Interim Franklin Co. Manager Harris Named New County Manager

As reported by our WNEG Sister Station WLHR, Franklin County has a new County Manager.

At their meeting Monday night the Board of Commissioners voted to hire Interim County Manager Terry Harris.

Harris has been the Interim County Manager since last August when former County Manager Derrick Turner resigned.

At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Josh Smith motioned to approve Harris’ contract.

During his time as Interim County Manager, Harris has worked with the Board and staff on a number of major projects and issues including the 2023 audit, appointing new Ethics Board members, securing an intergovernmental agreement with the Board of Education for the new sewer/wastewater line to the new elementary school, the hiring of a new County Clerk, securing a new audio/visual system for the Justice Center, working with the Board on changes to the Unified Development Code and securing funding for a new 911 Communications System, among other projects.

Harris has served as the Franklin County EMS Director and previously as the Interim County Manager before the Board hired Derrick Turner.

During that time, in 2021, Harris secured salary increases and better benefits for the County’s safety personnel.

Monday night, County Commission Chair Jeff Jacques called Harris’ decision to go full-time as County Manager an answer to prayer and he then called for the vote.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Harris’ contract.