It is the long-term capital needs that concern Chief Stacy Coggins.

Coggins outlined his budget plan before city council today at the second work session that will help administrative staff come up with a financial roadmap for next fiscal year.

In his operating budget Coggins told council repairs need to be made to two showers at Station 2 off Highway 125 to stop leaks. “We want to repair the leaks to prevent mold problems.”

The fire department has already had one shower repaired at the station.

Coggins said the fire department learned the contractor didn't install a pan to keep the water from seeping through the tiling and the sheet rock. The warranty on the work has expired.

The biggest need for the fire department, however, will be in the next four to five years when the current self-contained breathing apparatus firefighters use will have to be taken out of service.

“Our current … SCBA are two (National Fire Protection Association) standards behind,” Coggins wrote in a memo explaining the situation. “They were purchased in 2004 with funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant which at that time met the 2002 standards.”

Coggins notes in the memo the current equipment is aging and starting to cost the department more for repairs. “The SCBAs we currently have are out of warranty and some of the parts are obsolete. To make proper repairs, the SCBAs have to be retrofitted, which ends up costing more for repairs.”

Since July 1, the fire department has spent roughly $4,500 on repairs to the air packs. The cylinders will have to be taken out of service within the next four to five years. “The face pieces which we use with these packs also do not meet the current standards and can't be used with the new packs,” the memo said. “The new packs would meet the current 2013 edition of NFPA … and would have longer end-of-service indicator warning, higher temperature face piece rating and, most of all, be under warranty for 10 years.”

The SCBA as a unit with cylinder and face piece costs $6,199; a spare cylinder $810 and a face piece $346.

Under a proposed first option, all the air packs would be replaced. That would be 25 air packs; 25 spare cylinders and seven face pieces to outfit the rest of the department at a total cost of $177,647.

A second option would spread the purchase of the equipment out over three fiscal years.

In the upcoming fiscal year Coggins proposes to buy nine air packs, 12 spare cylinders and 23 face pieces at a cost of $73,469.

In the 2016-2017 fiscal year, he proposes to buy eight SCBAs with cylinders and seven spare cylinders at a total of $52,494.

In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, he proposes to buy eight SCBAs with cylinders and six spare cylinders for a total of $51,684.

“The current air packs are coming up on being 10-years-old,” Coggins told council.

He said a grant application has been written for the purchase but he has received no word.

Pay study

Meanwhile, Coggins asked council for a pay study for firefighters.

“I feel like the guys with their training and expertise should be in line with the guys in the police department,” he said. “We're trying to get quality candidates.”

After training one firefighter last year, Coggins said, “We lost one last year to Rocky Mount. It's something to look at. I think the guys do a great job.”

The fire chief said the department's pay scale show minimum, medium and maximum levels. “We used to get a 5 percent raise if we did our jobs.”

Answering a question posed by Mayor Emery Doughtie, Coggins said police have a tendency to make more than firefighters.”

Firefighters put in 212 hours a month. “Most of our guys have part-time jobs.”

Councilman Wayne Smith asked if that was because firefighters were off three days a week at times.

Coggins said it depended on the firefighter.

“The reason the police department got raises was because of morale and there was grumbling amongst themselves. We're grateful for everything you do for the city.”

Smith asked if there was any active grumbling within the fire department to which Coggins replied there wasn't.

Councilwoman Carol Cowen said she believed the panel has to at least consider raises. “It's a false economy to pay people to go somewhere else.”

A pay comparison Coggins prepared for council showed the following for the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department and police department:

A firefighter is paid $28,933. A police officer is paid $33,429

A fire engineer is paid $31,949. A master police officer is paid $33,559.

A fire lieutenant is paid $35,246. A police sergeant is paid $37,035.

A fire battalion chief is paid $37,768. A police lieutenant is paid $40,895.

A fire assistant chief is paid $45,138. A police investigative captain is paid the same.

