William Harris

Title: Commissioner

Municipality: Town of Fuquay-Varina

Position Interested In: President

​

Tell us why you would like to serve in a leadership position at the League. In particular, specify goals you would like to accomplish as an officer or board member and indicate how, if attained, they will help to achieve Vision 2030 – the League’s future vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030.

I believe cities and towns should have a voice in the future of North Carolina. Through the League's advocacy and training efforts, municipalities are being heard and local elected leaders are supported through access to up to date information and networking opportunities.  I would like to see the League continue to strengthen partnerships with counties, other governments and the private sector. At the center of efficient municipal operations is technology. I want to promote  a wider use of technology for service delivery, citizen engagement and economic development. We live in an era of speedy communication and I think cities and town can operate more effectively by using tools to that help local elected leaders and citizens work close to each other.

​

Tell us about your experience as a municipal official. You may want to include information on your service on the municipal governing body, other related boards and special areas of interest.

I have served for thirty-six years on the Fuquay-Varina Town Board. I served two(2) terms as Mayor Pro-Tem and over the years, I've serve as Chairmen of the Law and Finance Committee, the Public Safety Committee and the Public Works Committee. I've served on the League's Economic Development Committee, Law and Tax Committee and a Committee that focused on Stormwater run-off. I recently was Co-Chair of the League's Task Force for Racial Equity.

​

Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities. 

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Masters in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. I worked as an Adjunct Professor in the Business and Public Administration Department at Shaw University. I worked for the Dept. of Health and Human Services for 30 years in various positions, to include Program Manager, Medicaid Auditor, Substance Abuse Specialist and Community Engagement and Inclusion Coordinator all within the Division of Mental Health, Substance Abuse Services and Intellectual Developmental Disabilities. I worked as a part-time Grant Reviewer for the US Dept. of Education, the US Dept of Justice and the Office of Juvenile Justice. In my community, I helped organize a citizen group called the FV Citizens Against Drugs. I helped write a grant to the Dept of Justice and we received a grant award of $500,000  to implement a substance abuse intervention and prevention program called Weed and Seed.

​

Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees? 

• CityVision Annual Conference

• Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days

• Regional Meetings

• Legislative Lobby Days

• Legislative Policy Committee

​

Please provide any other information you would like the Nominations Committee to consider.

Read Resume

​

​

​