Dunedin marina slip renters will pay 7% more starting Oct. 1 after the city secured a $3 million state grant for hurricane repairs.

The increase is three percentage points below what a consultant had recommended. The Dunedin City Commission unanimously approved the lower rate, Tampa Bay Beacons reported. The vote marks the fourth in a series of five annual hikes that consultant Raftelis recommended in January 2023 to keep the Marina Enterprise Fund self-sustaining. The first three were each 10%.

FEMA funding drives lower increase

Finance Director Les Tyler said the $3 million state appropriation for fiscal 2027 will help cover storm repairs to the marina's Docks A and B, freeing the city to trim this year's increase. But he warned the savings hinge on the Federal Emergency Management Agency fully reimbursing the city for replacing the storm-damaged docks with modern floating docks.

"As long as FEMA fully reimburses us, we know we have a really good plan," Tyler said. "If they don't fully reimburse us, we may have to look at adjusting the rates in the future . . ."

The city estimates replacing Docks A and B will cost about $5 million. FEMA is expected to cover roughly 75%, or $3.75 million, according to the city's Engage Dunedin marina update page.

Two more projects await federal money

Two other major projects are also planned: a $3.5 million bulkhead replacement and a $2.3 million fishing pier rebuild. Both depend heavily on FEMA funding.

Tyler said the scope of repairs could grow and not all costs may qualify for federal reimbursement. If FEMA does not approve the mitigation costs for floating docks, the marina fund would absorb more than current forecasts anticipate. The city would likely raise slip rates further in future years, he said.

Bulkhead on schedule, pier project stalled

The bulkhead project is on track for completion in October, according to the city's September manager update. The fishing pier replacement is stalled while the city waits for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.

Slip vacancies remain across dock sizes

The marina currently has 30 slip vacancies across four sizes, the manager update shows. The largest gap is in 25-foot slips, where 17 sit empty with no wait list.

Commissioners praise staff for the cut

Commissioner Tom Dugard called the reduction "wonderful news." Several other commissioners praised staff for holding the increase down, with Commissioner Steve Sandbergen noting that a resident told him he couldn't believe how much he gets at the marina for the price.

The city hopes to trim next year's final scheduled increase below 10% as well, but Tyler said that reduction also depends on full FEMA reimbursement.