A deputy fire chief is paid $45,142. A deputy police chief is paid the same.

A fire chief is paid $57.764. A police chief is paid $60,703.

Hasty outlined his requests for the 2015-2016 financial plan before city council during a budget work session this afternoon.

Hasty is seeking $30,000 for body cameras for investigators, administrative officers and himself. “I want to get everyone with body cameras and to have extras if they get broken.”

He is also requesting $25,000 for the MorphoTrak Livescan fingerprinting system, an electronic system that replaces the need to use ink. “We're doing fingerprinting the old-fashioned way,” he said.

With the MorphoTrak system, fingerprints are electronically submitted within 10 minutes to pertinent criminal databases. “We've had success with them in the sheriff's office.”

Hasty is also requesting $150,000 for three new positions — an additional criminal investigator, an additional task force agent and an evidence room technician.

“At times two investigators the last 14 months have worked over 800 cases. They've cleared 352,” Hasty said. “It shows you how busy we are.”

He said the evidence technician is needed to keep the evidence room organized. “There's a lot of evidence that needs to be disposed of. They can help the criminal investigation division on cases as crime scene technicians.”

Hasty is asking is asking for $150,000. “Maybe we can phase it in over several years.”

Agent D.J. Hundley said Sledge, 24, was located on Carver Street shortly after 3:30 p.m.

He was served warrants based on a search of a Luke Street residence Thursday.

Sledge faces charges of felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sledge was given a $5,000 secured bond and April 22 court date.

Agent D. McKeel charged Tyquane Johnson with felony possession of cocaine; possession of marijuana paraphernalia and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tyquane Johnson, 20, who is scheduled to appear in court on May 6 in a robbery that occurred on Carver Street in Lincoln Heights, was jailed on $400,000 bond and awaits a May 27 court date.

His father, 39-year-old Tyrone Johnson, was charged with possession of up to a half-ounce of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

According to state Department of Public Safety records, Tyrone Johnson was released from prison on January 16 after serving 15 years and three months for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. That charge reflects an offense committed in March of 2002. He also has a host of other convictions on his criminal record.

Terms of his release were to end on October 13, according to the state records.

Captain A.M. Harris of the task force said the elder Johnson was wearing an ankle bracelet at the time of his arrest today, which was just before 2 p.m.

Tyrone Johnson, of Melody Lane, was given a $500 secured bond and also has a May 27 court date.

The arrest of the father and son was the result of a three-week investigation rooted in officer investigation and citizen complaints, McKeel said in a statement.

During execution of the search warrant, 1.9 grams of crack cocaine and marijuana were seized. Several items of drug paraphernalia including three digital scales and plastic baggies were also seized.

Robbery was the motive behind the February Carver Street shooting, investigators said at the time.

The city's answer to a writ on behalf of MaSuki Incorporated was filed Monday by City Attorney Gilbert Chichester.

Chichester's response, which includes all minutes from both public hearings council had on the matter, one in January and another in February that had been continued, says, “... Council's vote and action was taken after having considered all of the evidence presented at the aforesaid hearing.”

Council turned down the request at a February meeting.

Chichester confirmed today that his response to the writ filed by Halifax attorney Franklin Jones upholds council's action and that it turned down the request after consideration of evidence on both sides of the issue.

The writ filed by Jones says, “The decision by city council is arbitrary as it lacks a rational basis and there is no substantial relationship between the facts disclosed by the record and the conclusions reached by the council.”

The original writ continues, saying, “The city council violated basic due process rights by failing to make factual findings and-or conclusions on competent or substantial evidence. There is no substantial, competent or material evidence properly in the record to support the denial of the conditional use permit.”

April 14

Around 2:15 p.m., Master Officer Mark Peck responded to a larceny call at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, which is located inside Walmart.

The victim told Peck they had placed their cell phone down and someone had picked it up and left the store.

Peck worked with loss prevention to obtain information and Demetrius Eugene Fleming, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, was identified.

