The information was provided as commissioners grapple with its budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes the possibility of at least a 1-cent tax increase.

Over the last five years the county has spent $4,060,353 on economic development projects. That figure increases to $7,635,960 when factoring in additional site preparation costs for Klausner Lumber Number 2 in Enfield, the figures show.

The largest expenditures for economic development have been for the Klausner land purchase at $1,525,000 and for the initial site preparation, which comes with a $1.4 million price tag.

No county funds were expended for the as yet to materialize Empire Foods project, which is hung up in a lawsuit.

Funding from grants and other sources total $25,921,000. That figure increases to $30, 923,000 when pending water and sewer funds for a developing project called Free Bird are taken into consideration as well as a pending Golden Leaf Economic Catalyst grant of $3 million is factored in.

Commissioner Marcelle Smith was cautious about the numbers, particularly the two that are pending approval. “It's very good to say what will happen. The eggs won't hatch until they do.”

County Manager Tony Brown said, however, the amount of outside funding for the myriad of projects is something counties much larger than Halifax haven't been able to accomplish, especially, he said, “The way the economy has been the last five years.”

Tax increase opposition

Meanwhile, commissioners Vernon Bryant and Rachel Hux again stated they are not in favor of a tax increase to keep from dipping into a depleting fund balance.

“As we move forward, I'd like to have us think outside the box,” Bryant said.

Bryant requested county administration provide numbers on how many employees the county has now compared with a range from 20 to five years ago.

“Employees in the county have gone down drastically,” Brown said, explaining when he came to the county 17 years ago there were 800. Now there are just under 550.

More cuts in the proposed financial plan, however, could mean staff cuts, Brown said.

“I'm not talking about about the rank and file,” Bryant said, “I'm talking about across the board.”

Bryant explained he was not in favor of hiring a new assistant county manager as a replacement for the county's finance director who retired last year. “We've got to look at everything and everybody. Not persons, but positions.”

Unfunded needs

As commissioners continued discussions on the proposed budget, they saw the need to add some funding but declined to act on a motion by Manning that would cut board travel pay by 10 percent. Manning failed to get a second on his motion .

As it ended the board will look at funding the recreation partners program; beaver management; the Halifax County Quiz Bowl; the Family Supporting Families program; the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad and the East Carolina Livestock program, which adds around $28,500 to the budget.

“We will have to find some more money,” board Chair James Pierce said.