Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Dunedin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues in roads
Jolley Trolley Funding and Amendment 3 Threat
The property tax relief amendment that passed Tuesday means Dunedin faces roughly $4.7 million in cuts by 2028 and $7.6 million by 2029. The mayor promised residents will get input, with a contingency budget special meeting set for December 2 and possible cuts to pools, parades, and positions.
School drop-off traffic on Texas and Carolina Avenues
Two longtime residents described years of dangerous congestion, blocked driveways, and hostile parents from drivers using a residential block as an unofficial drop-off lane for the high school. Staff explained the gate opens for pedestrians and pledged continued talks with the school and sheriff, with an update due in a couple of weeks.
Tri-County MPO Merger and Dunedin's Representation
Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco may merge their three MPOs into one 25-member regional transportation board. Under the draft plan, Dunedin loses its guaranteed voting seat and could only hold a rotating small-city seat — a big deal for who speaks up for Dunedin's roads, trails, and transit priorities.
FY 2026 Street Resurfacing Program
About 30 streets get milled and repaved this year under a $1.53 million contract, with the low bid allowing extra curbing and the addition of Robmar Drive. Expect construction disruption in late April through July.
Skinner Boulevard Landscaping and Maintenance
FDOT will spend about $1.1 million landscaping the newly rebuilt Skinner Boulevard corridor, and the city takes over maintenance (~$15,000/year) after a two-year establishment period. Commissioner Gow objected that shade trees for pedestrians and cyclists are limited by tight right-of-way and utilities.
Gas tax fund squeeze as EV adoption grows
County gas tax revenue is down and projected flat — the fund is so strained the city is shifting pavement management and sidewalk costs to other funds. Commissioners noted EV growth will make it worse and called for state action on EV registration fees.
ATMS/ITS interlocal renewal with Pinellas County
A 20-year extension of the traffic signal and intelligent transportation systems agreement with Pinellas County, running 2027 through 2046.
Grant Street two-way conversion
Converting Grant Street to two-way would take a few feet of Grand Oak Park, require diagonal parking, and stretch the timeline three months. It still needs Commission approval, and Chair Freaney is skeptical.
S.R. 580 corridor improvements
Forward Pinellas is advancing quick-hit safety fixes on State Road 580 — pedestrian yield signs, striping and mid-block crossings at several intersections — with bigger visioning for a full 'enterprise corridor' still to come.
Skinner Boulevard speeding concerns
Duke Energy expects to finish undergrounding utilities on Skinner by late summer/fall, but one holdout property owner refuses to participate, leaving poles standing. The Advisory Committee also flagged speeding from Main Street into Skinner as a safety concern.
Beltrees Safe Street Plan Implementation
The bike month proclamation came with sobering numbers: Pinellas County has one of the state's highest pedestrian and bicycle fatality rates. A community safety event is planned for March 14 on the Pinellas Trail.
Skinner Boulevard corridor completion
Dale Cox called the new Skinner Boulevard road project Dunedin's 'doormat' — 20 one-way signs and bare medians. The City Manager says FDOT landscaping is coming this summer.