Dillon County’s newly hired administrator Tim Harper brings a wealth of experience to his new position.
Harper’s first day of work will be February 27th.

Harper has extensive expertise in local government as a regional planner, as an appointed official, and as an elected official. He is skilled in local government as a planner and administrator with an extensive background in planning, emergency services, purchasing, personnel, and administration. He has more than 30 years of local government experience.
Harper’s most recent position is Marion County Administrator where he has served since 2007 and has directed over 225 employees and administered a budget of over $17 million.
Harper was a part-time instructor at Southeastern Community College from 1998-2013 where he taught a First Responder course and Electrical, Haz-Mat, and Explosives training in the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy at the college.
He was the city administrator and city planner for the City of Marion from 2002-2007 and the administrator for the Town of Rowland from 2000-2002.
From 1991-1999, he was the Director of Emergency Services Education at Robeson Community College. From 1984-1991, he was an instructor at Robeson Community College.
From 1983-1991, he was a Regional Planner for the Lumber River Council of Governments, where he wrote and administered Community Development Grants and Emergency, Medical Services, Rescue and Fire, and Law Enforcement Grants, developed various training programs and special projects for fire, rescue, and EMS services in a four-county regional and provided technical assistance to towns and counties in the region on various local government issues, projects, and problems. He served as a part-time administrator for the Town of Marietta during the time.
Harper is a 1976 graduate of Rowland High School. Harper attended Francis Marion College from 1977-1979. He transferred to Pembroke State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration in 1981.
Harper’s licenses and certificates include ICMA Credentialed Manager, Certified Hazardous Materials First Responder, Certified Grants Specialist, UNC Chapel Hill Institute of Government’s Budgeting and Financial Planning, UNC Chapel Hill Institutes of Government’s County and Municipal Administration, graduate of S.C. Economic Developer’s School, S.C. Institute of Government for Count Officials (Level I and Level II), training for Local Government Planning and Zoning Officials, and National Incident Management Systems (NIMS IS-700).
His professional affiliations include ICMA-International City-County Management Association, ICMA-National Conference Planning Committee, South Carolina City-County Management Association, South Carolina City-County Management Association-President, South Carolina County Administrators and Supervisors Association, South Carolina County Administrators and Supervisors Association-Past-President, National Association of County Administrators, National Association of Counties-Membership Committee, National Association of Counties-Rural Action Caucus, National Association of Counties Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee, National Association of counties-Agriculture and Rural Affairs Vice-Chair, Duke Progress Energy Advisory Committee, and Clemson IPTAY.
Some of his previous certifications include Certified NC EMT-21 years, Certified NC EMT Instructor-16 years, Certified North Carolina Firefighter III, Certified North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Office, North Carolina Law Enforcement Instructor with First Responder and Haz Mat Specialty Certification, Certified North Carolina Firefighter Instructor, and American Red Cross Basic Life Support Instructor.
He is a member of Marion Baptist Church.
Harper has been married to Rose Price Harper for 34 years. They have one son, Walt Harper, who is a graduate of Clemson and serves in the U.S. Air Force.