New Leadership Emerges in Beaufort County as Pinky Harriott Assumes Role of Chief Financial Officer

New Beginnings in Beaufort County: Pinky Harriott Steps Up as Chief Financial Officer

Beaufort County is buzzing with anticipation as Pinky Harriott takes on the role of the new chief financial officer. Since assuming her position on November 25, 2024, Harriott has her sights set on bringing a wave of change to the county that many believe is urgently needed.

Facing the Music

When Harriott was approached to return to her roots in local government, she was faced with a challenging decision. Would she dive back into the murky waters of a county tarnished by a reputation for secrecy and mismanagement? She candidly shared her feelings, declaring, “There’s no secret here. The past year-and-a-half has been horrible.”

Harriott’s comments point to the troubles that have unfolded under the previous County Administrator, Eric Greenway. His tenure was mired in controversy, with clouded audits of spending, contract mismanagement, and allegations of misconduct. To put it simply, Harriott knows the weight of the challenges ahead, but she’s ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work.

A Homegrown Heroine

For Harriott, this is more than just a job—it’s personal. “I’m homegrown from Beaufort County, I left for about 10 years and came back because this is where my family is. I grew up here. I went to school here,” she explained, emphasizing her commitment to the community. She is determined to “turn the page” and squash the negativity that has plagued the county in recent years.

Big Plans for Transparency

As the new CFO, Harriott is charged with overseeing the county’s budget and procurement finance divisions, with a particularly focused mission to restore fiscal transparency and rebuild public trust. Harriott previously held the position of budget director for Beaufort County, where she made significant strides by introducing the county’s first digital budget book, ultimately earning recognition through the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

One of her immediate plans is to revive the digital budget book that was temporarily replaced with a paper version after she left for the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB). “This new version will not only be visually appealing but will include detailed sections on the county’s capital projects,” she stated, exciting the public with the promise of enhanced transparency.

Transitioning from Troubled Waters

Harriott’s recent stint at USCB, where she managed the annual budget and ensured compliance with fiscal policies, has equipped her with the tools required to tackle the tumultuous waters back at the county. Her appointment follows a slew of challenges highlighted during Greenway’s administration, which included questionable spending practices and serious allegations of mismanagement that resulted in significant scrutiny.

Building Trust, One Step at a Time

Looking to the future, Harriott carries the dual responsibility of ensuring smooth fiscal operations while also adjusting policies in light of past investigations. As she embarks on this journey, she aligns herself with County Administrator Michael Moore, who has set transparency and accountability as top priorities since taking office in July 2023. Together, they’re working on gaining back the public trust, a sentiment that Harriott echoes passionately: “The biggest thing for me is gaining back public trust.”

In her interview with Moore, Harriott expressed her commitment to ethical governance: “I’m a certified government finance officer. There is a code of ethics that I follow,” she reassured him. Moore reciprocated her dedication, stating, “This is what I want.”

A Bright Horizon

As Beaufort County turns over a new leaf, Pinky Harriott stands as a beacon of hope for residents eager to see their community thrive once more. With her experience, dedication, and passion for local governance, there’s a growing sense of optimism that she will be the change agent the county desperately needs. Who knows, the days of negative headlines may be behind us, thanks to the diligent efforts of folks like Harriott who are determined to pave a brighter path forward!