Peck secured a warrant on Fleming for larceny of the cell phone.

Around 4:15 p.m., Sergeant Terrence Tyler and Officer Joey Spragins responded back to Walmart because Fleming had returned to the store.

Fleming was arrested and given a $400 bond. He has a May 1court date.

“We have a great working relationship with the loss prevention staff of Walmart. Their help in this investigation helped solve this case quickly,” Hasty said.

Around 11 p.m., Lieutenant Jeff Baggett and Officer Patrick Smith responded to an assault call in the 900 block of Henry Street.

While the officers where speaking with the parties involved, Queen Annie Edwards pushed and hit the victim in their presence.

Officers arrested Edwards for the assault, but during the arrest she refused to follow their instructions.

As the officers were taking Edwards to the car, Michael Lewis Norfleet followed them, cursing and yelling.

After several warnings to stop, Norfleet was arrested for intoxicated and disruptive behavior.

Edwards was charged with simple assault and resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer.

She was given a $1,000 bond and a June 5 court date.

Norfleet was given a $750 bond and the same court date as Edwards.

Two have not been served, according to Lieutenant Jeff Baggett of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

The first of the nine thefts began March 16 and they continued through March 30.

Baggett said the employees would take turns going to each other's register with items that included clothing, party supplies and food. The thefts involved a few hundred dollars in merchandise.

In some of the cases, the employees would scan some items and let others bypass the register system, he said. “In some incidents they would hit the scanner and then void it out.”

The theft was caught by watching the actions of the participating cashiers, Baggett said. “Someone caught the motion.”

Police believe the scope of the theft could go beyond those currently facing charges, according to Baggett, and the matter remains under investigation.

Arrests in the case have been ongoing since last week when, on April 12, Baggett arrested Tashyra Monea Alston, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, after she turned herself in.

Alston faces nine counts of obtaining property by false pretense and five counts of conspiracy.

Alston was given a $10,000 bond and a court date of June 12.

Since Tuesday, two more employees facing charges in the case have turned themselves in, according to Chief Chuck Hasty.

Keandra Person, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, surrendered to police Tuesday around 5:45 p.m. and was jailed on $1,000 bond. She was given a June 12 court date. She faces a charge of obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy.

Today around 8:30, Keswana Imonni Mitchell, 20, of Gaston turned herself into the Roanoke Rapids Police Department. She was given a $2,000 bond and a June 12 court date. She faces a charge of obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy.

Jennifer Renee Arrington, 22, of Enfield, and Caron Makease Williams, 21, have yet to be served warrants for obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Arrington and Williams is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Captain A.M. Harris of the City County Drug Task Force said in a statement agents will continue to do random checking stations throughout the county.

Today's checking station was conducted on Highway 158 and agents checked licenses and registration cards of east and westbound motorists.

A Fayetteville man tried to duck the station by turning onto a dirt path because his license was revoked. He was cited.

There was one additional person cited for driving while license revoked; three people, including a driver from New York and one from Durham, were cited for no operators license and one person was cited for having an expired registration plate and no inspection.

They were given June 8 court dates.

Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said Caron Makease Williams, 21, came to the police department around 8 p.m.

Williams, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy. He was given a $2,000 bond and June 12 court date.

Jennifer Renee Arrington, 22, of Enfield remains the only person yet to be served in the case.

The charges in the case center around nine thefts by employees that began on March 16 and continued through March 30.

Police said Wednesday the employees would take turns going to each other's register with items that included clothing, party supplies and food.

In some of the cases, the employees would scan some items and let others bypass the register system, while in others they would hit the scanner and then void items out.

Police believe the scope of the theft could go beyond those currently facing charges and the matter remains under investigation.

Arrests in the case have been ongoing since last week when, on April 12, Tashyra Monea Alston, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, turned herself in.

Alston faces nine counts of obtaining property by false pretense and five counts of conspiracy.

