The Harrison County Commissioners Court on Dec. 30 approved several personnel and board items.

The court approved the appointment of Becky Hanes as Harrison County Auditor for a two-year term effective Jan. 3, 2025, through Jan. 3, 2027, and authorized a $5,000 bond. "Probably the best money that we spend in the county," a commissioner said in support of the appointment. The motion passed unanimously.

The court also confirmed Elizabeth Cook as Harrison County Tax Assessor-Collector for a two-year term effective Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026, and approved bonds payable to the governor and the county in the amounts described in the agenda. The court noted Cook had previously been appointed to complete a predecessor’s term and will begin a new two-year term tomorrow; the motion passed 5 to 0.

The court approved reappointments to the Harrison County Historical Commission for two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Commissioners noted one listed member (Ms. B. White) appears to be deceased and asked the commission to provide a replacement name at the next meeting.

Separately, staff presented a long-running application for a 200 kW generator and asked the court to execute a TDM letter accepting a 10% local match of the total project cost. The project total was presented as $99,138 with a required local match of $9,913.80; the court approved executing the documents and accepting the match.

Why it matters: These appointments fill key county administrative roles ahead of the new year and secure emergency-generator funding for county operations during power outages.

Details and next steps: The auditor and tax-assessor appointments take effect at the dates indicated; the historical commission will submit a replacement for the deceased member before the next court meeting; staff will proceed with grant paperwork and generator scheduling.