Halifax County supervisors approve tourism zone, Smart Scale applications and budget steps; adopt several resolutions

The Halifax County Board of Supervisors met May 4, 2026, in the County Administration Building and approved a series of policy and funding actions, including creation of a Tourism Zone, formal approval of VDOT grant applications, and a number of county resolutions.

The Board adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 53 of the county code to create a Tourism Zone intended to attract hotel, restaurant and outfitter development. Planning staff said the program would target projects with minimum investments of $500,000 for new construction and $250,000 for improvements and would give the county greater flexibility in offering incentives than existing enterprise zones. The ordinance was adopted on a 5-0 vote (motion by Supervisor Jeff Oakes, second by Supervisor Dennis Witt).

On transportation, Jay Brown of VDOT’s Halifax Residency told the Board the county would submit three Smart Scale applications for turn-lane improvements on U.S. 58 & Route 751, a Sinai Road pedestrian project, and the U.S. 501 & Greens Folly Road intersection. The Board approved Resolution 2026-15 to move those applications forward (5-0). Brown also noted a correction to the published Six-Year Plan: the Adams Trail project length was corrected from 0.5 miles to 1.2 miles and project costs were updated; the Board adopted Resolution 2026-14 approving the Six-Year Plan for FY2027–FY2032 (5-0).

The Board scheduled a public hearing for May 19, 2026, on proposed relocations of three polling precincts—Virgilina, Mount Carmel and Black Walnut—after Heather Harding of the Electoral Board outlined building improvements, parking concerns and state notice requirements. Harding said some locations would require only minor accessibility work and that notices to affected voters would need to be mailed quickly.

Other motions approved included adopting Resolution 2026-12 for the County employee health plan for FY2027 and approving a combined $271,000 county contribution to resurface the Tisha Waller Track (an additional $80,000 on top of a previously approved $191,000) with the county agreeing to pay electrical costs for tennis-court lighting if the school system opens the courts to public use.

The Board also adopted several recognitions and resolutions, including Ruritan Awareness Month (Resolution 2026-9), Men’s Health Week (Resolution 2026-10) and a resolution honoring two HPD officers for lifesaving actions (Resolution 2026-13). Community and committee matters on the agenda included a recommended portrait-display policy requiring three full terms of service for eligibility and a recommendation to support VDOT naming the Highway 92 bridge for the late Jennifer Nichols; both committee recommendations received Board approval.

The meeting included a closed session for appointments and prospective business; upon reconvening the Board certified the closed session and approved several appointments, including the reappointment of Jeff Francisco to the Agriculture Development Advisory Committee and Wayne Smith to the Tri-County Community Action Agency.

Votes at a glance: - Adopt Tourism Zone ordinance (ordinance amending Chapter 53): Passed 5-0 - Adopt Resolution 2026-15 (Smart Scale applications): Passed 5-0 - Adopt Resolution 2026-14 (Six-Year Plan): Passed 5-0 - Adopt Resolution 2026-12 (Employee Health Plan): Passed 5-0 - Approve additional $80,000 contribution for Tisha Waller Track (total $271,000) and county to pay tennis lighting electrical costs if public access allowed: Passed 5-0 - Schedule public hearing for precinct relocations (May 19, 2026): Passed 5-0

The Board recessed at 9:07 p.m. and continued its next meeting, a joint session with the Planning Commission, to May 19, 2026.