Also arrested and charged with obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy are:

Keandra Person, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, and Keswana Imonni Mitchell, 20, of Gaston.

Officers Ryan Cross and Gerald Morris arrested Issaca Shneace Bryant and Tereka Hyman, both 19 and both of Roanoke Rapids for larceny, possession of stolen goods and financial card theft on April 11.

Paris Gatling remains at large and is from the Roanoke Rapids area, Investigator Frankie Griffin said.

The case stems from a report taken in which the victim said her purse was taken from her shopping cart.

Anyone with information on Gatling's whereabouts is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-444.

Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said David Wayne Cox, 36, was wanted following an investigation by Lieutenant Charles Vaught in which computers, hard drives and other electronics were stolen from the store three separate times.

Total value of the items stolen was around $5,000, Hasty said.

Each theft was reported by loss prevention and attempts were made to stop Cox but he fled following each encounter with the items in a shopping cart, Hasty said.

The thefts occurred April 9, 11 and 12.

Hasty said the items were possibly stolen to exchange for drugs.

Agent C. Dixon arrested Cox around noon Wednesday during a checking station in the area of Tenth and Cleveland Streets.

Cox had outstanding warrants for three counts of felony larceny, three counts of possession of stolen good and three counts of trespassing.

He was given a $10,000 bond and May 20 court date.

Investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible, Hasty said.

.

The execution of the search warrant also resulted in the arrest of Michael Rakim Belfield, 27.

Agent D.J. Hundley charged Belfield with possession of a firearm by a felon; possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin; felony possession of cocaine; maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance; felony possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Belfield was in the process of being booked this afternoon.

Shaquille Belfield was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Agents went to the residence around 11:15 this morning, Captain A.M. Harris said.

A handgun and currency was also seized.

In noting that observation, Councilman Wayne Smith today directed City Manager Joseph Scherer to present a budget to council that is $14 million or less. “It's going to be a tough job for you,” he said.

No other council members objected to the directive after hearing from parks and recreation and the public works department.

(See related story)

Scherer said following the work session he will work under that directive. “We still need to see where the revenue projections are at.”

As of today's meeting, Scherer said none of the revenue projections from the state had changed and there was no new news on whether there would be changes up or down.

The city is expected to lose $50,000 in property tax revenue from the county revaluation and another $350,000 from the repeal of the local business privilege license tax. The city is expected to see a decrease in Powell Bill funds of $4,500 and if sales tax revenues are redistributed by the state it stands to lose more than $800,000 in revenues over three years.

In his proposed budget, Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said his top priority is to have the T.J. Davis supervisor position unfrozen.

The position has been frozen since 2011, he told council. The $49,865 figure he gave the panel includes FICA.

(See related story)

Simeon said the position is a key one within the recreation department. “The position helps with administering the office. They take care of adult athletic leagues and handle adult basketball.”

He told council the department has recently had holes and gaps in its softball program. “Softball is administered by our maintenance guy.”

Having the position frozen, Simeon said, has been difficult for the rest of the staff. “The position is key in planning special events and is instrumental in bringing in softball and baseball tournaments.”

The parks and recreation director budgeted $19,500 for the replacement of side porches at the Jo Story Senior Center, explaining the building has sustained interior damage by water leaking through walls.

He said he would check to see whether there was the possibility of having the side porches removed.

Simeon has budgeted for $325,000 in anticipated grant revenues for the proposed skateboard park, a Chaloner walking trail and concession and restroom improvements at Ledgerwood Field.

Restroom renovations at Kirkwood Adams are also included in his proposed budget. He budgeted $15,000 for those improvements, which would include installing partitions, new sinks and tiling on the walls.

At the library, he is requesting 13 new public access computers. “(The Computer Guy & Company) recommends changing them out.”

Simeon budgeted $15,000 for the replacement.

At the Roanoke Canal Museum, Simeon is asking for $3,500 for maintenance on some of the exhibits. “The exhibits are becoming older and are in need of repairs,” he said. “One of the four monitors is giving us trouble.”

