Meet Scott Harbour

Candidate for Madison City Council – District 6

Madison City has been our home for nearly 20 years; my wife and I have raised two sons here, both proud graduates of Bob Jones High School. Over the years, we’ve been deeply involved in serving this community that we love—from our schools and youth programs to our churches and civic organizations.

I currently serve on the Madison City Zoning Board of Adjustment, where I help guide responsible growth and land-use decisions. I'm also the Council Chair at Grace UM Church and a former Chair of the Hogan Family YMCA Board of Managers, where I helped shape programs that serve local families. My community involvement includes time as a Madison Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Cub Scout Den Leader, Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster, AYSO Soccer Coach, and AHSAA High School Soccer Referee. I’m also a proud alumnus of Leadership Connect Class 12, where I built relationships with leaders across the region and developed a stronger commitment to collaborative, service-driven leadership.

Professionally, I bring over 25 years of executive experience in finance, operations, and strategy. Today, I serve as Vice President of Finance at Chapman Sisson Architects, where I lead financial operations, strategic planning, IT, and budgeting initiatives that drive sustainable growth. My background includes helping lead the U.S. Space & Rocket Center through record-setting growth in museum attendance. I am also a published author who has written about what it takes to build a successful business and how business can not only be the economic engine of a community but can also fuel the programs that serve to support the community.

What has shaped my leadership perspective the most was building a small business from the ground up. As the owner and CEO of H&S Haircutters(Sport Clips), I grew the company to five locations, created dozens of local jobs, and led my team through challenges, including pandemic recovery, with resilience and compassion. The catalyst of our success was rooted in partnerships.  The success we garnered earned national recognition, and more importantly, provided career paths and professional growth for many in our community. I know firsthand the pressures and opportunities small business owners face, and I’m committed to supporting policies that help local businesses thrive. 

I hold an MBA with a concentration in Economics from Mississippi State University and a BBA in Finance from the University of North Alabama. I believe in a data-informed, fiscally responsible approach to leadership, one grounded in transparency and guided by what’s best for our community.

I’m running for Madison City Council District 6 to advocate for smart growth, stable infrastructure, strong neighborhoods, and a city government that works for everyone. Madison City has given so much to my family. Now, I am ready to give back in a new capacity by serving you as your Madison City Council District 6 representative.

Why am I running for Madison City Council?

Madison is a city with a bright future and I believe that future must be built on the same strong values and smart decisions that made the last 20 years so successful. Our city has grown because of it’s excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, and high quality of life. These didn’t happen by accident, they were the result of intentional choices by leaders who prioritized what matters. I’m running to make sure we continue down that path, with steady hands and servant leadership guiding the way.

My family has called Madison home for the past 17 years. Like so many others, we chose to live here because Madison offers opportunity, safety, and a deep sense of community. I want every family, whether they've lived here for decades or just moved in, to have that same experience.

To protect what makes Madison special, we need to support the very institutions that uphold our way of life. That means standing firmly behind our school system, empowering our teachers and administrators, and ensuring our students have the tools they need to succeed. It means fully supporting our first responders so they can keep our neighborhoods safe. These aren’t just line items in a budget, they are investments in the future of our community.

Protecting the Madison we know also means planning wisely for future Madison.

Smart growth requires thoughtful leadership. I believe the coming years will demand city leaders who understand both fiscal responsibility and strategic investment. We must steward our resources carefully while also making visionary decisions that prepare us for the next generation. That includes:

-Working with local businesses to foster a thriving economy and creating opportunities for new businesses.

-Reducing commute times with efficient infrastructure.

-Expanding access to parks and green spaces that bring people together and elevate our quality of life.

I’m running because I believe in service over status. I believe in transparency, accountability, and collaboration. And I believe that my background, combining education, professional experience, and years of civic involvement gives me the tools to serve District 6 effectively from day one.

This campaign is about all of us: our neighborhoods, our families, and our future. I’m ready to do the hard work to keep Madison strong, and I would be honored to earn your support.