Moore Government: Trustee

HALEY PAYNE ROBERTS
MCO Senior Staff Writer

It doesn’t take long to realize the pride lifelong Moore County resident Lynn Harrison has when discussing the duties of her position as Trustee, as well as her love for her family and community.

“I am a lifelong resident of Moore County,” Harrison said. “I graduated from MCHS in 1985 and took accounting courses at Motlow. Darin [Harrison] and I married in 1984 and raised our two girls here.”

Harrison’s longevity at the courthouse began in 1997 and grew into a fruitful career in county government.

“Mr. Carl Payne, the Moore County Executive at the time, hired me as his secretary. I managed payroll, new employee paperwork, insurance, and all accounts payable. I worked for Mr. Carl until his retirement in 1998, then for Mr. Bill [Thomas] until I was elected Moore County Trustee in 2002,” Harrison said.

“After about a year of working as the County Executive’s secretary, I knew I wanted to be Trustee someday. I have been given that honor by Moore County since 2002.”

While you probably know the Trustee’s office as the place to pay property taxes, there is much more to the job than that, much of which requires strong management skills and efficiency.

“I consider myself a numbers person. The best description of my job is that I am the banker inside the courthouse. I’m required to balance six different checking accounts and manage money invested in CDs and Local Government Investment Pools monthly,” Harrison said.

“Other county Trustees tell me that they don’t know how I do what I do as a one-person show. I am the only Trustee’s office in the state that doesn’t have a full-time employee. I am, however, blessed with two part-time employees.”

Harrison especially enjoys tax season because of the many visitors who frequent the office.

“October to February is the busiest time of the year for my office because it is tax-collecting season. However, it is also my favorite time of year. I get to see my people and have my yearly catch-up with them,” she said.

“I enjoy my job and helping Moore County’s residents, whom I call ‘my people.’ When I ask people who come in how they are, I am told year after year, ‘I was doing just fine until I had to come see you.’ I always reply, ‘I get that often.’ I just smile and take your money.”

Harrison has also endured tragic loss while in office and readily says that the support of her friends, family, and community has helped her immensely.

“Two of the hardest times in my life to date – the sudden loss of my dad and the sudden loss of Darin. Moore County has rallied around me in love and support,” Harrison said.

“Darin and I were well known in the Trustee and Property Assessor world as ‘you know, the married couple that Moore County elects.’ It was often said how Moore County must really love us to elect us both. We loved Moore County just as much.”

Above all, Harrison is grateful and humbled to serve the Moore County community through her position.

“I was lucky enough at the age of 31 to begin my journey at the courthouse. I’ve learned from the roots of this county how to serve with pride, honesty, and gratitude,” she said.

“I am fortunate to have an older generation’s support and love. Sometimes, they just stop by to tell me hello and that they love me. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities Moore County has given me to serve as your Trustee, and I hope to continue smiling and taking your money for years to come.”