Some of the pumps on water exhibits need to replaced, Simeon said. The security system has also become outdated and police recommend going with a system for the inside and outside of the facility.

Public works

Energy efficiency measures the department has put in place are paying off, director Larry Chalker told council.

Those measures come through the use of LED lights at city hall. The department budgeted $32,000 for electric utilities at the beginning of this fiscal year and the actual budget is at $17,534. He is requesting $30,000 for the upcoming fiscal year.

The same applies at the public works garage, he said, which is now burning recycled oil for heat.

Chalker is asking for $10,000 for a radio system upgrade and $4,000 for handheld radios.

He is requesting $60,000 for storm drainage work. “We've spent $40,000. We want to get rid of sinkholes.”

Chalker is requesting $60,000 for crack pouring, work he proposes to be done by a contractor.

He is requesting $32,000 to upgrade the traffic signal at Seventh Street and Park Avenue. “The red light goes off before the green comes on,” he said. “This will be last signal to be upgraded.”

For the cemetery, he is asking for $6,000 to install a central heating and air system at the office. “The old unit is a window unit from a single-wide.”

Chief Chuck Hasty said the attempt occurred around 9:45 p.m. at Piedmont Court off Old Farm Road.

The victim told Officer Patrick Smith that while making the delivery a person described as a black male wearing a gray hooded jacket approached and pulled out a gun.

The person ran off when the victim stepped back towards the vehicle.

Officer Gerald Morris and his dog Dozer assisted in the investigation.

In an unrelated matter Thursday, Hasty reported the police department received a call about a white male and female going to a residence and telling the victim they were there to install lights on the property.

The victim was distracted by the female by asking to see the property lines and getting the victim to the back yard, while the male went inside the residence and stole items.

They got into a gray car and left the area.

“Legitimate companies will have marked vehicles that they drive,” Hasty said. “Also, they will have company identification, and companies do not go door to door selling or installing anything.”

Hasty said never let anyone you do not know into your home. “If you have any concerns about the people you should ask to see their company identification, contact the company they are claiming to represent and contact your local law enforcement while the individuals are still in the area.”

Anyone with information about either matters is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

April 16

Around 8:45 p.m, officers received information about a breaking and entering of a vehicle at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

Hospital security staff, while on routine patrol of the parking lots, found a person inside a vehicle.

When the person noticed staff the man, later identified as Cody Ryan Roundtree, 23, of Roanoke Rapids, fled.

Lieutenant Jeff Baggett, Sergeant Richard White and Officer Ryan Cross were at HRMC at the time. Roundtree was caught after a brief foot chase and charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle and damage to property.

He was jailed on $10,000 bond and assigned an April 22 court date.

“HRMC security staff did a great job of finding this crime in progress and getting the information quickly to the Roanoke Rapids Police staff that was at the hospital so this crime could be solved so quickly,” Hasty said. “Officer Davis Cullom and Westry Thorpe are great assets that the hospital has on staff.”

April 17

Around 2:30 a.m., White and Cross responded to a domestic in the 200 block of Old Farm Road.

After investigating Cross arrested and charged D’Angelo Devonte Rawls, 16, for assault.

Rawls was jailed without the opportunity for bond due to the domestic nature of the case. He was assigned a May 8 court date.

Around 4:15 a.m., Baggett and Officer Patrick Smith responded to an assault call in the 100 block of Madison Street.

After investigating the call and Smith advising the parties what they could do legally, another disturbance took place with different people.

Smith attempted to get the parties to leave and go back inside their residences, but Elnora Gwendolyn Hayes, 40, of Roanoke Rapids, refused and continued to curse and yell at a person who was going inside.

Smith arrested and charged Hayes with intoxicated and disruptive behavior and resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer.

Hayes was given a $1,000 bond and May 8 court date.

