Commissioner Nancy Miller Family Member Hired by City After Election Victory, Position Not Publicly Advertised

Commissioner Nancy Miller Family Member Hired by City After Election Victory, Position Not Publicly Advertised

Tallahassee Reports has learned that a Nancy Miller family member, John R. Buss, was hired in a temporary city position after she entered the 2010 race for city commission. Records also show Mr. Buss received a 33% pay raise weeks after Miller won the race and was subsequently hired in a permanent position that was not publicly advertised.

Tallahassee Reports has recently published stories about the friends and family of City Commissioner Nancy Miller doing business with the City of Tallahassee.

The Time line

Filings with the Leon County Supervisor of Elections show that Nancy Miller became a candidate for the Tallahassee City Commission in January, 2010.

Records obtained by Tallahassee Reports show that Ms. Miller’s step-son, John R. Buss who graduated high school in 2008, submitted an application to the City of Tallahassee on May 6, 2010. The application listed as a home address the same home address as candidate Nancy Miller.

Mr. John R. Buss was hired on May 24th, 2010 by the City of Tallahassee in a temporary position with an annual pay of $21,840.

On November 2, 2010 Ms. Miller was elected to the Tallahassee City Commission. Approximately five weeks later, city records show that John R. Buss received a promotion and his annual salary was increased by 33% to $29,120.

On March 3rd, 2012 a City of Tallahassee job opening was posted for a Computer Operator I in the Underground Utilities department. The job required a high school diploma and one year of data processing experience. The job was not advertised publicly. In fact, the advertisement – obtained by TR – limited the job applicants to “Underground Utilities Employees Only.”

The job was advertised from March 3rd to March 9th. Interestingly, March 3rd was a Saturday. This means the job was open for five business days.

On March 7th, 2012 John R. Buss submitted an application for the permanent position. Again, the application listed the same home address as City Commissioner Nancy Miller.

Also, John R. Buss listed City Commissioner Nancy Miller and Rich Buss – his uncle and Ms. Miller’s brother-in-law, as references. Rich Buss is affiliated with a company that is currently a city vendor.

Records show that on May 5th, 2012 John R. Buss was hired into the permanent position with an annual salary of $32,572.

Also, John R. Buss is the son of John Buss who is a veteran city employee in the Underground Utilities department. John Buss is the husband of City Commissioner Nancy Miller and brother of Rich Buss.

City officials have told Tallahassee Reports that the hiring of John R. Buss did not violate any city policies.

5 Responses to "Commissioner Nancy Miller Family Member Hired by City After Election Victory, Position Not Publicly Advertised"

  1. The worst part of all of this filth within the City Commission, this city will re-elect every single one of them because collectively we are that stupid

  2. Elected officials should conduct themselves in such an appropriate manner that their integrity will be above and beyond any suspicion.
    In Nancy’s as well as the rest of the “Usual Suspects” case they still act as the Internet has never been invented. They conduct themselves as if the the only local news is WCTV and The Tallahassee Democrat. Both of which have a long history of covering up dirt and/or not reporting on dirt if your political party begins with a “D”. Hello “usual suspects” the 1980’s are calling to tell you that’s all over!
    Sadly a majority of the voters condone duly elected Democratic dirt and corruption with their vote.
    Thank you Tallahassee Reports for shining the bright light of truth right in the squintey beady eyes of our duly elected Democratic dirt and corruption loving officials !

  3. Great reporting! The hiring of Mr. Buss may not have violated any city policy, but it reeks of nepotism and favoritism. Above all and before this happened, Ms. Miller should have never run for a city commission seat if her husband was already employed by the City of Tallahassee. This is a clear conflict of interest even if there is no rule prohibiting it. There is a moral code we all need to live by.

  4. So far your story implies misuse of her public position, but offers no evidence. Why don’t you publish the names of the city employee who hired the young man, who recommended or awarded the raise, and his current supervisor. How about his efficiency reports since he was hired? We’re there any other applicants for the position, and what were their qualifications. Interview them.
    Keep up the good work.

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