Interstate 95 tolling remains one of the options to fund improvements to the highway, Halifax County Economic Development Director Cathy Scott told commissioners today.

She told the board the state Department of Transportation intends to have its financing study completed by November, along with a recommendation of how to finance them. “One of the options they’re looking at is tolling.”

Board Chair James Pierce said he attended the same meeting as Scott. “There are some thinking it’s a done deal,” he said of tolling. “That’s not the case yet. Tolling is one of the potential ways they’re looking at.”

On the website — www.driving95.com — there are no comments from Halifax County on the matter.

Answering a question by Commissioner Vernon Bryant, Scott said there will have to be legislation passed in North Carolina to authorize tolling. Completion of the state’s financing study is not expected to be ready, however, until after the General Assembly’s current session if completed, she said. “It’s something to watch, that’s for sure. We have a group that’s just getting organized along the corridor. We’re trying to organize to be a voice.”

In other matters today the board:

Accepted facility needs surveys from the Roanoke Rapids and Weldon schools systems.

Listened to a presentation from Faye Spencer Bryant requesting the county look into its current animal control ordinances, particularly on ordinances on tethering animals.

Were told by Scott the Reser’s Fine Foods East Coast expansion project is completed. She also told the board the economic development commission is working on four new projects, one which involved working with the airport authority on location plans.