Area Development Manager Shaun Morris was pleased with the line that formed around the building for a promotional offer of a free meal for a year.

“It's a very good sign,” he said, awaiting the zero hour of 10:30 a.m. when the restaurant would open its doors. “People were asking us when we were getting started, when would we open. They were very excited about it.”

(A PDF of the menu is included as an attachment at the end of this story)

The restaurant, which specializes in chicken dishes, is known for its freshly prepared vegetables, Morris said, as well as its generous portions. A drive-through is available.

Mayor Emery Doughtie came out Sunday night for a special preview. “The food was good, the service was great.”

Doughtie is pleased the space where a former convenience store was torn down is being used for a restaurant. “I['m glad to see people getting jobs. It's good for us for tax revenues.”

Scott Elias and Sammy Isles stood in line for the special offer.

“I don't have to go to Rocky Mount,” Elias said. “I go there to eat at Zaxby's. Now I can eat it here. It will draw people from all over.”

Isles said he was pleased to see the restaurant open. “It's a great franchise. I'm very glad to have it in Roanoke Rapids. I think it fits in very well.”

This is the College’s 48th annual commencement. The event is free and open to the public. Asbell has been the elected district attorney for the past 15 plus years in Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties.

She was elected as the district attorney for the newly consolidated District 6 which now serves Halifax County as well.

Asbell has prosecuted for the past 22 years in 6B and was an assistant district attorney for seven years before becoming the elected district attorney.

Asbell was the first female district attorney in the eastern district of North Carolina. She started as an assistant district attorney on April 1, 1993. The college notes in a statement, “Asbell is a strong advocate for victims of crime throughout her district and the state of North Carolina. She has 22 years of trial experience as a prosecutor and has tried more than 200 cases before juries in the past 22 years.”

Asbell was recently presented with the 2013 Women of Justice Award in the Public Official Category by the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly magazine.

Asbell is a strong advocate for victims of domestic violence as demonstrated by her commitment to her community and state. She is a board member for the Roanoke-Chowan Domestic Violence Task Force and was a member of the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission from 2006-2011. During one year in her tenure as district attorney, she had the highest conviction rate for domestic violence offenses in the state of North Carolina. Along with her administrative and courtroom duties as district attorney, Asbell is active in her community and has taken a proactive approach to preventing crime in her district and preventing young people from coming into the court system.

She is active in the public school system as a speaker on topics ranging from domestic violence, drug and gang awareness, to cyber bullying. She and her staff are active in Teen Court in her three counties when the program is running, and she is a member of the “Communities in Schools of Hertford County.” She sits on the Roanoke-Chowan Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board. Asbell also sponsors the Family of Murdered Victims Support Group which meets monthly at her office to help family members who have lost loved ones to violent crime. During her career, Asbell has served the public in many capacities locally and statewide including:

• Member and past president of the 6B Judicial Bar

• Adjunct professor for the National Advocacy Center where she teaches federal and state prosecutors • Former member of the executive board of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys • •Instructor for the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys

• Instructor at the North Carolina Institute of Government where she teaches North Carolina prosecutors about various subjects

• Instructor at the Federal Domestic Violence Conference

• Instructor for the Federal OCEDEF Drug Conference where she teaches Investigative Grand Juries for State Prosecutors Asbell is happily to Jimmy Asbell who is the major of the Ahoskie Police Department.

They have two boys, Cole who is 16 years old and Ethan who is 10 years old.

They are members of Center Grove Baptist Church in Ahoskie. 

April 18

Around 10:30 p.m., Officer Jefferey Mason responded to an assault call at Creekside Court.

Mason noticed the victim had a small injury to the face.

Anthony Boone, 45, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested for assault on a female. He was jailed without the opportunity for bond and has a May 15 court date.

Lieutenant Perry Parks assisted.

April 19

Around 3:15 p.m., Parks responded to a shots fired call in the area of Preston Street.

He located a vehicle matching the description and conducted a traffic stop.

