The Dunedin City Commission voted for a major improvement to the Dunedin Causeway, the entrance to Honeymoon Island and Caladesi State Parks where more than one million visitors travel each year.  Dunedin Vice Mayor, Julie Scales, a long time proponent of this effort applauded the effort. Follow this link to the story in the St. Petersburg Times.

Vice-Mayor Julie Scales Praises Proposed Improvements
for Dunedin Isles Country Club Neighborhood

In late May, the City sponsored a public meeting at the Dunedin Community Center to present a number of infrastructure improvements to the Dunedin Isles Country Club neighborhood. Long plagued by flooding issues during heavy rains, the neighborhood will first and foremost benefit from [describe project]. Ancillary work will include gutters and street resurfacing and replacement.

“This is a terrific project,” said Vice-Mayor Scales. “After I saw the presentation, I realized that this is also a Neighborhood Enhancement project. I can’t help but think the residents in this neighborhood [bounded by Palm Blvd. on the north, Michigan Blvd. on the south, Greenway on the east and Alt. 19 on the west] will see their neighborhood a little differently after these projects are done.”

Vice-Mayor Scales has long focused on neighborhoods as being key to the City’s overall health and viability. She called for the Neighborhood Enhancement Matching Grant Program which was initiated in 2004 and which has thus far benefitted 15 neighborhoods. She has also pushed for beautification of the area around Causeway Blvd. She was also a strong advocate for putting a priority on fixing the flooding issues in Dunedin Isles Country Club area. “Now that I’ve seen what this project is going to do, I realize how needed infrastructure improvements are vital to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods,” she said.

Julie Scales

Why a blog?  An ancient Greek philosopher once said that you can never step in the same river twice.  The flowing waters of the river ensure that, though it may look the same, it is always changing.

 There are many changes going on in Dunedin, many of which may not be that noticeable.  Media coverage of what is going on in Dunedin has steadily declined in recent years and at a time when substantial change is occurring in Dunedin.  I believe that it is very important for our citizens to know what is going on in their city and I have launched this blog to help fill an information gap.

In this, my first, chat with you, I want to share with the impact on our city budget of, first, recent efforts at tax relief and, second, the deep recession with which we are coping.  Please email me with any questions or comments at commissionerscales@gmail.com

Dunedin’s budget has been hit by two “bird strikes.” 

The first bird strike was actually a triple one on our ad valorem tax revenues.  These revenues continue to drop as a result of, first, legislative action in action in Tallahassee; second, a demand by our citizens for tax relief which was achieved by a statewide referendum; and, third, a dismal real estate market.

The second bird strike is the economic condition of the State of Florida itself.  As a result of this poor economy, we will be seeing a reduction in revenue sharing funds and in our share of the Penny for Pinellas.

How are we dealing with these blows? 

In preparing the budget for the fiscal year we are in currently 2009), we were facing a shortfall of $2.8 million.  To meet this shortfall, and at the direction of the City Commission, the City Manager focused first on what cost efficiencies we could realize.

• Reductions in Staffing:  19 full-time and 1 permanent part-time position were eliminated through a combination of layoffs and freezing positions.  This was in addition to 13 positions eliminated in 2007 for an overall total of 33 positions in 2007 and 2008.
• Reduction in Overtime:
• Reduction in waivers of fees for special events (50%)
• Outsourcing of custodial services
• Reduced employee wage levels from previous year (2008)
• Increase in certain fees to better cover costs 

Through these measures we were able to balance the budget without raising the millage rate, touching reserves, or reducing any services to the public. 

 As we got into this fiscal year, we realized we would be experiencing an additional $500,000 revenue shortfall.   To address this we

• asked all Depts. to  reduce approved spending by 5 to 10%
• deferred vehicle replacement
• disallowed all out-of-state travel
• approved only mandatory training
• eliminated recognition banquets this year
• In addition, the City Commission reduced spending from its operating budget.

Once again, we did not have to use reserves or reduce services to the public.

For the Proposed FY2010 Budget, we are assuming a further 15% reduction in ad valorem tax revenues which translates into a shortfall of $3 million shortfall.      Once again, staff is beginning with identifying and implementing efficiencies and looking at further streamlining the organization.  

•  Additional full-time and part-time permanent positions may need to be eliminated
• We are looking at further reducing over time
• Our review of fee schedules continues to see if fees are adequately covering costs
• We are considering partnering with outside organization for provision of some key services
• We are exploring providing services to several smaller, outside jurisdictions
• Reduce spending on professional services
• Defer vehicle replacement
• Reduced employee wage levels from FY2009
• Greater use of volunteers and interns

Once again, our goal is to achieve all of the needed $3 million dollars in cuts through further efficiencies, and to not reduce levels of service to the public if at all possible.  Again, I invite you to  email me with any questions or comments at commissionerscales@gmail.com