of the Towns of Halifax and South

Boston.

Limiting the amount of trash collected through greater recycling

efforts is a major challenge for the County, Supervisors agreed as they

study the best way to enhance the local recycling campaign.

New revenue will be needed, Nelson pointed out, to pay the expenses of

the regional landfill, whether by user fees or a tax increase or a

combination of the two.

Reviewing their accomplishments over the past year, County

Administrator Bryan Foster noted they "had done well," since their

first priority had been to fully implement a centralized accounting

system which is well underway. A second priority was the construction

and opening of a transfer station which has just been bid out and which

will not be ready for operation before early August.

Three of last year's goals were marked completed — the implementation

of the performance reviews and pay plan, the adoption of the County's

Comprehensive Plan and the submission of zero operating budget

increases (not including personnel costs) for the past year by County

departments.

The County also opened several new convenience centers, including one

at White Oak, another in Virgilina.

Other accomplishments included the newly formed water/sewer public

service authority, the completion of two new elementary schools and the

middle school expansion and renovation and plans for semi-annual real

estate tax payments.

Another priority — the demolition of the old jail on Courthouse Square

— was canceled due to the lack of space for the demolition materials in

the landfill. Also canceled was the paving of the lot at the animal

shelter due to budget constraints.

Delayed for another year was the elimination of vehicle decals which

the County plans to enact in 2009 by adding the fee to tax bills.

The 12 local fire departments are each also asking the County for an

additional $5,000 to help them meet their expenses in the coming year.