During a search of the driver, Dareus Javon Glenn, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, marijuana was found.

Parks arrested Glenn for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Glenn was given a $500 bond and a May 15 court date.

Sergeant Mike Moseley and Officer Ryan Cross assisted.

The adjustment, he said, is to make up for a revenue loss reflected in the countywide property valuation.

“The county did have growth this year,” he wrote in a paper outlining the proposed fiscal year 2015-2016 financial plan. “A majority of the growth came via sales tax, motor vehicle and property taxes.”

However, he explains in the document, “With the revaluation process, the county property values fell countywide by an average of 7 percent.”

The corresponding revenue neutral rate for the upcoming fiscal year will require an adjustment from 68 cents per $100 valuation to 73 cents per $100 valuation.

He told commissioners during their budget work session this is necessary “to keep the same revenues for the government to function.”

Throughout the evening Brown gave the board eight different options to review. The tax rate adjustment is assumed in all the options with the first four using only fund balance. Options 5 through 8 include scenarios in which a tax increase is added to the adjustment.

As his proposal stands, without the different options, the budget would look like the following:

No department increase and a 5 percent health insurance increase.

No employee pay for performance.

No cost of living or market adjustment.

Maintains a flat budget for the three school systems and Halifax Community College.

Without the different options the proposed budget would not fund the following:

County departments' un-financed requirements and capital outlay.

School current expense.

School capital outlay.

Some outside funding requests.

The options

Option 1 would use $1,591,442 of fund balance and reduce the account to 15 percent.

It would fund $1,258,400 in school capital outlay that would pay for the following:

Roof replacement at HCC.

Boiler, press boxes, lab upgrades, generators and cameras for the county school system.

Security cameras, controlled locks and shingle replacement for the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District.

A Weldon High School gym roof, athletic field renovations and lighting for Weldon City Schools.

Remount an ambulance, replace a quick response vehicle, fund two full-time dispatchers, replace the fire marshal vehicle and transition to Office 365 for email.

It would leave $82,799 available for other uses.

Option 2 would use $2,246,500 of fund balance and reduce the account to 13.5 percent.

It would allow for additional school current expense funding for a utility increase of $127,027 and teacher supplements budgeted for a total $431,000.

It would leave $179,830 to use elsewhere.

Option 3 would use $2,464,853 of fund balance and reduce the account to 13 percent. It would fund the same items as Option 2, but would leave $398,183 for use elsewhere.

Option 4 would use $2,901,558 of fund balance and reduce the account to 12 percent.

It would leave $834,888 for use elsewhere.

The options with tax increase proposal

Option 5 uses $2,246,500 of fund balance. It includes a 1-cent tax increase that would generate an additional $300,000.

It would allow for an employee pay for performance plan and leave $101,830 for use elsewhere.

Option 6 uses the same fund balance amount as Option 5 but proposes a 2-cent tax increase that would generate an additional $600,000.

It would fund the same items as Option 5 and a 2 percent increase for an employee competitive market adjustment.

It leaves $91,830 for use elsewhere.

Option 7 uses $2,464,853 of fund balance coupled with a 2-cent tax increase.

It would allow for a 3 percent increase for an employee competitive market adjustment and leave $155,183 for use elsewhere.

Option 8 uses the same fund balance withdrawal as Option 7 but implements a 2 ½ -cent tax increase. The 2 ½-cent tax increase would fund the same items as Option 7 but would leave $305,183 for use elsewhere.

Further discussion

The revaluation forced an out-of-the-ordinary planning situation for the proposed budget, Brown said. “It's something that has never happened in Halifax County. Typically, values go up. We're in an anomaly.”

Board members made no decision and will discuss the budget further at a work session next Monday night, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the Historic Courthouse in Halifax.

“I would like to have the opportunity to sit down with this for a while and come back next week,” Commissioner Carolyn Johnson said.

Said Commissioner Patrick Qualls: “I do want to study it.”