Harrison County Government Used to Work. And It Can Again.
This was one of the most fascinating — and hopeful — conversations on Project Next.
Sarah Blessing sat down with Terry Miller, who served 17 years as a Harrison County Commissioner, including during the transformational years when casino revenue began coming into the county.
Terry described a Harrison County government that might sound almost foreign today.
Republicans and Democrats didn’t always agree. They questioned each other. They held each other accountable. But they also worked together.
They had plans for the county’s money. They balanced budgets. They told the public what they were doing. People could ask questions — and instead of treating questions like an attack, they wanted people to ask.
Compare that to where Harrison County is today.
The last five State Board of Accounts audit periods have documented recurring financial reporting, internal-control, recordkeeping, and transparency problems. There have been errors involving millions of dollars in county financial reports and findings that continued from one audit to the next.
Our tax dollars deserve better accountability.
And that’s why this conversation matters.
Terry Miller is now running for Harrison County Auditor.
During his 17 years as Commissioner — including time serving as president of the Commission — Terry helped govern through some of the most consequential financial decisions in Harrison County’s history.
Now he wants to bring that experience to the Auditor’s office with a very simple goal:
Account for every single penny of the taxpayers’ money.
Watch this episode and hear Terry explain what Harrison County government used to look like. How Democrats and Republicans worked together. How they planned. How they handled the casino money. How they communicated with the public. And what he believes needs to change today.
Most importantly, this conversation is hopeful.
Because it proves something important:
Harrison County government doesn’t have to operate the way it does today.
We’ve done better before.
We can do better again.
But collectively, as a county, we have to decide that it’s time for change.
🎥 Watch this episode of Project Next with Terry Miller, then share it with another Harrison County resident.
People deserve to know what a functioning, transparent, and accountable local government can look like.
