On June 26, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Christine Miller to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) District 4.
“I’m incredibly humbled by the confidence the Governor has placed in me to serve my community on the County Commission. I will work day and night to live up to the trust he’s placed in me, and I’m very eager to get to work to serve the residents of District 4 to meet our challenges head on and seize on the opportunities ahead,” Miller commented.
Miller, a resident of Plant City, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the United Food Bank and Services of Plant City, Inc. Miller earned her bachelor’s degree in natural resource economics from the University of Massachusetts, and her master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University.
Miller overhauled the United Food Bank, and led it into becoming a multimillion-dollar fundraising entity that has served and empowered more than one million people in need. She is a community advocate and partners with local businesses to reach Plant City developmental goals.
Miller’s expertise spans the public and private sectors, corporate America, small business ownership, not-for-profit, and non-profit industries. She has achieved several career awards including the Wonder Woman Award. She is featured in chapter three of Senator Marco Rubio’s book, American Dreams.
Miller also serves on the Executive Board of the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP), FACP Advocacy Committee, the Student Affairs Development Council for Florida State University, Plant City Economic Development Corporation Board, Plant City Main Street Board, Ex Officio, and a Rotary Club Board.
The seven members of the BOCC are elected by Hillsborough County citizens. The BOCC meets one to two times each month to discuss policy and vote on initiatives. The BOCC develops policy for the management of Hillsborough County, and provides direction to the County Administrator on programs for the improvement of the County and the welfare of its residents. Therefore, the BOCC has wide-ranging oversight including:
Business Operations
Community Infrastructure and Planning
Development Services
Fire Rescue
Emergency Management
Medical Examiner
Human Resources
Budget
Conservation
Code Enforcement
Economic Development
Social Services
Public Works
Parks and Recreation
Miller’s appointment comes as part of a political chain reaction set off by the unexpected retirement of Mike Beltran from the Florida House of Representatives District 70 seat. County Commissioner Michael Owen resigned from the County Board of Commissioners District 4 to campaign to replace Beltran. At the time, Miller had been running for County Commissioner District 6—which is a County-wide seat.
District 4 includes Plant City, so upon the departure of Michael Owen, Miller reoriented her campaign to contend for the District 4 seat. Primary voting will be August 5 through August 18. Should Miller emerge victorious from the primary, she will face a Democrat opponent in the November 2024 general election.